Article from the Sydney Morning Herald about illegal marriage vows

23 August 2010

You can be assured that all marriages which I conduct contain the legally correct wording for the vows.

I am happy to discuss any aspect of the legal requirements for marriage in Australia.

My Fees for Weddings and other ceremonies

Elaine Searle Civil Marriage Celebrant - Your Fee Includes:

Personal Characteristics: Friendly, ethical, helpful, warm, good communicator, professional...........A Non-refundable fee of $200 is charged for a firm booking of your date and initial administrative costs and service required by The Attorney General. This includes:Sighting of Original Birth Certificates, Divorce Papers or Death Certificate, Passports. Completing and lodging the NOIM on-line, for immediate registration after the solemnization of the marriage.Transferring details to The Marriage Register, Marriage Certificate and Presentation Certificate.Signing Statutory Declaration Forms in the presence of a JP if required.Referral to relationship education.A separate fee is charged for my ceremonial services which varies depending on the style of ceremony. My standard fee is $550 (may be less for a witnesses only wedding in my office) which means that you pay a total of $750 or $805 if you wish me to order your registered Certificate of Marriage for you.The fee includes;Sending and responding to unlimited emails, text messages, phone calls and faxes. Discussing values and possibilities for ceremony design.Providing sample ceremonies, poems and readings and special ceremonies.Preparing for your second appointment and by having a draft ceremony prepared. Explore further possibilities for personalized symbols, characteristics and words. (An onsite rehearsal involving travel costs an extra $100.)Printing the script in booklet form. Solemnising the ceremony itself. Liaise with Musicians, Photographers etc. for a smooth event.Encourage feedback by couples and guests in the interest of best professional practice.I provide for:My own travelling expenses to and from the wedding event in Sydney and environs. (Travel expenses charged for regional weddings) A portable P.A. System.A small table for signing.

I charge $55 for ordering your registered marriage certificate which covers the disbursement that I pay on your behalf to BDM.

Authorised Marriage Celebrant, No. A7523Elaine Searle B.A. Dip. Ed. J.P. C.M.C.Authorised Marriage CelebrantABN No 205202670995 Streamdale Grove

Warriewood 2102Mobile: 0402810062Home:02 9979 2315

esearle@optusnet.com.au http://www.sydneycelebrantelainesearle.com.au/
http://facebook.com/ElaineSearleCelebrant

Other Ceremonies
Funeral or Memorial Service $400
Naming Ceremony $300
Renewal of Vows $400
Same Sex Commitment Ceremony $450

Some Ideas for Music for a Wedding

Music and Songs, ideas for a wedding.

Of course you will have your own favourites or songs that are special to you as a couple. These are just some suggestions to help you get started. Remember, it’s your wedding and you should have the music that is meaningful to both of you. These two websites may also be useful when looking for ideas for your ceremony and your reception.

http://www.discjockeys.com/top_wedding.php
http://www.topweddingsites.com/wedding_ceremony_music.html

Prelude (ie, seating music)
Canon in D (Pachelbel)
Air on a G String (Bach)
Air, from Water Music (Handel)
Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring(Bach)
Largo (Handel)
Sheep May Safely Graze (Bach)
Michael Buble or
Frank Sinatra

Processional – arrival of the bride
Largo, (Ombra mai fu) from Serse, Handel
Arrival of the Queen of Sheba (Handel)
Bridal Chorus, from Lohengrin (Wagner)
Canon in D (Pachelbel)
Unforgettable Nat King Cole
"Friendship Theme" from the movie "Beaches"
"Maid Marion" from Robin Hood
"Fanfare for the Common Man" by Aaron Copeland
"Wedding March" from The Sound of Music
"Carolan's Draught" by Turlough O'Carolan
"Music for the Royal Fireworks" by Handel
"Pomp and Circumstance", Elgar
"The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba", Handel
"March" (from Scipio), Handel
"Trumpet Tune and Air", Purcell
"Trumpet Voluntary", Clarke
"Wedding March" (from The Marriage of Figaro), Mozart
"Wedding March" (from A Midsummer Night's Dream), Mendelssohn
"Carillion", Murril
"Coronation March", Walton
"Crown Imperial", Walton
"Orb & Sceptre", Walton
"Fantasia in G" (middle only), Bach
"Adagio in A Minor", Bach
"Toccata and "Fugue in D Minor", Bach
"Sinfonia" (from Wedding Cantata), Bach
"Te Deum" (Opening Fanfare only, March and Rondeau), Charpentier
"Waltz in A Flat", Brahms
"Majesty", Telemann
"Grace", Telemann
Crazy Love by Van Morrison
Have I told you Lately (Rod Stewart or Van Morrison versions)
Beautiful Soul (Jesse McCartney)
“Adagio” from Mozart’s “Gran Partita Serenade in Bb”
Theme from “Love Story”
Every Time I Look at You, Il Divo

