Can I hire a celebrant and have a "wedding" for my friends and family even if I already eloped?

Yes, Bron, your 'something nice' could be a ceremony for your family and friends but it must be clear to everyone that it's not a legal marriage ceremony. Call it a renewal of vows, a commitment to marriage - whatever you like - but I've found these events are really appreciated by those who weren't there when the couple eloped. Same vows or different vows, just omit the legal line and focus on what's important to you and your families.

Now, because it isn't a legal ceremony and there's no documentation, you don't need an authorised celebrant, so without wishing to put anyone out of a job, it's something you can even arrange for yourself! If it's mainly a photo opportunity, enjoy getting everyone together. Perhaps just check that people are happy to get 'all frocked up' even though there's no 'wedding'... sometimes feathers can be a bit ruffled!

Hope this helps and you find a great way to celebrate - again!

Hello Bron,

Yes, you can have a "second" wedding / marriage celebration with a Civil Celebrant.  However, there will be no legal wording ( as you are already married).

You can say vows again, you can have the Celebrant read a service and you can have attendents.  This can all be good fun as all your loved ones will be there this time.  Just remember, there will be no legal statement or signing done at all.  Your celebrant will advise you on all this.  Have a happy day!J

Jan 

yes, not difficult to arrange

Yes you can. However it will be a ceremonial only ie. not a legal ceremony.There will be no official paperwork completed and no legal wording has to be said. Your marriage will be registered as the date you eloped.

Hi you can have a reaffirmation ceremony which is a lovely, just don't say the legal wording. Talk soon Kaye

Hi Bron

You certainly can have a partnership and commitment ceremony. A celebrant can do this ceremony for you. It is not a legal ceremony.

Hi Bron,

You can have a ceremony for your family and friends, but it cannot be another marriage ceremony. Your celebrant is required to make it clear early in the ceremony that you are already married and you are renew your vows. It is an offence to pretend this is your legal ceremony, but you can still say your vows and have your love story told but just no legal wording.

Enjoy your day

Marina

You may have eloped and had a service recognised as a legal marriage service somewhere else. Yes you may engage the services of a celebrant on returning to Australia so that you and your family and friends may celebrate your union. The most important point to be noted here is that you can not be married again with another marriage service. The service you would have here would be a commitment service which has no legal components to it other than the celebrant stating at the beginning of the service that the service is not a marriage service!

Hello Bron,

It's true you don't need a registered celebrant to perform either a 'Commitment Ceremony' or a "Renewal of Vows', however, having said that, it depends on the level of professionalism you would like. Most celebrants are well versed in the procedure, and can deliver a smooth, cohesive, and well prepared ceremony in a caring, and professional manner. Everyone else has mentioned making it clear it is not a legal union, there are no legal papers to sign etc. I do think it is nicer if you use the same vows, or stick pretty closely to them. I have done many of these, either for couples married overseas, or in some cases for couples who could not afford the wedding they wanted, so had a legal service with just them and their witnesses, and one year later had the Renewal of Vows with the kind of reception they would have liked in the first place.

Pamela Sheedy CMC

Grad Dip Arts (Civ Cems) Monash

Hi Bron,

Once your married you can't get married again, but you can still renew your Vows in front of your family. Many people believe that vow renewals can be a very meaningful time where family is included.

I hope that helps, Paul Burgess

Hi Bron, Of course you can hire a Celebrant for your family gathering, as long as it is not another Wedding Ceremony where the legal wording is said again. Your previous Celebrant may have given you a copy of your elopement this can be changed to suit and call it a "Renewal of Vows" and you still get to have a lovely certificiate on the day and have 2 or perhaps 4 witnesses or everyone present can sign it as there are going to be a small number of guests. It will be a really nice photo opportunity as wel I am sure. All the very best to you both. Chrissy Ratcliffe CMC Sydney :-)