Frequently Asked Questions

Planning your wedding can be a daunting exercise. I hope that the following FAQs and answers will help guide you when considering the all-important ceremony part of your special day.

1: Why should we choose you as our celebrant?

A: Whether you have a small informal wedding or a huge gathering with hundreds of guests and all the trimmings, I would love to make the ceremony "perfect" for you. Your first meeting with me is obligation-free. At this meeting we get to know one another and I will explain all the legal aspects and the whole process that takes place during the creation and performance of your ceremony and afterwards. My commitment to you is that I will work with you as much as you need or want to create exactly the ceremony you hope for.

2: How do we get started?

A: In order to marry in Australia you must complete a Notice of Intended Marriage form and lodge it with your celebrant a minimum of one month and one day before the date of your wedding. Please use BLOCK letters and a black pen if possible, but blue is also acceptable. See Legal Requirements for more information about what documents you need to provide.

The Notice of Intended Marriage must be signed in the presence of any of the following:

(a) if a party signs the Notice in Australia:

an authorised marriage celebrant
a Commissioner for Declarations under the Statutory Declarations Act 1959
a justice of the peace
a barrister or solicitor
a legally qualified medical practitioner or
a member of the Australian Federal Police or the police force of a State or Territory

The Notice only needs to be signed by one of you for your one month and one day waiting time to commence, provided there is a valid reason why the other person cannot do so, e.g. if they are overseas or interstate. It is valid for 18 months from the day I receive it.

(b) if a party signs the Notice outside Australia:

an Australian Diplomatic Officer
an Australian Consular Officer
an employee of the Commonwealth authorized under paragraph 3 (c) of the Consular Fees Act 1955
an employee of the Australian Trade Commission authorized under paragraph 3 (c) of the Consular Fees Act 1955; OR
a notary public.

3: After we have completed our Notice of Intended Marriage and one or both of us have signed it in the presence of a proper person, how do we officially lodge it with you?

A: The completed Notice should be lodged with me as soon as possible. The date I receive it is the date from which the calendar month and a day waiting period rule is determined. If you are overseas or in a different state and can’t come to see me until just before your wedding, you can fill in the form, have it witnessed and then fax it to me with copies of your birth certificates, etc. and then send the original signed copy to me by registered* mail, together with photocopies of your birth certificates, passports, divorce/death certificates.

* Very important: your marriage cannot be solemnised unless I receive and check the original Notice before the ceremony commences. I must also see all your original documents when we meet. No original Notice of Intended Marriage, no marriage. The date the fax copy arrives will be the date that it is “Officially Lodged” and the month and a day waiting time starts.

4: Can we choose our own ceremony words and can you help us?

A: There are a few legally required parts to the ceremony where the words are not negotiable, but everything else can be completely of your own choosing. I can provide you with many suggestions for all parts of the ceremony through a worksheet I have created showing all essential (legal) and optional components of a marriage ceremony. I also have some resource books I can lend you. Your ceremony will be tailored to reflect your own unique relationship. I encourage you to discuss any aspect of your ceremony with me and will do my best to provide you with exactly what you are looking for.

5: If we can’t wait the calendar month and one day waiting period can we get a "Shortening of Time”?

A: Shortening of time can only be granted by prescribed authorities. In NSW these are your local Registry Office, a Chamber Magistrate or Clerk of your Local Court. There are only five circumstances where a shortening of time might be considered. These are:

Employment related or other travel commitments
Wedding or celebration arrangements or religious considerations
Medical reasons
Legal proceedings
Error in giving notice

6: Do you only do weddings?

A: No - I also perform Naming, Renewal of Vows and Commitment ceremonies and I’m happy to discuss other kinds of Life Celebrations with you as well.

7: Where and when can we be married?

A: Anywhere you like at any time of the day or night. If you’re thinking about a sunrise or sunset wedding click here then type in your wedding date and view the times for sunrise and sunset in Sydney.

8: Where do you perform ceremonies?

A: Most of my ceremonies occur in Sydney but I’m happy to negotiate travel anywhere in Australia. I have married couples in South Australia and Victoria.

9: Where and when do you see people?

A: I prefer to see you in my home office in Neutral Bay because all my resources are handy there. I’m available during normal business hours but am also happy to see people on weekday evenings and on weekends if I don’t have other commitments.

10: How long does a marriage ceremony usually take?

A: The average wedding ceremony lasts between 20–30 minutes, but can take longer if you add in extra rituals; this is obviously a personal decision. A ceremony using only the basic legal requirements could be done in five minutes, but why would you want to rush through this part of your special day? The words you choose for your ceremony are what make it personal to you and the reason for the entire celebration.

