LET ME TAKE THE guesswork OUT OF GETTING MARRIED.
Real answers to real questions, from the legal stuff to the little details that make your ceremony unforgettable.
Wedding Celebrant FAQs – Legal Info, Booking Questions & Ceremony Tips by Amber Gillam Celebrant
-
Warm, modern, and never awkward.
Whether it’s a full love-story experience or something short and sweet, I craft every ceremony to feel like you. Something relaxed, real, and impossible to forget. Personal, never performative. Zero fluff or filler.
-
From big story-driven ceremonies to fuss-free elopements (and even MC-ing your reception), there’s a package to suit your day and your vibe.
You’ll find all the details on the Services
page, but if you’re unsure where to start, I’ll help you find your fit. Just send me an enquiry or book a free call.
-
Every package is transparently priced and includes everything you need — no surprises or hidden fees. For the full breakdown, download my Pricing Guide.
-
The best way to find out? Let’s chat.
Pop your date in my contact form and I’ll let you know ASAP if I’m available.
-
I’m based in Brisbane and regularly service the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba, and the Scenic Rim.
Travel is available Australia-wide, just ask.
-
Absolutely! All love is welcome here.
If you’re in love and ready to celebrate it, I’m here for all of it.
-
I currently specialise in weddings, elopements, and MC services. If that changes down the track, you’ll be the first to know!
-
Step 1 – Lodging your NOIM
Your Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) must be lodged with your authorised celebrant at least one full month before your wedding day.
Step 2 – Signing the DONLIM
The Declaration of No Legal Impediment to Marriage (DONLIM) is signed by both of you as close to the wedding day as possible (often on the day itself, just before the ceremony).This form confirms that all details you’ve provided are true, that you’re free to marry, and that you both enter into marriage willingly and without pressure. Your celebrant will also check in with each of you separately to make sure you’re both on the same page.
Step 3 – The Marriage Certificates
During the ceremony, you’ll sign:
The Official Certificate of Marriage (yes, twice on the same form!)
The Form 15 Certificate of Marriage (aka “the pretty one” you get to take home).
These are signed by both of you, your celebrant, and two witnesses aged 18 or over.
Step 4 – Lodging with Births, Deaths & Marriages
After the wedding, your celebrant will lodge all the paperwork with the state’s Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM) within 14 days. BDM will then officially register your marriage.
Each state has its own process for issuing the registered marriage certificate (the official document needed for proof of marriage or to change your name).
-
Legally, couples must give at least one full month’s notice by lodging a Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) with an authorised celebrant. This means a booking can be made as late as 4–5 weeks before the wedding, provided the NOIM is submitted within the required timeframe.
In very limited circumstances, it is possible to marry sooner. This requires an application for a shortening of time, which must be approved by the Attorney-General’s office. Only once this approval is granted can the standard one-month notice period be waived.
-
If I’m unavailable on a couple’s chosen date, I provide them with a friendly email explaining this and also share a list of trusted celebrants I personally recommend for them to explore.
If a backup is ever needed, I’m part of a fantastic network of like-minded celebrants who share a similar style, vibe, and tone to me so couples can feel confident they’ll still be in great hands.
-
Yes, I do travel. I live in Brisbane so anything outside this zone may incur a travel fee depending on location. I travel all over; interstate and even international.
-
Depending on the package a typical ceremony will last approx. 30mins. Anything longer than this I feel we lose momentum and it gets a bite tiresome and boring.
-
Initial Chat – A relaxed consult to get to know each other and chat about your vision.
Lock It In – Once you decide I’m the one, I’ll send an invoice for the $250 booking fee, a client service agreement, a contact info form, and the link to your NOIM (legal paperwork).
Planning & Paperwork – We’ll meet to complete your legal paperwork and plan the flow, vibe, and details of your ceremony.
Rehearsal (Optional) – Not always necessary, but useful if your wedding is large, logistically complex, or if you’re feeling nervous. If you’d like me there, I can attend for an additional $200.
Wedding Day – The big moment! I’ll be there to deliver your ceremony and officially marry you.
After the “I Do’s” – I’ll lodge all your legal paperwork with Births, Deaths & Marriages within 14 days so your marriage is officially registered.
-
I do however not on all packages and this will also depend if I am available and the location of the rehearsal.
-
Weddings don’t always go exactly to plan, and that’s okay. If it rains, I’ll work with the couple, their venue, and vendors to adjust quickly so their ceremony still feels seamless and special (even if it’s under umbrellas or moved indoors).
For any last-minute changes, I stay flexible and calm, making sure the ceremony runs smoothly no matter what. My goal is always the same: that the couple feel relaxed, supported, and completely in the moment.
-
Absolutely! You can write your own vows if that feels right for you it’s such a beautiful way to make your ceremony personal and meaningful. And if you’re not sure where to start (or feel a little stuck), don’t worry I’ve got you.
I provide vow-writing guides, examples, and prompts to help spark ideas. I’ll also happily review your drafts, give feedback, or help refine them so they sound like you. Whether you want vows that are heartfelt, funny, short and sweet, or full of romance, I’ll support you every step of the way.
-
Yes, I have a Bose S1 PA system with a Sennheiser microphone. And then a little mini Bose speaker for elopements (microphone not necessary)
-
Your ceremony should feel like you and that means celebrating your background, traditions, or faith if they’re important to you. I’m more than happy to include cultural or religious elements, whether that’s a blessing, a ritual, special wording, or family involvement.
We’ll chat about what’s meaningful to you both, and I’ll weave those elements seamlessly into the ceremony so it feels natural, respectful, and true to your story. It’s all about creating a celebration that honours who you are individually and together.
**Just an FYI I am not a religious celebrant, if a couple want a more religious focused ceremony I can point them in the direction to religious celebrants who would honour this position.
-
Honestly, I’m not here to deliver a one-size-fits-all ceremony you’ve heard a hundred times before. My couples choose me because I create ceremonies that are authentic, modern, and built entirely around them. I take the time to really get to know your story, your personalities, and what makes your relationship shine then I craft a ceremony that feels like “you two, but on your best day ever.”
I bring the perfect balance of fun, warmth, and professionalism. Your guests will laugh, maybe shed a tear, and most importantly, feel completely part of the moment. And because I also MC, I can carry that same energy into your reception so the whole day flows effortlessly.
At the end of the day, my job is to make sure you walk away saying: “That was so us.”
-
While a friend might mean well, the truth is that being a great MC is more than just grabbing a mic and cracking a few jokes. It’s about timing, flow, and reading the room. It’s making sure your speeches happen on time, your vendors are prepped, the energy stays high, and your guests know what’s happening next (without ever stealing the spotlight).
As a professional MC, I bring the calm, the confidence, and the behind-the-scenes coordination so you and your guests can simply enjoy the night (and your friend can actually be a guest too).
Think of me as your hype-girl, time-keeper, and crowd-warmer all rolled into one.
QUESTION I HAVEN’T ANSWERED?
Let’s fix that. Whether you’re ready to lock in a date or just need the details, I’m here for all of it.
Get real answers and the vibe check you’ve been wondering about.