How it works
A simple, guided process that gives your mate the confidence to run your ceremony — while we make sure everything is structured and legally handled
You don’t need wedding experience to run a great ceremony.
You just need the right structure, guidance, and support.
That exactly what this process is designed to provide.
Choose your mate
Pick someone who actually knows you. A friend, a sibling, someone who understands your story and will make the ceremony feel personal.
They don’t need experience — that’s what we’re here for.
Build your ceremony
This is where everything comes together. We’ll kick things off with a call to walk through the legal requirements and how the ceremony will run.
Everything is guided through Ceremony Studio. You set the structure, timing, and overall feel. Your mate adds the personal stories and tone.
We’re there throughout the process to guide you both—reviewing your ceremony, helping refine things, and answering questions whenever you need it.
It’s not about writing a ceremony from scratch — it’s about building it properly.
Run the ceremony
On the day, everything is already structured and prepared. I’ll arrive early to set up and make sure everything is ready to go.
Your mate leads the ceremony. I’m there to handle the legal requirements, guide the flow if needed, and make sure everything runs smoothly.
You get a ceremony that feels personal — but runs like it should.
What about the legal side?
The legal part of a ceremony is small, but important. That’s where I step in as your authorised celebrant.
- ✓ All paperwork is prepared and lodged
- ✓ Required legal wording is delivered
- ✓ Your marriage is registered properly
Everything is done properly — without taking over your ceremony.
FAQs
What are the legal requirements?
There are a few key steps, and I handle all of them.
Before the day, the Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) needs to be lodged at least one month prior — I take care of all the paperwork.
On the day, three things must happen:
- The Monitum — I recite the legally required declaration about the nature of marriage in Australia: "Marriage, according to law in Australia, is the union of 2 people to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life."
- The Legal Vows — Each of you must say the legally required words: "I call upon the persons here present to witness that I, [name], take you, [name], to be my lawful wedded spouse." Don't worry — your mate will guide you through it!
- The Certificates — We sign the official marriage certificates in front of your two witnesses.
That's it. Everything else — the readings, personal vows, music, jokes — is entirely up to your mate to make magical.
Does this make my mate a celebrant?
No, not in a legal sense. They lead the ceremony, just like a celebrant would. I step in for the legal requirements and make sure everything is valid.
What support do we get?
You’re guided the entire way. From ceremony structure and script refinement to vows, timing, and flow. Plus support whenever you need it.
What if our mate gets nervous?
Very unlikely — we prepare them properly. But if needed, I can step in and deliver a simple ceremony so your day still goes perfectly.