Terms and Conditions

With the aim of keeping everyone smiling and ensuring a perfect ceremony,  we ask that you watch the video above and read the following to ensure there are no misunderstandings.Please ask if any of the following is unclear and you would like clarification 😉 The spirit of Simple Ceremonies, is to offer a simple option to getting married. It removes a lot of the fuss and expense of a traditional wedding ceremony - whilst maintaining the essence - beauty and sincerity. In addition, we are required to meet a Code of Conduct as prescribed by the Attorney General's Department. Click here to see the code.

But, remember Simple Ceremony is not for everyone ;-)

‍Please ensure that you are clear on the sort of service you will receive before you make your booking. A Simple Ceremony, as it's name suggests, is simple in nature. You will be provided with the highest level of service, within this frame-work. Simple Ceremonies does not offer a cheap service. Although our pricing is significantly less than many celebrants and the Registry Office, it is because we have cut out the "fuss". Now, this is not for everyone. If you are looking for a big wedding on the cheap, Simple Ceremonies is not for you.

Simple Ceremonies - Terms and Condition

These Terms and Conditions (the "Terms") govern all services provided by Simple Ceremonies ("we", "us", or "our") to you ("you" or the "Client") in relation to the solemnisation of your marriage in Australia or any other good or service offered. By making a booking or engaging with our services, you agree to be bound by these Terms.

1. Fees and Payment

A. Full Payment at Time of Booking: Full payment of the advertised fee for your chosen ceremony package is required at the time of booking to secure your desired date, time, and location. Payment must be made by credit card through our online booking system. No booking is confirmed until full payment has been received and acknowledged by Simple Ceremonies.

B. Non-Refundable Fee: Unless otherwise expressly stated in these Terms, all fees paid for bookings are non-refundable. This policy reflects the administrative costs and resource allocation associated with securing your booking and preparing for your ceremony.

C. Rescheduling of Ceremony:

1. Conditions for Rescheduling: You may be permitted to reschedule your ceremony (change the location, date, or time) subject to the following strict conditions:
   • You provide a minimum of one calendar month and two days' notice prior to your original ceremony date.
   • You have not previously rescheduled your ceremony more than twice.
   • The new ceremony date and time must not be more than twelve (12) months from your original booking date.
   • Your original booking was not a "Special" offer or made using a discounted promotion.
2. Rescheduling Fee: If all the above conditions are met, a non-refundable rescheduling fee of $85 will apply.
3. Additional Charges: In addition to the rescheduling fee, an additional charge may apply if there has been an increase in our standard fees for the chosen package since your original booking date. You will be required to pay the difference between your original booking fee and the current fee for the new booking.
4. Process for Rescheduling: To request a reschedule, you must email us with your proposed new location, date, and time. We will then confirm, by email, whether the requested changes are available. Upon confirmation of availability, you will be required to pay the rescheduling fee and any applicable additional charges before the details of your new ceremony are confirmed.

D. Shortening of Time Application:

1. Fee and Coverage: If you wish to apply for a "Shortening of Time" (an application to the court to allow marriage with less than one month's notice), an additional, non-refundable fee of $110 will be charged. This fee covers:
   • Preparation of our standard letter confirming your proposed ceremony and that your Notice of Intended Marriage (NoIM) has been lodged with us.
   • Rescheduling your ceremony if and when the shortening of time is granted by the court.
2. Client Responsibility: It is your sole responsibility to liaise with your local court, provide them with all necessary explanations and documents, and manage the entire court application process. Simple Ceremonies will not be involved in the court application itself beyond providing the letter as described above.

E. Online Bookings and Administration Fees:

1. Online Standard: All advertised fees are based on bookings being made online through our website and the Notice of Intended Marriage (NoIM) form being completed online via our portal, with supporting documents subsequently uploaded.
2. Client Data Entry Responsibility: You are solely responsible for accurately entering your personal details during the online booking process and when completing the NoIM. You must ensure that all details are 100% correct and, where applicable, exactly match the identification documents you will present on the day of your ceremony.
3. Non-Online Bookings: Bookings made via telephone or other non-online methods will incur an additional fee of $80.
4. Non-Online NoIM Completion: Notice of Intended Marriage forms not completed through our online system (e.g., handwritten forms or forms prepared externally) will incur an administration fee of $110.

2. Documentation Requirements

It is your strict legal responsibility to provide all required documentation in the prescribed manner for the legal solemnisation of your marriage. Failure to do so may result in our inability to marry you.

