Mandatory Wording
The minimum wording that must be included in a wedding ceremony are as follows;
Celebrant;
“I am duly authorised by law to solemnise marriages according to law”
“Before you are joined in marriage in my presence and 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 a man and a woman to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life”
Bride and groom each to say (either by repeating after celebrant or by reading);
“I call upon the persons here present to witness that I ___(use full name) take thee __(use others full name) to be my lawful wedded wife/husband”
Other vows can then follow. It is fine to use nicknames in the rest of the ceremony if preferred or as an addition to their full name above.
Celebrant;
“I am duly authorised by law to solemnise marriages according to law”
“Before you are joined in marriage in my presence and 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 a man and a woman to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life”
Bride and groom each to say (either by repeating after celebrant or by reading);
“I call upon the persons here present to witness that I ___(use full name) take thee __(use others full name) to be my lawful wedded wife/husband”
Other vows can then follow. It is fine to use nicknames in the rest of the ceremony if preferred or as an addition to their full name above.
Sample Ceremony
As wedding ceremonies and the desires and details shared are so deeply personal I do not wish to share a real ceremony. To offer one example of a flowery ceremony the below is one I have written based on a fictitious scenario.
Wedding Mary Jackson and Frank Jones
To fully respect this occasion please ensure your phones are switched off. There are cameras in a basket, please use these to take photos as you feel inclined, both now and during the reception to follow. The bride is nearly here so please everyone get comfortable.
Sky(bridesmaid and daughter) walks down the aisle with Mary(bride). Frank(groomsman) to be waiting with storm(bestman and son)
Good afternoon. I am Kate Hope, the official celebrant for this special occasion. On behalf of Mary and Frank I would like to extend a warm welcome to you all. They would like to welcome you their very dearest friends and family to their home to share in a day of celebration and in the love they hold for each of you and for each other.
This land is a special place for them. It has been their home for the last 25 years. It has nourished them, provided a space for comfort and joy and been bearer and witness to many special moments.
I now ask you to close your eyes and share a moment of gratitude with us. Please silently send thanks to the environment for all they have been blessed with, send love to each of you for all you have blessed them with and respect to the native owners of this land.
Giving away ceremony : giving to each other
Reading My Best Friend to be read by Storm
We have before us a couple who’s first steps together were many years ago, theirs is a relationship that has forged a path as they walked hand in hand over the mountains and though the valleys of life together. They come here today with a love that is not tired and worn from this journey but with a love that is fresh and strong, like the earth around them with new growth in spring. They are here today to recognise all the days they have shared and to further commit their love to one another. As they have gained nourishment from the blossoms they have experienced together they look forward to the sweetness of those still to come.
This wonderful union began 26 years ago at Applause music festival in Sydney. Mary who was at the time working in Sydney as a primary school teacher and Frank who was passing through in travels found each other there. Frank was instantly smitten by a girl he describes as gentle open and relaxed. He found something that he had not found anywhere else and postponed further travel legs. They took some time together to adventure to a few places and discover where felt most like home to them. When they passed through Uki they both new they had found it. Within this community they found many treasured friends. Their first child was born here almost in celebration of their meeting, 12 months and a week from that date and being blessed with the name Storm in memory of that wet and windy occasion. To mark the birth they planted an infant tree, this is the same healthy mango tree we sit before today. Their family was completed two years later with the arrival of a baby girl Sky. They are proud and happy parents and respect the choices and decisions their children are taking as they too forge their way in the world. In fact, it was with the persuasion of Storm and Sky that they chose to formalize their relationship today.
I am duly authorized by law to solemnize marriages according to law. Before you are joined in marriage in my presence and the presence of these witnesses I am to remind you of the binding nature of the relationship into which you are now about to enter. Marriage according to law in Australia is the union of a man and a women to the exclusion of all others voluntarily entered into for life.
Frank: I call upon the persons here present to witness that I Frank Jones take thee Mary Jackson to be my lawful wedded wife.
Mary: I call upon the persons here present to witness that I Mary Jackson take thee Frank Jones to be my lawful wedded husband.
Ring Ceremony:
Frank: Mary I give you this ring as a symbol of my love. I have taken precious elements from the earth and allowed them to flow and create this solid ring. Similarly our relationship has taken the finest elements of each of us and allowed them to flourish, flowing together we have gained strength and security and coming together we are a perfect fit. As it encircles your finger, may it remind you always that you are always surrounded by my enduring love. Because this ring is perfectly symmetrical, it signifies the perfection of true love. As I place it on your finger, I give you all that I am and ever hope to be.
Mary: Frank I accept your love and thank you for being all that you are. Because this ring has no end or beginning, it signifies the continuation of true love. As I place it on your finger, I give you all that I am and all that ever hope to be.
