Liz Hayes Celebrant

Absolutely. In fact I specialise in these simple, legal ceremonies. Many couples use them as a simple way of legalising their overseas or destination weddings - or they simply want to 'do the paperwork' secretly, until they are in a position to have the Big Wedding Celebration at another time. We will need 2 adult witnesses, but if you don't want any of your family or friends to attend, I can organise 2 witnesses for you, with an additional low fee.

No, a face to face meeting is no longer necessary for this purpose. Authorised Celebrants in Australia are permitted to witness couples signing the Notice of Intended Marriage, via video call nowadays. The NOIM is then lodged with the Celebrant and takes effect one month later - and lasts for 18 months. Prior to the Marriage taking place, the Celebrant will need to sight originals of Identity documents, as well as any divorce or death certificates that might be applicable. A couple of notable points. 1. The Celebrant can only lodge the NOIM by video, if that Celebrant is physically in Australia. 2. If it's not possible for both parties to be present for this call, the NOIM can still be lodged with one signature, with the remaining partner signing and being witnessed later, but before the ceremony takes place.

No, sorry. Surprise Weddings are not allowed in Australia The Celebrant must satisfy themselves that each of the partners is in full agreement of the plan to marry, prior to the ceremony taking place.

This can vary immensely. I have conducted Wedding Ceremonies in Perth, that have lasted about 90 minutes because there were Vietnamese Tea Rituals and Indian Traditional Rites added into the ceremony. For a brief, legalising Marriage Ceremony the usual time will be less than 10 minutes. However, for a Personalised Marriage Ceremony, with an Entrance, some Readings and Signing of the Certificates, my ceremonies would usually take between 20 and 35 minutes.

A non-refundable booking fee is paid at the beginning of the process, with the balance to be paid 6 weeks prior to the Ceremony taking place.