Weddings

Weddings are a very exciting time. It is a day that you want to be perfect, in every way. I am very happy to work with you to tailor a ceremony that is as unique and special as you are. Although I can tailor a ceremony to each couple, it is important that you are aware that there are some legal requirements and wording, that cannont be changed.

Legal Requirements.

The following points are requirments, by law, under the Marriage Act. Therefore I must ensure:

I inform everyone, during the ceremony, that I am an authorised celebrant, using the following words: “My name is Sherrilyn Griffith, I am a Registered Marriage Celebrant. I am authorized to solemnize this marriage, according to law.”
I inform you, during the ceremony, of the law regarding marriage, using the following words: "Marriage is, according to law in Australia, the union of a man and a woman, to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life."
I will ask you, during the ceremony, using your full names, if you are moving into your marriage freely. Using the following words: "Before you (Full Legal Name), and you (Full Legal Name), are joined in marriage, in my presence and in the presence of these witnesses, I am to remind you of the solemn, serious and binding nature of the relationship into which you are now about to enter.
I will advise you that you may add your own vows or promises but that they must include the following words:
(Groom) “I call upon all persons here present to witness that I, (First and last name or two given names), take you, (Names), to be my lawful wedded wife.
(Bride) I call upon all persons here present to witness that I, (Names), take you, (Names), to be my lawful wedded husband.”
that the bride, groom, 2 witnesses and myself as the celebrant will sign the three (3) required certificates. Please note that your witnesses must be 18 years or over.

Outside of these requirements, you may have as much or as little included in the ceremony as you wish. If you have something specific you would like included, such as a poem, a reading, a symbolic ceremony (i.e. candle lighting, sand or petal spreading ceremony) or a song, this can be done with ease. If you know you would like something but not sure what, I can provide you with guideance and options, for you to choose.

Paperwork required

I will provide the Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) for compilation at our first meeting. This needs to be lodged with me at least one month and one day prior to your wedding and but no longer than 18 months in advance.

You may also obtain a copy of the Notice of Intended Marriage (Form 13) from a Registry Office, or from the official website.

The NOIM contains very important information and will require you to provide the following evidence:

Andy Lovell ‘A-Class Photographics’

Regarding date and place of birth

If you were born in Australia you must produce an official certificate (photocopies, or extracts, are not accepted) showing the date and place of birth. A statutory declaration may be used in the rare instance of a birth certificate being unavailable. Please check with your celebrant regarding this unusual situation.
or
If you were born overseas, you should produce your birth certificate, or you may produce a passport issued by a government of an overseas country, showing the date and place of birth. A statutory declaration is also a possibility, but it is unlikely that this provision will have to be used. Please ask your celebrant about this situation.

To apply for a birth certificate in South Australia visit the Office of Consumer and Business Affairs

Previous marriages or change of name

If you have been previously married or have changed your name by deed poll, you will also have to produce evidence of your divorce, death of your spouse or change of name.

for divorces in Australia prior to 2005 (decree nisi and decree absolute) a decree absolutes is required, and for divorces in Australia since 2005 (simplified Certificate of Divorce) the date divorce takes effect is the key date.
for divorces in overseas countries what is required is divorce documentation from the country in which the divorce took place.
Acceptable evidence of the death of a spouse is the official death certificate or other official documents like a coroner or police report.
If you have changed your name, you will need to provide a Change of Name Certificate or re-issued Birth Certificate.

As your celebrant I will talk through the ramifications, and variations, of these basic rules.

On the day of your marriage I will provide you with a Bridal Certificate. The official Certificate of Marriage is available from the Registrar of Births Deaths and Marriages two weeks after the marriage.

Fees

Marriage celebrants authorised by the Australian Government are entitled to charge for any services that they provide. Fees for weddings are not fixed and may vary from celebrant to celebrant. Ensure you reach an agreement on the fees before asking the celebrant to hold the date. You should also ensure that you understand what charges are non-refundable.

You will find that there is a very large range in the fees charged by Celebrants. The fees listed below are current. A non-refundable deposit is due and payable at the initial interview with the balance payable 4 weeks before the wedding. I will provide you with my bank account number for this purpose when I provide you with a Statement of Fees, indicating that an ‘average’ ceremony costs about $480.

Services include in basic fees – readily available phone and email contact; consultations as required; appropriate preparation and submission of all forms; full advice and support for construction of your personalized ceremony; travel within 50km of my home; use of portable PA.

Total Cost (including deposit) $480
This fee includes lodgement of NOIM, initial interview, composing the service, further interiews to refine service order, research if required, administration and documentation of all marriage documents, provision of PA equipment, one rehersal and the actual ceremony within 50km of the celebrants home.
Deposit to secure booking (non refundable) $150
Additional services will incur additional fees: As negotiated
Travel is customarily charged at $1.00 per km where more than 50km from celebrant home

Sherrilyn Griffith

Weddings