Hello, love legends! 🌟
On the socials, I state that I am your dedicated hype-girl, voice-over, timekeeper, and scriptwriter—basically, I've got you!!! That’s a lot of trust I'm asking for, so I’ve decided to show you that the trust I ask for is backed up. Here I am, diving into the nitty-gritty of the legal jazz and breaking down what exactly a celebrant does, along with the legalities and responsibilities we hold.
The Legal Jazz 🎷
As Commonwealth-registered marriage celebrants, we play an important role in our wedding community, ensuring that every wedding officiated is not only beautiful and unique but also legally sound. Here’s a peek into the legalities we navigate to make your big day flawless.
Marriage Act 1961 📜: This act is the cornerstone of all things marriage in Australia. It lays down the who, what, where, and how of getting hitched. From ensuring you’re eligible to marry to the specific legal words that must be spoken during the ceremony, this act covers it all.
Marriage Regulations 2017 📋: These regulations include the Code of Practice for marriage celebrants, ensuring we uphold the highest standards of professionalism and ethics. They also detail the administrative duties we must follow, like lodging our legal paperwork correctly.
Code of Practice 📘: This document outlines the conduct expected of celebrants, emphasising respect, dignity, and inclusivity. It’s all about creating a safe and enjoyable experience for you and your guests.
Keeping Up with the Learning 📚: Just like any other profession, being a celebrant means committing to continuous learning. We must partake in Compulsory Professional Development 🎓
Every year, from January to December, I must complete specific professional development activities. These activities keep me updated on the latest legal requirements and best practices in celebrancy.
What Happens If We Don’t Keep Up? ⏰
Not keeping up with professional development can lead to serious consequences - suspension from officiating ceremonies and even reregistration as a celebrant.
The Checklist 📋
At every wedding we have obligations when solemnising marriages, to ensure everything goes smoothly and legally:
Before the Ceremony:
Finalise the Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM):
Ensure the NOIM is provided no later than
one month and no earlier than
18 months before the ceremony.
Verify identities:
Check birth dates and ensure the NOIM is signed and witnessed properly.
Declarations of No Legal Impediment:
Both parties must sign these declarations close to the ceremony date.
Prepare Marriage Certificates:
Three certificates need to be prepared – one for the registry, one for my records, and one for the couple.
At the Ceremony:
Witnesses and Interpreters:
Ensure there are two witnesses over 18, and if needed, an interpreter.
Monitum and Vows:
Include the monitum (legal wording) and ensure the vows comply with the Marriage Act.
Sign the Certificates:
All three certificates must be signed by me, the couple, and the witnesses.
After the Ceremony:
Complete and Submit Documents:
Complete the NOIM, record the date and place of marriage, and send the official certificate and other required documents to the registry within 14 days.
Record Keeping:
Maintain records of the marriage and the Form 15 certificate securely for six years.
Bringing the Vibes 🎉
Beyond the legalities, is where the choice of you as the couples comes in to play.
All celebrants are unique and I truly believe there is someone for everyone.
You have to ask yourself do I like this person? Do we vibe? Do I feel looked after and safe. As Celebrants we are standing right up there with you as you make one of the biggest commitments of your life in front of your chosen people - it's a pretty big deal.
Will this person do our story and our vibe justice?
This is where I tend to thrive and I often focus all my chats with couples around. I see my role as all the above but uniquely to craft a ceremony that reflects your story and vibes spot on! I hope for you to wake you the next day and it feels monumental and all your guests not only had a wicked party but witnessed something huge for these two cool-cats they love so much!
Whether it’s a quirky themed wedding, a big shebang full of colour and grandeur, timeless with traditional elements incorporated or an intimate elopement, I’m here to make it happen and here’s how I do it:
Personalisation ✨:
I take a great deal of time getting to know you as a couple, to create a ceremony that’s truly yours. From crafting your story with ebs and flow and storytelling elements to incorporating special traditions, every detail is tailored to you.
Support and Guidance 👐:
I guide you through the entire process, from the legal paperwork to the ceremony script, ensuring everything runs smoothly on the day. i take your lead on if you want to be super involved in the planning or hands off ready for the surprise.
Creating Memories 📸:
My goal is to make your ceremony not just legal but a milestone-worthy day of celebrating YOU!
So, whether you’re dreaming of a grand celebration or an intimate gathering, whether getting married is about the two of you and everyone else is the cherry on top or it’s about all your people in one place for one night only, know that I’ve got the legalities covered and the vibes ready.
Let’s create a ceremony that’s as unique and beautiful as your love story! 💖
Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or want to start planning your big day. Follow me on Instagram for more insights and behind-the-scenes peeks into the life of a celebrant!
References:
Marriage Act 1961
Marriage Regulations 2017 (including the code of practice for marriage celebrants)
Code of Practice for Marriage Celebrants
Celebrant Obligations Checklist
Happy planning! 🥂
Carina is a Perth based Marriage Celebrant living in the beautiful Swan Valley. She focusses on fun relaxed, charismatic wedding ceremonies staying true to her naturally bubbly and vibrant personality. Get in touch with her via her blog or email.
0417 923 760
Perth, Western Australia
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