General Requirements For Marriage Ceremonies: Give the parties information and guidance to enable them to choose or compose  a marriage ceremony that will meet their needs and expectations. ~ Code of Practice for Marriage Celebrants  ~

Three Options For Marrying In Australia

By Sharon L Norris

In Australia, couples have three options for getting married:

• In a religious ceremony held in a church or other such facility, officiated by a religious celebrant registered by the Federal Government to solemnise marriages for the religious organisation they represent.

• In a civil ceremony held in a State/Territory Government Registry Office, officiated by a State/Territory-appointed officer registered by the Federal Government to solemnise marriages for the State/Territory Government they represent.

• In a civil ceremony held in the location of the couple's choice, officiated by a civil marriage celebrant registered by the Federal Government to solemnise marriages.

Religious Weddings

Religious weddings are conducted according to the rites of the particular religious organisation the couples choose for their wedding.  Many people will marry in the churches they worshipped in whilst growing up or attending school. Some people also choose to marry in church because they believe the backdrop will look nice in photos. Many people, however, choose to marry in church because they believe that is "the done thing".

If you are having a religious wedding, you need to discuss the ceremony with the religious celebrant (Minister, Priest etc) and find out what is involved in the religious wedding ceremony sanctioned by the particular faith (Catholic, Anglican, Presbyterian, etc).  Some religious groups have strict protocols governing their ceremonies, and it may not be possible to incorporate elements you may like to include.

Note: A fee may be payable for the use of a religious wedding venue and the time of the officiant.

Civil Weddings in A Registry Office

Civil weddings held in State/Territory Registry Offices are conducted according to the protocols set by the relevant Government.  Many people choose Registry weddings because they are quick, easy ceremonies and may be significantly cheaper than church or other civil weddings. They also severely limit what you can do within the ceremony.

With civil Registry weddings, you can expect to have a very short non-religious wedding ceremony.  In Queensland, for example, the State-sanctioned ceremony is just 254 words long, and will take less than 10 minutes to deliver, including the signing of papers at the end. If you wanted to include additional elements in the ceremony, you would need to discuss this with the Registry staff at the time of booking, so that you know in advance if you can do so or not.

Note: A fee is payable for the use of the Registry venue and the time of the officiant

Civil Weddings By Civil Celebrants

Civil weddings officiated by civil celebrants are conducted in the location of the couple's choice, at a date and time of the couple's choosing, as well as the way in which the couple choose.  The ceremonies may be formal or informal, short or long, and may incorporate specific elements of significance to the couple such as readings of poetry or extracts from literature, and rituals such as lighting of candles and the releasing of creatures.

Civil weddings are generally non-religious ceremonies but may incorporate religious elements if that is desired by the couple marrying.

Note: A fee is payable for the professional time of most civil officiants. Very few celebrants conduct "free" ceremonies (usually only hobbyists or those with little experience, or celebrants who work for free for friends and rellies), as most regard their celebrancy practice as an income-generating, tax-paying business.