Bunbury Marriage Celebrant | Weddings
Your wedding will be one of the most important events in your life and as such, I believe it should reflect your personality, style and interests.
My role as a celebrant is to assist you in creating a ceremony that is a true expression of your relationship, so that your guests will say at the end of the day “They got it right, it was just them!”
Civil ceremonies are chosen by couples who prefer to have flexibility and creativity in their wedding service. Ceremonies can therefore be traditional, spiritual, multi-faith, casual or formal and in any number of settings.
While not bound by the traditional church service, a civil ceremony can incorporate religious/spiritual beliefs as well as including rituals that enhance the wedding ceremony.
Wedding Planning
The first step in engaging the Bunbury Civil Celebrant is to meet and decide whether you are happy to work together and entrust me to perform your wedding service and associated legal responsibilities.
The next step is to complete the Notice of Intended Marriage (Form 13). This is a legal requirement that needs to be completed a minimum of one calendar month prior to the intended marriage and no earlier than 18 months before the wedding date (see more about other legalities below).
We will then discuss your ideas and wishes for your ceremony. Each step of the way, you will be involved in the progress of your special ceremony. Together we will design a service that expresses the unique qualities of your partnership. You have the final approval of the ceremony so there will be no surprises. I will also provide you with a printed record of the ceremony with your Marriage Certificate.
Suggested Order of Ceremony:
1. Processional – arrival of Bride
2. Welcoming – Celebrant welcomes family & friends
3. Giving Away (Optional)
4. Introduction- Celebrant speaks about the couple
5. Reading – Verse or poem often by friend or family member
6. Monitum/Legal
7. Declaration of Intention to Marry
8. Vows
9. Ring Exchange
10. Inclusion of Rituals (Optional)
11. The Declaration – Celebrant announces the couple ‘Man and Wife’
12. Signing of the Register
13. Presentation to Family & Friends – announces couple as ‘Mr & Mrs’
14. Recessional – The couple leave the ceremony area
This is a guideline only and there is flexibility to involve family and friends, incorporate religious, spiritual or other rituals, play your favourite music and so forth. The Monitum and the Declaration of Intention to Marry cannot be excluded, they are a legal requirement that must be performed by the Celebrant.
Elopements
If you prefer to enjoy the intimacy of a private wedding without the pressure of family or friends, then perhaps an elopement is for you. You are still required to complete the Notice of Intended Marriage (Form 13) with a minimum of one calendar month notice prior to the wedding date, unless you have approval by a prescribed authority to marry with less notice. The Notice of Intended Marriage is a confidential document so it is unnecessary to let people, other than the celebrant, know you are planning to wed.
An elopement service can be very private – just the two of you, the Celebrant and two witnesses.
Legalities
The Notice of Intended Marriage (Form 13) must be completed a minimum of one calendar month prior to the marriage, and no earlier than 18 months prior to the marriage.
The Celebrant needs to sight the birth certificates of each party if born in Australia. If either/both parties were born outside Australia, either a birth certificate or passport (citing birth date) must be produced.
If either party has been previously married, a ‘Decree Absolute’ document is required to be sighted to prove evidence of the dissolution of the prior marriage.
Any relevant documentation in a foreign language should be translated into English by a certified translator.
This website may be of assistance in this regard – www.naati.com.au
Photo id. (Passport or Drivers Licence) is also required to prove the identity of the couple signing the Notice of Intended Marriage.
Possible Locations to Marry
With a civil ceremony you are free to choose a location and time that appeals to you. It is important to be aware that many public places such as parks, beaches etc will require you to gain permission from a relevant local authority.
- These are some of the places you may like to consider holding your service:
- Private Homes
- Restaurants
- Private Gardens
- Public Gardens & Parks*
- Beachside*
- Reception venues
- Historic Locations *
- Landmarks*
- Vineyards
- Country properties
*Local government permission required
Possible Rituals to Enhance the Ceremony
There are many ways to add a special touch to your service. Some of the most popular rituals include:
- Coloured Sands
- Handfasting
- Candle Lighting
- Balloon Release
- Wedding Ring Warming
- Wine
- Rose
Please let me know if there is a special ritual or tradition you would like included during your wedding service.
Other Services
The Bunbury Civil Celebrant is also able to conduct a range of other special ceremonies including: name giving; renewal of vows, commitment or partnership services; and memorial and funeral services.
To book NOW, contact Lynette, Bunbury Marriage Celebrant on 08 97959687 or complete the Contact form to enquire about availability.
Bunbury Wedding Celebrant
