When opting for a “Basic” Ceremony, the following are the three ceremony options available from which to choose. Please note there is no personalising of the text and no alteration of the format (except that you may choose to include the optional sections - Bridal party entry, and Exchange of Rings - and you may choose from the optional readings and optional music to be played during the Signing of the Register).

Wedding parties are asked to arrive no later than 10 minutes before the starting time of the ceremony. Couples arriving later than 20 minutes after the starting time of their ceremony may have to re-schedule another time or make arrangements with me in person or by phone; it may be possible to wait for late arrivals but this should not be taken for granted. The couple will generally provide their own witnesses; the names of the two witnesses must be communicated to me positively no later than 24 hours before the ceremony (at the very latest). If the couple are unable to provide their own witnesses, you can ask me to provide two witnesses for the ceremony.

Basic wedding ceremony № 1

Celebrant:
We are gathered here today in the face of this company, to join together [Groom’s full legal name] and [Bride’s full legal name] in matrimony; which is an honourable and solemn estate and therefore is not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently and soberly. [Groom] and [Bride] will be making a pledge to each other, to be true, faithful, loving and devoted to one another. Into this estate these two persons present come now to be joined. My name is Ingrid Heyn, and I am duly authorised by law to solemnise marriages according to law. If any one can show just cause why they may not be lawfully joined together, let them speak now or forever hold their peace.

[----- optional
Who gives this woman to be married to this man?

Parents / Friend:
We do.
The bride is given away.
----- ]

Celebrant:
Before you are joined in marriage in my presence and in the presence of these witnesses, I am to remind you of the solemn and binding nature of the relationship into which you are now about to enter. Marriage, according to law in Australia, is the union of two people to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life.

Celebrant to Groom:
[Groom], do you take [Bride] for your lawful wedded wife, to be joined in matrimony? Will you love, honour, comfort, and cherish her from this day forward, forsaking all others, keeping only unto her for as long as you both shall live?
Groom:
I do.
Celebrant to the Groom who repeats the marriage vows:
I call upon the persons here present to witness that I [Groom] take thee [Bride] to be my wedded wife [or spouse], to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, honour, and cherish, ‘til death do us part, and thereto I plight thee my troth.
OR
I call upon the persons here present to witness that I [Groom] take thee [Bride] to be my wedded wife [or spouse], to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, honour, and cherish, for as long as we both shall live.

Celebrant to Bride:
[Bride], do you take [Groom] for your lawful wedded husband, to be joined in matrimony? Will you love, honour, comfort, and cherish him from this day forward, forsaking all others, keeping only unto him for as long as you both shall live?
Bride:
I do.
Celebrant to the Bride who repeats the marriage vows:
I call upon the persons here present to witness that I [Bride] take thee [Groom] to be my wedded husband [or spouse], to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, honour, and cherish, ‘til death do us part, and thereto I plight thee my troth.
OR
I call upon the persons here present to witness that I [Bride] take thee [Groom] to be my wedded husband [or spouse], to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, honour, and cherish, for as long as we both shall live.

[----- optional
The ceremony may include music or a reading at this point. 🔗 Click here for readings.
----- ]

Celebrant: May this couple be prepared to continue to give, be able to forgive and experience more and more joy with each passing day, with each passing year. [Groom] and [Bride], are now beginning their married life together. May they receive loving assistance from their family, the constant support of friends, and a long life with good health and everlasting love. In so much as [Groom] and [Bride] have consented to live forever together in marriage, and have proclaimed their vows to do so before this company as witnesses, having given and pledged their troth, each to the other, and having declared the same by the giving and receiving of a ring, I now pronounce that they are husband and wife.
Celebrant to the couple:
You may now seal this marriage with your first kiss as husband and wife.
Celebrant:
Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the new couple Mr and Mrs […]

The signing of the register now takes place, and the ceremony usually includes music at this point.

Bride and Groom sign first, then the two Witnesses, and then the Celebrant.

The Marriage Certificate is now handed to the couple by the Celebrant.

Celebrant:
It is my privilege to present you with your Marriage Certificate.
I would like to thank our witnesses […] and […], and to say to everyone here, on behalf of the Bride and Groom, how very much your presence here today has been appreciated. Thank you all for being here as part of this special day, to celebrate with [Bride] and [Groom] as they made this commitment to each other.
Mr and Mrs […], congratulations as you begin your lives together!
Thank you.

Basic wedding ceremony № 2

[----- optional
The ceremony may begin with bridal party entry. This is optional.
----- ]
[----- optional
If the bride has been presented by a family member or friend:
Celebrant:
Who brings this woman to be married to this man?

Family member / friend:
I do.
----- ]

Celebrant:
Welcome family and friends.
We have come together today to witness the promises in marriage of [Groom’s full legal name] and [Bride’s full legal name].
This commitment is between two people who love each other and wish to share each other’s lives, who will grow and change in the years to come, welcoming each other’s growth with mutual love and respect. Love means sharing whatever life presents. I take this opportunity to wish you both much happiness in your future lives together.
OR
This ceremony gives social recognition to a union that has already taken place in the hearts of [Groom’s full legal name] and [Bride’s full legal name]). My name is Ingrid Heyn and I have the authority by law to officiate at your marriage today.

