A Legal Wedding Ceremony in Australia
Hello everyone! Today, I want to walk you through what constitutes a legal wedding ceremony in Australia. Whether you're planning your own wedding or simply curious about the process, understanding the legal components is essential.
Legal Wedding Vows: The heart of a legal ceremony in Australia lies in the wedding vows. These vows are a formal declaration recognized under the Australian Marriage Act and must be included in your ceremony. The standard legal vows are:
"I call upon the persons here present to witness that I, A.B. (or C.D.), take thee, C.D. (or A.B.), to be my lawful wedded wife (husband or spouse)."
These vows can be said before, after, or alongside your personal vows, allowing for personalization while maintaining legal validity. Certain modifications are permissible to accommodate personal preferences:
"Husband," "wife," or "spouse" can be changed to "partner in marriage."
"Call upon" may be changed to "ask."
"Persons" can be changed to "people."
"Thee" can be changed to "you."
"Persons here present" can be altered to "everyone here," "everybody here," "everyone present here," or "everybody present here."
Optionally, the couple may omit either "lawful" or "wedded," but not both.
Celebrant Monitum: After the welcome and introduction, the Celebrant Monitum is a crucial part of the ceremony. As your celebrant, I solemnly read:
"My name is Genine Houston, and I am duly authorised by law to solemnise marriages according to law. [Insert names], before you are joined in marriage in my presence, and in the presence of these witnesses, your family and friends, I must remind you of the solemn and binding nature of the relationship that you are about to enter.
Marriage, according to law in Australia, is the union of two people to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life."
This statement underscores the legal significance of marriage in Australia, emphasizing its binding nature and the voluntary commitment of the couple.
Conclusion: Understanding these components ensures that your wedding ceremony not only reflects your personal vows and values but also meets the legal requirements set forth by the Australian Marriage Act. As your celebrant, I am dedicated to guiding you through this process with care and professionalism, ensuring that your wedding day is both legally sound and personally meaningful.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss your wedding plans further, please feel free to reach out. I look forward to assisting you in creating a beautiful and memorable wedding ceremony that celebrates your love and commitment.
Warm regards,
Genine
