Frequently Asked Questions

Marriage Celebrant Cost

Marriage Celebrant fees can range from $450-$1300. In Australia there is no set scheduled Celebrants fee. Therefore from state to state, location to location fees and inclusions may fluctuate significantly.

When it comes to planning your special day, cost is an important factor for most couples. Your chosen Marriage Celebrant will discuss at length your thoughts and ideas, the type of ceremony and inclusions you are seeking. Ask for clear and transparent information on exactly what is provided for the agreed fee Gold Coast Celebrant  0416252869.

Booking Fee

My initial upfront outlay is a $250 non-refundable booking fee. This secures my services, your date and lodgement of your Notice of Intended Marriage.

Shauna Rowe’s celebrants fee is inclusive of all legalities, phone calls, emails, the creative planning, writing and fine tuning of your ceremony script. An on-site rehearsal prior may be necessary, in some cases this may include an additional charge.

Your Ceremony Experience

There is so much that goes into being a marriage celebrant. Something to consider when questioning how much a celebrant will cost to officiate at your ceremony or memorial service. To learn more about my fees please contact me to discuss your celebration.  

Marriage Celebrants Role

There are so many things to consider when booking a Marriage Celebrant. Typically celebrants will meet with the couples they are marrying a couple of times prior to their wedding day. Each meeting lasting between 45 minutes to an hour. This is to complete the necessary legal paperwork and to explain the flow and format of the ceremony.

Meetings

Meetings also allow the celebrant to get to know the couple and develop a rapport. Knowing the couple well and working together to design a ceremony that captures the essence of their relationship, values and personalities is a key element.

Ceremony Script

On average as your Marriage Celebrant I will spend a total of 13-15 hours preparing for your wedding ceremony. Investing in a highly experienced, professional and passionate Marriage Celebrant is something you won’t regret. Fabulous communication skills and valuable expertise allows your Special day to run smoothly. We are the best source of support and knowledge for you throughout your entire wedding journey.

The Journey

Keeping things on track before you make your grand entrance!

The journey starts from the first time we meet, right through to the moment you both say “I do”

Authorised Marriage Celebrant

Firstly an “authorised celebrant” is authorised by the Australian Government to perform legal marriages. Couples who choose a non-religious ceremony must engage the services of a registered Marriage Celebrant.

A marriage celebrant’s role is the preparation and lodgement of all legal documents to Birth, Deaths and Marriages. Your chosen marriage celebrant will supply you a detailed list of what legal documents including ID that must be sighted.  These documents must be in English, if not you must supply accredited translations if they are in another language.

The Notice of Intended Marriage must be lodged with your marriage celebrant at least 1 month prior and no earlier than 18 months before your ceremony date.

Situations arise from time to time, where a couple for specific reasons need to apply and obtain from a Prescribed Authority a “Shortening of Time”.

Declaration of no Legal Impediment

Either at your wedding rehearsal or as close to your ceremony date as possible both of you will sign The Declaration of No Legal Impediment. The DONLI is a legal declaration that states both parties are of marriageable age. Are not in a prohibited relationship, and not married to someone else. And lastly are not aware of any other legal impediment to your marriage taking place.

After the Ceremony

To ensure that your marriage is legally registered my Marriage Celebrant role covers the submission of the legal paperwork to Birth Deaths and Marriages. This must be done within 2 weeks of your Ceremony date.

Booking Your Marriage Celebrant

Book your chosen Marriage Celebrant as soon as you have decided on a date and secured your wedding venue. Do your research, choose a few marriage celebrants you wish to contact and meet with. Civil marriage celebrants will offer an obligation free first meeting. This is a great opportunity to get to know each other and see if they are someone you feel a rapport with.

Popular Dates

During busy months, popular dates or popular date combinations many Marriage Celebrants can be booked up to 12-18 months in advance. Planning ahead is the key to a successful wedding or any type of Special Celebration. To avoid missing out on your preferred Marriage Celebrant get in early! It only takes a minute to contact me.

0416252869

The Process 

Once you have lodged your Notice of Intended Marriage with your marriage celebrant you are free to marry 1 calendar month later. This can either be in person or electronically I can supply all required paperwork for your wedding ceremony.

Under certain circumstances what’s known as a ‘Shortening of Time’ can be granted. This requires obtaining official permission to be married with less than the required month’s notice.

However, there are strict guidelines that need to be adhered to and approved by a prescribed authority. If you have any questions about this process please send me a message or give me a call

Dressing On The Day

As your Marriage Celebrant I am always tastefully dressed and in sync colour wise with your Bridal party. I do have bit of a passion for clothes and love dressing up to complement your Special Day.  Being well presented is another key element to engaging the services of a vibrant, stylish and dynamic Marriage Celebrant.

Ceremony Back Up Plan

Definitely YES! Planning ahead is the key, implement a wedding back-up plan, you may not need it, but knowing you have one is truly a sensible idea.

Once a couple has met and booked my services for their forthcoming wedding ceremony this is a topic we always discuss. Getting married under sunny blue skies on the Gold Coast may be the dream, but occasionally rain showers is the reality.

Plan C 

Or even a Plan C during these uncertain times helps eliminate any additional stress on the day of the wedding.

Who Can Legally Marry in Australia

No you don’t have to be an Australian citizen or a permanent resident of Australia to marry in Australia. Providing all the necessary guidelines and legal requirements are adhered to, anybody can come to Australia and be married.

