So, the proposal was everything you’d wished for, you said “Yes”, and now it’s time to get your wedding planned. Dresses, suits, maids of honour, flowers and decorations need to be chosen and (perhaps most importantly of all), so does your a celebrant.
But what exactly is a marriage celebrant?
Well, a celebrant fulfils the role that was previously only performed by religious clergy. Australia was actually the first country to have Government-appointed celebrants that were given the same legal jurisdiction over marriage. As more and more people drifted away from religious forms of marriage, celebrants have become quite a central figure in uniting people in matrimony.
What Does a Wedding Celebrant Do?
After you’ve chosen your celebrant, they will perform a number of tasks both before and during the big day. If you’re getting married in Melbourne, your celebrant will:
- Be on hand to respond to any enquiries or concerns you have about the ceremony, and hold frequent meetings and phone calls to ensure there is a set plan for the service.
- Provide the couple with resources for planning the wedding ceremony.
- Provide you with a draft of the ceremony for you to approve and make amendments.
- Organise a wedding rehearsal.
- Provide required equipment for the wedding as discussed. For example, a microphone and PA, a signing table, etc.
- Have other celebrants on hand to perform the ceremony in the event of illness or an inability to attend on the day.
Legal Responsibilities of a Marriage Celebrant
Aside from being a symbolic and public union of two people, marriage is also a legal union, which must adhere to Government-set guidelines. Your celebrant will be responsible for ensuring the legality of your union by:
- Witnessing your Notice of Intended Marriage and checking that the necessary identification documents have been supplied.
- Explain the process of ordering a Marriage Certificate.
- Ensuring that the signed Marriage Certificate and other documents have been signed, witnessed and forwarded to the relevant authorities.
As marriage celebrants are in charge of a legal ceremony, they are also required to ensure they operate in accordance with the Code of Practice which is set out in the Marriage Act 1961. They also need to:
- Stay up-to-date with any changes in laws relating to the Marriage Act 1961 and relevant Codes of Practice.
- Pay annual fees to maintain their license as a marriage celebrant
- Only advertise their services in a way that is compliant with the Australian Government’s advertising guidelines.
Aside from these routine duties, your marriage celebrant is also your greatest resource throughout the planning of your wedding. They will have performed countless weddings, so they know what works and they know what needs to be done for everything to run smoothly.
Your celebrant will also play a huge role in setting the ‘tone’ of your ceremony. You need to make sure that the celebrant you choose fits the personality of both partners, and that they are capable of conveying the nature of the love you share and the type of celebration you want to create.