Your Marriage Ceremony Should be Fun!

Your wedding ceremony is a very special moment in your lives - one you will have memories (and photos;) of for the rest of your lives.

Just because you want something simple, small or easy doesn't mean it has to be bland and not reflect the two of you.

The government Marriage Registry Office is not the only option.

When couples think of having a simple wedding ceremony, they often think of the government run  Marriage Registry Office (as reflected in many movies). But there are so many more options - and they don't have to feel like a Las Vegas Elvis Wedding.

The 2 parts of getting married

1. The Process

The process of getting married is quiet straight forward - and simpler if  you use a marriage celebrant as opposed to the Marriage Registry Office.

Some Marriage Celebrants have made the process of getting married very simple and mostly done online.

2. The Event

This then leaves time (and money) for the event of getting married - the wedding ceremony. I think this is the bit that really matters.

Things to consider when planning the event;

a) The Location.

Select somewhere you want to have in your memories (and photos) for the rest of your live. Sydney is blessed with so many amazing location to get married - harbour, parks, beaches or even dedicated indoor spaces or even pubs.

b) Your Marriage Celebrant

This is the person who is going to help you with both the Process and Event.

They should be able to ensure that the process is very straight forward - ensuring you meet all the legal aspects of getting married.

But more importantly, they are the ones who are going to make your Event everything you hope for and more.

Your Marriage Celebrant will ensure your event runs smoothly but critically is a ceremony that reflects the two of you - not a government legal procedure.

How to get a Marriage Certificate

The only way to get a Marriage Certificate in Australia is to get legally married in Australia.

To get legal married in Australia involves;

1. Booking a Marriage Celebrant
2. Completing a Notice of Intended Marriage form at least one calendar month prior to your ceremony date.
3. Have a marriage ceremony (this can be brief, but there are some words that legally need to be said) with your Marriage Celebrant and at least 2 witnesses (they can be anyone as long as they are over 18 and understand English)

Immediately following your marriage ceremony you, your witnesses and your Marriage Celebrant will all sign a marriage certificate - which you will receive on the day. Your marriage Celebrant will also register your marriage with Births, Deaths and Marriage in the state or territory where your ceremony took place. To find out more about the different Marriage Certificates, look below.

Marriage Certificates Types

How to arrange to get them.

Your Certificate of  Marriage

Immediately following your ceremony you will receive the Australian Commonwealth Government,  Certificate of Marriage. (Please keep this in a secure place as it can not be replaced).

On the back of this certificate, it states - "Under section 45 of the Marriage Act 1961 this certificate is conclusive evidence that your marriage has been solemnised in accordance with that section. It is an important document and you should keep it in a safe place with other official documents."

However, some organisation may not accept this certificate as proof of marriage because the certificate may not be able to be used as evidence of identity.

Again on the back of the certificate, it states - "This certificate does not provide conclusive evidence of the identity of either of the parties to your marriage. In some situations, you may be asked to produce a registered copy of your marriage certificate obtained from the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages in the State or territory in which you were married."

Your registered Marriage Certificate

Your Registered Marriage Certificate can only be issued by Births, Deaths and Marriages once your marriage has been registered.

We will register your marriage (on-line) the same day as your ceremony so you can pick up your certificate or order it online the same day - if required. This is quicker than the government registry officer can provide.

Applying for your Registered Marriage Certificate

Birth, Deaths and Marriages NSW are the official government record keeper and as such the only organisation who can issue your Registered Marriage Certificate.

They currently charge $60 to do this (current as at 1st July 2019).

There are three ways of obtaining a registered certificate;

a) On-line

b) In person, by visiting one of their offices. Because we register your marriage online - straight after your ceremony, you are able to pick it up the same day. You can't even do that if you are married at the Marriage Registry Office ;). You can download an application form here.

c) By post, you can do this by completing an application form and posting it directly to BDM.
You can download an application form here.

