What You Need to Know Before Getting Married in Australia (Essential Guide)

Planning your wedding is such an exciting time—but before you get swept up in venues, dresses, and all the beautiful details, there are a few important things you need to know to actually get married in Australia.

The good news? It’s all very straightforward when you know what to expect.

As a Brisbane celebrant, this is something I guide my couples through every day—so here’s a simple, stress-free breakdown of everything you need to know before you say “I do” 👇

The legal requirement: lodging your Notice of Intended Marriage

The most important step is completing your Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM).

This is the legal form that tells the government you intend to marry.

Key things to know:

It must be lodged at least one month before your wedding date
It’s valid for 18 months
You’ll need to provide identification (such as passport or birth certificate)

💡 Tip: You can lodge this well in advance, which gives you plenty of flexibility when planning your date.

Choosing your marriage celebrant

In Australia, your ceremony must be conducted by an authorised celebrant.

This could be:

A civil celebrant
A religious minister
A state-appointed celebrant

Your celebrant isn’t just there to “tick the legal boxes”—we’re here to:

Guide you through the process
Ensure all legal wording is included
Create a ceremony that reflects you as a couple

The legal wording (yes, there are a few must-haves)

There are a couple of legal statements that must be included in every Australian wedding ceremony.

Don’t worry—you don’t need to memorise anything. Your celebrant will guide you through it and make it feel natural and personal.

Witnesses and who can attend

You’ll need:

Two witnesses
Both must be over 18

Other than that, your ceremony can be as big or as intimate as you like—from a large celebration to a simple elopement.

Understanding your marriage certificates

There are two types of certificates:

1. The ceremonial certificate

This is the one you sign on the day—it’s a beautiful keepsake but not for official use.

2. The official marriage certificate

This is issued by the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages and is what you’ll need for things like:

Changing your name
Updating legal documents

As your celebrant, I lodge your paperwork after the ceremony and can apply for this on your behalf to make it much easier for you!

Do you need to change your name?

No—this is completely optional.

If you do decide to change your name, you can usually do so using your marriage certificate without needing a separate legal name change.

(And if you’re wondering how that process works, it’s something I help my couples navigate all the time.)

Planning your ceremony (this is the fun part)

Once the legal side is sorted, you can focus on creating a ceremony that feels like you.

This might include:

Personal vows
Music that means something to you
Special cultural or family elements
A relaxed, light-hearted vibe—or something more traditional

There are no strict rules here—just what feels right for your relationship.

How far in advance should you start?

Ideally:

Lodge your NOIM at least 1–3 months before your wedding
Book your celebrant early (especially for popular dates)

The earlier you organise the legal side, the more relaxed everything else will feel.

A little advice from me

After marrying so many couples around Brisbane, one thing I always say is this:

Don’t let the “to-do list” take over what this is really about.

Yes, there are a few legal steps—but once those are in place, your ceremony should feel easy, personal, and genuinely meaningful.

That’s where having the right celebrant makes all the difference.

Planning your wedding?

If you’re looking for a celebrant who will guide you through the legal side and create a ceremony that feels relaxed, personal, and truly you—I’d love to help.

👉 Get in touch and let’s chat about your plans.

Trudy the Celebrant x