How to Get Married in Australia?

Whether you are looking for a big fancy wedding or an uber cool elopement with your nearest and dearest, (we can help you with that!) the legal aspect of getting married in Australia is outlined in The Marriage Act 1966, which for legal reasons, must be said during your ceremony.

The Monitum

The Monitum must be read by your appointed Commonwealth-registered celebrant. It is a statement of the celebrants authority to solemnise your marriage & essentially it explains or defines marriage, under Australian law.

The words are as follows:
“I am duly authorised by law to solemnise marriages according to law. Before you are married 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 now about to enter. Marriage, according to the law in Australia, is the union of two people to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life.”

Legal Vows

Making vows or promises, is usually at the heart of your ceremony. However, you are only obliged to say your LEGAL vows, to ensure your marriage is valid according to The Marriage Act.

Each party must state the following to the other party:

I call upon the persons here present, to witness that I

(FULL LEGAL NAME OF PARTY 1)

take you (FULL LEGAL NAME OF PARTY 2)

to be my lawful wedded wife (OR husband / wife / spouse / partner in marriage.)”

The term ‘husband’ can refer to a male marriage partner, and ‘wife’ to a female marriage partner, regardless of the sex or gender of the person saying the vows. The term ‘spouse’ can refer to a male, female, intersex, non-binary gender or transgender person.

Personal Vows

 To write your own Personal Vows, which we go into detail about here.

Notice of Intended Marriage

Filling in the NOIM is the first step in terms of planning your wedding, from a legal perspective. You will need to fill in the form, have it witnessed then lodge it with a celebrant. Here at I Do Drive Thru we are here to help you with this.

Marriage Equality

From the 9th December 2017 the wording of The Monitum was changed to reflect the outcome of an Australia-wide postal survey.

The question as to whether the definition of marriage could be changed from “the union of a man and a woman” to “the union of two people" was put to the country. This was a controversial debate, but ultimately, Australia said “YES.”

At I Do Drive Thru, we have never hidden our support for same-sex marriage. Each of our four founding celebrants were very happy to have been a part of the change in Australia.

Kate Morgan