Married in a MinuteTM - Legals Only Wedding Ceremony

 
Photo of
                  Jennifer Cram, a woman wearing black rimmed glasses
                  and the words We Say, We Sign, You're married in a
                  minuteIf you want a very minimal ceremony my Married in a MinuteTM option is likely to be the perfect choice.  It's a legals only signing ceremony, with the option to add just a little bit more
  • No fancy venue needed - basically your place (or mine), or perhaps a favourite cafe (yours, not mine!).
  • And if you want to book a venue and have a big reception, not a problem. I don't put limits on numbers of guests
  • No preparation on your part apart from
                  • completing the Notice of Intended Marriage
                  • showing me your documents (proofs of birth and divorce or death certificates can be scanned and emailed) and
                  • telling me a few simple things, like whether you plan to exchange rings.
  • We generally sit down round a table  for the ceremony and, with love and laughter,  just do it. But there is no reason why you can't dress up and stand up!

How is a Married in a MinuteTM  different from the "usual" Legals Only ceremony?

 
The "usual" Legals Only ceremony is a bare-bones experience. Literally just the legal requirements, generally restricted to two witnesses only, and often referred to as a kitchen-bench wedding.  A Married in a MinuteTM ceremony, including the LITE option, is very different. Celebration, Warmth, and Wit are an integral part of the deal!
  • I will involve your witnesses and the whole experience will be made special by your warm and friendly celebrant (me!). I'm known for "spreading good energy amongst the guests" - something I've been told time and again by guests at small weddings.
A perfect experience! Everything about dealing with Jenny is amazing. Professional, thorough, full of plenty of ideas and understanding in exactly what you want for your ceremony. I don’t have enough praise for her and no other celebrant is worth considering! - G
  • Personal expressions of love and commitment encouraged and supported
  • The opportunity to include a simple unity ritual (handfasting), or a simple cultural ritual where relevant
  • Easy to organise - no meetings involved!

Is a Married in a MinuteTM  Wedding a good choice for you?

 The
The Married in a MinuteTM take on a legals-only wedding is a fuss-free, formalities-free way of getting legally married. It's also  a great choice if
  • Being married is more important to you than having a wedding, whether for reasons of budget, privacy, or convenience
  • You want a simple, legal, ceremony but you don't want to completely skip the romance
  • You are eloping
  • You just want to get married without having to do a lot of planning or preparation
  • You are heading off overseas for your wedding but appreciate the benefits of doing the legal bit here in Australia.
Did you know that if you get married in Australia, changing your name is simple and free. But if you get married overseas, you will have to do a legal name change when you get back. Which means money, time, and a permanent retrospective change on your birth certificate
  • English isn't your first language
  • You are getting married with a Prospective Marriage Visa (fiancé visa) and want a ceremony that is easy and can be arranged at short notice
  • You are having a wedding with guests, but just want to be married without a lot of fluff and fuss or, as one of my MIM brides described it - the legal requirements with just a splash of ceremony

What's included in a Married in a MinuteTM  Wedding?

 
First of all, choice. One-size-fits-all is not my style! So I offer you choice
  • A Married in a MinuteTM ceremony with optional add-ons at venue of your choice (conditions apply) and as many guests as you wish
    • Personal Promises (No Charge).
    • Simple Handfasting (+$15.00)
  • A Married in a MinuteTM LITE ceremony with two witnesses only at my office
Second, a top-quality level of service: I bring the same passion and dedication to your low-key, legals-only wedding as I bring to all weddings. I give you the most valuable thing I have  - my time. I'm happy to take your calls 7 days a week, between 8 am and 8 pm. When you send me an email, or text, or call, I will answer, personally. No assistant, virtual or otherwise, no chat-bot either. Me.

Third, you are in expert hands:  I get the legals right. I make sure  that you are comfortable, confident, and relaxed on the day.  I make the process as stress-less as I can by  mostly, communicating by email or text so you can answer in your own time.

Please Note: The cost of your ceremony does not include a standard official marriage certificate which will need to be ordered when I submit your marriage details for registration and paid for after the marriage is registered

Married in a MinuteTM

 
$495
A Legals Only signing ceremony with optional extras

  • OPTIONAL EXTRAS:
    • You may make personal promises if you wish (No Charge)
    • A visually gorgeous simple handfasting that will add another minute to the experience, but what a fabulous minute that will be (+ $15.00)
    • A relevant cultural ritual
  • A warm, friendly, highly experienced, inclusive, and culturally knowledgeable celebrant (me!)
  • Information about your legal obligations
  • Unlimited text, calls, or emails to ensure you are supported and have all your questions answered promptly
  • Whatever advice and assistance you might need to help you meet the legal requirements for proving your identity and that you are free to marry
  • All the legals done right - which means the validity of your marriage will never be in doubt
    • Your signed, witnessed, Notice of Intended Marriage received by email - or a letterbox signing can be arranged
    • Lodging of your Notice of Intended Marriage
    • Sighting  of your identity documents
    • All the required legal paperwork, including preparing the Marriage Documents you will sign on the day
    • Your Marriage details and documents submitted to Queensland Births Deaths and Marriages on the same day as your marriage
  • A simple ceremony focused on the legals conducted at the venue of your choice (some exceptions apply)
  • As many guests as you wish to invite
  • PA system if numbers or ceremony site require it (no extra charge)
The legal words, with love, laughter, and heart, of course, and some casual chit-chat to put you at ease before we start.

Married in a MinuteTM LITE

 
Married in a MinuteTM LITE ceremony $395
  • A (almost) bare bones legals only signing ceremony held at my office in the Western Suburbs of Brisbane
  • The two of you and two adult witnesses only (No guests - babes in arms are the exception)
  • Arrangements made via email 
  • Information about your legal obligations
  • All the legals done right - which means the validity of your marriage will never be in doubt
    • Your signed, witnessed, Notice of Intended Marriage received by email - or a letterbox signing can be arranged
    • Lodging of your Notice of Intended Marriage
    • Sighting  of your identity documents
    • All the required legal paperwork
    • The required minimum legal words
    • Same day online submission of  your marriage details for registration of your marriage
  • All the required legal paperwork, including preparing the Marriage Documents you will sign on the day

What happens on the day?

  • You and your witnesses arrive at the agreed time
  • You both sign the Declaration of No Legal Impediment to Marriage
  • I check your photo ID
  • I say the required statement from the Marriage Act
  • Each of you says the required legal vows
  • You exchange rings if you wish
  • I declare you are married (and you kiss if you wish)
  • We all sign the certificates
  • You take a few photos if you wish
  • And you live happily ever after

Further information