Inspiration

Legalities

There aren’t actually a lot of legal requirements for the ceremony itself. Please see below the language that is required by law for the marriage to be legal:

Celebrant’s legal wording requirements

 “I am duly authorized by law to solemnize marriages according to law. 

“Before you are joined in marriage in my presence and in the presence of these witnesses, I am to remind you of the solemn and binding nature of the relationship into which you are now about to enter.

“Marriage, according to law in Australia, is the union of two people to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life.”

or words to that effect.

Legal words to be said by the marrying couple:

There are specific words that must be communicated by the couple to ensure the marriage is legal.

The following words must be used in a civil marriage:

“I call upon the persons here present to witness that I, A.B. (or C.D.), take thee, C.D. (or A.B.), to be my lawful wedded wife/husband/spouse.”

or words to that effect.

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Under Australian law, the point at which you are married is when you will take each other as husband/wife/spouse, in front of two adult witnesses and a registered marriage celebrant.

Let’s chat about how you’d like to personalise your ceremony.

Consider Inclusions for your Ceremony

Some things you may wish to consider to include in your ceremony are:

• Do you want to include any readings from family members or friends? If so, how many?

• Do you want to include any more traditional or cultural ceremonial rituals? Eg. sand pouring, hand fasting, tree planting. Or… create your own!

• Is there any loved ones who have passed that you would like to honour in some way?

• Would you like to include a musical performance or would you like to include a video of some kind (venue allowing)?

• Are there any children that you want to include in the ceremony?

• Do you want to include a gentle few minutes led by the celebrant to pause before diving into the ceremony, for people to land and notice the environment around them?

Be guided by Storytelling

I have been crafting stories for over fifteen years. The reason I am passionate about bringing storytelling to ceremonies? It is the easiest and most powerful way to create a ceremony that will be engaging and memorable for you and your guests.

As it relates to your story and the story of your love, consider the people, the key events, the places and what makes your story unique. All of these pieces can be integrated into the ceremony and can even help determine the music you use, the writings you may select, the people who have roles in your ceremony etc.

For instance.. you might have met at a German beer hall one summer night. How can we bring in the details of that night to allow your guests to feel like they are experiencing it too? Do you have friends who were there that night that can share their memories and provide a different perspective? Is there a beautiful German piece of poetry or music that you might like to include?

Or… Did you meet during COVID and had to spend a lot of the beginning of your relationship talking via Zoom and exchanging voice messages? How could we describe what that was like for you both - what were your homes like that you were stuck in? Who were you sharing the details of your budding relationship with that could speak to that? What if we were to play a couple of the voice messages you sent as an opening to the ceremony?

The possibilities are endless - and the best way to work out what to include is to ask the question what is it that makes your story different? What have you overcome? What have you done together that is different to the most? Everyone has an incredible story - why not share it in your ceremony!

Include a Welcome to Country or Acknowledgement of Country

Ceremonies have been taking place on these lands for tens of thousands of years. If you are interested in a local Elder joining the ceremony for a Smoking Ceremony or Welcome to Country, this is something I can arrange for you. It is a beautiful addition to any ceremony and a meaningful way to respect the culture and ceremonies that have come before us. It is also a pleasure of mine to include an Acknowledgment of Country into the opening of a wedding ceremony.