Congratulations on your Engagement!
It's an exciting time planning nuptials, deciding on dates, reception venues, wedding styles and of course the essential ingredients to make your marriage legally binding - the vows, the wedding ceremony and the solemnising of the marriage by a Civil Marriage Celebrant.
Want to get married on Queensland's Sunshine or Cooloola Coasts?
South East Queensland's Sunshine and Cooloola Coasts have some of the most spectacular backdrops from which to host wedding nuptials. Whether planning a coast wedding as a local couple, interstate visitors or overseas guests, Stephanie would like to welcome and encourage couples to host a wedding here. The coast has a huge range of ceremony locations to accommodation choices; reception venues and event stylists; bridal wear and formal hire; hair and beauty; florists and wedding specialists; photographers and music; and of course a host of spectacular honeymoon locations. Please consult Stephanie Neal in regard to Wedding ceremonies in other Queensland and interstate locations within Australia.
Documents you will need
Download NOIM here:
- Notice of Intended Marriage » Couples intending to marry in Australia
Original Documents:
- Birth Certificate » If Australian born
- Overseas Passport or Birth Certificate » If overseas born
- Decree Absolute/Divorce Certificate » If divorced
- Death Certificate » If widowed
- Name Change Certificate » If changed name
Flexibility is the Key
Stephanie Neal understands that when planning such a significant event each couple's personal circumstances and needs vary enormously. Consequently, Stephanie aims to be as flexible as possible accommodating local, interstate and overseas couples with their individual requests. In collaboration with you she will plan and design each stage of the paperwork and ceremony, preparing you thoroughly to enjoy every ceremonial moment on your BIG DAY.
Are you a Local Couple?
Marrying in your own backyard should be simple and convenient.
- Initial meeting with Stephanie in her home or in a mutually convenient location to discuss and plan your ceremony.
- Prepare and lodge legal documents at the initial meeting. You may download the NOIM above, complete it using block letters and black pen and bring it with you.
- Ceremony plan and design this process of planning, writing, designing and making reading selections will begin at the first meeting, continue via email and phone to be finalised by the second meeting.
- A second meeting with Stephanie is recommended if possible, closer to the wedding date. At this meeting Stephanie will finalise the ceremony details, run through the ceremony, answer any questions and help to settle any last minute nerves.
- Unlimited communication with Stephanie may be made via email and telephone and is available to you right up to and including The BIG day.
Are you from Interstate?
Marrying interstate should be relaxing and uncomplicated.
- Communication by email, phone and post - If distances are too great and time is short you can communicate via email, telephone and post. Legal documents can be prepared and lodged with ease from where you live.
Step by Step
- Download the NOIM here and complete it by using block letters and black pen.
- Lodge the NOIM The Notice of Intended Marriage must be lodged at least a calendar month and a day before your wedding date and no longer than 18 months prior to your wedding date. For example if you are getting married on the 22nd of May 2011 then you must lodge the Notice of Intended Marriage by the 21st of April 2011.
- Lodge NOIM with Stephanie - If you can meet with Stephanie a calendar month and a day before your wedding ceremony then lodge the NOIM directly with her.
- Interstate witnessing of signatures - If meeting Stephanie in person is not possible lodge the NOIM with one of several authorised persons. Contact Stephanie for details. The authorised person who lodges the NOIM will forward it on to Stephanie as soon as possible, at least a calendar month and a day before you are planning to marry.
- Copies of supporting documentation – Documents such as original birth certificates; divorce certificates, death certificates and or name change documents may be scanned and emailed to Stephanie, or you may choose to send your originals via registered mail. Alternatively, you can bring them with you. However, ensure Stephanie sights these original documents before the wedding ceremony in order for you both to be married.
- Ceremony plan and design - Stephanie will communicate with you by email, phone, fax to organise the wedding ceremony format, special inclusions and ceremony details.
Important information
- 18 years of age - You must be at least 18 years of age to be married in Australia.
- Witnesses - You must have two witnesses to the marriage. If required, Stephanie can help to organise witnesses.
- Shortening of time – It is possible to apply for a shortening of time for specific reasons. You must apply to a prescribed authority. Contact Stephanie for more details.
- If both parties cannot sign the NOIM - If both parties cannot sign the NOIM at the same time it is legal for one party's signature to be witnessed in order to lodge the NOIM. However, the other party must sign the NOIM as soon as practicable before the wedding ceremony takes place.
Additional Information
Are you an Overseas Couple?
Marrying in Australia is easier than you think. Anyone who meets the criteria can marry in Australia but it is worth checking with the consulate or embassy in your country whether a marriage in Australia is recognised by your country.
- Communication by email, phone and post - If distances are too great and time is short you can communicate via email, telephone and post. Legal documents can be witnessed by authorised persons and scanned and emailed or faxed to Stephanie.
Step by Step
- Download the NOIM here and complete it by using block letters and black pen. You can also obtain a NOIM from the Australian High Commission, Embassy or the Australian Foreign Affairs department in your country.
- Lodge the NOIM The Notice of Intended Marriage must be lodged at the latest a calendar month and a day before your wedding date and no longer than 18 months prior to your proposed wedding date.
