Not unless they are a registered marriage celebrant in Australia.
In Australia, only an authorised celebrant—registered under the Marriage Act 1961—can legally solemnise a marriage. That means your friend or family member cannot legally marry you unless they go through the formal application process to become a registered celebrant through the Attorney-General’s Department.
💡 However…
If you love the idea of having a close friend or family member involved, many couples choose to:
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Have a legal ceremony with a celebrant (either privately or on the day)
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Then have their friend “lead” the ceremony as an MC or host for the vows, readings, and celebrations
This approach keeps the emotional experience personal, while making sure everything stays 100% legally valid.
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