| Since the inception of the Civil Marriage Celebrant Program in 1973, many couples have been married in a variety of locations, themes and styles. Some couples like to face their guests while exchanging vows, and using a civil celebrant allows this flexibility.
Choose your civil celebrant wisely and your wedding ceremony will be perfect. He or she will personalise the ceremony to your individual taste and be able to advise you on so many other aspects of your wedding. Set up an obligation free meeting with your choice of civil celebrant so you may be sure that she or he will collaborate with you and observe the Attorney General’s Code of Practice before you contract them. Do this as soon as you are clear on your wedding date. Don’t leave it too late to contract with an authorised celebrant as they are usually booked well in advance and having the right celebrant for you will contribute to the beauty and enjoyment of your special day.
Finally, do not be tempted to organise a surprise wedding. This is when one member of the couple wants to ‘surprise’ the other party by organising and then presenting them with the complete ceremony as a romantic gesture but without their knowledge. As the consent of the ‘surprised’ person cannot be assumed and the Notice of Intended Marriage, signed by both parties has not been satisfied, the validity of these marriages may be challenged.
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