- Meet with Stephanie in person - If you can meet with Stephanie a calendar month and a day before your wedding ceremony then lodge the NOIM with her. If for some reason you both cannot sign it at the same time it is legal for one party's signature to be witnessed in order to lodge the NOIM. The other party must sign the NOIM as soon as practicable before the wedding ceremony takes place.
- Witnessing of signatures outside Australia - If meeting Stephanie in person is not possible you should seek the services of an Australian Diplomatic officer, a Consulate official or a Notary Public to witness your signatures. You still must ensure that the NOIM reaches Stephanie one calendar month and a day before your wedding date.
- Copies of supporting documentation – Documents such as a birth certificate; passport; divorce certificate or death certificate should be scanned and emailed to Stephanie, or you may send originals via registered mail. Please note in order to be married Stephanie MUST sight the original documents before the wedding ceremony.
- Ceremony plan and design - Stephanie will communicate with you by email and phone to organise the wedding ceremony format, special inclusions and ceremony details.
- Registered copy of Marriage Certificate - After your marriage, all couples will need to obtain a registered copy of their Marriage Certificate. As a service I can arrange all this for you, or you can obtain the document yourselves the next working day from the Department of Births, Deaths and Marriages.
Important information
- 18 years of age - You must be at least 18 years of age to be married in Australia.
- Witnesses - You must have two witnesses to the marriage. If required, Stephanie can help to organise witnesses.
Additional Services
- Need to translate documents into English? - Supporting documents must be written in English or translated into English see NAATI http://www.naati.com.au or the Queensland Interpreting and Translating service http://www.qits.com.au (07) 3835-3777.
- Need an Interpreter? - If you don't speak English and therefore need an interpreter at the Wedding ceremony contact NAATI for assistance http://www.naati.com.au.
- Marrying a person from overseas? - seek information from the Department of Immigration, Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA) http://www.immi.gov.au/
- Have Immigration enquiries? - Seek legal advice from a Registered Migration Agent. For agent listings go to https://www.mara.gov.au.
Misplaced a document? - No problem
- For misplacement of a Birth Certificate, Death Certificate or Marriage Certificate you can apply to Births, Deaths and Marriages in your State or Territory in Australia to request another ‘original'. Ensure you allow plenty of time to apply and receive your documentation. In Queensland the website is http://www.justice.qld.gov.au email bdm-mail@justice.qld.gov.au or phone 1300 366 430.
- For misplacement of Divorce Certificate or Decree Absolute apply to the Family Law Courts at http://www.familylawcourts.gov.au.
Stephanie the Noosa Celebrant Service is 'All Inclusive'
- Meeting(s) - obligation-free initial meeting in Stephanie's home or in a mutually convenient location.
- Legal Marriage Documentation - supply and lodgement of all legal marriage documents.
- Ceremony Resources to support you both in your decisions about ceremony style, marriage ceremony format, reading selections and ritual inclusions.
- Ritual design select a ritual to personalise and enrich your ceremony (if required).
- Phone/Email unlimited consultations - as needed.
- Rehearsal at Stephanie's home or in a mutually convenient location (if required).
- Arrival at your ceremony at least 30 minutes before agreed ceremony start time.
- Officiate at your wedding ceremony with confidence, care and class.
- Dress Stephanie will accommodate your specific ceremony style, colours or theme.
- P.A System use of a high quality P.A to ensure your guests can enjoy the ceremony.
- Table, table-cloth and chair for the signing of marriage documents (if required).
- Couple's Certificate in envelope with calligraphy.
- Wedding Ceremony booklet personally crafted and hand-made by Stephanie as a wedding keepsake.
Initial meeting with Stephanie
- Time - Allow 1-1 ½ hours to fill out legal documentation, discuss the wedding ceremony details and to embark on the plan and design of your marriage ceremony.
- Resources - Stephanie will ensure you have access to an assortment of materials to help you plan the style of your Wedding Ceremony, the ceremony format and to make reading selections. Once a booking is made you will have access to complementary literature to look through at home at your leisure.
- N.O.I.M - Notice of Intended Marriage (N.O.I.M- Form 13). Download here. You may print this form and complete it in capital letters and with black pen and bring it to the meeting. Or if you prefer, just familiarise yourself with the questions and the documentation required.
- Booking - In order to secure a booking on your preferred date with Stephanie, a non-refundable $100 deposit is required at the initial interview. Payment can be made by cash, money order or direct deposit and should be made out to Stephanie the Noosa Celebrant. The balance of fees must be paid no less than 28 days before the wedding ceremony date.
The Second Meeting with Stephanie
- Final Details - When you meet up with Stephanie a second time it is to finalise the marriage documentation and the wedding ceremony details. This is also a great opportunity to have a rehearsal or run through of the ceremony if required; as well as the chance to answer any questions you may have and settle those nerves.
- Balance of fees - The balance of fees is due one month prior to your wedding ceremony.
Wedding Ceremony
- Relax & revel in the moment - Allow Stephanie to assume control of the ceremony and perform her duties as an authorised Marriage Celebrant. All you need to focus on is you and your fiancée and the wonderful day you are about to share. Just remind yourself to remain present and enjoy every beautiful moment as you embark your journey as husband and wife.