All Identification 

Your documents must be in English—or you must supply accredited translations if they are in another language. A Notice of Intended Marriage can be completed overseas. It would need to be signed and witnessed by a prescribed authority, in your country of residence. The one-month timeframe is activated the date you scan the NOIM to your marriIge celebrant.

Excellent Communication

I will confidentially guide through the legal process, please contact me on 0416252869 to discuss, it’s quite simple and straightforward.

A wedding rehearsal, especially for a larger Bridal party is a wonderful idea, and something I highly recommend. It allows everyone to be familiar with where they will make their entrance, timing of the music, and where they will stand on the day.

Garden or Beach Ceremony

For a garden, or beach wedding ceremony, plan your rehearsal around the same time as your actual wedding ceremony.

Having a rehearsal is a great way of working through and addressing any nervous moments. If you are incorporating a Ritual into your ceremony we can practise the sequence thoroughly so that on the day it all proceeds without a hitch.

Big or small, traditional or formal I will expertly guide you through your stress-free wedding ceremony rehearsal.

Making It Legal

The Marriage Act 1961 and Marriage Regulations 2017 set the rules for getting married in Australia. Firstly an “authorised celebrant” is authorised by the Australian Government to perform legal marriages in a dignified and culturally acceptable manner.

But most importantly my Marriage Celebrant role covers the submission of the legal paperwork to the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages. This ensures that your marriage is legally registered with the BDM of the state you were married in. Nobody but your authorised marriage celebrant has the legal capacity to do this, which must be done within 2 weeks of the Ceremony date.

Whether you are choosing an elopement, a small intimate wedding ceremony or a wedding ceremony with all the bells and whistles your marriage celebrant must by law.

Must include these 3 key legal components

The Celebrant to state their full name and that they are an “authorised celebrant”.

The Celebrant must state the following required wording known as the ‘Monitum’

“I am duly authorised by law to solemnise 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 two people to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life.”

The third and final wording relates to the wedding vows …. which must be stated by each person and heard by the witnesses

I call upon the persons here present to witness that I, A.B (or C.D.), take you, C.D. (or A.B.), to be my wedded (wife, husband, or spouse).

(Or an acceptable variation of as defined by the Marriage Act).

At the completion of your ceremony there are three documents to be signed by the marriage celebrant, bride and groom, and their two witnesses (who must be at least 18 years of age)

Official Certificate of Marriage (Form 16) x 2 copies – which is used to register the marriage.

Attached to the back side of one of the Certificate of Marriage is your completed and signed DONLI. Declaration of no Impediment which must be signed prior to the start of your ceremony.

Celebratory Marriage Certificate (form 15) – which is presented to the couple at the completion of the ceremony.

Your celebrant must within 14 days of your marriage, submit your marriage paperwork to the registry of births, deaths and marriages. Once your marriage has been registered in that state you were married in you may then apply for your Official Marriage certificate. This important personal document can be used as proof of your wedding for official purposes, such as changing your name.

My gift to you

I am very happy to apply at your cost and on your behalf for your Official Marriage Certificate. A lovely gesture to complete your wedding experience!

Many couples feel that writing their personal vows may be a daunting task. But in fact once written, couples are elated to share their creative, amusing and touching thoughts with their soon to be Spouse. I find providing my couples with numerous examples from my extensive resource collection is always a great start.

Writing your Personal Vows

Take some quiet reflective time and ask yourself what makes your relationship tick? What marriage means to you, your hopes for your future as a married couple and what amazing things you have shared and achieved! When you think of something great write it down.

Keeping Them a Surprise

Emailing me your vows separately is a lovely surprise for your wedding day. All personal vows will be printed out on card for you to read from. As a memento of your Special Day they will be enclosed with your marriage certificate. Once written I’m only too happy to offer advice and guidance.

At the end of your wedding ceremony, the celebrant will hand over a beautiful celebratory marriage certificate signed by you, your witnesses and of course myself. This certificate has no legal representation.

Official Marriage Certificate

As a courtesy I will apply on your behalf to Birth Deaths and Marriages but at your cost for your “Official Marriage Certificate”. The turnaround can take a couple of weeks and will be posted to you at home. Once received you will need to take your Official Marriage Certificate to all relevant authorities to change your name.

Name Change Kit

Alternatively, you may wish to purchase a Name Change Kit which can save you considerable time and effort. A name change kit can put you on the right path but entirely up to you to purchase.

You can start the process here

No not usually, unless you are a family member or a family friend and have been formally invited. Once your ceremony has finished and you are being congratulated by your guests I like to sit quietly and check over all paperwork.

My final duty is to hand over the couples celebratory marriage certificate, usually to a trusted family member,  or if applicable the wedding planner. Please note your celebrant is unable to issue another certificate if this one is misplaced or lost.

Yes you do need an “authorised marriage celebrant” to conduct your Elopement ceremony. All you require is a celebrant, two witnesses over the age of 18 and yourselves. We now have all the ingredients to proceed with a romantic and intimate Gold Coast elopement ceremony.

The legal implications including all necessary paperwork are exactly the same as a larger wedding ceremony. The Gold Coast is an amazing location for any “Elopement Wedding Ceremony” with Shauna Rowe