A Personally-composed

            Wedding Ceremony

                   

Every wedding ceremony should have some basic structure.

For example:

 

Chosen music or song

A welcome to those attending

An introduction that explains the views of the couple

A reading or readings

In Australia a Monitum from the marriage act

The giving away or presentation of the Bride (optional

The Marriage commitment, which traditionally consists of the asking/question and the vows

The giving of a ring or exchange of rings

Another reading or readings ( optional

Declaration of marriage—a statement that a marriage sealed by a wedding has taken place

The signing of the register and certificates, during which special music is played

The presentation of the certificates by the Celebrant

         Recessional song or music

 

                    Marriage Ceremonies

 

Marriages have taken place all over the world in one form or another and all are binding to the couple and lawful so long as they were conducted by a recognized Priest or Celebrant authorized to conduct such marriages

In Australia where a marriage is solemnized by or in the presence of an authorized celebrant, being a minister of religion it may be solemnized according any form and ceremony recognized as sufficient for the purpose by the religious body or organization of which she or he is a minister, and where a marriage is solemnized by or in the presence of an authorized celebrant, not being a minister of religion, it is sufficient if each of the parties say to the other, in the presence of the authorized celebrant and the witnesses, the words:

" I call upon the persons here present to witness that I ??????? take thee ????? to be my lawful wedded husband /wife"

 or words to that effect

The celebrant must say:

" I am duly authorized by law to solemnize marriage according to law.

Before you are joined in marriage in my presence and in the presence of these witnesses, I am to remind you of the solemn and binding nature of the relationship into which you are now about to enter.

Marriage according to law in Australia, is the union of a man and a woman to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life"

or words to that effect

Therefore anything else within the ceremony can be as the participants want.