A Legals Only Wedding is for people who don’t want the ceremony but want to be legally wed. Like a registry office wedding but at a location of your choice. If you’d like to swap the huge wedding ceremony for a short legal ceremony that simply meets the legal requirements, then this is for you.

You can still have ceremony music and exchange rings and personal vows if you wish, although these may carry an additional fee. All you need is each other, identity documents, those magical legal words, a signing table and two witnesses.

You can still hire a professional photographer; this person could even double as a witness if you need one.

Why would you choose a legals only wedding? You ask, I deliver!

• You might want to bring a planned marriage date forward due to visa needs or a time-pressured situation.
• You get to relax. It can make getting married a stress-free process.
• Save yourself the headache of making preparations for a big wedding. No need to book a fancy venue or obsess over chair fabrics and types of fondue!
• You only want a simple and small elopement.
• The wedding is overseas, but you want to be legally married in Australia first.
• All eyes are not on you! You can avoid being the centre of attention.
• You just want to be married but aren’t fussed about a wedding ceremony.
• You’re saving money for bigger and better things or working within a tight budget.

Of course, there are legal obligations to keep and marriage documents to sign. Pre-marriage paperwork includes the Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM), which your celebrant must submit at least one month before your wedding, after viewing your identity documents. These must contain your date and place of birth, such as a passport, driving licence and birth certificate. Any proof of previous marriage termination must also be provided.

It is not just paperwork but verbal consent with very specific legal wording stated by the celebrant and a minimal required wording uttered by the couple. Finally, two witnesses aged at least 18 will be legally required. They must be capable of seeing, hearing and understanding everything in English, so they can officially witness your marriage.

A celebrant is the ONLY thing you need to get legally married! A Commonwealth Registered Marriage Celebrant is the only person who can legally marry people in Australia. They can:

• Ensure certain statements are included in your ceremony so that your wedding contains the proper legal wording and complies with the Marriage Act 1963.
• Where necessary, keep you informed about different interstate or overseas rules and ensure you comply with these.
• Check your ID documents for the Notice of Intended Marriage and lodge your paperwork with your signatures at least one month before the wedding.
• Cast eyes over the original divorce or death certificate if previously married.
• The week before the wedding, ensure both parties sign a Declaration of No Legal Impediment to Marriage (DONLIM).
• Make sure your two witnesses meet the criteria and complete the paperwork on the wedding day.
• Issue your ceremonial marriage certificate on the day.
• Submit the marriage paperwork within 14 days to the registry of births, deaths and marriages so you can receive the registry issued marriage certificate and have the marriage recognised.
• For a fuss-free, simple ceremony that can take place anytime and in alternative locations, confirm availability with me today for an easy-breezy wedding.