‘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

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

Before your ceremony I’ll need to sight 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.

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On the day
I’ll arrive about 15 mins beforehand. Before your ceremony starts, I’ll need to complete these tasks:

  • meet with you to sign the pre-ceremony paperwork (‘Declaration of No Legal Impediment’). This is super quick and easy, but important.

  • I’ll set up the marriage papers on your signing table, ready for when they’re needed

  • If you haven’t already sent me your identification before the ceremony, I’ll need to see it.

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
    This is where I’ll ask “do you take this person to be your husband/wife/partner in marriage” and you reply “I do” - just like in the movies.

  • Monitum
    I’m legally required to say this during your ceremony. It’s pretty short, but important.

  • 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/spouse/partner in marriage”. If you’d like to add personal vows, you can do this before or after your legal vows.

  • Pronouncement and first kiss
    I’ll announce you as married (YAYYY!) and you can kiss

  • Signing marriage papers
    You’ll each sign three documents, then your witnesses will sign the same documents.

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