We are very fortunate in Australia to live in a country which has many cultures, each of which have made their own unique contribution to Australian society.    We are all the richer for each racial group which has chosen to call Australia home. However, we must also respect Australia’s original inhabitants, the aboriginal people – traditional custodians of our land.   

The use of ritual and ceremony from one’s own cultural heritage enhances the meaning of the ceremony both to you and to your guests, and should be considered when planning your ceremony.     I am happy to work with you to make any cultural inclusion in your ceremony.

Music and readings also can be used within your ceremony to express your personalities, and oftentimes say exactly what you want to say, in words that just can’t  be found to express the emotions involved.

I have provided a very basic ceremony below, but when your Notice of Intended Marriage is lodged with me, I will provide you with a Ceremony Builder, which provides options for the basic elements for the Order of Service, any of which may be used to customize your own ceremony.    I also am happy to research further options for you, so you will achieve exactly the ceremony you desire.   I will also ensure that the legal requirements for the ceremony are met.

Basic ceremony

Celebrant:

…………….. and…………….. .

Today you are surrounded by your family and friends,  all of whom are gathered to witness your marriage and to share in the joy of this occasion, which will be one of the most memorable and happy days of your life.

Marriage is based on love, tolerance, understanding and truth.  It is the sharing of life  and all its fortunes whilst understanding the needs of  each other.

…………….. and…………….. have you come here today voluntarily to be joined in this marriage ?

Response:    We have

…………….. and…………….. have chosen the next poem because it says what they feel about their relationship.

Today I marry my friend;
the one I have laughed with and cried with,
the one I have learnt from and shared with,
the one I have chosen to support and encourage
through all the days given to us to share.
Today I marry the one I love.

Vows:

……………..  I am proud to take you as my wife.
I promise to love and respect you and provide
for your needs as best I can.  I will always be open
and honest with you, support you through
difficult times and try my utmost to bring you happiness.”

……………..  in the presence of our families and friends, I make the following promise.
At all times I will support and respect you
When you speak I will  listen and when
you need me to I will share my thoughts with you.
I will forever hold our love and commitment above all else.”

Ring Ceremony:

……………..  I give you this ring as a symbol that we are one with each other.  Please wear it with pride, knowing the commitment we have made to each other.

……………..  I give you this ring as a symbol that we are one with each other.  Please wear it with pride, knowing the commitment we have made to each other.

May……………..  and…………….. fulfill these promises they have made to each other.
May they openly give and take from each other, sharing each other’s joys.

May they be willing and grateful to return love and be with each other from this day forward.
And may they remember that: Their commitment is strengthened by knowing that each of them could survive on their own if they wanted to  but realising that more than anything they choose to be together.