A superb freedom in Australia is that you do not need a marriage license, nor are you restricted to marrying in church.

Whether it’s a beach wedding, forest wedding, dune wedding, luxury tent wedding – or you want to get married in a stunning park, at the site of a historic lighthouse, within a homely garden, a grand hall or even in hospital to be at your loved one’s side…

“Civil” allows this freedom.

Wedding on Rottnest Island Western Australia

Often referred to as a “civil celebrant”, “marriage celebrant” or “authorised celebrant” – the advantage is that you have more choice and flexibility. A celebrant has all the necessary paperwork and can handle the legalities for you as well as field questions about the intricacies of your wedding ceremony.

I assist a great number of culturally diverse couples with having civil wedding ceremonies that reflect their culture and belief, as well as their individual style and personality. Australian, Scottish, South African, Portuguese, Vietnamese, Pagan, Wiccan – it is possible to celebrate in highly innovative ways today whilst complying with Australian legal obligations.

Be aware that a “celebrant” does not necessarily have the legal ability to solomnise a wedding / legally perform a wedding, though. A wedding celebrant must be authorised by the Attorney General’s Office.

If you’re not sure, and you’re hunting around celebrant in Perth, Western Australia, or anywhere else in Australia, the Attorney General’s Office is a great resource. It lists current marriage celebrants and provides up-to-date information about obligations of a wedding celebrant in Perth. It also It may be the case that you read something different on another website – a rule of thumb is that anything that reads differently to the Attorney General’s website is inaccurate.

A marriage celebrant must:

– have a certified qualification
– have obtained this qualification through a certified training organisation
– be authorised by the Attorney General’s Office
– be assessed as being a fit and proper person by the Registrar of Marriage Celebrants
– pay a registration fee as of July 2013 to be in business
– adhere to The Code of Practice for Marriage Celebrants
– comply with legal obligations such as Ongoing Professional Development annually

Joanne Armstrong ♡ ❥ ❤ Civil Marriage Celebrant ❤ ❥ ♡

www.wildheartcelebrations.com.au + 61 416 218 799 wildheartcelebrations@gmail.com