Marriage Celebrant Fees

I offer three tiers of marriage ceremony:

Standard ( AUD $900.00),
Basic Plus ( AUD $390.00), and
Basic ( AUD $290.00).

You can choose to have the wedding at your own home if you wish, or to have it in my office in North Ringwood. Any other venue you choose would also be fine. Each of these constitutes a valid marriage.

Standard Marriage Ceremony – a tailored ceremony designed for you

💍 The standard ceremony option (AUD $900.00) offers a beautiful and unique wedding designed specifically for you – running the gamut from traditional to modern, with or without religious elements, indoors, outdoors, simple, elaborate, casual, elegant, whatever is right for you. (On a tight budget? See budget option – click here.)

The AUD $900.00fee is either paid in full at the time of booking, or paid in stages. If paid in stages, AUD $290.00 is payable at the time of booking as the booking fee, with (the Ceremony Creation/Planning Fee) payable no later than 2 months before the marriage ceremony (or – if the ceremony is to take place less than 2 months after lodging the NOIM – no later than 1 month before the marriage ceremony), and the final payment ( (known as the Performance Fee or “In respect of solemnisation of marriage by authorised civil marriage celebrant” fee) is payable no later than 14 days before the ceremony.

Payment methods accepted: credit card (Visa or MasterCard), cash, direct bank deposit (by previous arrangement), cheque (by previous arrangement) or money order.

What does this total AUD $900.00 fee include?

This fee covers the following:

The initial interview (which includes full explanation of the document referred to in s42(5A) of the Act, discussion of legal process of marriage, detailed provision of premarital education and relationship counselling services, including providers, point-by-point discussion of legal implications with marriage);
Booking to secure your chosen marriage ceremony date and time;
Additional interviews for confirmation and finalisation of ceremony details;
Guidance and/or assistance in completing the NOIM and checking for errors;
Witnessing the signing of the NOIM, lodgement of your NOIM with me, including checking of necessary identity documents in order to satisfy the legal requirements of the Act, and to complete the NOIM as required;
Electronic submission of marriage details with the Registry in preparation for its being solemnised;
Unlimited research pertaining to your ceremony;
Planning and preparation of the ceremony, including research, inclusion of elements and performers, and scripting of the ceremony with as many drafts as necessary for the final script;
The wedding rehearsal;
Inclusion of foreign languages as available;
Travel to and from the venue of your choice, subject to specified limits (i.e., if the distance of a return journey between the celebrant’s office and the place of marriage does not exceed 80 km), availability of venue and any public health orders, etc.;
Unlimited email communication to and from celebrant, unlimited conversations by phone from the clients to the celebrant;
The provision during the ceremony of the three marriage certificates required (including the copy known as the “Party Certificate” kept by the couple);
Witnessing the Declaration of No Legal Impediment To Marriage as per s42(1)(c) of the Act and s71 and s79 of the Regulations;
The conducting/solemnisation of the marriage ceremony (including witnessing the signing of the register);
Form printing/completion, submission to the Registry of the official certificate of marriage and all required documents relating to the marriage to begin the registration process;
Explanation of how to order a Standard Certificate of Marriage from the Registry (available once the registration of the new marriage has been completed by the Registry);
Provision of music (on CD or USB or iPod, etc. as required) for the ceremony, and/or inclusion of singing if desired;
Use of state-of-the-art PA system for the ceremony if required (» further information);
Provision of registry signing table and chairs if required (» further information); and
Provision of certificate signing pens (choice of elegant styles, including quill-and-ink) (» further information).

What doesn’t this AUD $900.00 include?

Other costs that may be charged to the clients are as follows:

Some phone calls (international, for example) on behalf of the clients (to embassies or consulates, to courts, to to participants, etc.) if required;
Visit by celebrant to unfamiliar venue (if required for checking before the wedding rehearsal);
Cost of ordering the Standard Certificate of Marriage for the couple at the time of submitting the marriage for registration – if desired by the couple;
Apostille/authentication stamp of Standard Certificate of Marriage;
Travel costs in connection with solemnisation – if the distance of a return journey between the celebrant’s office and the place of marriage exceeds 80 km – $10 per additional 20 km (or an agreed-upon total cost); and
Other charges as agreed.

The Standard Certificate of Marriage can be ordered by the marriage celebrant for the couple at the time of submitting the marriage for registration. Standard charges as set by the Registry apply. At present, this cost is AUD $54.40 (standard Registry-issued certificate) plus AUD $10.00 (express post within Australia).

Step-by-step advice on having the document apostilled/authenticated by the Passport Office can be given as needed.

Part of the fee may be refundable.

Budget Options – Basic or Basic Plus

💍 The Basic ceremony option is ideal for those wanting a simple no-fuss marriage ceremony in my office, or for those wanting an excellent value budget ceremony.

Basic Ceremony

The booking fee (AUD $290.00) is payable in full at the time of lodgement/booking. The Performance Fee or “In respect of solemnisation of marriage by authorised civil marriage celebrant” fee is waived for a Basic Ceremony solemnised in my office or carriageway (outdoor alternative).

Payment methods accepted: credit card (Visa or MasterCard), cash, direct bank deposit (by previous arrangement), cheque (by previous arrangement) or money order.

What does this AUD $290.00 fee include?

