Civil ceremonies provide the increasingly popular alternative to the Church or Registry Office wedding. Their main features are that they:

• Give you the option of a no-frills wedding
• Are personalised and totally flexible
• Can be as formal and traditional as the church ceremony or as small and informal as you wish
• Usually only about 15-20 minutes duration

You are required by law to lodge your "Notice of Intended Marriage" with the celebrant at least one month and one day before the ceremony. The notice cannot be given more than six months before the marriage date. Please note that this notice only applies to a particular celebrant. Notice of Intended Marriage forms can and often are trasnsferrable to another celebrant, for example if a couple decide to have a religious ceremony instead, or if a change in venue or time means that a celebrant can't attend at the desired time or place, or when a celebrant is ill and can not officiate, etc. If you change the date or celebrant you have to again give the same notice. This notice MAY be shortened in special circumstances but don't count on it.

• There are many parks and gardens in your home town which are suitable for the ceremony and for photographs afterwards. Ask your celebrant or photographer for locations.
• In Australia - Civil Marriage Celebrants are appointed by the Federal Attorney General to provide the services. Fees are no longer set by the govt hence fees vary from celebrant to celebrant with better celebrants commanding a premium.
• Celebrants are sensitive caring people who will spend a lot of time with you to make sure that you have the type and style of ceremony that you wish
  • It is up to you to make sure that you make full use of their professionalism and be guided by their advice
  • You will find that they have a variety of services and vows from which you can choose
  • They will involve your family if that is your wish
  • You will need at least two witnesses. These do not have to be best man and bridesmaid