Step 1                  The Marriage Celebrant and You

• Once you have contacted a celebrant by phone or email you’ll need to set up an initial meeting and book the date for your ceremony with him or her. You should ask about the celebrant’s fees at this meeting.
• In Australia the first form to be completed is the Notice of Intended Marriage.  This must be done no later than 1 calendar month prior to the wedding date and no more than 18mnths before the wedding
• Subsequent appointments will then be planned with your celebrant and you to develop the details of your ceremony.

Step 2                  Planning Your Civil Ceremony

• Civil ceremonies give you flexibility and the freedom to be as creative with your ceremony as you wish.  It is your wedding day and your ceremony should reflect you.  You should seek advice, ideas and wisdom but in the end the final decision should be yours.
• Most celebrants will have experience writing ceremonies and you should ask them for their input.  Work with your celebrant. Whether you want a formal or informal ceremony, you need to plan it step by step.
• You may wish to include rituals, readings, symbols and music that meet your dreams and vision and reflect the love you have for each other.
• You may have your own special words, poems or songs you’d like to use, so bring them with you when you meet your celebrant.
• The length of the ceremony is determined by the elements outlined above as well as the inclusion of significant people you may wish to be part of your service. An average ceremony takes between 15 to 25 minutes.

Step 3                  The Vows

• The vows are the basic legal substructure of the marriage ceremony. They officially transform you from friends to partners in life.
• Personalising your vows is one of the best ways to assert the uniqueness of your union. How do you voice your deepest feelings for each other, without embarrassing you, your loved one and your wedding guests?
• Think about what ideas are critical to you; discuss what marriage means to the two of you and what, specifically, you want to promise to each other.  Discuss the unique factors of your relationship. Pick quotes, quips or poetry from various sources then draft your vows, read aloud, rewrite and edit, edit, edit until you are happy with your final version.

Step 4                  Consider Your Guests

• Consider the feelings of those you include and those you don’t.  Marriage is a monumental step in your life and it means a lot to your loved ones and friends for them to be there.
• Consider your guests when you choose your ceremony venue.  Is the venue easily accessible for all your guests?
• If your wedding is outdoors don’t be late to the ceremony.  Many of your guests may have been standing for a long time prior to the bride’s arrival.

Step 5      Add Your Personal Touches

• For example; if you have children you may consider making them an important part of your wedding.
• Pick a few aspects of your wedding and make them personalised. A personal touch makes a wedding meaningful to the bridal couple, their attendants, family and all invited guests.

A marriage ceremony is an incredibly important and powerful moment that demands a structure which reflects who you are, where you have come from and what your love means to each of you.  It should also reflect your dreams, desires, hopes and plans for your future life together.  Happy Wedding Day

Rosemary Logan

Civil Marriage Celebrant, Gold Coast, QLD