LeT’s Plan
YOUR WEDDING
The Important Stuff
So Much to Think About. So Little Time. That’s Where I come In.
When we meet together to discuss and create the flow of your Wedding Ceremony, I remind you this is YOUR day, and YOUR personal touch will make this Ceremony perfect for YOU!
Generally speaking; there is an ideal flow that creates an outstanding experience for yourself and your Guests.
Having said that; there is also the flexibility to bring your own style and thoughts to create the Wedding Ceremony energy, style and flow that feels great for you.
Knowing there is this flexibility and uniqueness for you, as we create your personalised ceremony, there are also some legal requirements that are non-negotiable, by law!
Your wedding ceremony includes specific words that must be stated by an authorised Registered Marriage Celebrant and these legal statements are known as THE MONITUM and THE MINIMUM LEGAL VOWS.
To get you underway – and for giving thought to what’s important to YOU –the following table steps out an example of some components that may, or may not, be of interest for you in YOUR Wedding Ceremony.
Apart from THE MONITUM and THE MINIMUM LEGAL VOWS you have the ability to include – or exclude – any of the example sections listed below.
At our pre-planning meeting when we speak together; we can discuss the flow and the optional components that best suit you.
Remember; the length and the feel of your Wedding Ceremony is entirely up to YOU.
Warmest Wishes ~ Beverley
An Example of different components in the flow of a Wedding Ceremony:
- An Announcement by your Wedding Celebrant which includes ‘Housekeeping’ reminders pre-determined by the couple who are about to be married. For example: mobile phone protocol, advise of any special photography moments, your social media wishes, let guests know what to expect after the ceremony today, etc
- The Processional/ Arrival of the Bride
- An Introduction and Welcome – your key people & any very special people in your life, may be acknowledged here
- This feature is included
- The Giving Away – a traditional element if it appeals to you to do this
- The Asking – another traditional element where the parties to marriage say “I do” or the Guests are invited for their vow of support to the couple and the audience collectively says “We do”
- Any optional readings of poems or prose are given, by whomever you choose – some examples are provided at READINGS
- THE MONITUM is stated by myself and this is a legal requirement–The Monitum can be said earlier in the Wedding Ceremony, however it must be said before The Minimum Vows. The words are featured below this table in case you love to know the details!
- THE MINIMUM LEGAL VOWS are stated by each of the parties to marriage , and this is a legal requirement – repeating after the Celebrant is necessary for legal reasons.The words are also featured below this table if you love to know the details
- Any additional Personal Vows-These are words you may wish to say to each other – OR have said by your Celebrant on behalf of each other and shared between the parties to marriage
- An exchange of Rings, or a gift of one Ring occurs between you – Some beautiful words may be repeated to each other here, as you place the ring on the finger
- The signing of the legal paperwork being Marriage Certificates and Marriage Register, by the parties to marriage and their 2 witnesses (both of whom must be 18 years or over) This is a legal requirement to finalise the contract of marriage.
- The ceremonial ‘Certificate of Marriage’ is then presented – generally as an announcement in front of your Guests
- An optional Ritual is conducted, if specifically requested by you, as part of your ceremony, anywhere in the flow of your ceremony.
- The Ceremony concludes with final words
- We let the Guests know what to expect next, such as photographer instructions, where to gather now etc
- The Ceremony may also end with The Recessional where you ‘leave’ the Ceremony component, as a married couple to music or to the cheers from your guests, or other options!
The components highlighted in green they must be included in every Australian Wedding Ceremony by Law.
These green elements represent the legal requirements within your Ceremony, under the Marriage Act 1961, being:
* THE MONITUM ~ these are specific words which must be said by myself, as the Registered Marriage Celebrant officiating at your Wedding Ceremony. The Monitum is stated to explain the nature of marriage and therefore solemnise the marriage. In effect, these compulsory words form the ‘contract’ of marriage.
“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 MINIMUM LEGAL VOWS ~ these are specific words which must be spoken by each of the parties to marriage.
This, in effect, forms the ‘agreement’ between you and your partner, in the contract of marriage.
The Celebrant says these words as a statement for each partner to repeat.
“I call upon the persons here present to witness that I, A.B. (or C.D.), take thee, C.D. (or A.B.), to be my lawful wedded wife (or husband or partner)”