No. In a civil marriage ceremony, saying ‘I do’ is optional and does not replace the legal vows. Each partner must make the required marriage declaration in front of the authorised celebrant and witnesses.

Your celebrant will explain the wording and help you place any personal promises around it. You can include a traditional question and answer, use another personal response, or leave that moment out.

There is also no need for your ceremony to follow the familiar movie script. Discuss any traditions you would prefer to avoid, and your celebrant can build a clear, personal ceremony that still meets the legal requirements.