Destination Weddings - Information for Visitors to Australia

 
Whether you're dreaming of a warm and sunny setting for your wedding, something sophisticated, or something quite exotic, Brisbane fits the bill. Brisbane's wonderful climate allows outdoor weddings all year round. We have more than 300 days of sunshine a year. The country is politically stable, everyone speaks English but, because Australia is so multi-cultural, we also understand that different people have different cultural needs and customs and we honour that.

And there are no special visa requirements for marriage. In fact, your visa status is irrelevant!

If you live in another country, a different state, or a rural or regional location in Queensland my tried and true process enables us to create a fabulous ceremony together, one that meets your every need and realises your wildest dreams.

Do you dream of making your lifetime commitment in the company of unique Australian wildlife? We can do that.

Do you dream of saying your vows with sand between your toes and blue waters and blue sky as your backdrop? We can do that.

Do you imagine sealing your commitment with a kiss amongst lush foliage and exotic flowers in a lovely park or garden? We can do that.

Would you like to walk down the aisle of a quaint old chapel without having a religious or church wedding? We can do that.

Or are you a more the  'shop until you drop, five-star hotel' kind of couple? We can do that too.

And if you don't want a one-size-fits-all ceremony, a dour, boring, ceremony or one that feels rushed and impersonal? I never ever do those.

Benefits of Marrying in Brisbane

 
  • Our wonderful climate allows outdoor weddings all year round.
  • A wide range of types of indoor and outdoor venues are available to suit your style and your vision for your ceremony
  • Whatever the season of the year there are flowers in bloom and the trees are green
  • Unlike at many resorts, you won't be standing in line behind other brides waiting for your 20 minutes on the beach or other ceremony venue
  • Brisbane is a growing cosmopolitan city, still small enough to be very convenient but large enough to supply a wide choice of service-providers for any service you need at an affordable cost
  • You will not be locked into a suite of predetermined services and suppliers as you would with a package wedding at a resort
  • Your total wedding spend will be much less than in other parts of Australia.

Benefits of Marrying in Australia

 
It is easy and simple to get married in Australia, and you have complete freedom of choice as to what you incorporate in your marriage ceremony, the style and type of ceremony, where and when you marry, and who marries you, civil celebrant or religious celebrant:
  • Australia is politically stable, so your wedding plans are not going to be disrupted by military coups or civil unrest.
  • Everyone speaks English, but if you are not native English-speakers, Australia is one of the most multicultural countries on earth
  • If you marry in a civil ceremony in Australia, adhering to the local legal requirements, your marriage will generally be legally recognised in your own country. It would be wise to satisfy yourself about this by checking with your own government authorities, particularly if you are a same-sex couple. (Australia has had marriage equality since December 2017)
  • The legal requirements are the same for everyone, regardless of gender or sexual orientation
  • You can marry while pregnant
  • Because marrying in Australia is so simple you do not need to sign up for a wedding package deal with a specialist company
  • There are no government fees other than the cost of obtaining a registered copy of your marriage certificate and an Apostille or Authentication stamp if required by your home country
  • There are few rules governing how you may marry
  • There are no restrictions on time of the day weddings can be performed (you can get married 24/7)
  • The power to marry is vested solely in the celebrant, not the location. A legal marriage can be performed anywhere you choose – you do not have to get married in a church, a registry office or a designated venue, so you can get married in a park, by the river, in a restaurant, a private residence, in an interesting historical building, or even surrounded by kangaroos, koalas, water dragons or other wildlife, and you do not need to have a government official (registrar) attend the wedding in addition to the registered celebrant.
  • There are no limitations on what you may include in a legal civil marriage. You do not have to choose between a totally secular and a religious ceremony – music and readings with religious connotations, readings and prayers can be incorporated in a civil ceremony conducted by a civil marriage celebrant if the couple wishes - and you could even have your ceremony in a non-denominational chapel.
  • No interviews are necessary (we can work entirely by email, phone, or mail)

To Marry in Australia ....

 

  • you must both be over 18
  • you must be free to marry (i.e. not already married, either to each other or to some other person)
  • you must both freely consent to the marriage
  • you cannot be close relatives, such as sibling, or parent and child, either by blood or adoption (but you can be first cousins)
  • you must give a minimum of one month and a maximum of 18 months formal notice of your intention to marry by lodging a properly witnessed Notice of Intended Marriage with your chosen celebrant. If you are overseas this form can be witnessed at the Australian Embassy  in your country or by a Notary Public
  • you must produce proof of identity and date and place of birth (see below)
  • you must produce proof that you are free to marry if you are divorced or widowed (see below) but there is no blackout period between the day your previous marriage legally ended and the day on which you can legally re-marry.
  • you must produce properly notarised translations of any documents not in English
  • before the ceremony commences you must sign a declaration that you are free to marry
  • you must both be capable of understanding the ceremony, therefore
    • both parties and the witnesses must be sober
    • if the either or both of the marrying couple or one or both of the witnesses is not fluent in English an official interpreter must be present to interpret
    • if the either or both of the marrying couple or one or both of the witnesses is hearing impaired a sign language interpreter is required
  • you must say your vows out loud
  • you must include some legally required words/phrases in your vows
  • you must make sure that two witnesses at least 18 years of age who are capable of understanding the nature and legal ramifications of the ceremony are present (they do not need to be Australian citizens or resident in Australia, and they can be strangers)
  • you, your witnesses and your celebrant must sign the marriage register and marriage certificate immediately after the ceremony
  • you must bring the following original documents with you to Australia because without them you will not be able to be married (your celebrant is legally required to sight them before performing the ceremony. Photocopies are not acceptable, but for some documents a scan of the original can be accepted)
    • Proof of name and birth (your birth certificate OR passport)
    • Original divorce decree/certificate (if applicable)
    • Original death certificate for a former spouse (if applicable)
    • Documentary evidence of any change of name
    • Valid passport as photo ID
    • Notarised official English translations of any of these documents that are in another language.

But you do not have to do any of these things ...

 
  • You do not have to be resident in Australia for any length of time (you can get married the day you arrive as long as the required notice has been given)
  • You do not have to remain in Australia for any length of time after the wedding (though we hope you will - it's a great place for a honeymoon)
  • You do not have to be an Australian citizen, or Australian permanent resident, nor do you need a special visa to be married in Australia
  • You do not have to participate in pre-marriage education,  though it is strongly encouraged and every person getting married must be given a government pamphlet and information about pre-marriage courses
  • You do not have to have blood tests
  • You do not to have X-rays
  • You do not have to undergo a medical examination or have medical certificates
  • You do not have to have a certificate of no impediment or freedom to marry
  • You do not have to have identification documentation about your parents
  • You do not have to have the consent of parents or guardians if you are over 18
  • You do not have to have a certificate of non-pregnancy
  • You do not have to make your intention to marry public
  • You do not have to marry with "open doors" as in England, for example, therefore your wedding can be very private
  • You do not have to dress formally if you do not wish to do so
  • You do not have to exchange rings if you do not wish to do so
  • You do not have to change your name

Apostilles and Authentications

 

Australia is a signatory to The Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirements of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents. This means that where your government requires proof that Australian documents are genuine before they will accept them, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will certify that official signatures, stamps or seals on a document are genuine by checking them against a specimen held on file, and stamping the document with an Apostille or Authentication. You will require an official registered copy of your marriage certificate for this purpose. There is a fee for this service.


more information about Getting Married
more information about Wedding Ceremony Packages
printable summary of  Wedding Ceremony Packages