First Steps

I want to get married. What do I do first?

When you have decided you want to get married you will need to contact one of the following. They will be able to perform your wedding ceremony and look after the legal requirements of your marriage ceremony and documentation.

• a suitable religious body,
• The Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, or
• a Civil Marriage Celebrant

When you have chosen your Marriage Celebrant you will need to complete a Notice of Intended Marriage. This must be lodged a minimum of one month and one day, and up to eighteen months, before your wedding day.

As your Civil Marriage Celebrant I can provide you with a Notice of Intended Marriage and help you complete it. In Australia, I can witness this legal document for you. In order to complete this you will need to provide some legal identity documentation depending on your personal circumstance. When completed I will lodge your Notice of Intended Marriage for you.

The next step is to begin planning your wedding ceremony. I will advise you of the legal wording which must be included to comply with Australian law and I can provide plenty of examples of words, poems and phrases to give you a unique ceremony which reflects your personal style and feelings.

Legal Documentation Required

If you were born in Australia you must provide your original birth certificate. If born outside Australia you must provide your original birth certificate or current passport from your country of birth. If these are not in English you will need to provide a translated copy from a registered translator. If you have been previously married you will need to show evidence of your divorce or death of your previous spouse.

To book a first (no obligation) meeting

You can contact me any time via email Jennifer@perthmarriagecelebrant.com or by calling 0405 105 246. I am conveniently located close to Perth city in East Victoria Park, WA, Australia and conduct wedding ceremonies throughout the Perth metropolitan area.