While lots of people want the whole, she-bang of a big lavish wedding, there are plenty of couples who want to get married without the wedding… And that is where I come in!
Whether you want to skip the expense of a big wedding, you can’t think of anything worse than all of those eyes on you or you are planning on having a ‘wedding ceremony’ overseas but want an Australian marriage certificate, it is totally possible to get married without having a wedding. In fact, it is easier and cheaper (just another reason, if you are still sitting on the fence).
Often referred to as a ‘legals only ceremony’ or a ‘registry style ceremony’, it is a simple ceremony, performed by an authorised celebrant… (Well, hi there)… That ticks all the legal boxes needed to get you married without any of the hassle or headache of a wedding.
Have you ever performed a legals only ceremony?
I have performed LOADS of legals only ceremonies in my time. I actually love them! They are usually super relaxed, filled with good cheer and they get the job done with minimal fuss!
Where can we have a legals only ceremony?
Essentially you can get married anywhere that the Marriage Act prescribes you can. Some of my favourite legals only ceremony locations have included:
· A favourite café
· The kitchen bench
· The beach or another scenic location that means something to you
· At a loved one’s bed side
· In a hot air balloon
· On the top of a mountain
· In a pub
· In their backyard
· In the middle of a field
You name it… I will marry you there!
Can we just sign the paperwork, or do we have to say something?
That’s a good question. No, you cannot just sign paperwork. Some words have to be said both by myself and yourselves in order to be married. But trust me they are minimal!
In fact, once the ink dries on your marriage certificate, we can have it all said and done in 3 minutes flat!
That’s really short, can we make it longer?
Absolutely! Like I said that is the legal minimum. I can add some other wording to make it feel more like a wedding ceremony. You can also personalise it further with vows, a ring exchange or a question that you both answer ‘I do’ to. All of which I will step you through!
Do we have to dress up?
If you want! Hell, you can wear your pj’s if you want to! But if you are going to do that make sure that you let me know, so that I can wear mine too!
Is it really that easy?
Umm, yes!... Of course, you will still need to jump through the legal requirements of getting married, like submitting a Notice of Intended Marriage, providing identification and any other legal requirements that the Marriage Act requires of you… But other than that, you can be married with minimal fuss and your bank account intact.
Your celebrant,
Mel x