Celebrating life, love and happiness with dignity 

 Useful Information For Planning Your Wedding

Ensure you book your wedding day with me in plenty of time. Usually the first meeting will be at my home, at a mutually convenient time, to discuss the documentation required to perform a valid marriage.

LEGAL REQUIREMENTS

The Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) by law must be filled in 31days prior to the ceremony.  Please note that your mothers’ maiden names are required, and the years of birth of children of your previous marriages, if applicable.

As well as the NOIM, each party must have proof of birth, e.g. birth certificates, or extracts of birth, if you are Australian born. Full birth certificates or passports for overseas born.

Where there has been a previous marriage, evidence of how the marriage ended must be produced. This will be a Decree Absolute/ Certificate of Divorce, or a Death Certificate.

Also required is photographic proof of Identification, such as a Driver’s License or Passport.

 

Please note that once married, the Bride needs to have a certified copy of her marriage, which she obtains from the office of Births Deaths and Marriages, as it is required to change her name with financial institutions and government departments.  She must apply and pay for this after the marriage. It is normally available 14 days after the date of marriage.

 STORY

I suggest that you both write your personal story, maybe 2 or 3 paragraphs on how you met, the story of your relationship, why you, the groom, love and admire her (the bride) and why you, the bride, love and admire him (the groom.) Include how you feel about your family and friends, and what your hopes are for the future. If there are children involved, I suggest that you include them in the ceremony in a meaningful way.

Of course, I am happy to assist you with final wording, or at any time of writing.

 

LOCATION

Marriage ceremonies in the open always have an element of risk. There should be an alternative place nearby, in case of very hot weather, wind or  rain. Many parks and gardens require permission, and early bookings are advised, via the local council, especially if they are popular wedding venues.

 

FEES

The fee for a Wedding Ceremony is $695.00. A non-refundable deposit of $200.00 is required at time of booking to secure your date and time. The balance is payable at the rehearsal, or at least one week prior to the ceremony. Payment may be cash, or direct credit to my account.

The fee covers planning, writing and presenting your ceremony, in a clear and professional manner, using my PA system. It includes all legal paperwork, and lodgement of same, access to my resources, and unlimited contact. A rehearsal at my home is included.

Travel further than an 80 K. return trip from my home incurs an additional cost.

Public holiday ceremonies incur an additional fee of 20%.

The fee for all other ceremonies  is negotiated on an individual basis, according to complexity.

 

ONGOING CONTACT

I invite couples to unlimited contact with me during the planning process.

 

lawtonpatricia@gmail.com

 

0401 121 114