How to Get Married in Australia: Your Step-by-Step Guide
Planning a wedding is one of the most exciting times in your life, and if you’re getting married in Australia, there are a few important steps to make it all official. Whether you’re dreaming of a relaxed elopement by the coast, a luxe celebration in the hinterland, or an intimate ceremony surrounded by your closest family and friends, the process of getting married in Australia is beautifully straightforward once you know what to do.
As a Brisbane-based marriage celebrant, I guide couples through this process every week. From completing the legal paperwork to creating a ceremony that feels deeply personal and unforgettable, let’s walk through exactly how to get married in Australia, step by step.
Step 1: Choose Your Celebrant
Your marriage celebrant plays a huge role in both the legal and emotional sides of your wedding day. Legally, only an authorised marriage celebrant can perform marriages in Australia and submit your paperwork to Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM). But beyond the legalities, your celebrant is also the person who sets the tone for your ceremony. So it’s important they help you craft something that feels genuine, meaningful, and uniquely yours.
When choosing your celebrant, look for someone you connect with. You’ll want to feel comfortable sharing your story, your values, and your vision for the day. If you’re based in South East Queensland, from Brisbane to the Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, or Toowoomba, I’d love to help bring your ceremony to life in a way that feels warm, relaxed, and true to you.
Step 2: Complete the Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM)
The Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) is the first official step in the legal process. This form must be lodged with your celebrant at least one month before your wedding date (and no more than 18 months in advance).
Here’s what you’ll need to complete it:
Proof of identity: a passport or birth certificate and driver’s licence.
Proof of the end of any previous marriage (if applicable): a divorce or death certificate.
You can fill out the NOIM together with your celebrant, or complete it beforehand and have your signatures witnessed by an authorised person (such as a celebrant, justice of the peace, or lawyer). Once it’s received by your celebrant, the countdown to your wedding day officially begins!
Step 3: Plan Your Ceremony
This is where the magic happens. ✨
Your ceremony is the heart of your wedding day, and it should reflect who you are as a couple. Every celebrant has their own approach to personalising ceremonies, but my process at Love by Britt includes:
A questionnaire to get to know you both and uncover your story. You’ll answer some questions together, and a couple separately so I can get deeper sense of your personalities and the little details that make your story unique.
A custom-written ceremony script. No cookie cutter templates here! Your script will be completely bespoke, written just for you and your love story.
Optional vow-writing guidance if you’d like a little help putting your feelings into words.
Legally, your ceremony must include a few key statements:
The Monitum, which I’ll say to confirm your marriage is in accordance with Australian law.
The legal vows, where you both declare that you take each other as husband and wife, wife and wife, or husband and husband.
Everything else, readings, music, tone, structure, and storytelling is completely up to you. Whether you want to keep it short and sweet or create a heartfelt, story-filled moment, your ceremony should feel authentic and joyful.
Step 4: The Big Day
When your wedding day arrives, your celebrant will guide you through everything from where to stand to when to sign.
You’ll need two witnesses over the age of 18 to sign your marriage certificates, and together with your celebrant, you’ll sign three documents:
The official marriage certificate (sent to BDM).
The celebrant’s copy (kept on file).
The presentation certificate (your keepsake).
As someone who’s officiated countless weddings across South East Queensland, I always tell my couples: the best ceremonies are the ones where you relax, breathe, and let the moment sink in. You’ve done all the hard work, now it’s time to enjoy it.
Step 5: Registering Your Marriage
After the ceremony, I’ll take care of all the legalities for you. I’ll submit your signed marriage paperwork directly to the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages , ensuring everything is lodged correctly and on time. Once it’s been processed and your marriage is officially registered, BDM will reach out to you directly to let you know it’s time to order your official marriage certificate. This is the document you’ll need if you plan to change your name or update any legal records.
Optional Step: Changing Your Name
If one or both of you plan to change your surname after marriage, you’ll use your official marriage certificate as proof. This isn’t something that happens automatically, you’ll need to contact each organisation individually (like your bank, passport office, and Medicare).
It can feel like a bit of admin, but trust me, it’s worth it when you finally see your new name on your ID!
A Few Quick Tips
You don’t have to be an Australian citizen or resident to get married here, you just need to meet the legal requirements.
Both parties must be at least 18 years old.
Your celebrant will handle all the legal wording, documentation, and lodgements for you, so you can focus on celebrating.
Ready to Start Planning Your Wedding Ceremony?
Getting married in Australia is a beautiful, straightforward process when you have the right guidance. From the moment you lodge your NOIM to the moment you say “I do”, your celebrant will be there to make sure everything runs smoothly.
If you’re planning your wedding in Brisbane or anywhere in South East Queensland, I’d love to help you create a ceremony that feels like you. One that’s heartfelt, elegant, and unforgettable.
