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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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 rules to writing your same sex vows
The process of writing gay wedding vows can be challenging as you might need to sort through a variety of templates to find some examples that work for your LGBTQI wedding. On the flip side, as a queer or trans couple, you have a lot of freedom to craft wedding ceremony vows that represent your identity and your relationship without a ton of worry about tradition. In fact, a majority of same-sex couples choose to write their own wedding vows compared with about a third of opposite-sex couples.
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.
Wedding Readings For Gay Couples
Here are some really beautiful pieces about love — culled from a variety of sources — to inspire your gay wedding vows. Whether you’re looking for a short and sweet one-liner to add to your gay wedding ceremony ideas or full-blown gay marriage poems to add touching moments to your same-sex wedding, we’ve got you covered. Of course, your marriage celebrant will help you create your ceremony and may have additional ideas for readings to personalize your wedding.
Coming out to your wedding suppliers
Many queer couples are afraid of flat-out rejection or of booking vendors who might not be a good fit for their community. While there may still be wedding vendors who aren’t supportive of your gender identity or sexual orientation, most may just need a little guidance from you and your partner. In other cases, it might be a good option to “come out” by letting your vendors know before the first appointment that you are a queer couple. Not that you should have to of course. It’s easily done just by using your partner’s first name usually or by saying “he or she” in the conversation somewhere. If you get an “awkie” feel back, then my advice is to move on.
Awkward Questions You May Have For A Same Sex Wedding
While the basic structure of the wedding won’t likely differ too much from the weddings you’ve been to in the past — a short ceremony, cocktail hour and then a reception — there will probably be some other gender-related differences you might be curious about. Make sure you’re not asking any of these absolute no-no same-sex wedding questions, then check out this list to get answers to all the questions that are way too awkward to ask!
The Do’s And Dont’s Of Engagement Ring Shopping
It pays to study up on the basics—namely, the 4Cs of diamond shopping, carat, cut, clarity and colour and how to differentiate the most common diamond shapes before engagement ring shopping. That's a pretty easy one for Dr. Google - just delete your history if you have a shared computer if you’re keeping it a surprise. Remember: cover your tracks.
Same Sex Wedding Guide
A same-sex wedding usually starts with a heartfelt same-sex wedding proposal. For many gay and lesbian couples, there isn't a blueprint for how to propose, since you may be the first same-sex couple you know to get married. If you have a million and one questions about how to propose to a guy if you're a guy or how to propose to a girl if you're a girl, that's totally normal.
Love songs for same sex couples
While we love a good opportunity to belt out “I’m Coming Out,” there’s more to the LGBTQ community than just dancing. Thanks to out-and-proud singers (and allies), gay love songs are in abundance and perfect for same-sex weddings. As you’re preparing a playlist for your LGBTQ wedding, you’ll definitely want to steal some of these gay love songs for your ceremony processional, first dance or just to insert a slow jam or three into your wedding reception. Adding songs by your favorite queer singers is also a subtle way to add a dose of pride to your wedding.
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.
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.
How To Have A Bridesman
Most of us have best buds of a different gender, so when it’s time to assemble your wedding crew, you might be looking at a co-ed situation. For modern couples, asking a male bestie to be a bridesman or a female friend to serve as a groomswoman isn’t that uncommon - especially in same sex weddings. 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.
What To Do If Both Parents Won’t Attend Your Wedding
Dealing with parents who can but won’t attend the wedding of their child is not only a difficult emotional trial for the couple, but can present challenges for the wedding vendors and guests. Luckily, wedding traditions can be adapted or scrapped altogether to be sure your love isn’t overshadowed by absent parents.
How To Propose To A Guy If You’re A Guy
While the classic proposal image is a man on bended knee, same-sex couples are free to (and very often do!) completely upend this tradition. When it comes to gay proposal ideas for two men, an engagement ring doesn’t have to be the centerpiece. If you’re thinking about proposing to your boyfriend, think about his personality and what would symbolize your relationship up to this point. If he’s the type to go for an elegant band, then it’s time to go ring shopping. Otherwise, consider a nice bottle of wine, a luxury watch or even a handmade token of your love to present at the proposal.
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.
How To Propose To A Girl If You’re A Girl
First of all, if you’re a woman in a relationship with another woman, then, by default, there will be a woman doing the proposing. And why not let it be you. There’s no rule as to which one of you it should be is there. And think about it - there’s lots of excitement, planning and loving declarations involved in just about any proposal, so why not go ahead and do it. And, even if your fiancé has already proposed to you, there is no reason as to why you can’t reciprocate down the track when they are not expecting it, so that they also have a special moment to remember forever.
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.
How To Handle Two Mothers Of The Brides
f you’re lucky enough to have two happy, engaged mothers supporting you and your fiancée as you plan your wedding, congrats! But, while it’s sometimes preferable to plan a wedding with the emotional and financial support of parents, it can be tricky when there are two mothers of the brides. Traditionally, the MOB is the second most important lady of the hour at a wedding, with her own set of rituals and time in the spotlight at an opposite-sex wedding. For queer couples with two brides, it can be an awkward tightrope exercise to make sure both mums feel celebrated and important during the wedding planning and on the big day. It can also be pretty much the same for two mothers of the grooms, however, mothers of brides might be a bit trickier.