Marriage Ceremonies
All other Ceremonies
What does a Marriage Celebrant do?
It is the Marriage Celebrant's job to ensure all legal requirements for marriage are met; to lodge all marriage documents; to inform couples about marriage education; to assist in the planning and design of wedding ceremonies; to officiate at the ceremony and to solemnise the marriage by identifying themselves; stating compulsory wording in Section 46 (1) of the Marriage Act and witnessing the couple's vows. A Marriage Celebrant is appointed by the Commonwealth's Attorney-General's department in Canberra and is required law to undertake five hours of ongoing professional development (OPD) annually. Marriage Celebrants must adhere to a strict Code of Practice (Regulation 37L).
How do you choose a Marriage Celebrant?
Firstly, confirm the celebrant is an authorised marriage celebrant under the Marriage Act 1961 by checking the register or the list of authorised marriage celebrants http://www.ag.gov.au. Next, contact the marriage celebrant to confirm availability for your wedding date. Talk to the celebrant -get to know them better. Make sure that you feel comfortable and sure that the celebrant can provide you with the right kind of service for your wedding ceremony. Each celebrant's service is different, find out what the service involves- including cost. Ask for an obligation-free meeting with the celebrant if you are still not sure and want more information. Stephanie is happy to provide you with a comprehensive list of her All inclusive services.
What styles of wedding ceremonies do Celebrants provide?
Most Marriage Celebrants will be happy to accommodate your preferred style. Stephanie will write and design ceremonies ranging from traditional, to short and simple, light-hearted, romantic; themed or spiritual. Stephanie would be delighted to hear about and craft a unique ceremony based on your individual wishes. Stephanie will also officiate at Wedding Ceremonies in Japanese on request.
Where and when can I get married by a Civil Celebrant?
Celebrants can solemnise marriages on any day in the calendar year, at any time and at any place in Australia and its territories (Norfolk Island, Christmas Island and Cocos Islands) and its territorial waters. Stephanie is open to assisting couples with intrastate and interstate ceremonies within Australia. For specific ceremony locations on the Sunshine and Cooloola Coasts contact Stephanie Neal directly.
You may get married on any day of the year. Stephanie advises that holiday periods, significant calendar events such as Valentine's Day and public holidays fill up quickly, so book in with your celebrant as early as possible.
Interstate Visitors - how easy is it to get married in Queensland?
The same rules apply to Queensland as to every other state and territory in Australia. Couples must lodge the Notice of Intended Marriage (N.O.I.M) with an authorised celebrant at least one calendar month and a day before the wedding ceremony and no more than 18 months prior to the wedding date.
If a couple lives interstate and cannot meet with the celebrant, the couple can lodge the NOIM with an authorised person interstate. Contact Stephanie directly for details. Once the NOIM is witnessed it can be posted, emailed or faxed to the celebrant along with copies of the necessary identification documents. Before you are married you MUST supply the original documents to be witnessed by the celebrant. Click on interstate visitors for more information.
Stephanie has local knowledge of reputable wedding suppliers who can assist in the wedding planning on the Sunshine Coast or Cooloola Coast. Please contact Stephanie for more information.
Also see http://www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au for information on ceremony locations or http://www.gympie.qld.gov.au.
Can overseas visitors get married in Queensland?
Yes. Anyone can get married in Queensland or in Australia as long as you meet the criteria of being over 18 and not legally married. One or both of you can be from an overseas country. However, it is worth checking whether your country will recognise a marriage solemnised in Australia. Click on overseas visitors for more details on getting married in Queensland or contact Stephanie.
How quickly can we get married?
Legally, couples must provide notice of at least a calendar month and a day before the wedding ceremony and at most up to 18 months prior to the wedding. Couples must lodge the Notice of Intended Marriage (N.O.I.M) also known as form 13 with an authorised celebrant. It is possible to apply for a shortening of time of less than a month and a day if you meet one of the five types of criteria listed in the Marriage Regulations (1963). See the Attorney-General's Department website. You will have to apply to a prescribed authority to get approval. Your application will be considered based on the evidence provided. Please contact Stephanie if you would like more information.
