Regardless of whether you are an Australian Resident, Citizen or an Overseas visitor, it is the same simple legal procedure for everyone.
The simplest way is to see it in three parts;
Firstly, you need to talk about it together, chose a date, a time and a location or venue, sometimes these are not quite definite, that's OK.
Then contact me either by email or phone advising those details to see if I am available and to discuss your plans. It is important that you feel comfortable with me and that I am offering what you want. To avoid being disappointed due to the popularity of Byron (and me particularly) if you are looking at a Saturday afternoon I would encourage you to contact me sooner rather than later in your planning.
The phone is good but often email is now the easiest and most convenient way, we can easily create a comfortable rapport. If you are local or visiting we can meet but for those interstate or overseas the whole process is just as possible and quite personal by email and mail.
Secondly, the legal requirements are that you must be over 18 and free to marry. The paperwork begins with the Notice of Intended Marriage, [the NIM], which must be completed and signed by you, then witnessed by one of the prescribed persons. In certain circumstances it can be received with the signature of only one of the parties to the marriage.
I must receive the NIM at least one month and one day in advance of the wedding date but it is usually completed early on in the process. If you are in a rush or have missed the deadline, in certain circumstances exceptions to this month and a day rule may be granted by the Local Registrar. If this is you, talk to me.
I can send you the NIM or you can download it FROM HERE or the Attorney General's website. It is quite a simple 2 page form and there is no charge to obtain the NIM.
Usually with the lodgement of the NIM or at some time before the wedding you will need to produce your Birth Certificates, or Overseas Passports for visitors. If you have been married before, the evidence of the end of your previous marriage will need to be produced. As part of the total fee a deposit is paid at this stage to cover initial NIM administration costs and to book the time and day.
Thirdly, you would then tell me a little about yourselves,if you have children, number of guests, what style of ceremony you envisage etc...
Then I would either give or send you a package rather like a starter pack. This includes guidelines, options, possible content for you to consider and examples of other people ceremonies.
It helps you get more clarity for your ceremony and ideas for things you may want to do, it's like someone switching on the lights.
Whatever your desires are we can make it happen easily and beautifully.
If you are already a family or if you have any other special circumstances, quirks, desires or surprises, just let me know. You only get one chance, make sure your ceremony is a perfect celebration for you all.