Celebrant:
[Groom’s name] and [Bride’s name], do you declare before me and before your witnesses here present, that you come here voluntarily and without reservation and that you are free by law to be married to each other today?

Groom and Bride respond:
Yes, I do.

[----- optional
The ceremony may include music or a reading at this point. 🔗 Click here for readings.
----- ]

Celebrant:
Before you are joined in marriage in my presence and in the presence of these witnesses, I am to remind you of the solemn and binding nature of the relationship into which you are now about to enter.
Marriage, according to the law in Australia, is the union of two people to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life.

Celebrant (with Groom repeating the vows spoken first by the Celebrant):
I ask everyone here present to witness that I [Groom’s name] take you [Bride’s name] to be my lawful wedded wife [or spouse]. I promise to love you, to care for you and to respect you for as long as we both shall live.
OR
I ask everyone here present to witness that I [Groom’s name] take you [Bride’s name] to be my lawful wedded wife [or spouse]. I promise to love you, to care for you and to respect you for all of my life.
Celebrant (with Bride repeating the vows spoken first by the Celebrant):
I ask everyone here present to witness that I [Bride’s name] take you [Groom’s name] to be my lawful wedded husband [or spouse]. I promise to love you, to care for you and to respect you for as long as we both shall live.
OR
I ask everyone here present to witness that I [Bride’s name] take you [Groom’s name] to be my lawful wedded husband [or spouse]. I promise to love you, to care for you and to respect you for all of my life.

[----- optional
The Celebrant introduces the ring ceremony – the ring being handed to the Celebrant by the best man or from a ring-bearer.

Celebrant:
[Groom’s name] and [Bride’s name] have chosen to exchange rings as an outward symbol of their commitment to each other.
The band of the wedding ring represents everlasting love, the ring a never-ending circle with no beginning and no end.

Celebrant (with Groom repeating the words spoken first by the Celebrant):
[Bride’s name], accept this ring as a symbol of my love and of all we share.
OR
[Bride’s name], take this ring and wear it with my love.

Celebrant (with Bride repeating the words spoken first by the Celebrant):
[Groom’s name], accept this ring as a symbol of my love and of all we share.
OR
[Groom’s name], take this ring and wear it with my love. ----- ]

Celebrant:
Ladies and gentlemen, (and children) / Family and friends, [Groom’s name] and [Bride’s name] have declared before all of us that they now wish to live together in marriage.
Let us hope this day will form a milestone in your lives, one that you will look back upon with much joy and happiness.
It therefore gives me great pleasure to pronounce you husband and wife.
Congratulations; you may now both kiss, if you wish.

The signing of the register now takes place, and the ceremony usually includes music at this point.
Bride and Groom sign first, then the two Witnesses, and then the Celebrant.

The Marriage Certificate is now handed to the couple by the Celebrant.

Celebrant:
Ladies and gentlemen, family and friends, on behalf of the Bride and Groom, thank you all for coming here today to celebrate with [Groom’s name] and [Bride’s name] on their Wedding Day and for making their day so special.
Congratulations again to [Groom’s name] and [Bride’s name].

Basic wedding ceremony № 3

Celebrant:
Good morning / afternoon / evening, my name is Ingrid Heyn, and I am an authorised marriage celebrant duly authorised by law to solemnise marriages according to law. I am present today to officiate at the marriage of [Groom’s/Party 1’s full legal name] and [Bride’s/Party 2’s full legal name].

Celebrant:
Do you [Groom’s/Party 1’s name] and do you [Bride’s/Party 2’s name] declare before me and your witnesses that you are free by law to be married to each other today?
Bride and Groom / Party 1 and Party 2:
Yes, we do.

Celebrant:
Before you are joined in marriage in my presence and in the presence of these witnesses, I am to remind you of the solemn and binding nature of the relationship into which you are now about to enter.
Marriage, according to the law in Australia, is the union of two people to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life.

Celebrant (with Groom/Party 1 repeating the words spoken first by the Celebrant):
I ask everyone here present to witness that I [Groom’s/Party 1’s name] take you [Bride’s/Party 2’s name] to be my lawful wife [or spouse].

Celebrant (with Bride/Party 2 repeating the words spoken first by the Celebrant):
I ask everyone here present to witness that I [Bride’s/Party 2’s name] take you [Groom’s/Party 1’s name] to be my lawful wedded husband [or spouse].

[----- optional
Exchange of rings

Celebrant (with Groom/Party 1 repeating the words spoken first by the Celebrant):
 [Bride’s/Party 2’s name] wear this ring as a symbol of our union.

Celebrant (with Bride/Party 2 repeating the words spoken first by the Celebrant):
 [Groom’s/Party 1’s name], wear this ring as a symbol of our union.
----- ]

Celebrant:
You have both made the declarations by law. In front of your family/friends as witnesses, I now pronounce that you are married.

The signing of the register now takes place, and the ceremony usually includes music at this point.
Bride and Groom sign first, then the two Witnesses, and then the Celebrant.

The Marriage Certificate is now handed to the couple by the Celebrant.

Celebrant:
Ladies and gentlemen, family and friends, on behalf of the couple, thank you all for coming here today to celebrate with [Groom’s/Party 1’s name] and [Bride’s/Party 2’s name] on their Wedding Day.
Congratulations again to [Groom’s name] and [Bride’s name].

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