A 'legals only' wedding is a type of marriage ceremony that is as brief and straightforward as legally possible.

It is literally just the legal components, and more akin to a process than a ceremony. This needs to be fully understood to ensure you are not underwhelmed.

However, the tradeoff for these rigid parameters means you can be legally married for $450!

It is designed for couples who wish to be legally married without the traditional elements of a larger wedding ceremony. This kind of wedding focuses solely on the legal requirements needed to be married in Australia, which includes the presence of an authorised marriage celebrant, the exchange of legal vows, and the signing of the marriage documents.

Step one:

We complete the Notice of Intended Marriage no less than a month before the ceremony date.

• If there are special circumstances that prevent the one month period, there is the possibility to apply for a court ordered Shortening of Time.

Step two:

I arrive at the agreed time and location (within a 30km radius of Canberra’s Parliament House).

• We complete the Declaration of No Legal Impediment to Marriage.

• I deliver the Monitum (legal component) and the legally required vows.

• We sign two copies of the Official Certificate of Marriage as well as the commemorative Wedding Certificate.

And that’s it, it’s over in about five minutes.

Step three:

I lodge all the legal paperwork with Births, Deaths and Marriages, and then let you know when it’s been officially registered, so you can apply for your Official Marriage Certificate.

The script is very basic and unable to be modified, however it is possible to include a ring exchange.

The Monitum

• “My Name is XYZ. I am duly authorised by law to solemnise marriages according to law. Before you are married 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.”

The Legal Vows

Each party must state the following to the other party:

• “I call upon the persons here present, to witness that I [FULL LEGAL NAME OF PARTY 1] take thee [FULL LEGAL NAME OF PARTY 2)] to be my lawful wedded wife (OR husband / wife / spouse / partner in marriage).”

You can add on the following logistical items. If you are hoping to host a larger wedding with a custom ceremony, please refer to our other existing packages.

Available Addons:

• Up to 10 additional guests - $49

• Legal witnesses

  • 1 x legal witnesses - $99

  • 2 x legal witnesses - $149

• Evidence of Notice Letter (Visa letter) - $99

• Wedding arch hire - $49

Legals only ceremonies are available Monday to Friday 6pm until 9pm.

There are also limited availabilities on Saturday and Sunday mornings, from 10am until 1pm.