The four stages of planning your wedding
The four stages give an overview of the requirements to help you on the way to your wedding.
The First Stage
- Contact me to arrange a meeting and to my check my availability for your proposed wedding day.
- I will then send you a booking form and the Notice of Intended Marriage Form (NOIM) which will be completed and lodged at our first meeting. Please do not sign or date the NOIM before our meeting, but look it over to have some idea of the details required.
- Given your circumstances, I will advise what other documents to bring to the meeting.
The Second Stage
- We have our initial meeting and confirm the wedding details. You will need to know your wedding date, time and venue. Bring documents as discussed on the phone e.g. birth certificate, divorce papers (if relevant). See ‘Legal requirements’ for further information.
- At the meeting, we will complete the Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) together, gathering the required information from your own personal documents. See ‘Legal requirements’ for other documentation required.
- Choose 2 people over the age of 18 to be your witnesses. Bring their names in full — with special care in the spelling of these names — including middle names. Perhaps you would like to include your grandparents, or people close to you, who you would like to include in the ceremony.
- After the documentation is completed, I will help you design the ceremony of your choice. I will draft a preliminary text and send it to you for your approval.
- Pay the non refundable booking fee to secure the date.
- A time is arranged for our next meeting, usually 2 weeks before the ceremony.
The Third Stage
- We meet again about 2-3 weeks before the wedding.
- We will confirm the final draft of your wedding ceremony.
- You will need to sign a declaration stating that you know the person you are to marry and there is no reason that you know of why the marriage cannot take place. No marriage ceremony can be performed without this formality being completed. The declaration will be forwarded, with your other documents and certificates, to the Registry of Births, Death and Marriages.
- Confirm the wedding details — time, date, venue address and parking arrangements.
- Confirm table and chairs are available for the signing of the documents.
- Confirm the names of the witnesses.
- Arrange a rehearsal if required.
- Confirm the need for a PA/CD system.
- We will review the whole ceremony and discuss any further arrangements that need to be made.
- Full fee payment is required within 7 days prior to the ceremony.
The Fourth Stage
- Attend rehearsal, if one is required.
- Contact me 2 days before the ceremony to confirm all arrangements.
After the ceremony…
- You will receive your signed Marriage Certificate.
- I will provide you with a commemorative copy of your wedding ceremony.
- Your comments are welcomed on the feedback form in your envelope.