Planning your wedding involves many moving parts. Here is a clear timeline for working with a marriage celebrant from your very first contact through to the official registration of your marriage.

Early planning (12–18 months before)

Contact a celebrant via email to check availability and discuss their services. This is also a good time to get a feel for whether they are the right fit for your ceremony.

Legal documentation

Arrange to sign the Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM). This must be lodged with your celebrant at least one month — and no more than 18 months — before your wedding date.

Ceremony preparation

Your celebrant will collaborate with you to develop a personalised ceremony script that reflects your vision and preferences.

Pre-wedding rehearsal

A rehearsal, ideally one or two days before the wedding, includes signing the Declaration of No Legal Impediment to Marriage — a required legal document.

The wedding day

Your celebrant conducts the ceremony. The couple, celebrant, and two witnesses all sign the marriage certificates.

Post-ceremony

Your celebrant submits the signed marriage documents to the local Births, Deaths, and Marriages office to officially register your marriage.