Is a celebrant wedding ceremony legal?
Unfortunately not, but the process is easier than you think!
Step one: Give ‘Notice of Marriage’, as you would regardless of having a celebrant wedding or registrar.
Step two: Have a 'Statutory Registration of Marriage' at your local registry office - these are sometimes known as two plus two, as only the couple plus two witnesses can attend. There are no additions to the ceremony such as vows or ring exchanges but it does make your marriage legal.
Step three: Have a celebrant wedding. This means you can have the ceremony of your dreams, tailor-made for you, with your love story as the main focus, minus the boring paperwork! (Bit of a no-brainer really).
FAQ's
Q. Should we have our statutory registration of marriage before our ceremony?
A. Completely up to you; however, I would suggest having the registration of marriage a week or two before the ceremony so you can really enjoy that just-married feeling after the ceremony.
Q. Do we have to dress up for the registration of marriage?
A. Again, completely up to you, some wear simple wedding attire, but some just opt for a smart casual look.
Q. Which date should we use to celebrate our anniversary?
A. Celebrate the date with the most meaning. In most cases, this is the date of the ceremony.
Q. Won’t some people think it’s odd to not get legally married on the day of your ceremony?
A. Old fashioned individuals might but who actually needs to know, plus who cares what anyone thinks - it is your day!
I hope that's helped answer some of your questions however if you have a few more then get in touch, I'd be happy to have a chat to help ease your concerns: Contact me
