Gold Coast, Brisbane
Tweed & Byron Bay

MY PLEDGE TO YOU
I will meet with you and craft a ceremony with the balance of formality, romance, even humour or spirituality that you desire. All with your input and approval. Your wedding is your special day. Together we will make it all you want it to be.

CHOOSING A CELEBRANT

Celebrants officiate at personalized civil-secular, nondenominational, religious, spiritual and multicultural wedding ceremonies.

Your Celebrant will help you create a ceremony that reflects the beliefs beliefs and traditions you find important. You should be able to talk with a celebrant before you book them. After all, you need to ensure that the celebrant is on the same page as you.

Once booked, celebrants interview you to learn your personal story, collaborate with you to write the ceremony, rehearse with you, if necessary, and officiate on the big day.

QUESTIONS TO ASK A POTENTIAL CELEBRANT

If you are not having a church wedding (70% of Australians don't), finding a suitable civil celebrant for your wedding is extremely important.

START EARLY
& ASK QUESTIONS

It is easy to get caught up in the excitement of planning the reception but the ceremony is the core of your day. Many couples leave choosing the celebrant too late and find that their preferred celebrant is already booked months in advance and they end up with a celebrant who does not make their day the special event it should be. Book early and ask these questions:

How do you create the ceremony?
Your celebrant must interview you to understand your beliefs, your values, and what makes your love so special. Then creates a ceremony based on your needs.

Do we have final approval overwhat will be said?
It is your wedding, don't be railroaded.

When will you be there? The officiant must be there at least 20 minutes before the ceremony to coordinate details with readers, musicians and people such as photographers.

Does your fee include a rehearsal at the venue? Most celebrants are happy to have a rehearsal but for an additional fee for their time. If the celebrant is made aware of everything that you have planned, there may be no need for a rehearsal.

Do you provide a public address system? For large weddings or difficult outdoor venues, the celebrant may provide a PA system for the ceremony only not for the reception. Most often it is not required.

Can we face our guests? Yes. After all the guests are there to see to you married, not see the celebrant.

What training do you have? Barry Pierce's Bio
In Australia all wedding celebrants must be authorised by the Australian Government and are governed by a Code of Conduct.. Your celebrant will have a registration number which you can ask for. Celebrants do re-training courses each year.

How will you work with our wedding photographer? Your celebrant should be aware that you'll want wonderful keepsakes of this day and will work with musicians, photographers and videographers to enable them to get the best shots.

Will you provide us with a copy of our ceremony? If you require a written copy of the words spoken at your wedding, your celebrant should provide them for you, preferably printed on quality presentation paper.

FURTHER QUESTIONS?
Call Barry Pierce

Code of Practice
for Marriage Celebrants
(regulation 37L)

1 Application of this Code of Practice
This Code of Practice applies to marriage celebrants (being persons registered under Subdivision C of Division 1 of Part IV of the Marriage Act 1961). Note Under paragraph 39I (1) (b) of the Marriage Act 1961, if the Registrar of Marriage Celebrants is satisfied that a marriage celebrant has not complied with an obligation under section 39G of that Act, including this Code of Practice, the Registrar may take disciplinary measures against the marriage celebrant.

2. High standard of service
A marriage celebrant must maintain a high standard of service in his or her professional conduct and practice.

3. Recognition of significance of marriage
A marriage celebrant must recognise the social, cultural and legal significance of marriage and the marriage ceremony in the Australian community, and the importance of strong and respectful family relationships.

4. Compliance with the Marriage Act and other laws
A marriage celebrant must:
(a) solemnize marriages according to the legal requirements of the Marriage Act 1961; and
(b) observe the laws of the Commonwealth and of the State or Territory where the marriage is to be solemnized; and
(c) prevent and avoid unlawful discrimination in the provision of marriage celebrancy services.

5. General requirements for marriage ceremonies
A marriage celebrant must respect the importance of the marriage ceremony to the parties and the other persons organising the ceremony. To that end, the marriage celebrant must do the following:

(a) give the parties information and guidance to enable them to choose or compose a marriage ceremony that will meet their needs and expectations;
(b) respect the privacy and confidentiality of the parties;
(c) maintain appropriate facilities to interview parties and provide office facilities, including facilities for the secure storage of records;
(d) within a reasonable time before the marriage ceremony:
(i) confirm all details with the parties; and
(ii) ensure the return of all personal documents belonging to the parties (unless it is necessary to keep the documents for the ceremony); and
(iii) sign any necessary declarations;
(e) if requested by the parties, conduct a marriage ceremony rehearsal;
(f) ensure that his or her personal presentation is of an appropriate standard for the marriage ceremony, and respect the expectations of the parties in relation to the ceremony;
(g) make efforts to ensure that the marriage ceremony is audible to all those present (using audio equipment, if required);
(h) ensure accuracy in the preparation of documents, and in the conduct of the marriage ceremony;
(i) arrive at the venue for the marriage ceremony no later than the time agreed with the parties;
(j) if the marriage celebrant has agreed to perform more than one marriage ceremony on the same day:
(i) ensure that the parties to each marriage receive a level of service that meets their separate and special requirements; and
(ii) be available at the venue for each marriage ceremony at least 20 minutes before the agreed commencement of each ceremony (unless, in the case of consecutive ceremonies, the ceremonies are to be held at the same venue);
(k) ensure that all relevant documents are completed and sent to the appropriate registering authority within 14 days after the marriage ceremony, as required by section 50 of the Marriage Act 1961;
(l) in relation to the provision of marriage services, accept evaluative comment from the parties, and use any comments to improve performance;
(m) give the parties information about how to notify the Commonwealth Attorney-General's Department of any concerns or complaints they may have regarding the marriage services provided by the marriage celebrant.

6. Knowledge and understanding of family relationships services
A marriage celebrant must:
(a) maintain an up-to-date knowledge about appropriate family relationships services in the community; and
(b) inform parties about the range of information and services available to them to enhance, and sustain them throughout, their relationship.

Complaints and further information on celebrants:
Robert Garran Offices
National Circuit
BARTON ACT 2600
Tel: (02) 6250 6666 Fax: (02) 6250 5900
ABN: 92 661 124 436

Your wedding day is one of the most special days of your life, that moment when you pledge your lives to each other
for life. Choose a celebrant early so that you are
not left with too few choices.

WHAT IS A CELEBRANT?

Celebrants are Professional Officiants who Create Personal Ceremonies to Honor and Celebrate Life's Milestones: Weddings, Commitments, Gay and Lesbian Ceremonies, Renewals of Vows, Baby Namings, Adoption Ceremonies, Coming-of-Age Ceremonies, Birthdays, Special Achievements, Divorce Ceremonies, Survivor Ceremonies, Rites of Passage, Funerals, Memorials, and Civic and Corporate Ceremonies.