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Marriage in Queensland - Planning your Wedding

Marriage in Queensland - Planning your Wedding

With picturesque beaches, breathtaking landscapes and fantastic weather, it’s no surprise many couples elect for a marriage in Queensland. Queensland generally has mild winters and because of this, the winter months are a perfect season for your Queensland wedding; not too hot, not too cold; pleasant for everyone; with no worry of make-up running; and less chance of summer storms. I have a few helpful tips and wedding ceremony guidelines for brides and grooms looking to set their special day in the Sunshine state.

Queensland Weather

Environmental factors are important to consider on your big day when organizing your marriage in Queensland. Choosing your venues and locations, there are a couple of extra things that you should consider adding to your check list -

  1. If your wedding is in the summer months, you should have an alternate ceremony venue if you plan to have your wedding outdoors. Summer heat brings summer storms and this should be considered along with everything else. 
  2. Consider the time of day that you will have your ceremony. If there is little or no shade, you need to think about the heat as many summer days in Queensland are well above 30+.  If getting married on a beach in summer, remember that the sand can actually burn bare feet. 
  3. Temperature and season should also be considered when you chose your wedding attire for your Queensland wedding. Imagine the groom and his attendants in three piece suits in those high temperatures. The bride and her attendants are often in flowing, strappy numbers yet the bride expects her groom to wear a traditional suit. Consider a shirt, tie and vest only or a more formal shirt only. These look just as elegant in photos and the groom will appreciate your consideration.
  4. Consider your guests. If you are marrying in the warmer weather, think about having some cool water on hand for guests to drink whilst awaiting your ceremony. 
  5. Mosquitoes can be an issue, especially if getting married in a rainforest or near water. There is nothing worse than a bridal party in beautiful strapless gowns who become a feast for these little pests.

marriage in queensland

Queensland Wedding Ceremonies

As a marriage celebrant in Brisbane, Logan, Redlands and Ipswich, I am often asked about the ceremony and how it will unfold. There is a general structure each wedding will follow however it is up to the bride and groom to choose the ceremony, the introductions, presentations, vows and readings. Along with official documentation, there is one particular paragraph known as the Monitum to the Marriage Act which must be said, as well as a specific sentence in your vows. These must be included to make your wedding lawful and valid – so your ceremony can be as unique or traditional as you would like. Typically, ceremony programs are as follows:

  • I arrive at a ceremony venue approximately 40 minutes before the ceremony to assist with any last minute preparations. 
  • Prior to the ceremony commencing, I will ask all guests to check their mobile phones to ensure they are either on silent or switched off. 
  • The ceremony is chosen by you and so there should be no surprises on the day about what is going to be said or by whom. I provide an extensive selection of ceremonies for you to choose from and we work together to formulate your own masterpiece. 
  • Not everyone who attends a wedding has followed the journey from start to finish of the bride and groom. Many couples like to include a paragraph outlining how their relationship has grown to this place of commitment. 
  • One traditional aspect of any wedding ceremony is the ‘giving away’ of the bride. This is a personal choice. Many brides like to include both their parents in this special opportunity. Other brides like a close family member or friend to walk them down the aisle, but prefer not to have the giving away officially recognised. 
  • Another traditional is the ‘asking’ where the bride and groom are each asked if they take each other to be husband and wife. This is a personal choice of the bride and groom. 
  • For a marriage to be valid in Australia, civil marriage celebrants must read a paragraph known as The Monitum. "I am duly authorized by law to solemnize marriages according to law. 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." 
  • There are also certain words that must be said by the celebrant during a wedding ceremony to make it a lawful and valid wedding. These words are contained in Section 45 of the Marriage Act 1961 as follows: "I call upon these persons here present to witness that I, (full name) take thee (full name) to be my lawful wedded wife (or husband)."  You can then write your own vows and words of love and commitment to be added to this sentence. 
  • The exchanging of wedding rings follows the vows. Couples generally say something to each other as the rings are given to each other. 
  • Poems, readings and reflections can be added to any ceremony. There are also a number of symbolic gestures that can be added such as sand ceremony, rose ceremony and unity candle ceremony. 
  • The ceremony is then concluded by the introduction of the bride and groom to everyone and is followed by the signing of all official documentation. Two witnesses over 18 years of age who were present at the wedding will be asked to verify the signatures of the bride and groom. The witnesses can be anyone in attendance and do not have to be a member of the bridal party.

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