A 10-step process so you can say ‘I do’ without a hitch
1 INITIAL CONTACT
I’m just a phone call, email and/or enquiry form away.
2 MEET AND GREET
Hopefully it’s love at first chat, but we’ll have a coffee, wine, zoom or phone call to see if we’re a match made in celebrancy heaven.
3 LOCK IT IN
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be a part of your big day – you can’t see me but I’m doing a happy dance. To make me your official third wheel, just sign my service agreement and pay the booking fee.
4 CEREMONY BUILDER KIT
I’ll email you a PDF copy of the ‘Ceremony Builder Kit. Feel free to print it out so you can scribble on it and highlight important bits, in preparation for our next meeting.
5 PLANNING CATCH UP
Three months before your date, we’ll organise a meeting to cover ceremony planning and legals. Bring your legal documents so we can complete your ‘Notice of Intended Marriage’. We’ll go through the Ceremony Builder Kit to figure out what you’d like to include in your ceremony and how it all works. Now’s the fun bit! Together, we’ll go through a questionnaire where I get to be as nosy as I like, taking note of your story thus far and aspirations for your future together, and loads more. Based on the juicy details you divulge, I’ll start working on your VIP ceremony script.
6 CEREMONY WRITING
Six weeks before your big day, I’ll have the first draft of your ceremony script for your review. We’ll bounce this backwards and forwards until you’re 100% happy with it – no ifs, no buts, I want you to read it and feel super pumped. You’ll receive the final draft two weeks prior to your ceremony, with minor changes allowed up to 2 days prior.
7 REHEARSAL (OPTIONAL BUT STRONGLY RECOMMENDED)
If you’re a bit OCD like me, a rehearsal is your opportunity to understand what to expect and how the ceremony will run – really beneficial if you tend to get a little antsy or nervous before big events. It’ll also give you a chance to sign required legal paperwork. If you opt not to have a rehearsal, we’ll meet up to have the necessary paperwork signed at the very latest, one week before the ceremony.
8 YOUR BIG, LOVED-UP DAY
Oh my gosh, it technically hasn’t happened yet but I’m feeling soooo excited already. We all turn up, I perform the ceremony, you two get hitched. Us three and two witnesses will sign all the legal paperwork. I’ll present you with a commemorative marriage certificate. We’ll get a gorgeous photo or two together, you rock on at your reception and I’ll go home for a wine. Just quietly, I won’t complain if you want me to stay for the party…
9 ALL LEGAL PAPERWORK IS LODGED WITH BIRTHS, DEATHS AND MARRIAGES
To make it super official!
10 LET’S STAY IN TOUCH BECAUSE I KINDA MISS YOU ALREADY
Look, I’m no stage-3 clinger but I probably will get a little attached to you. Whether it’s your 5-year anniversary or you’re expecting a baby, let’s stay in touch. You’re part of Mumma H’s family now.
READY FOR LOVE AT FIRST CHAT?
frequently asked questions
FAQs - Your burning questions answered
Q: WHAT IS THE NOTICE OF INTENDED MARRIAGE FORM?
A: Before you can get married, you need to complete the Notice of Intended Marriage Form 13 (NOIM). This must be lodged no later than 1 month prior to your wedding and no more than 18 month prior to your marriage.
We’ll complete this together during our planning meeting. To prove your identity, please bring along your:
• Driver’s License
• Australian/ Overseas Passport
• Original Birth Certificate
If either of you have been married before, I will need to see your Certificate of Divorce (obtainable from the Family Court in the state where you were divorced).
If either of you have been widowed, I will need a copy of the Death Certificate of your deceased spouse. Any documents provided in a foreign language must be translated into English and a Translation Certificate supplied.
Q: WHY DO I HAVE TO SIGN A DECLARATION OF NO LEGAL IMPEDIMENT TO MARRIAGE?
A: Prior to your wedding, you’re legally required to sign a Statutory Declaration that states there are no legal impediments to your marriage; you are over 18; you are not marrying your cousin and haven’t married someone else since I saw you last!
Q: DO WE NEED TO MEMORISE ANYTHING FOR THE CEREMONY?
A: Nope, so don’t worry! Once we’ve shared your beautiful story and have earnt the smiles, laughs and tears, it’s my turn to take care of the legal mumbo jumbo. I’ll read out the ‘Monitum’ which is a legal element from the Marriage Act, after which I’ll perform The Asking’ where I’ll ask you if you take one another as husband/wife. The answer being “I do” or “I will”.
We’ll then proceed to the legal vows, which you can simply repeat after me. Easy done!
Q: WHAT DOCUMENTS DO WE NEED TO SIGN ON THE DAY?
A: On your wedding day and as part of your ceremony, we will sign the Marriage Register, the BDM Marriage Certificate, and your commemorative Marriage Certificate which you will take home with you. The other documents will be sent to Births, Deaths & Marriages (BDM) in your state for processing. You will receive an email from the BDM confirming your marriage has been successfully registered and is legally binding.
You’ll need to have two witnesses over the age of 18 years old for the signing part of the ceremony.
Should you require an interpreter for your wedding ceremony or witnesses, you can search for a local-area interpreter via the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) Ltd.
