The 10 Step Process - Getting Married By Me
The 10 Step Process - Getting Married By Me
A quick note on accessibility and inclusion by design: My process has been designed to be digital first because that’s what works for me and most of my couples, and it keeps important information safe and secure. HOWEVER, I know digital doesn’t always work for everyone, so if you have alternate access requirements or even just different preferences, please reach out - I’ve got alternate processes and procedures ready to go. Some examples of what I can offer include: meeting face-to-face instead of online, working via an interpreter or translator, receiving information from you verbally instead of in writing (including interviewing and transcribing), and providing information to you in different formats (Easy Read/visual-first, plain text files, verbal).
Step 1: Send me an enquiry
The first and most important question is “are you available on our chosen date?” Sending me an enquiry allows me to check the diary and let you know if I’m free. Hopefully I’m available, but in the event I’m not, I’ll hook you up with some awesome recommendations for like-minded celebrants. Please note that I generally don’t book couples in if they’ve not yet chosen a date, except if you’re looking to do a Sydney elopement because I can usually squeeze those in.
Step 2: Vibe check
If I’m free on your date, I’ll send you a link to book in a quick virtual catch-up so we can suss each other out. I cannot overstate how important it is to work with vendors you like and trust, and I want you to have confidence when you choose me as your marriage celebrant. This is an obligation-free call full of mutual info dumping and is designed to give you peace of mind before booking in.
Step 3: Book it in!
After the vibe check, I’ll send you all the info and paperwork you need to get booked in by email - you can sign your contract, pay your non-refundable booking fee, and access your client portal with just a few clicks. Note that I don’t generally chase once I’ve sent this information out - ball is in your court, no hard sell here. Not my jam.
Step 4: Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM)
The first legal step towards getting married! I have a custom webform for gathering all your information so I can automate all your marriage paperwork and avoid typos. I’ll send you an already-reviewed PDF version of your NOIM and we will do a remote witnessing video call at a time of your choosing to get it signed and lodged a minimum of one calendar month before your big day. Simples!
Step 5: Couples’ questionnaires
Every single love story is different and unique, and I wanna know yours! Part of me crafting a perfectly personalised and completely custom ceremony means I need to know you REALLY well, and that’s where my couples questionnaires come in. Both parties fill these out separately and with no peeking, spilling the tea and giving me all the info I need to make everyone think we’ve been mates for years. Works every time!
Step 6: Planning meeting
About a month before your big day, your final payment is due and we have an online planning meeting to finalise all the details for your wedding ceremony. Using your answers from the questionnaires and my knowledge and experience with customising ceremonies, I guide you through every single consideration and we co-design the perfect ceremony for you. We also talk logistics and timing so I can finalise the run sheet and liaise with your other vendors as required.
Step 7: Vow writing
Look, sometimes this happens earlier in the process, but not often - most people leave this to the week before. I’m used to it. With my guidance, you’ll each write your personal vows (if you’re doing them). I’m here to help if you’re stuck for words - we can workshop them, I can make proofread, whatever you need. You each send your vows to me a week out from your marriage ceremony for cross-checking and printing into custom vow booklets that I bring with me on the day of your wedding.
Step 8: Declaration of No Legal Impediment to Marriage (DONLIM)
The second legal step for getting married gets done just before the ceremony - we sign the DONLIM to confirm your legal availability for marriage. I must speak to each party separately, and it’s usually the day before or the day of the wedding depending on location and logistics. The final thing we do before you say “I Do”!
Step 9: The marriage ceremony!
The third legal step in getting married in Australia is your actual marriage ceremony! Finally, the culmination of all our work together as we share a beautiful bonding moment with all your loved ones and get you hitched. I say some words, you say some words, we have two legal witnesses who saw all of us say those words, then we all sign some paperwork after and TAA DAA just like that, you’re married!
Step 10: Registration
While you party the night away, I head home and register your marriage with Births, Deaths and Marriages. Depending on your movements in the weeks after your wedding, I will also order your official certificate of marriage from them and have it posted to you. I’ll send you a confirmation email that everything is finalised.
Elle is amazing and took no time at all to listen and fully understand us and what we wanted out of our special day. She helped us with vows and wrote a down-to-earth ceremony with plenty of internal references and jokes that worked perfectly with our family and friends. We couldn't recommend her more to anyone!