Organising a wedding has many components, but did you know that there is paperwork you need to complete well before your wedding day?
Legally you are required to complete a form titled Notice of Intended Marriage, often referred to as the NOIM, which must be given to your celebrant at least one month before the wedding.� You can give it to your celebrant up to eighteen (18) months before the wedding.
Your celebrant can help you complete the form, in fact, I find it easiest to sit down with a marrying couple and talk them through the form so that they understand what is being recorded and what they are signing.
To complete the form, you will need specific forms of identification, including evidence of your date and place of birth.� Your celebrant will advise you what paperwork you need to provide, such as a birth certificate, and if there are any special considerations that apply to your specific circumstances.
It is ideal to have your chosen celebrant witness the signing of the form, however, there are situations where this is not possible and your celebrant can advise who could witness your signatures instead.
Where are you holding your ceremony � at a beach, a vineyard, a garden or in a bushland setting? �Or do you have an indoor location such as a community hall you can decorate yourself and then use for your reception, or a spacious room in a heritage building, or is your ceremony location part of the reception venue?
You might have a very clear idea of where you want to hold your ceremony, but if not, these questions might help you to consider some options.
�Is your ceremony to be held outdoors or inside?
What are your options if weather on the day prevents you from holding an outdoor ceremony?
When do you advise guests if the location needs to change at the last minute?
Is your ceremony to be held during daylight hours or at night?
Will the space accommodate the number of planned guests?
Do you need approval from a local council, or other permission, for your ceremony location?
Will they need to travel long distances between the ceremony location and reception venue?
Will extremes in weather be an issue?
Does your location mean that guests should consider appropriate footwear?
Are there clear directions to the location for your guests?
A visit to your planned location may also give you an idea of what to expect on the day in relation to conditions such as lighting or noise, and may prompt thoughts about other considerations including the proposed time for your ceremony.