For absolutely fabulous ceremonies conducted by Lynne Stapleton in the city, country or on the coast of South-East Queensland …

 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT WEDDINGS

What does a Civil Marriage Celebrant do?

A Civil Marriage Celebrant is the person who officiates and legalises your marriage, as well as conducting other Ceremonies for your family as required, including Naming Days and Funerals.

Marriage Celebrants are trained, kind and caring professionals who are skilled in the legalities of weddings, and will assist you to design a personalised Ceremony. All are authorised by the Federal Attorney-General although training, experience, personal style and skills will vary. The Celebrant will ensure your Ceremony complies with the requirements of The Marriage Act 1961 and will officiate at your wedding.

Michael and Rachel enjoyed their ABFAB Wedding with Lynne as their Celebrant.  (Image by Focal Point Fotos)

Do Civil Marriage Celebrants travel?  Yes!
Celebrants often travel many kilometres beyond their home or office to officiate at weddings and other Ceremonies. Additional travel costs may apply and this will vary according to the precise locations involved. For significant travel, a Celebrant may incur additional expenses such as accommodation. Your Celebrant will explain all these details before you make a booking.

Marc and Skye with Lynne after their ceremony at Toowoomba's Japanese Gardens.

How do we choose a Celebrant?

Civil Marriage Celebrants who are committed to their vocation will be members of a professional association. Such professionals will have an established and reputable career. They will be confident and credible members of their community. You may find them in the Yellow Pages (either on-line or in the hard copy), they may have a website and they may advertise in magazines. You should feel comfortable with your Celebrant and feel confident that your needs will be met on your special day. You should also feel confident that they know the law and have a careful attention to the detailed paperwork involved.  Genuinely caring Celebrants will meet with you at no charge in the first instance to discuss your needs.

Does the Celebrant need to provide a PA system?

Not necessarily, however Celebrants must ensure that all persons at your Ceremony can adequately hear what is being said. Numbers of guests and the location for the Ceremony may impact on the need for a PA system. Some venues will supply the PA system at no additional cost, but some other venues may not require it. You should discuss this with your Celebrant.

How long before the wedding does the Celebrant have to arrive?

According to the Celebrant Code of Conduct, all Celebrants must arrive at the venue at least 20 minutes before proceedings commence.  Some celebrants take multiple bookings in the one day, so beware of the celebrant who proudly boasts of such a practice.  If your ceremony is held up for any reason, such as the late arrival of elderly loved ones or those who are travelling long distances, or even traffic jams (yes it does happen in South-East Queensland!) you may find yourself with a celebrant who has to dash off to other clients, leaving you all dressed up but with no reason to party.

Does a Celebrant have to offer a rehearsal?

If the couple requires a rehearsal, the Celebrant must agree to provide it at a mutually agreeable location. However, be aware that Celebrants are entitled to charge an additional fee for this service to cover their time and any travel required.  Make sure the quotation you receive has factored in this cost.  You might not be comparing apples with apples when comparing costs of different celebrants!

What is a Booking Fee?

A booking fee is the initial payment a Celebrant requires in order to confirm your chosen date and time. In most cases, this fee is non-refundable and covers the time and administration costs incurred in lodging your Notice of Intended Marriage form and providing relevant resources. Remember to ask your Celebrant about their terms and conditions.

How much does a Civil Marriage Celebrant cost?

Just like buying homes, cars, wine, or jewellery, the price you will pay to secure the professional services of a Celebrant will vary. Be sure that you will be receiving value for money. At the same time, however, remember that usually you will be spending a great deal of money on your special day. Wedding dresses, catering, suits and bridesmaids’ outfits (not to mention honeymoons!) represent significant investments – and the choice of your Celebrant should also reflect the significance of the occasion.

Do not choose your Celebrant on price alone. Make sure that you get the very best person available to help you plan and conduct the beautiful and unique Ceremony that you want.  Within Toowoomba, it is recommended that you allow for a budget ranging from $400 to $500 to cover this crucial part of your wedding expenses.  (However, if you have special circumstances of genuine hardship, discuss this confidentially with your Celebrant.)

BJ and Amelia celebrate with their family and friends at their country wedding.

What is the Notice of Intended Marriage form? (NOIM)

You must give a NOIM to an authorised Celebrant within 18 months of your proposed marriage and no later than one month and one day prior to the Ceremony. All Celebrants have the necessary paperwork to perform your marriage. When meeting with your Celebrant, ensure that you have all the necessary documentation with you. This will include original birth certificates showing the full names of your parents and evidence that any prior marriage has been dissolved.

What is a Commitment Ceremony?

Section 5(1) of the Marriage Act 1961 defines marriage as “the union of a man and a woman to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life”. This definition was added to the Act in August 2004. Accordingly, it is not possible for same sex couples to marry under existing Australian law.

However, it is not illegal for a Celebrant to conduct Commitment Ceremonies between same-sex couples, provided that they do not purport to be legal marriages. Contact the Celebrant of your choice to discuss designing personalised, meaningful and memorable Ceremony. Life is short and each day shared with a loved one is a blessing. Every relationship is unique and deserves to be celebrated in an absolutely fabulous way.