The Wedding Ceremony Design

Together we will design a ceremony to suit you, I have many samples to assist us.

Compulsory inclusion

The only words that are compulsory under the Marriage Act are:

CELEBRANT MUST SAY:

My name is Fiona Nicholls and as a registered marriage celebrant, I am duly authorised to solemnise marriages according to law. (Name) and (Name) – Before you are joined in marriage in my presence and in the presence of these witnesses, I am to remind you of the solemn and binding nature of the relationship into which 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 is called the “Monitum”)

BRIDE AND GROOM MUST EACH SAY:

I call upon the persons here present to witness that I, (Full Legal Name), take you, (Full Legal Name), to be my lawful wedded wife/husband.

CELEBRANT & 2 WITNESSES AGED 18 OR OVER MUST SEE AND HEAR THE VOWS BEING EXCHANGED & SIGN THE 3 CERTIFICATES.

 

 

THE DESIGN – COMMON CEREMONY INCLUSIONS & ORDER:

INTRODUCTION: An introduction and an optional personal story about how you met and came to be married (read by celebrant)

READING: One or 2 readings of your choice read by family members or close friends

VOWS: A promise when saying your vows, which can be solemn or a bit more personal to suit you

As an example: (Name), I promise to love, treasure and respect you.

I promise to be loyal to you and believe in you.

I promise to trust in you in the good times and bad.

I promise to confide in you and be interested in and supportive of your work

I promise to share life’s adventures and events with you as a friend.

I look forward to welcoming with love the gift of children.

You can entrust your heart to me, I love you.

 

RINGS: Exchange of rings:

Whilst placing ring on finger

As an example: (Name), with this ring I take you to my heart as my one and only great love, for always and forever.

A kiss on pronouncement that you are husband and wife

 

A RITUAL (optional):

* ROSE CEREMONY – give a rose to each other or give a rose to your mothers in gratitude

* SAND CEREMONY – combine 2 different colour sands into one or more colours to involve children

* HAND-FASTING CEREMONY – hold hands a tie a ribbon or cords around both

* BREAKING OF THE GLASS UNDERFOOT

* WINE – SHARING OF WINE

* STONE CEREMONY

* BUTTERFLY/DOVE RELEASE

* CANDLE LIGHTING

* COIN CEREMONY

* UNITY BOWL RITUAL

* WARMING OF THE RINGS

* CHILDREN – if either of you have children we can include them in a ritual that suits them

For more information try our Wedding Celebrant Melbourne homepage