How old do I have to be to get married?
Legally you must both be 18 years of age or over. There is one exception, a person who is 16 or 17 years of age may marry a person who is 18 years old or older with consent. Consent has to be given by parents and the court.
If both parties cannot be under 18 years of age they cannot marry and a person under 16 cannot marry under any circumstances.
What if I've been married before?
No problem. All you need to do is bring the Original Divorce Certificate or Decree Absolute from your last divorce to the meeting with the celebrant. A photocopy is not acceptable as your celebrant must sight the original document. If you can't find your original document you should apply to Births, Deaths and Marriages (B.D.M) for a ‘new original'. You can find additional information at http://www.familylawcourts.gov.au.
What if I've been widowed?
Simply bring the original Death Certificate to the initial meeting be sighted by your celebrant. Copies aren't acceptable. If the certificate can't be located, apply to Births, Deaths and Marriages to get another copy. Allow plenty of time for the documents to be processed.
What if I'm separated?
A person must be legally divorced before he or she is legally able to be married again. Proof of divorce is the original copy of the Divorce Certificate or Decree Absolute. Go to http://www.familylawcourts.gov.au for more information.
What other services do celebrants provide?
A marriage celebrant's only legal role is their authorisation to marry people under Australian Law. However, Marriage Celebrants also known as Civil Marriage Celebrants, Civil Celebrants and Authorised Celebrants can perform a range of ceremonies from Renewal of Vows, and Commitment Ceremonies; to Name givings, Funerals, Memorials, Corporate events, milestone and other special event ceremonies.
Are celebrants limited to geographical areas?
No, in Australia marriage celebrants are appointed by the Commonwealth Attorney-General's department and are able to work anywhere within Australia or its territorial waters. For cost and practical reasons most civil celebrants work within their local areas.
Stephanie Neal works in a large geographical area covering both the Sunshine and Cooloola Coasts covering Caboolture to Caloundra; Beerburrum to Beerwah; Currumundi to Kawana; Mooloolaba to Maroochydore; Maleny, Montville and Mapleton; Nambour to Yandina; Peregian Springs to Coolum Beach; Noosa Heads, Noosa Waters and Noosaville; Tewantin to the North Shore; Doonan to Eumundi; Cooroy to Cooran; Rainbow Beach to Tin Can Bay all the way up to Gympie and of course everything else in-between.
Stephanie will provide information to clients on specific ceremony locations along the coast's beaches, rivers, hinterland, gardens, parks, restaurants and reception venues.
Australian interstate and intrastate ceremonies can be discussed by contacting Stephanie directly. Additional time and travel costs would be negotiated with clients on application.
Is there a waiting period for a Renewal of Vows ceremony?
No, as there is no legal component there is no waiting period for arranging a Renewal of vows, Commitment or for Naming Day ceremony. See Renewal of Vows for more information.
Can I organise a post-Mardi Gras Commitment Ceremony in Noosa?
Yes, you can. Noosa is well-regarded as the Post-Mardi Gras Recovery week location of choice, and the whole Sunshine Coast has a plentiful supply of stunning locations to choose from. What better way to end a celebratory period than to publicly declare your love and intentions for a shared future with your partner? Stephanie would be delighted to assist clients in creating a unique personalised Love/Commitment Ceremony during this festive season. See Commitments section for more information.
Are Naming Ceremony just for babies?
No, Namings are not exclusively for babies. Stephanie says that Naming ceremonies can be arranged for children of any age from babies to teens. You can also name one or more children at a time. Some families deliberately wait until they have finished having children before they contemplate organising a naming ceremony. The birth of a child is often celebrated and usually involves supportive family members and friends taking a role in a symbolic ritual and or reading. See Namings section for more information or contact Stephanie to discuss hosting a Name Giving.