7 Legal Considerations for Your Wedding Ceremony
Planning your dream wedding is filled with exciting choices—from the dress to the venue, the flowers to the perfect celebrant. But before you get swept up in the romance of your big day, it's essential to understand the legal side of your wedding ceremony. As a Brisbane wedding celebrant (who also supports couples across the Gold Coast), I often help couples navigate the paperwork, processes, and rules required to ensure their marriage is legally binding in Australia.
Here are the top seven legal considerations every couple should know before saying "I do."
1. You Must Lodge a Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM)
At least one month before your wedding day, you must submit a Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) form to your celebrant. This is a legal requirement in Australia, and your celebrant must receive and witness it no less than one month—and no more than 18 months—before the ceremony date. Without this form, your marriage can’t legally proceed.
Your Brisbane or Gold Coast wedding celebrant will help you complete and witness this document, ensuring it’s filed correctly and on time.
2. Provide Valid Identification
Both parties must provide original identification documents. This typically includes:
An official birth certificate or passport (Australian or overseas)
Photo ID (such as a driver’s licence)
Proof of dissolution if previously married (e.g. divorce decree or death certificate)
A professional wedding celebrant Brisbane or Gold Coast couples rely on will guide you through what documents are accepted and how to provide them legally.
3. Age Requirements for Marriage
In Australia, both parties must be at least 18 years old to marry. While it's technically possible for a 16- or 17-year-old to marry under exceptional circumstances, it requires court approval and is extremely rare. Your celebrant is legally obliged to check ages and ensure both parties are eligible.
4. The Ceremony Must Include Specific Legal Wording
All legal Australian wedding ceremonies must contain two mandatory components:
The Monitum, which is a statement made by the celebrant to explain the legal nature of marriage.
Legal vows, where each party declares they take the other as their lawful wedded partner.
Your Brisbane or Gold Coast celebrant will ensure these are included while still making your ceremony feel natural, romantic, and truly yours.
5. You Need Two Witnesses
Two witnesses over the age of 18 must be physically present at your wedding ceremony to sign the official marriage documents. They don’t have to be part of the wedding party—just two adults who can understand and observe the event.
If you’re planning an elopement or intimate ceremony in Brisbane or on the Gold Coast, your celebrant can even help you organise suitable witnesses.
6. Your Celebrant Must Be Authorised
Only a registered, authorised celebrant can legally marry you in Australia. This includes Civil Celebrants (like those at Let’s Marry), ministers of religion, and certain officials.
Always confirm that your Brisbane wedding celebrant or Gold Coast wedding celebrant is listed on the Attorney-General’s Register of Marriage Celebrants—this ensures your ceremony will be recognised legally.
7. You’ll Receive a Certificate—But It’s Not the Official One
On your wedding day, your celebrant will give you a commemorative marriage certificate, which is beautiful for keepsake purposes. However, this isn’t your legal certificate for changing your name or proving marriage to government departments.
Your celebrant will submit your paperwork to the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages in your state. You’ll then need to apply for the official marriage certificate through the state registry, typically for a small fee.
Final Thought …
The legal side of getting married doesn’t have to feel overwhelming—especially when you have a caring and experienced celebrant by your side. Whether you're planning a wedding in Brisbane, eloping to a coastal lookout on the Gold Coast, or hosting a formal affair in between, a professional celebrant will ensure every legal detail is covered—so you can relax and enjoy every magical moment of your ceremony.