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.