You can have a secret wedding—but not a surprise wedding where one partner doesn’t know it’s happening.

In Australia, both parties must give informed consent to the marriage, and that includes:

  • Signing a Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) at least one month before the wedding

  • Being fully aware of the time, date, and intention to marry

  • Saying your legal vows in front of two witnesses

This means you cannot legally surprise your partner with a wedding they didn’t agree to or know about—even if it’s romantic in theory, it’s a legal no-go.

Secret weddings are allowed

If you don’t want to tell friends or family until after or the moment of the wedding, that’s completely fine. As long as:

  • Both of you have consented and signed the NOIM

  • You have two legal witnesses

  • A registered celebrant performs the ceremony