You can apply at any time, after your ceremony, for a certificate and can order any number of certificates you like.

Here is a link to BDM's NSW site for all details including; current pricing, proof of identification required to get the certificate, delay times and office locations.

http://www.bdm.nsw.gov.au/Pages/marriages-relationships/marriage-certificate.aspx

How do we do it at this price?

We're always being asked this because our fee is so much lower than anyone else.

What we've done is stream-line the boring bits of getting married.

We've introduced things, such as; 

• on-line booking

• on-line paperwork

• no interviews

• registration of marriage same day on-line

• fixed ceremony locations

As a result of this, we can offer an all inclusive price, well below the Marriage Registry Office... 

BUT, what we haven't "stream-lined" is the essence, meaning and importance of your very special day.

Having been a Celebrant since 2004, I understand that your wedding is far more important than "efficiencies".

Your ceremony is a very special moment in your lives, one you will remember forever. This is central to our service. We will ensure, you have a ceremony you will remember forever. 

Bradfield Park - North Sydney

Off Olympic Drive, underneath the Sydney Harbour Bridge (right on the waters edge), Milsons Point, North Sydney.

Google Pin Location (share it with your guests) - https://goo.gl/maps/4pjaaWQm3mB2

Why Bradfield Park?

Bradfield Park is an ideal location if you would like to get married in Sydney. 

Under the towering Sydney Harbour Bridge you will have a back drop of the Sydney City skyline, busy Sydney Harbour and of course the Sydney Opera House.

There are beautiful trees (for shade and contrast) and two sandstone structures offering texture for your photos.

You can have up to 20 people (the 2 of you and 18 guests) at your ceremony.

For an additional fee of $75 this number can be increase to 59 in total. Additional fees are paid after you have made your booking at - Click here

Rain. Now it doesn't happen often, but when it does we can find shelter in one of the stone sandstone structure or  move to Bradfield Plaza - under the Harbour Bridge - about 3 minutes walk up the hill.

Getting there

Bradfield Park is conveniently located only 5 minutes from the CBD. 

Arrive by ferry to Milsons Point Wharf (to have the true Sydney experience)

Metered street parking are located close by. 

Mislons Point Railway Station is 5 minutes walk away.

* Please arrive 10 minutes prior to your ceremony to ensure you are in the right location prior to your ceremony

Facilities Offered

Bradfield Park is part of North Sydney Council. Generously, North Sydney Council permits small marriage ceremonies to take place in their park without the requirement to reserve or pay for the use of the park.

We will provide a small table for your to stand at and sign your Marriage Certificate, after your ceremony. 

Keeping in mind, the actual ceremony will only last about 15minutes so we don't provide chairs. You are free to set up your own chairs & decoration, if you like. Or you may like to use the services of other provides such as  TL Studio.

You are free to arrange a professional photographer. Or you may like to use the services of TL Studio.

NB. Paper or plastic confetti is not permitted.

Personalising your marriage ceremony can make your marriage ceremony all that more special. 

It doesn't have to involve a lot. Maybe add a couple of words to your vows or have a friend read a short poem you have chosen. 

A personalised ceremony is one that Simple Ceremonies can help you deliver.

On the day of your  Marriage Ceremony

On the day of your ceremony - the first thing you have to do is SMILE 😉

You are going to have a fabulous day!

By now everything should be in place to ensure your marriage ceremony will run smoothly. 

But for comfort you may want to have a quick look at the Checklist.

What you will need to bring

In general, you will need to bring original copies of;

• The Notice of Intended Marriage
• ID (Passport OR Birth Certificate and Drives Lic.
• Certificates relating to previous marriages (if applicable)

Who you will need to bring

In general, you will need to bring;

• Each other 😉
• 2 witnesses - they can be anyone as long as they are over 18 years old (and speak English)

In addition, if either of you do not speak or understand English you will need to bring an interpreter - this can be anyone as long as they are over 18 (an not one of you).