Signing the Register
Air from Orchestral Suite 3 in D major, J.S. Bach
A Love Until the End of TimePlacido Domingo / Maureen McGovern
Because you’re Mine Nat King Cole
All I want is you (U2)
Everything I do (Bryan Adams)
Can you feel the love tonight (Elton John)
In your eyes (Peter Gabriel)
What a wonderful world (various)
“These Words” by Natasha Bedingfield
“Signed, Sealed, Delivered” by Stevie Wonder
"I Will"Lennon & McCartney

Recessional – your first journey as husband and wife
Trumpet Concerto in D Major, Telemann
Double Violin Concerto in D Minor, J.S. Bach
From This Moment On Shania Twain
Trumpet Voluntary (Clarke)
Wedding March (Mendelssohn)
Perhaps Love Placido Domingo / John Denver
Love is in the Air John Paul Young
Here Comes the Sun - Beatles
Love Me Do - Beatles
Still the One - Orleans
Love and Marriage - Frank Sinatra
Happy Together - The Turtles
Signed Sealed Delivered - Stevie Wonder
"Trumpet Tune" by Henry Purcell (also used as processional) [eg]
"Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" by Bach (also a processional) [eg]
"Le Rondeau" (Masterpiece Theatre theme) by Mouret [eg]
"Allegro" (Water Music suite) by Handel [eg]
"Morgan Megan" by Turlough O'Carolan
"Grande Choeur Dialogue", Gigout
"Toccata in B Minor", Gigout
"Triumphal (Homage) March" (Opus 53, No. 3), Grieg [br]
"Transports de Joie", (No.3 from L'Ascension), Messiaen
"Trumpet Voluntary", Stanley
"Grand March" (from Aida), Verdi
"Prelude and Fugue in A", Bach
"Processional", Mathias
"Sonata in A major", (first movement), Mendelssohn
"Trumpet Overture" (from the Indian Ocean), Purcell
"Marche Heroique", Brewer
"The Ride of the Valkyrie", Wagner
"Toccata" (from Symphony No.5), Widor
"Rejoicing", Telemann
Beautiful Day (U2)
Diamonds on the Inside (Ben Harper)
Come away with me (Norah Jones)
Groovy Kind of Love (Phil Collins)
Amazing (Alex Lloyd)
”Can you feel it?” by the Jackson Five
Another One Bites the Dust , Queen

Anywhere in your ceremony
All I Ask of You Sarah Brightman / Michael Crawford
Annie’s Song John Denver
Ave Maria (Gounod) Luciano Pavarotti
Ave Maria (Schubert) Luciano Pavarotti
Be My Love Jose Carreras
Can’t Help Falling in Love Elvis Presley
Dance me to the end of Love Leonard Cohen
Darling, Je vous aime beaucoup Nat King Cole
For You John Denver
Hornpipe in D, from Water Music (Handel)
I’ll Get By as Long as I Have You
If There’s Anything That You Want The Beatles
Love Me Tender Elvis Presley
Magnolia John Marvin
Marry Me Neil Diamond
One Hand, One Heart (Sondheim) Kiri Te Kanawa
Panis AngelicusLuciano Pavarotti
Ramona Gene Austin
Sweet Sue, Just You George Metaxa Toccata (Widor)
Trumpet Tune and Air (Purcell)
Amazing - Alex Lloyd
Crazy for You - Madonna
Beautiful in My Eyes - Van Morrison
Endless Love - Diana Ross and Lionel Ritchie
Can’t help falling In Love - Elvis Presley
First time ever I saw your face- Roberta Flack
Moon River - Breakfast at Tiffanys Theme
You are so Beautiful - Joe Cocker
Power of Love - Celine Dion
It has to be you - Harry Connick Jnr
I do it for you - 1927
Love me Tender - Elvis Presley
A Kiss to Build a Dream On – Louis Armstrong

