‘Elopement’ ceremony - example

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At least one month before your ceremony you’ll need to do two things;

  1. Confirm your ceremony booking. This is done by providing payment and signing the service agreement.

  2. Return your completed Notice of Intended Marriage (‘NOIM’)

Before your ceremony, I need to see:

  1. Your identification. For this, your passport is sufficient. Otherwise your birth certificate together with your driver license is also perfectly fine. You can text/email me a photo of your ID before your ceremony, or bring it along on the day.

  2. If you’ve previously been married, I’ll also need to see proof that marriage has ended, eg. divorce certificate / death certificate.

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On your wedding day
Before your ceremony starts, I’ll meet with each of you to complete the pre-ceremony paperwork (‘Declaration of No Legal Impediment’). This is super quick and easy, but important.

Usual ceremony format

  • Introduction
    We’ll begin with you standing together at the front of our ceremony space. I’ll welcome your guests and say a few words about marriage.

  • The Asking
    I’ll ask “Do you take this person to be your husband/wife/partner” and you reply “I do” - just like in the movies.

  • Monitum
    This is the legal bit that I’m required to say.

  • Vows and ring exchange - option to personalise
    The legal vows are very simple; “I call upon all present to witness that I, [full name] take you, [full name] to be my lawfully wedded husband/wife/partner in marriage”. You have the option to add your own personal vows and/or exchange rings, if you wish.

  • Pronouncement and first kiss
    You’ll be officially announced as married - YAYYY!

  • Signing marriage papers
    I’ll have the legal marriage documents ready for you to sign, then your witnesses will sign the same documents.

After your ceremony
I’ll present you with your decorative marriage certificate, pack up my things and say a quick goodbye so you can continue your celebrations. Once back home, I’ll officially register your marriage with the government Registry Office and, if you’ve arranged with me to submit an application for a legal certificate on your behalf, I’ll get that sorted with the Registry Office too.