Wedding Ceremony Format

Below is a traditional wedding ceremony format. As part of the Wedding Package, Andrea can work with you to design a ceremony format that suits you.

  • Welcome

    Welcome guests and introduce myself.

  • The Giving Away 

    This is an opportunity for the head of the household or a representative of the family to undertake the traditional "Giving away".

  • Introduction

    Celebrant touches on the bond between the Bride and the Groom, which has brought them to this day and their unity in marriage. Talk about what marriage means to the Bride and Groom.

  • A Reading or Poem

    A special poem chosen by the Bride and Groom to set the mood.

  • Authorisation

    The celebrant is required as part of the Marriage Act 1961 to use a specific given definition of his or her authorisation with which to conduct the ceremony, and also of the nature of the marriage relationship. This is a mandatory part of your wedding ceremony and is necessary to reaffirm that what you are doing is serious and binding.

    "I am duly authorised by law to solemnise marriages according to law. Before you are joined in marriage 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 law in Australia, is the union of a man and a woman to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life."

  • The Asking

    Having touched on what marriage means to the Bride and Groom, this is where the Bride and Groom are asked, "will you love, respect", etc.

  • The Vows

    This is where the Bride and Groom exchange their vows/promises to each other. By law each the bride and groom needs to include within their vows this following quote. "I call upon the persons here present to witness that I "full name" take you name to be my Lawful wedded wife/husband."

  • Ring Ceremony

    An opportunity to express what the rings mean and their value/symbolism to the Bride and Groom and the Bride and Groom exchange rings with some personal words.

  • A Final Reading, Song, or Poem 

    A special poem chosen by the bride and groom.

  • Mini Ceremonies 

    There are all sorts of mini ceremonies that can be incorporated into the ceremony. This is another way in which you the couple can personalise the ceremony or/and include family members. These can symbolise aspects of the bond between the Bride and Groom. Some mini ceremonies are religious, some have historic significance and others are unique to the Bride and Groom’s journey to this point and their future as Husband and Wife. There are examples in the back of this booklet.

  • Declaration of Marriage

    You are now pronounced Husband and Wife.

  • Signing of the Marriage Register

    At this stage, the celebrant will announce that the bride and groom will seal their vows with the signing of the register (or words to that effect).

  • Presentation of the Bride and Groom

    The celebrant introduces the Bride & Groom as Mr & Mrs, newly weds, husband and wife, or a title of their choice.