Cairns Celebrant Sue Betts

I am a fully qualified Australian Authorised Celebrant, having completed my professional training through The Unleashed Collective.

I am fully authorised to officiate at Weddings, Vow Renewals, Elopements, Legals Only, Commitment Ceremonies, Naming Ceremonies, Graduation Ceremonies, Funeral Ceremonies and Pet Farewells.

After meeting with you at length and finding out as much as possible about you both and your love story, I then head back to my office and spend as much time as it takes to thoughtfully craft a ceremony which is unique to you.

I then provide you with a draft for your approval, which I encourage you to change, delete or add to, as you desire, in order to make it even more perfect for your special day!

As your Celebrant I play a huge role in supporting not only you, but also your family and friends who are present as your guests. Not only will I be carrying out all the necessary legalities, but I will be setting the tone for your entire day. You will be able to rely on me for a relaxed vibe and keeping yourselves, your friends and family, entertained and comfortable throughout the whole day.

Your Wedding Day is a celebration of you both and deserves to begin with a great ceremony right from the start. I will arrive well before your guests arrive, I will set up my sound system and signing table (if required), plus check everything off to ensure a smooth flow. I will greet your guests with a warm welcome to make them feel relaxed and at ease while they are waiting, then get them seated at the right time. All the while, I will be keeping the wedding party comfortable and calm waiting for your grand entrance, which I shall announce when the time is right!!!

It all starts with choosing the right Celebrant. The process of finding the best Celebrant can seem daunting because there are so many, but once you’re standing up the front with everyone smiling and laughing, you’ll know it was worth the search. Done correctly, this will set the tone for your whole day making it fun, relaxed, entertaining and beautiful. After all, your ceremony is more than its legality, it’s a reflection of the type of day you want everyone to experience.

The saying “no-one will remember what you said, but they will remember how you made them feel” is incredibly true and this is why you need a Celebrant like me who can oversee your wedding with their presence, words and charisma.

Making a decision as to what to do in this situation is really up to you as a couple.

If one of you is ill, the best course of action is to postpone your wedding and give your suppliers and guests as much notice as possible.

After all, you want your day to be memorable for all the right reasons!

An Authorised Civil Celebrant must ensure:

• All legal requirements for marriage are met
• Lodge the necessary marriage documents
• Inform the couple about marriage education
• Craft the ceremony
• Assist in planning the wedding ceremony
• Officiate at the ceremony and ensure that compulsory wording, as according to the Marriage Act, are said
• Witness the couple’s vows.

Firstly, check that the celebrant is authorised under the Marriage Act 1961 by checking through the Attorney-General’s Department website.

Once you have completed this check you can move forward with confirming their eligibility for your wedding date and organise a meeting to get to know them.

Once comfortable with the celebrant you have chosen, meet regularly to develop your ceremony around your values and beliefs.

You can ask a Celebrant to provide a comprehensive list of their services and costings before you confirm the use of their services.

Many celebrants will accommodate the needs of the individuals so that the ceremony reflects the individual tastes and styles of the couple.

You can be married by a Civil Celebrant at any time and in any place within Australia and its territories or territorial waters.

However please be aware that certain times of the year are popular and it is advised to book your Celebrant early.

The certificate issued by the Celebrant or Minister of Religion on the day of marriage is ceremonial and will not meet the identity requirements of many government agencies (eg Queensland Transport) and financial institutions.

You will need to apply for a ‘Standard Marriage Certificate’ which is done through the Queensland Government’s Births, Deaths, Marriages and Divorces website.

If you were married outside of Queensland, you will need to apply to the registering authority in the place where you were married.

If you are not a resident of Queensland, you can still be married here.

The Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) must be lodged with an Authorised Celebrant at least one calendar month and a day before the wedding ceremony and no more than 18 months prior to the date of the wedding.

If you live interstate, the NOIM can be lodged from your state.

The criteria for being married in in Australia is that you must be over 18 years of age and not legally married. One or both can be from an overseas country however please check with your country of origin to ensure that your marriage in Australia will be recognised. You do not have to be an Australian citizen or permanent resident to get married in Australia.

To get married in any State or Territory in Australia, you must:

• Not be already married
• Not be marrying an immediate family member
• Be able to understand what marriage means and freely give your consent to marry
• Be married by an Authorised Marriage Celebrant

If one of you is under 18

You must be at least 18 years old to get married, unless one of you is aged between 16 and 18 and:

• You have court approval by a judge or magistrate to marry
• Consent by your parent or guardian has been given or dispensed with

Learn more about the rules to get married in Australia at the Attorney-General’s Department website.

You only need at least one calendar month before the wedding ceremony (and no more than 18 months before) to lodge the Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM).

You will also need a Form 13 from the Authorised Celebrant.

If you need to be married within a month you will need to meet a number of criteria listed in the Marriage Regulations (1963).

Head to the Attorney-General’s Department website for more information.

If you have been married before, you can certainly be married again however the original Divorce Certificate or Decree Absolute from your last divorce must be sighted by the Celebrant.

A photocopy is not acceptable.

Head to the Federal Circuit Court of Australia website for more information.

The celebrant will need to sight the original Death Certificate at the initial meeting.

Photocopies are not acceptable.

To get another copy of the certificate, apply through the Queensland Government’s Births, Deaths, Marriages and Divorces website.

To marry, a person must be legally divorced before they are legally able to be married again.

Proof of divorce is the original copy of the Divorce Certificate or Decree Absolute.

Head to the Federal Circuit Court of Australia website for more information.

A marriage Celebrant in Australia is able to work anywhere within Australia or its territorial waters.

Most Civil Celebrants work within their local areas or within a reasonable travel distance.

There is no legal requirement of a waiting period for a renewal of vows.

You need two witnesses at your Wedding Ceremony, to:

• Witness the Ceremony
• Sign the Marriage Certificates

Witnesses can be any family member or friend who is at least 18 years old.