FAQ’s & Locations

Your ceremony legal requirements are in great hands with Joyful Occasions Celebrant. Photo: www.nattnee.com;
Yes, I work with Migration Agents.
Involving family in ceremonies is fabulous – from children to great grandparents. Joyful Occasions will offer ideas for you at your ceremony meeting.
Sydney’s stunning wedding ceremony backdrops at Kirribilli– Sydney Harbour Bridge, Opera House, plus historic fig trees and sandstone locations
Home was the perfect backdrop for two international lovers who wanted to wed in Australia before travelling the world for celebrations with family.
Rodd Island was perfect for this retro wedding with a relaxed vibe!
Sydney Opera House fireworks added a special touch for this winter night wedding
This family went for a relaxed beach setting for their intimate ceremony – Maroubra Beach
Sydney’s Chinese Garden of Friendship at Darling Harbour is a popular, and stunning wedding ceremony location
Yes! You don’t have to be an Aussie to legally marry in Australia. Contact me and I’ll walk you through the process.

See marriage visa information on the Australian Government’s Home Affairs website.

It’s a legal document lodged with an authorised celebrant at least one month before the wedding. It’s valid for 18 months so you can plan ahead!
Yes! This gives you flexibility to decide on a place, date and time, then confirm my availability!
This requires a shortening of time by a prescribed authority. I have worked with couples at 24 hours’ notice, so talk to me about your circumstances.
You need to show evidence of date and place of birth, identity and the end of the previous marriage for each party. This may include birth certificates, passports, death and/or divorce certificates. If you don’t have them, let’s chat about how to progress your wedding plans. I may ask you to complete a statutory declaration to support your evidence.
Yes! I’ll work closely with them and step in for all legal requirements. I also mentor newly appointed Celebrants. Let’s chat about options.
It is usually 20-30 minutes or as simple as five to 10 minutes or an hour! I’ve done all types of ceremonies and hope that your wedding is next!
Yes, your wedding day is one that flies by, so planning is vital. I’ll answer your questions and share ideas to assist you.
Yes, you can say your personal vows before or after the required legal words. I encourage all couples to write their own vows and I can help with ideas.
You, your two adult witnesses and I will sign three marriage certificates. I will give you a certificate as a record of your marriage after the ceremony.
The first step is to lodge a Notice of Intended Marriage Form. I’ll send you an e-template, prepare the notice ready for you to sign and me to witness. The day I receive a signed notice, is the lodgement date.
In NSW, I usually register your wedding the same day and receive confirmation within minutes.
It usually arrives within a week. This certificate is for official purposes including taxation, banking and superannuation. I can order it for you and do certified copies as a NSW Justice of the Peace.

Don’t believe what you ‘see’ on TV!

You may invite guests to your event and keep it a surprise that you are marrying but you can’t surprise your partner on the day with a wedding. Remember, the Notice of Intended Marriage must be lodged one month before.

No! This is a choice, not a legal obligation. You do need two witnesses over the age of 18 years.
No, rings are a custom, not a legal obligation.
No, that’s just in the movies!
Yes, I can provide a letter for immigration outlining your intention to marry once I have confirmed you are both willing parties to the marriage and have lodged the required Notice.

Other questions?

Please ask! I’m here to help!

Ask Your question

Ceremony locations

The choices of ceremony locations are endless.

  • Do you want the ceremony and reception in one location?
  • Is the location easy for all guests to get to?
  • What’s important for your vibe?

Public venues including local parks, beaches and gardens require booking with the local council or regulatory authority such as Sydney Harbour Federation Trust, but there’s a few gems that are free to use.

Plus, there’s reception venues, restaurants, wineries, local halls and private locations to consider.

Here’s some ideas.

Sydney’s Inner West

  • Cabarita Park, Cabarita
  • Prince Edward Park, Cabarita
  • Brays Bay Reserve
  • Brett Park, Drummoyne
  • Rodd Point
  • Werrell Reserve, Abbotsford
  • Quarantine Reserve, Abbotsford
  • Halliday Park, Abbotsford
  • Henry Lawson Park, Abbotsford
  • Rhodes Park, Rhodes
  • McIlawaine Park, Rhodes
  • Banjo Patterson Cottage, Gladesville
  • Illoura Reserve, Balmain
  • Ballast Pt Park, Birchgrove
  • Birchgrove Park
  • Elkington Park, Birchgrove (rotunda)
  • Rodd Island
  • Le Montage, Lilyfield
  • Concord Golf Club
  • Yaralla, Concord
  • Wangal Reserve, Mortlake
  • Sydney Olympic Park
  • Angelo’s on the Bay, Cabarita
  • The Grounds, Alexandria
  • Boathouse on Blackwattle Bay, Glebe
  • Doltone House – various locations
  • Auburn Botanical Gardens, Auburn
  • Woolwich Dock, Hunter’s Hill

Sydney North

  • Kirribilli – numerous locations
  • Lavender Bay
  • Clarke Pt
  • Luna Park
  • Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden
  • Athol Hall, Mosman
  • Arabanoo Lookout, Sydney Harbour National Park
  • Quarantine Reserve, Manly
  • Beechwood Cottage, Kur-ring-gai Chase National Park
  • Manly Dam
  • Clontarf Reserve
  • Balmoral Beach

 Blue Mountains

  • Jenolan Caves
  • Little Hartley
  • Collits Inn
  • Fairmount Resort
  • Megalong Valley
  • Subline Pt, Katoomba
  • Leura

Sydney City and East

  • Elizabeth Bay House, Vaucluse
  • The Team Room, QVB
  • Customs House, Sydney
  • Chinese Garden of Friendship, Darling Harbour
  • Hickson Rd Reserve
  • Tumbalong Park
  • Observatory Hill
  • Miller’s Point
  • Pirrama Park, Pyrmont
  • Glebe foreshore parks
  • Blackwattle Bay Park
  • Sydney University
  • Nurses War Memorial Chapel, Little Bay
  • Bare Island, La Perouse
  • Watson’s Bay
  • Macquarie Lighthouse
  • Greycliffe Gardens
  • Neilsen Park
  • Shakespeares Pint, Sydney Harbour National Park
  • Centennial Park
  • Steyne Park, Double Bay
  • Stickland House Park, Vaucluse
  • Coogee
  • Maroubra
  • Clovelly

Sydney North

  • Kirribilli – numerous locations
  • Lavender Bay
  • Clarke Pt
  • Luna Park
  • Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden
  • Athol Hall, Mosman
  • Arabanoo Lookout, Sydney Harbour National Park
  • Quarantine Reserve, Manly
  • Beechwood Cottage, Kur-ring-gai Chase National Park
  • Manly Dam
  • Clontarf Reserve
  • Balmoral Beach

Sydney’s North West

  • Araluen at Epping
  • Curzon Hall, Marsfield
  • Nurragingy Reserve, Doonside
  • Parramatta Park
  • Wiseman’s Ferry – numerous locations
  • Dural