Civil Marriage Ceremony

Initial Meeting:

An initial meeting with the Celebrant is required at least "a month and a day" before the Wedding date.  A Birth Certificate / Passport must be presented along with a Decree Absolute if you are a Divorcee. 

A Notice Of Intended Marriage and Statutory Declaration (Form 13) must be filled out and signed.  To be legally married in Australia you must be over 18, of opposite gender, not currently Married or closely related.

Rehearsal:

A Rehearsal is held 24 hours before the Wedding and a Declaration (Form 14) is filled out and signed.

Ceremony:

During the Ceremony any readings or vows can be read or recited of your choice however the Marriage Celebrant must state in front of yourselves and at least two witnesses:

“I am duly authorized by law to solemnize marriages according to law.”

“Before you are joined in marriage in my presence and in the presence of these witnesses, I am to remind you of the solemn and binding nature of the relationship into which you are now about to enter.”

“Marriage, according to law in Australia, is the union of a man and a woman to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life.”

Yourself and your partner must also state in front of the Marriage Celebrant and at least two witnesses:

“I call upon the persons here present to witness that I, A.B. (or C.D.), take thee, C.D. (or A.B.), to be my lawful wedded wife (or husband)”;

A Presentation Certificate (Form 15) is signed (this is yours to keep) and a Commonwealth Certificate (Form 16) is signed by the Marriage Celebrant, yourselves and two witnesses.

Wedding Reception

Guests arrive, pre-dinner drinks are served.

The MC asks guests to be seated.

The MC asks guests to stand for the Bridal party entry.

The MC announces the Bridal party, couples enter first, followed by the Best Man and Maid Of Honour then lastly the Bride and Groom, everyone remains standing until the Bride is seated.

The MC introduces himself, congratulates the Bride and Groom, welcomes Guests, talks about events of the day and gives a general run down on the format for the evening.

The MC announces the cutting of the cake.  This can be done later in the evening or served as desert, but it's also popular to get it done early to allow the photographer / videographer to take final shots and leave.

The MC may announce someone to come forward and Bless the meal.

Dinner is served or the MC calls guests up to a buffet, table by table.

The MC liaises with the Maitre'd or head waiter to have wine glasses at tables charged.

The MC announces speeches in the following order:

Father / Mother of the Bride (toasts Bride and Groom / Grooms Parents)

Father / Mother of the Groom (toasts Bride and Groom / Brides Parents)

Best Man / Maid Of Honour (toasts the Bridesmaids)

Groom / Bride (may toast absent friends or this can be done by anyone else of your choosing)

Open microphone

Groomsmen / Bridesmaids to read telegrams.  

Desert is served.

The MC announces the Bridal Waltzes,

First Song - Bride and Groom.

Second Song - Bridal Party join in.

Third Song - Parents Join in.

Fourth Song - Guests Join in.

An hour before the end of the evening dancing is stopped, the MC asks the single men to come to the floor to play the Garter Game, the winner takes off the Bride's garter with his teeth while she is seated.

The MC asks single ladies to come to the floor, the Bouquet is thrown by the Bride or a game is played and the Bride presents the Bouquet.

Twenty minutes before the end of the night, the MC announces the Bride and Groom are leaving, a circle is formed by all guests to say goodbye with the Bride and Groom circling in opposite directions.

Guests form an archway at the door, the Bride and Groom exit through it.

The DJ plays music until he event closing time and then announces the end of the evening.

Phewww!!!   Bride and Groom get to relax!!!