FAQ - MarianaP Ceremonies

COVID-19 & your options during these uncertain & difficult times?

If you are planning to wed your best friend, the COVID-19 restrictions for metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria is outlined below.  

Victoria - be proud and Stay Safe!

From 11:59pm on Friday 26 March 2021:

• No maximum attendee caps for Weddings/Legal's held indoors or outdoors, density quotient of 1 per 2 sqm applies when using electronic record keeping. In venues not using electronic record a density quotient of 1 per 4 sqm applies.
• Weddings/Legal's held in a private residence will be limited to the members of the household and up to 100 guests/visitors, plus the people required to conduct the ceremony.
• Face masks are no longer required to be worn.
• The 1.5 square metre social distancing rule must be adhered to at all times.
• Babies under 12 months of age are not included in the person limit.
• A "COVID Guest Register" must be completed for all attending the wedding if a QR Coding system is not in place.

Also note, that the Government regulations include children as part of the guests invited. However, each state has different regulations, so you need to make sure what the regulations and laws are in the state where you are getting married. For more information on the Victorian Government regulations and current information, follow this link: https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus 

During Stages allowing Weddings/Legal's/all ceremonies to be conducted, the social distancing rules that will apply during each ceremony:

• At least 1.5mt square social distancing separation rule between each person, whether they are sitting or standing; and density quotient of 1 per 2 sqm applies when using electronic record keeping. In venues not using electronic record a density quotient of 1 per 4 sqm applies!
• 1.5mt square rule will apply during the signing of the marriage register and certificates!
• There will be no hugging, hand shaking, kissing, before, during and after the ceremony!
• Close photography, group photo's, selfies, etc., is acceptable so long as the distance rule is applied!

Please be assured that if you have appointed me as your Celebrant, my policy is to stay safe and protected at all times!

I am committed to ensure that you, your witnesses and guests are also safe and protected at all times. I am also committed to practice good hygiene.

My policy is:

• A "Guest Register" must be completed and signed by all attending the wedding - prior to the wedding, including, children, the witnesses and wedding party, because should an outbreak occur, all guests must be notified to get tested and isolate!
• To ensure that all maintain the physical distancing and that the 1.5 square metre distance from each other rule is maintained at all times, including myself, as the Celebrant.
• I will ensure that I sanitise my hands before, during as required and immediately after each ceremony.
• Ensure minimal steps are taken in regard to handling of paperwork; and will provide clear verbal instructions and practice safe distancing during the signing of the Marriage Register & Certificates. 
• Five (5) pens will be used during signing and they will be sanitised prior to and after the signing of the Marriage Register & Certificates, however, it would be preferable/advisable that all couples & witnesses bring their own pens. 
• To be assured that your wedding rings will not be handled by me, as the Celebrant. It is advisable that the Ring Bearer is also advised not to touch/handle the wedding rings, only open the box, then sanitise the box before returning it back to you.
• To regularly clean my table, chairs, speaker and other equipment required for your ceremony, including immediately after the ceremony.

What legal paperwork do we need to sign?

• The first document you sign is a Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) (this must be with your celebrant one calendar month before your marriage/wedding date)
• The second legal document you sign is the Declaration Of No Legal Impediment To Marriage stating that you a free to marry. This is signed as close as possible to your wedding day. The best possible time to sign the Declaration is at rehearsal
• During the ceremony you “sign” 3 documents: the “Official Marriage Certificate” (which your celebrant sends back to BDM, together with the Declaration and the NOIM within 14 days of your marriage), the decorative Marriage Certificate which you keep, and a duplicate copy of the Official Marriage Certificate which your celebrant keeps for 6 years in case he/she is ever audited.

What documents do we need to produce?

• Your celebrant must sight your original (not a photocopy) Birth Certificate (an extract is acceptable), or a current Passport to establish your identity.
• If your Birth Certificate is used, your celebrant will also need to see photo ID (e.g., a driver’s licence).
• If either or both of you have been previously married, your celebrant will need to sight the original Divorce Orders, or Death Certificates, whichever is applicable (provided in English). Accredited translations will be necessary if documents are not in English.
• This rule also applies for international couples wanting to marry in Australia.

How soon can we get married?

You can be married one calendar month from the date your Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) is signed with your celebrant.

I want to get married sooner than one month. Is this possible?

You can get married only under exceptional circumstances. To get married less than one month after signing your NOIM form with your celebrant, you must be granted a shortening of the statutory notice period by a prescribed authority such as the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM). Registrars and Deputy Registrars (in your State) can also grant shortenings. As a Prescribed Authority, BDM will only consider your application if you:

• Have already lodged a completed and signed NOIM with your chosen celebrant (or are lodging your NOIM with the Victorian Marriage Registry)
• Provide your original signed and completed NOIM and all supporting documents, as sighted by your celebrant
• Meet one of the exceptional circumstances laid out by the Marriage Regulations in Schedule 1B
• Complete a notice of period shortening application form, which includes a statutory declaration clearly explaining your reason(s) for applying for a shortening
• Provide documents as evidence to support your application, and
• Provide a signed letter from your chosen celebrant, confirming they are willing and available to perform your marriage on your chosen date if the shortening is granted

You will also need to pay a non-refundable shortening fee.