11: How much do you charge?

A: Celebrants fees can vary a lot. I charge a fair amount that reflects the level of commitment and time I give to all my couples. Please give me a call so we can discuss what you envisage for your ceremony. See the list below of the services that a truly professional Celebrant will provide.

12: How do you calculate your fee?

A: Please see the following:

WHAT YOUR CELEBRANT PROVIDES

Two or three meetings (can be more if requested)	Celebrant’s Time
Meeting (1): The couple has an initial no-obligation consultation with a celebrant that involves going over all legal documentation and explanations, discussing types of ceremonies that can be written, answering any questions. Then a general informal chat to see if bride and groom think this celebrant may be a suitable “fit” for them.	45-60 minutes
Meeting (2): A couple may interview several celebrants. Once a couple has decided on their celebrant, and after their initial interview, a further meeting is arranged. This meeting is to sign and lodge their Notice of Intended Marriage form, show the celebrants their identification papers etc. and discuss other paperwork required. The ceremony format is once again discussed and samples shown.	1hr +
General:
(a) The celebrant provides the couple with a wedding ceremony manual/worksheet, sample ceremonies, poetry and readings, various rituals etc. (which has taken him/her many years to research, write, create and collate). You are invited to take this home to consider your options; i.e. Askings, Vows, Ring Exchanges, Alternate ceremonies, etc. Or if you wish, in many cases the celebrant may offer to write a totally unique ceremony for you.	Minimum several hours
(b) You make your ceremony wording selections and email them back to the celebrant who prepares an initial draft for you – this can take three hours or more, depending on the content and particularly if the celebrant is one who ensures every ceremony is tailored-made to the individual couple.	3 hours +
(c) The bride and groom criss-cross back and forth to the celebrant via email with changes, etc. to the ceremony. The celebrant will incorporate these changes. When finalised, celebrant prints out and places in a presentation folder.	2-3 hours
(d) In the meanwhile there are emails and phone calls to and fro, asking many and varied questions, requesting suggestions, asking for assistance. The celebrant will devote as much time as necessary to providing all help required.	Hard to estimate; in some instances, again hours
(e) The ceremony is now complete. A rehearsal is organised. If performed in the celebrant’s home it takes up to one hour; if done on site there is the return travel time + actual rehearsal time.	1 - 2 hours
(f) On the Wedding Day the celebrant drives to the venue – s/he arrives 20 - 30 minutes early to check everything is in order and to set up the PA system and do a sound check. The ceremony takes approximately 20 - 30 minutes. At the conclusion the celebrant packs up the PA system, signing table and chairs and drives home.	Approx. 2 hours
(g) When the celebrant arrives home, he/she processes the paper-work, photocopies, collates and addresses the documents to the Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages. The following working day takes to the local post office to send via Registered Post to the Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages.	Approx. 1 hour

Taking into account just the basic time factor, most civil ceremonies (if performed by a true professional) will take a minimum of 6 hours and up to 20 hours; sometimes more, depending on the individual situation.

There are also our overhead costs, e.g.:

advertising
professional indemnity and public liability insurance
purchase of or updating computer and software
general office supplies
stationery
equipment used in ceremonies, e.g. - PA system, CDs, trolley and anything else that an enterprising celebrant feels will contribute to the general celebratory nature of a wedding
legally required ongoing professional development training

Finally, please see the list below. Not all couples will need or want everything listed or spend quite as much but of all the things there, only one item is an absolute necessity.

Approx cost
Wedding cake	$600 +
Chauffeured limousine/s	$1500 +
Photo albums	$2000 +
Beautiful flowers	$1500 +
Wedding invitations	$700 +
DJ and MC	$600 +
Bridal gown, (usually only worn once)	$1,500 +
Reception – good food and wine, table decorations, favours	$15,000 ++
Suits hired for the groom and groomsmen (each)	$125 +
Bridesmaids’ dresses (each)	$250 +
Hair, make-up, shoes, bridesmaids’ gifts	$500 +
Total	$24,500 ++
Beautiful ceremony delivered by a dedicated marriage celebrant	$550 - $850

The celebrant’s fee is really quite a small part of the cost of your wedding, yet such a hugely important consideration to ensure you wedding day starts just as you wish, with that ever-so-important, beautiful and memorable marriage ceremony, ensuring you are now, legally, Mr. & Mrs. Married Couple!

Jane Gillespie
“The perfect celebrant for your perfect ceremony”