To be legally married in Australia, a couple must:
- not be married to someone else
- not be marrying a parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, brother or sister
- be at least eighteen years old, unless a court has approved a marriage where one party is aged between 16–18 years old
- understand what marriage means and freely consent to being married
- use specific words during the ceremony
- give written notice of their intention to marry to their authorised celebrant.
Your day, your ceremony:
There are so many opportunities to personalise your ceremony and you are encouraged to have as much creative input as you would like. Together we can design a ceremony to reflect the love and commitment for each other that you are declaring in front of your family and friends.
Please keep in mind that in Australia, before a marriage is solemnised the authorised celebrant must say to the parties, in the presence of the witnesses, the words:
“I am duly authorised by law to solemnise 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.”
Your full legal names must be included at least once in the ceremony.
Your wedding vows must include the following sentence “I call upon the persons here present to witness that I, (Partner A/Partner B) take thee (Partner A/Partner B) to be my lawful wedded husband/wife/spouse.
Declaration of Marriage – This is where the Celebrant pronounces you to be married.