I now announce you husband and wife. Please seal the vows you have made today with a kiss.
Please have patience while we now sign the register.
Thank you all for being a part of this ceremony through you presence here today. Mary and Frank would like for you all to continue the celebrations today with a picnic under this tree. Please take the opportunity to have a photo with them so they may be collated to as a memory of this fine day. There are bowls of rose petals to be thrown, but please no confetti.
Now that the formalities are over it is my great pleasure to present to you Mr and Mrs Jones! Please come forward and congratulate them as they join you old and new friends and family to delight in the love they have and all the years to come.
Wedding Mary Jackson and Frank Jones
To fully respect this occasion please ensure your phones are switched off. There are cameras in a basket, please use these to take photos as you feel inclined, both now and during the reception to follow. The bride is nearly here so please everyone get comfortable.
Sky(bridesmaid and daughter) walks down the aisle with Mary(bride). Frank(groomsman) to be waiting with storm(bestman and son)
Good afternoon. I am Kate Hope, the official celebrant for this special occasion. On behalf of Mary and Frank I would like to extend a warm welcome to you all. They would like to welcome you their very dearest friends and family to their home to share in a day of celebration and in the love they hold for each of you and for each other.
This land is a special place for them. It has been their home for the last 25 years. It has nourished them, provided a space for comfort and joy and been bearer and witness to many special moments.
I now ask you to close your eyes and share a moment of gratitude with us. Please silently send thanks to the environment for all they have been blessed with, send love to each of you for all you have blessed them with and respect to the native owners of this land.
Giving away ceremony : giving to each other
Reading My Best Friend to be read by Storm
We have before us a couple who’s first steps together were many years ago, theirs is a relationship that has forged a path as they walked hand in hand over the mountains and though the valleys of life together. They come here today with a love that is not tired and worn from this journey but with a love that is fresh and strong, like the earth around them with new growth in spring. They are here today to recognise all the days they have shared and to further commit their love to one another. As they have gained nourishment from the blossoms they have experienced together they look forward to the sweetness of those still to come.
This wonderful union began 26 years ago at Applause music festival in Sydney. Mary who was at the time working in Sydney as a primary school teacher and Frank who was passing through in travels found each other there. Frank was instantly smitten by a girl he describes as gentle open and relaxed. He found something that he had not found anywhere else and postponed further travel legs. They took some time together to adventure to a few places and discover where felt most like home to them. When they passed through Uki they both new they had found it. Within this community they found many treasured friends. Their first child was born here almost in celebration of their meeting, 12 months and a week from that date and being blessed with the name Storm in memory of that wet and windy occasion. To mark the birth they planted an infant tree, this is the same healthy mango tree we sit before today. Their family was completed two years later with the arrival of a baby girl Sky. They are proud and happy parents and respect the choices and decisions their children are taking as they too forge their way in the world. In fact, it was with the persuasion of Storm and Sky that they chose to formalize their relationship today.
I am duly authorized by law to solemnize marriages according to law. Before you are joined in marriage in my presence and the presence of these witnesses I am to remind you of the binding nature of the relationship into which you are now about to enter. Marriage according to law in Australia is the union of a man and a women to the exclusion of all others voluntarily entered into for life.
Frank: I call upon the persons here present to witness that I Frank Jones take thee Mary Jackson to be my lawful wedded wife.
Mary: I call upon the persons here present to witness that I Mary Jackson take thee Frank Jones to be my lawful wedded husband.
Ring Ceremony:
Frank: Mary I give you this ring as a symbol of my love. I have taken precious elements from the earth and allowed them to flow and create this solid ring. Similarly our relationship has taken the finest elements of each of us and allowed them to flourish, flowing together we have gained strength and security and coming together we are a perfect fit. As it encircles your finger, may it remind you always that you are always surrounded by my enduring love. Because this ring is perfectly symmetrical, it signifies the perfection of true love. As I place it on your finger, I give you all that I am and ever hope to be.
Mary: Frank I accept your love and thank you for being all that you are. Because this ring has no end or beginning, it signifies the continuation of true love. As I place it on your finger, I give you all that I am and all that ever hope to be.
I now announce you husband and wife. Please seal the vows you have made today with a kiss.
Please have patience while we now sign the register.
Thank you all for being a part of this ceremony through you presence here today. Mary and Frank would like for you all to continue the celebrations today with a picnic under this tree. Please take the opportunity to have a photo with them so they may be collated to as a memory of this fine day. There are bowls of rose petals to be thrown, but please no confetti.
Now that the formalities are over it is my great pleasure to present to you Mr and Mrs Jones! Please come forward and congratulate them as they join you old and new friends and family to delight in the love they have and all the years to come.
