FAQ + Tips
You’ve probably got a stack of questions about everything to do with getting hitched, so browse through the articles below for some answers that will help you make the right decision in creating your perfect day.
You can search for any topic you need info on or hit any of the words in the tag cloud below to see all the articles on that subject.
FAQs
-
Simple answer - No. You need to have completed, signed and had witnessed a Notice Of Intended Marriage at least one month before you can get married.
-
If you have a passport, you’re sorted. If not, you will need to have a copy of your birth certificate and a drivers licence. Your ID must be seen by the celebrant before they can marry you.
-
Simple answer - Yes - If it’s within Australia. We are a representative of the Australian Government so we are not authorised to marry people in other countries.
However, if you want to get married in Bali for example, we can marry you here in a very simple signing ceremony with you and two witnesses before you leave and then follow you to Bali for your big celebration.
-
Simple answer - Yes I will. Some celebrants do and some don’t so make sure you check with them if you want to play your music through their speaker on the day. Also check whether they will personally play the music or whether you’ll need to have someone else play it through their speaker. If you choose me, I will play it all.
Changing Your Name
If you’re looking to change your last name after getting married, but don’t know where to start, this is going to make your life better!
About 70% of newly-married brides (and about 4% of pioneering grooms) change their last name after marriage. But it’s not as easy as you think it could be.
For starters you can start using your new last name immediately after you are married. However if you want it changed on official documents like passport, bank, drivers licence etc. then it’s time consuming to say the least. It can take around 8 hours over several days or weeks to complete. And this is because every company or institution have their own unique processes and can’t share your details with anyone else.
Creating A Wedding Budget You Both Agree On
One of the most important things you will do throughout the process of putting your wedding together is creating a budget and keeping things on track. Create a budget together so that you are both “in the know” and agree on how much is going to be spent.
How good is pre-marital counselling?
Research shows that by attending pre-marriage counselling, it greatly improves a couple’s interpersonal skills and overall relationship quality. This short-term investment equips couple’s long-term to avoid, buffer or overcome issues together as and when they arise.
Making sure your suit fits right and your shoes match
Once you get a suit that fits you like a glove (in all the right places), you’ll never go back to your old ways. And guys, just because you’ve never had a suit, doesn’t mean that you need to go and get the first one that fits. Invest in a suit in a colour (blue or black usually) that you will be able to wear throughout the rest of your life (while you remain the same size anyway). It’s worth the investment to be able to look a million bucks not only on your wedding day, but for any occasion you choose throughout the rest of your life.
Real Wedding Vows
I always tell my couples that there are no rules when it comes to writing some personal vows to the love of your life. Well, there is one rule actually; just write from your heart.
So, here are some vows that some of my couples have used that I thought were really good and it just shows that the length and style doesn’t really matter as long as they reflect your personality.
The Best Man (or Woman) Checklist
I’ve done the heavy listing and created the ultimate checklist that your best man or best woman needs to take care of in the lead up to and on the day of your wedding. Just print and give it to them.
The Right Fit For The Right Man
If the groom is short or stocky, avoid excess fabric, long jackets, high button stances and pants with lots of break. Become friends with the pocket square and show some cuff. Your suit shoulders should not slouch. Make sure they keep you walking tall and fit. If you have a choice between two or three buttons, go for two. Three will always make you look more boxy – of course, unless that’s what you are going for.
What do all the dress codes mean for men at weddings?
I feel this next article I found on theblacktux.com is a little formal for Australian weddings, you certainly can't go wrong taking the advice that is given. Better to be the best dressed guy at a wedding than the worst dressed guy there.
7 Commandments Of Proposing
A truly great marriage proposal can be very hard to think of. You want to be original, but you don’t want to overdo it. You want your partner to say yes (and cry a lot). You also want to make sure your proposal is very unique to your relationship. All that being said, we put together a lengthy list of best marriage proposal ideas that are actually unique, from artsy to outdoorsy ideas, and elaborate to simple ones too.
How To Have A Wedding Shower… If You’re Guys
The basic idea of a couples shower is exactly the same as a traditional bridal shower. Invite the relatives and buddies closest to the couple and pick a theme that represents some aspect of their relationship, their upcoming wedding or their interests.
Cool Summer Grooms Who Still Look Smart
As a guy , if you're getting married in summer, wearing a suit can be a real drama, particularly if you sweat. Nobody wants to have sweaty pics taken on their wedding day... even a guy. So here are some looks that I found on Pinterest that are "workin' for the man" this summer.
Disney’s Craziest Weddings
From Gaston failing to notify the potential bride (Belle) or check if she even wants to get married through to acknowledging that none of the guests wore pants at Robin Hood and Maid Marien's wedding. I guarantee you that this will give you some good laughs.
Ways To Propose To The Person Of Your Dreams
There are some classic ways people have proposed to their loved one. The classic light plane flying over with message hanging out the back... a book chronichling the journey of love between two people (which my nephew did) and having candles and rose petals write the words out on a beach in Bali so that when you walk out onto the balcony at dusk you are presented with the words "Marry Me Steve" like I was proposed to.
But how about this guy, Ray Smith who spent 5 months proposing to his wife to be.
Fun Wedding Vows For Modern Couples
If you are thinking of writing your own personal vows but are unsure where to start, we recommend taking your favourite examples out of this list of fun vows and reworking them with personal anecdotes and stories to make them unique to you as a couple. Be sure to include other references, traits or hobbies the pair of you share, and ones that can be appreciated by those in attendance. This will make exchanging vows a more enjoyable, personal experience.
What To Say After “I Do”
So what do you say? Firstly, find yourself some quiet time, well before the wedding so that you are not rushed and panicky because you need them down. Now, when I say "well before the wedding", I realise that in some guy's heads that will mean "the night before", because on the morning of, would be considered too late (by everyone on planet earth)! So let me be clear. This is NOT what I mean. "Well before the wedding" means a month or two. So that if you don't get it done the first time, you still have time. Yes, I know that most guys will then put it off until the night before the wedding.
How To Have A Groomswoman
A lot of us have best friends of a different sex, so when it’s time to choose your wedding crew, you might be looking at a mixed sex situation. For modern couples, asking a female friend to serve as a grooms-woman isn’t that uncommon. Nearly one in three of today’s couples are mixing things up big time when it comes to gender in their bridal party or wedding party.
Staggering Figures For Royal Wedding
According to British wedding site Bridebook, Markle’s upcoming wedding is reportedly estimated to cost around $58.3 million, or £32 million, about $22 million more than Prince William and Kate’s reported $36.6 million nuptials.
I Made It To Pinterest
Pinterest is an eclectic look at what's out there today and you can keep it all in one safe place. It's the 2018 version (or perhaps that should be 2010 version) of scrap booking. Except no longer do you have to cut out the pic from Marie Claire and glue it in a book of paper that feels like it should still be on a tree or on a butcher shop counter.
How To Write Personal Vows
Writing your own personalised wedding vows can be a daunting task, but it's not quite as hard as it looks. Here are six easy steps that you can follow to write your own wedding vows. Make sure that everyone is on the same page. Talk to your future spouse and your celebrant and make sure everyone is okay with personalised wedding vows. Some religions require that you use the traditional wording, while others will allow you to write your own, as long as you include certain phrases. You'll also want to make sure that your sweetheart also wants to do it. While you're at it, decide together whether you want to write one wedding vow that you will both say, or whether you want to write individually.