Prepared by: Elaine Searle B.A. Dip. Ed. J. P. C.M.C.
Civil Marriage Celebrant, Reg. A7523
02 9979 2315, 0402810062
esearle@optusnet.com.au
http://www.sydneycelebrantelainesearle.com.au/

Your Responsibilities

Under the marriage Act 1961 there are certain obligations that you, as a couple intending to get married, must meet prior to a marriage ceremony being solemnised.

A Notice of Intended Marriage must be lodged with your Marriage Celebrant at least one month, and no more than eighteen months, prior to the marriage being solemnised.Under normal circumstances the Notice of Intended Marriage would be completed at your first meeting with your Civil Marriage Celebrant, or certainly before the marriage can be solemnised.

You are required to produce your original Birth Certificate, or authorised extract of such certificate. Persons born in Australia must produce their birth certificate.Persons born outside Australia are also required to produce birth certificates. However, in the absence of that document they may produce their passport.

In the case of persons previously married, a copy of the Decree Absolute, Certificate of Divorce or Death Certificate, whichever is applicable, must be produced. Prior to your wedding both partners will be required to sign a declaration, under the Marriage Act 1961, stating that you believe there is no legal impediment to the marriage between yourself and your partner.

Under the marriage Act 1961 two persons under the age of the eighteen cannot marry. If one of the parties is under eighteen, they must obtain parental consent and approval of a court of law.

At our first meeting

When you decide on the time, date and venue for your wedding, you can phone me and make a time for an obligation free meeting. I am happy to come to your home, meet you somewhere convenient, or you are very welcome to come to my home office.
If you wish to book your wedding ceremony, we will complete the Notice of Intended Marriage form, which will be signed in my presence as witness. This form must be lodged with me for a period of one month plus one day before the date of your marriage, but for no longer than eighteen months from lodgement.

You must also bring the following documents:
The original of your birth certificate if born in Australia. If you were born outside Australia, a passport can be provided or a translated birth certificate. If you do not have these documents at the time that you wish to lodge your NOIM, they may be sighted by me at any time before your wedding ceremony.
If one of both of the parties have been divorced, you will need to provide a Divorce Certificate or Decree absolute. If widowed, a Death Certificate.
If either the intended Bride or Groom is under 18, you will need consent from the court.

Hints for an outdoor ceremony

When printing invitations, state the time of marriage as 15 minutes before the bride intends to arrive. This helps to ensure that all the guests arrive on time. If there is a possibility of rain, make sure that there is a LARGE umbrella in the car. A little Vaseline or soap smeared inside the wedding ring will help it slip on your finger. If your ceremony is in a public place make sure you have booked with the local authority. For outdoor ceremonies, consider the location of toilets and shade. If you have older guests, you may need to provide seating. Make sure you have considered an alternative venue in case of wet weather. Take things slowly, you will want to remember as much as possible. Drink lots of water. Relax and have fun.

Testimonials

A WEDDING "Hi Elaine, thank you for performing such a lovely ceremony...it was truly a beautiful day and a memorable occasion for family & friends. All the Best, Sarah and Scott " A NAMING CEREMONY "Good morning Elaine, We wanted to thankyou very much for such a lovely morning on Saturday. Everyone enjoyed themselves so much and thought the baby naming was just gorgeous. We really appreciate you naming our gorgeous Lily Rose. All your words were so lovely. Thank you very much, take care all the best to you, Kind regards and Best wishes Helen and James Foster, Zak, Mariah and Lily Rose!"

Elaine Searle Celebrant, B.A., Dip. Ed., J.P., C.M.C. - MY WEDDING BLOG

23 August 2010