So you’ve decided to elope! You’ve weighed up all the pros and cons and decided that you want your wedding to be about just the two of you, for just the two of you, with just the two of you. It may be that you are a couple who love passion and adventure, or perhaps you’ve decided that a big wedding is just too expensive, or that you want your wedding to be a day totally focused on each other and the commitment you are making. So how do you go about organising an elopement in Melbourne? It can be done in three easy steps!
How to Elope in Melbourne Step 1 – NOIM
You must provide your celebrant with a signed and witnessed Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) no less than one calendar month prior to your wedding (this can be emailed if you are overseas/interstate or it’s difficult to meet up with your celebrant face to face). You must also be at least 18 years of age and provide a birth certificate or passport as proof of your identity. If you have previously been married, you must also provide your divorce certificate. Before the ceremony can take place you must sign a Declaration of No Legal Impediment which will be witnessed by your celebrant.
You’re spoilt for choice in Melbourne with a huge range of possibilities for your wedding.
How to Elope in Melbourne Step 2 – Your Wedding Ceremony.
You can marry in Australia anywhere, anytime – there are no restrictions on where your ceremony can take place. You’re spoilt for choice in Melbourne with a huge range of possibilities for your wedding. Perhaps you have a beach wedding in mind, or one of Melbourne’s many beautiful public gardens (we’re not called the garden state for nothing!), a gorgeous hotel suite or even one of Melbourne’s world class restaurants! The options are endless, but a little word of advice, Melbourne’s weather is notoriously unpredictable, so it’s always a good idea to choose somewhere with easy access to shelter. Most public gardens in Melbourne have attractive under cover options such as gazebo’s and band stands that also look fabulous in those all important photos! As for the ceremony itself, you must have a minimum of two witnesses at least 18 years or older (Let’s Elope’s photographer, Sarah of Sarah Matler Photography can act as a witness if needed). There are some legally required words that must be said by your celebrant as well as legal vows that must be stated by the couple. Other than that you are free to have any other content in your ceremony that you wish – your celebrant, Amanda will guide you on this. At the conclusion of the ceremony both of you, your witnesses and the celebrant will each sign three documents, one of them being a beautiful presentation certificate for you to keep as a wonderful reminder of your wedding day.
How to Elope in Melbourne Step 3 – Congratulations – You’re Married!!
Time to celebrate!! Your celebrant will submit your paperwork to the Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages and can apply for your Registered Marriage Certificate on your behalf. That’s it – see easy isn’t it!!
