In every legal wedding ceremony in Australia, two key statements must be made—one by the celebrant, and one by each party to the marriage.
These are:
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The Monitum – This is a short legal statement spoken by your celebrant that explains the nature of marriage under Australian law. It must be said exactly as written in the Marriage Act 1961 and ensures everyone present understands the significance of what is taking place.
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The Legal Vows – Both you and your partner must each say a set sentence that confirms your intention to marry each other. This includes your full legal names and must be spoken aloud in front of your celebrant and two witnesses.
Who needs to be present?
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The couple
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A registered marriage celebrant
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Two witnesses over the age of 18
If these legal elements aren’t included or correctly performed, the marriage may not be valid, so your celebrant is there to make sure everything is done properly while still allowing you to personalise the rest of your ceremony.
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