Christian Weddings Melbourne

Yes, no problem. I can perform your ceremony anywhere you want. In a Park, Garden, on a boat, in a home,  in an old church, or historic venue. (No skydiving please!)

Usually I will meet with you twice. The first time we sign the Notice of Intention to Marry Form (NOIM) This must be done a minimum of one month and one day before the wedding. Then we will meet onece more nearer the wedding day to run through the ceremony details. 

Yes, for sure! You can write your own vows. There is only a requirement that the vows contain words to the effect that you promise a life long committment. Apart for that you can say anything you like! I will guide you with help on this if you need it.

I ask that couples make a deposit of $150 to secure the date with me. The balance is payable any time up until a week before the wedding.

All the Legal Stuff……..

1. The first document we sign is called the Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) This must be signed at least a month before the wedding day. It must be witnessed by the celebrant or a police officer or a doctor, lawyer or pharmacist. (see you copy in the folder called – YOUR FORMS TO FILL OUT.
2. Just before the wedding, we will sign a document called Declaration of No Legal Impediment – which is a statutory declaration saying that you both do not know of any reason why you can’t get married (in particular, you are not married already to another person, you are not related to each other, you are old enough) – Every couple getting married in Australia must sign this before the wedding ceremony.  We normally do this at the last in-person meeting.
3. Separate Meetings – The obligations under the Marriage Act 1961

From 12 June 2024 all authorised marriage celebrants are required under the Marriage Act 1961 (the Marriage Act) to meet with each party to the marriage separately and in person before they solemnise the marriage to confirm they are freely choosing to marry without any pressure or coercion. (Consent Form)

1. At the ceremony on your wedding day we will sign two marriage certificates. One for you to keep (it’s a decorative one) One that I keep, and I send a scan of it to the Dept. of Births, Deaths and Marriages.

On the day after the wedding, I upload the marriage certificate, the original Notice of Intention to Marry Form (NOIM) and the Document of No Legal Impediment to the Dept. of Births Deaths and Marriages,

The real Legal Certificate for your use…..

The Marriage certificate that I provide for you on the wedding day is a decorative one and you keep it and frame it or whatever you like. But it’s not a legal document. To obtain a proper legal marriage certificate either:

1.     I can order you one when I upload your wedding documents (Cost = $66.00)

2.     OR, you can apply to the Registrar of births deaths and marriages at this link – https://www.bdm.vic.gov.au/marriages-and-relationships/get-a-marriage-certificate 

It takes about 4 weeks to get a certificate after the lodgement of papers.

You will need a legal marriage certificate if you want to change your name on a bank account or passport etc.  You will not be notified of its availability until you order one. If you want a legal marriage certificate then let me know if you want me to order it or you can go online anytime later and order one.  You can do that anytime but the earliest time to receive it will be a month from the wedding date.

You will be fully legally married from the moment we all sign the papers on the day.

I do all the lodgement of papers – you don’t need to do anything. Just request a legal certificate if you need one at the BDM website.

Hope this is clear and helps,

Looking forward to seeing you.         Craig Anderson         Christian Weddings Melbourne.