So, you want to get married.
- Ben Cooper
- 17 hours ago
- 3 min read
Here's everything you need to know about the legal process — without the jargon.
Congratulations — you're engaged! Now that the excitement has settled (and you've shown everyone the ring approximately 47 times), it's time to think about the legal side of things. Don't worry, it's far simpler than you might think. Here's everything you need to know about getting legally married in Australia.
First things first — can you legally marry?
Before anything else, Australian law sets out three basic eligibility requirements. You must meet all three to legally marry in this country:
LEGAL ELIGIBILITY CHECKLIST
You must be at least 18 years of age. There are extremely limited exceptions for 16 and 17 year olds, but these require a court order and are rare.
You must not be closely related to the person you want to marry — this covers siblings, parents, grandparents and their descendants, whether by blood or adoption.
You must not already be married to someone else. Australian law does not recognise polygamous marriages.
If you tick all three boxes - which, let's be honest, the overwhelming majority of couples do - you're free to start planning your ceremony.
The Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM)
This is the document that kicks the whole legal process off, and it's something I get asked about constantly at weddings across the Gold Coast, Tamborine Mountain, Numinbah Valley and beyond. It sounds more intimidating than it actually is.
The Notice of Intended Marriage - or NOIM as we in the industry affectionately call it - is simply a form that tells the Australian Government you intend to get married. Think of it as your official "we're doing this" declaration.
"The NOIM must be received by your celebrant no earlier than 18 months before your wedding — and no later than one full calendar month before the big day."
That one month minimum is a hard legal requirement with no wiggle room, so please don't leave it to the last minute. I've had couples come to me with a wedding date just three weeks away, and as much as I'd love to help, my hands are tied by the law unless a very specific set of circumstances apply. Get this sorted early and you'll save yourself a lot of stress.
HOW THE TIMING WORKS
1 ) Up to 18 months before your wedding
You can complete and submit your NOIM. This is the earliest it can be lodged — great if you're a planner and want to lock everything in well ahead of time.
2 ) At least one calendar month before your wedding
This is the absolute deadline for your NOIM to be received by your celebrant. Not one day less — it's the law under the Marriage Act 1961.
3 ) Your wedding day
The ceremony takes place, vows are exchanged, the certificate is signed — and you're officially married. The paperwork is then lodged with the Queensland Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages within 14 days.
What documents will you need?
To complete the NOIM, you'll need to provide some standard identification documents. Typically this includes proof of date of birth (a birth certificate or passport), and if either of you has been married before, evidence that the previous marriage has ended — either a divorce order or a death certificate. I'll walk you through exactly what's needed when we sit down together, so there's no need to stress about getting this wrong.
The ceremony itself
Here's where things get fun. While the legal framework is fixed, the ceremony around it is entirely yours to shape. Australian marriage law requires certain specific words to be spoken - including the legal monitum and the marriage vows - but everything else, from the music and the readings to the stories I tell about how you met, is completely customisable.
I've performed ceremonies in lush rainforest settings in Numinbah Valley, at stunning venues in the Scenic Rim, on the beach at Currumbin, in elegant spaces at Coomera and Pimpama, and pretty much everywhere in between across Southeast Queensland. No two have ever been the same - and that's exactly how it should be.
My approach
Every couple I work with is different - different personalities, different families, different ideas of what their perfect ceremony looks like. That's why I don't offer rigid packages with arbitrary inclusions and exclusions. Instead, I put together a custom package that fits your specific requirements, your style, and your budget. Whether you want a short, sharp and sweet ceremony or a longer celebration with readings, rituals and all the bells and whistles, we'll build something that feels authentically you.
READY TO START PLANNING?
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I'd love to hear about your story and help you create a ceremony you'll both remember for the rest of your lives. Get in touch — there's no obligation, just a great conversation.
📞 0422 688 017
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