Although BDM will consider a shortening application if you meet the above requirements, you may not be granted the shortening if BDM is not satisfied with your application.

My Fiancé/Partner/Spouse does not speak or understand English. Is this a problem?

If your Fiance/Partner/Spouse does not speak English, an interpreter will be necessary. You must source the interpreter and they must be authorised and independent. Prior to your marriage, your celebrant must receive a statutory declaration by the interpreter stating he/she understands and is able to converse in the language/s required. Your celebrant can provide the necessary statutory declaration for you to take to your interpreter.

Immediately after the ceremony the interpreter must give the authorised celebrant a certificate of the faithful performance of his or her services as interpreter. The certificate must be in the prescribed form. Your celebrant will be able to provide the prescribed form.

How long does a wedding ceremony take?

It is entirely up to you as the couple. You may prefer a short ceremony (about 15 minutes), or you may prefer one that takes longer, which includes readings, rituals, etc. A full ceremony is about 30 to 40minutes.

Can we write our own wedding ceremony?

Absolutely, however there are a couple of compulsory elements that must be included in order for you to be legally married. These are the Monitum (which authorises the celebrant to solemnise your marriage according to Australian law); set words that you both must repeat after the celebrant, in the presence of at least two witnesses; and the signing of the legal documentation. Apart from these, you have complete control, including the order of your ceremony.

We want our parents as our Witnesses to our marriage. Is this possible?

Yes this is possible. Witnesses can be any person who is at least 18 years of age. It can be a family member or a friend, or even a complete stranger. However, you must have two witnesses attend your wedding ceremony, to witness the ceremony and sign the Marriage Certificates.

Can I use the Marriage Certificate we receive at our marriage ceremony as evidence of a name change?

On your wedding day you will receive a decorative certificate known as the “Marriage Certificate”. This certificate is decorative and only for your own records. It is NOT a legal document, and it is not acceptable as proof of marriage for official purposes such as updating/changing your driver’s licence or passport to your married name.

If you will be updating/changing your name, you must apply for an official Marriage Certificate from Births Deaths and Marriages in your State as official proof of marriage.

We are having a Commitment ceremony but I still wish to change my surname. How do I do this?

As your Commitment ceremony is not legally recognised in Australia, you will not be issued with an official Marriage Certificate by Births Deaths and Marriages. After your ceremony, you should contact Births Deaths and Marriages in your State to complete and lodge an Application to Register a Change of Name. You will then be issued with a Change of Name Certificate. This can be used to change all your identification documents.

How do I know if a Celebrant is any good?

That’s a difficult one, but your ‘gut feeling’ is a good guide. Always ask yourself:

• Do they present well?
• Have they a good speaking voice?
• Are they able to give good advice?
• Are they able to prepare a ceremony that reflects what we want?
• Does he/she inspire confidence that you won’t be disappointed?
• Their experience?
• Their qualifications?

What do Celebrants charge?

There is no set fee. It would be wise to contact at least three celebrants. The celebrant is the most noticeable service provider for your very special occasion, and you will want that event to be presented in a way that is memorable only for all the ‘right reasons’.

Should we have a rehearsal for our wedding ceremony?

It is recommended that you hold a rehearsal close to your wedding day. This enables potential problems to be identified and participants to know their role, helping to ensure your ceremony will run smoothly. While it is often advisable, it is not always necessary for the rehearsal to be held at your venue.

Can we choose our own vows and other ceremony content?

Absolutely. Your celebrant will help you find and/or write the vows and will create a ceremony which reflects your wishes. Please note that Australian law imposes minor inclusions in the ceremony wording, which a celebrant has no say over. Please refer to “Can we write our own wedding ceremony” above.

Can we get married in a church and have a civil ceremony later?

Yes this is possible, but not if the second ceremony is represented as “your wedding”. It is illegal to do this. The alternative is that you can have a civil ceremony with some religious observance, or that the second ceremony be presented as a celebratory event with family and friends in which you re-affirm the vows previously taken.

Can my brother or sister deliver our ceremony?

Yes they can. In fact anyone can, so long as they are at least 18 years of age. However, they are unable to deliver the compulsory legal elements that must be included in order for you to be legally married. These are: the Monitum (which authorises the celebrant to solemnise your marriage according to Australian law); set words that you both must repeat after the celebrant, in the presence of at least two witnesses; and the signing of the legal documentation. The celebrant must be present.