This fee covers the following:

The initial interview (which includes full explanation of the document referred to in s42(5A) of the Act, discussion of legal process of marriage, detailed provision of premarital education and relationship counselling services, including providers, point-by-point discussion of legal implications with marriage) – either at my office (North Ringwood) or via Zoom/videocall if the meeting/lodgement cannot be done in person due to restrictions or public health orders or risk*;
Booking to secure your chosen marriage ceremony date and time;
Additional interviews for confirmation and finalisation of ceremony details;
Guidance and/or assistance in completing the NOIM and checking for errors;
Witnessing the signing of the NOIM, lodgement of your NOIM with me, including checking of necessary identity documents in order to satisfy the legal requirements of the Act, and to complete the NOIM as required;
Electronic submission of marriage details with the Registry in preparation for its being solemnised;
Choice of three basic ceremony scripts to be finalised with script, vow, reading and music options;
Ceremony rehearsal conducted at my office in North Ringwood upon request;
Unlimited email communication to and from celebrant, unlimited conversations by phone from the clients to the celebrant;
The provision during the ceremony of the three marriage certificates required (including the copy known as the “Party Certificate” kept by the couple);
Witnessing the Declaration of No Legal Impediment To Marriage as per s42(1)(c) of the Act and s71 and s79 of the Regulations;
The conducting/solemnisation of the marriage ceremony (including witnessing the signing of the register) at my office (or carriageway);
Form printing/completion, submission to the Registry of the official certificate of marriage and all required documents relating to the marriage to begin the registration process;
Explanation of how to order a Standard Certificate of Marriage from the Registry (available once the registration of the new marriage has been completed by the Registry);
Provision of music (on CD or USB or iPod, etc. as required) for the ceremony;
Provision of registry signing table and chairs;
Provision of certificate signing pens; and
Provision of up to 8 chairs for guests.

This fee does not cover the following:

Cost of ordering the Standard Certificate of Marriage for the couple at the time of submitting the marriage for registration – if desired by the couple; or
Apostille/authentication stamp of Standard Certificate of Marriage.

Step-by-step advice on having the document apostilled/authenticated by the Passport Office can be given as needed.

Basic Plus Ceremony

💍 The Basic Plus ceremony option is the best value for couples who want a simple no-fuss marriage ceremony with the same ceremony script options as the Basic Ceremony, but in a venue other than my office, such as the bride’s/groom’s home, a park or garden or beach, a restaurant, a hall, a chapel, etc.

The total Basic Plus fee (AUD $390.00) can be paid in full at the time of booking/lodgement. If the client is paying in stages, the booking fee (AUD $290.00) is payable in full at the time of lodgement/booking, and the Performance Fee or “In respect of solemnisation of marriage by authorised civil marriage celebrant” fee of AUD $100.00 (special reduced fee for Basic Plus Ceremony) is payable no later than 14 days before the ceremony.

Payment methods accepted: credit card (Visa or MasterCard), cash, direct bank deposit (by previous arrangement), cheque (by previous arrangement) or money order.

What does this AUD $390.00 fee include?

This fee covers the following:

The initial interview (which includes full explanation of the document referred to in s42(5A) of the Act, discussion of legal process of marriage, detailed provision of premarital education and relationship counselling services, including providers, point-by-point discussion of legal implications with marriage) – either at my office (North Ringwood) or via Zoom/videocall if the meeting/lodgement cannot be done in person due to restrictions or public health orders or risk*;
Booking to secure your chosen marriage ceremony date and time;
Additional interviews for confirmation and finalisation of ceremony details;
Guidance and/or assistance in completing the NOIM and checking for errors;
Witnessing the signing of the NOIM, lodgement of your NOIM with me, including checking of necessary identity documents in order to satisfy the legal requirements of the Act, and to complete the NOIM as required;
Electronic submission of marriage details with the Registry in preparation for its being solemnised;
Choice of three basic ceremony scripts to be finalised with script, vow, reading and music options;
Ceremony rehearsal upon request;
Unlimited email communication to and from celebrant, unlimited conversations by phone from the clients to the celebrant;
The provision during the ceremony of the three marriage certificates required (including the copy known as the “Party Certificate” kept by the couple);
Witnessing the Declaration of No Legal Impediment To Marriage as per s42(1)(c) of the Act and s71 and s79 of the Regulations;
The conducting/solemnisation of the marriage ceremony (including witnessing the signing of the register);
Form printing/completion, submission to the Registry of the official certificate of marriage and all required documents relating to the marriage to begin the registration process;
Explanation of how to order a Standard Certificate of Marriage from the Registry (available once the registration of the new marriage has been completed by the Registry);
Provision of music (on CD or USB or iPod, etc. as required) for the ceremony;
Provision of registry signing table and chairs;
Provision of certificate signing pens; and
Travel costs in connection with solemnisation – if the distance of a return journey between the celebrant’s office and the place of marriage does not exceed 80 km.
NOTE: If the distance of a return journey between the celebrant’s office and the place of marriagee does exceed 80 km, travel costs will apply – $10 per additional 20 km (or an agreed-upon total cost).

This fee does not cover the following:

Cost of ordering the Standard Certificate of Marriage for the couple at the time of submitting the marriage for registration – if desired by the couple; or
Apostille/authentication stamp of Standard Certificate of Marriage.

Step-by-step advice on having the document apostilled/authenticated by the Passport Office can be given as needed.

* Please note that this initial interview including the lodgement of the NOIM must take place at least one calendar month before the date on which you wish to marry, and no more than 18 months before the date on which you wish to marry.
The only exception is when shortening of the lodgement period has been approved. Click here for details.