
Planning your wedding
WHAT IS A REGISTRY OFFICE STYLE WEDDING?
This is a basic, simple wedding - we say the legal wording required for you to be married, sign the paperwork (you need 2 witnesses who are 18 years or older) and we are done! You can also exchange vows and rings if you like. This sort of marriage takes 5 to 10 minutes.
WHAT IS A CO-PILOT WEDDING?
A co-pilot wedding is where I take care of all of the legal aspects of getting married, but a friend or relative performs the wedding ceremony. You can also use my PA and mic for the ceremony.
WHAT IS A SHORT AND SWEET CEREMONY?
This is a ceremony tailored to you and containing all the elements of a traditional ceremony. This usually takes about 20 minutes and is perfect for couples looking for an intimate ceremony in a loving environment.
LOCATION
You can get married wherever you like - at a park, in a winery, in a pub, your backyard, your front yard, on a beach, in a lighthouse, in a beer garden, in a botanic garden, in someone else's garden - choose your favourite location! The beauty of using a celebrant rather than going to the a registry office is that I will come to you and you can choose your own convenient date. You can also invite as many guests as you like.
HOW QUICKLY CAN WE BE MARRIED?
You must lodge the Notice of Intended Marriage with your celebrant no later
than one month before the wedding (and no earlier than 18 months before).
The only exception to this is if you are eligible for a shortening of time - this must be approved
by the SA Births Deaths and Marriage department and there are special conditions.
You may be able to get married if a prescribed authority approves it.
Reasons for getting married in less than one month include:
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employment-related or travel commitments
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wedding or celebration arrangements
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medical reasons
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legal proceedings
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error in giving notice
WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO?
I will talk you through all the legal requirements. You will sign and lodge your Notice of Intended Marriage with me (I would usually witness you signing this when we meet). I will make sure all the other paperwork is completed and lodged.
Please note that my fee does not cover the Official Certificate of Marriage which is available from the department of Births, Deaths and Marriages once I have lodged the paperwork for your marriage with them. You will need to apply for this after the marriage. This is the document you need to prove that you are married. (More information can be found here: https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/family-and-community/births-deaths-and-marriages/certificates/marriage-or-relationship).
I will also need to see evidence:
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of your date and place of birth (birth certificate or passport)
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of your identity (driver's licence or passport)
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that a previous marriage has ended (divorce papers or death certificate)
THIS SOUNDS LIKE THE WEDDING FOR US... WHAT NEXT?
Please get in touch and we can chat about your plans and set up our first meeting.