A. Notice of Intended Marriage (NoIM):

1. Completion Deadline: The NoIM must be completed, signed, and witnessed by an Authorised Person, and provided to Simple Ceremonies at least one calendar month prior to your booked ceremony date.
2. Online Completion Mandate: It is a mandatory condition of your booking that you complete the Notice of Intended Marriage on the Simple Ceremonies online portal.
3. Administration Fees for Non-Compliance:
   • Handwritten forms or forms not prepared on the Simple Ceremonies portal will incur an additional administration fee of $110.
   • Any amendments required to be made to the NoIM due to your error or omission after you have submitted the form (by clicking the "SUBMIT" button on our website) will incur an administration fee of $50.
4. Consequences of Late or Incomplete NoIM: If you fail to return the accurately completed, signed, and witnessed NoIM at least one calendar month prior to your ceremony date, and you still wish to be married, you have two options:
   • i) Shortening of Time: If applicable, you may apply for a "Shortening of Time" through the court to allow the ceremony to proceed on the same date. It is your sole responsibility to arrange this and bear all associated costs (refer to Section 1.D).
   • ii) Rebooking: Rebook and pay in full for another later ceremony date.
5. NoIM Transfer: If you require your NoIM to be transferred to another celebrant, a fee of $110 will apply.

B. Identification:

On the day of your ceremony, you must provide valid identification. The only acceptable forms of identification are:

• i) A valid passport (can be of any nationality and can be expired, provided it is still identifiable).
• ii) An original Birth Certificate AND official Australian photo ID (e.g., a current Australian Driver's License or Proof of Age card).

If you intend to use any other form of identification, you must provide it to us prior to the day of your ceremony for confirmation of its acceptability. All documents not in English must be accompanied by an original NAATI (National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters) Certified translation.

C. Previously Married:If you have been previously married, you are legally required to provide original divorce papers (Decree Absolute) or a death certificate, as applicable, to prove the termination of your previous marriage. All documents not in English must be accompanied by an original NAATI Certified translation.

D. Interpreter:If either party to the marriage does not confidently speak and understand English, you are legally required to have an interpreter present at the ceremony. The interpreter must be over 18 years old and fluently speak both English and the other language of the party requiring interpretation. The interpreter must complete a "Certificate of Faithful Performance" prior to the ceremony, which can be downloaded from our website. This form must be presented to the celebrant before the ceremony commences.

IMPORTANT NOTE ON DOCUMENTATION:Failure to provide the required paperwork or documentation (as listed above) prior to your ceremony may result in our inability to legally solemnise your marriage. If, as a result, you then need to reschedule your ceremony, you will be required to pay the full booking fee again.

E. Letters:If a letter from a celebrant is required for purposes such as immigration or a transfer request, a fee of $50 will apply for its preparation and emailing as a PDF. To arrange a letter, please submit a detailed request via email. Additional letters or corrections due to no fault of Simple Ceremonies will incur an additional fee of $50 per instance.

Note: In relation to a Lodgement Voucher or a Shortening of Time application, the cost of the first letter required for this purpose is included in the respective fee. Any additional letters relating to these matters will incur an additional fee of $50.

3. Ceremony Details

A. Rehearsal:Should you wish to have a rehearsal for your ceremony, we are happy to facilitate this for an additional charge, starting from $150. Please contact Simple Ceremonies directly for specific pricing tailored to your requirements.

B. Late Arrival:If you and/or your partner have not arrived within 10 minutes of your scheduled ceremony start time, we reserve the right to reschedule your ceremony. In such circumstances, you will be required to rebook and pay the full booking fee again.

If the celebrant's schedule permits, they may, at their sole discretion, delay their departure on the day. Any additional waiting time beyond the initial 10-minute grace period will be charged at a rate of $75 per 30 minutes or part thereof (minimum additional fee of $75). This additional fee is payable on the day, prior to the commencement of the ceremony.

Please be advised that the celebrant must depart no later than 30 minutes after your booked start time. It is your responsibility to ensure that you, your partner, and all guests are ready for the ceremony to commence at the exact booked time.

C. Number of Guests:Each ceremony location has a pre-determined maximum number of guests that can attend, which must be strictly adhered to. If the number of guests exceeds this limit, we reserve the right not to proceed with your ceremony. No refund will be issued in such circumstances.

D. Confetti and Similar Items:To comply with council regulations and environmental considerations, the throwing of rice, confetti, glitters, sprays, poppers, artificial petals, or streamers is strictly prohibited at all ceremony locations. We encourage the use of natural alternatives such as real flower petals (which must be fully removed after the ceremony) or bubbles.

E. Public Park Locations:We offer ceremonies at a selection of public parks that do not incur additional fees or require specific council bookings. This approach helps keep our prices competitive. However, please be aware that we cannot guarantee the condition or availability of these public parks, as they are subject to maintenance, public events, and general public use.

If we determine that a booked public park location may not be suitable due to unforeseen circumstances (e.g., maintenance, unexpected events), we will contact you to inform you. We will then endeavour to provide an equivalent alternative location for your ceremony on the same date and at the same time, considering price, proximity, and view. You are welcome to discuss location options with us prior to making your booking.

F. Custom Locations:We are able to offer our services at custom locations, including parks where we do not typically operate, specific venues, or private residences. In such instances, it is your sole responsibility to:

• Ensure the chosen custom location is available for your ceremony on the desired date and time.
• Make any necessary bookings, applications, or payments to the relevant authorities or venue owners to secure the location. Simple Ceremonies accepts no responsibility for securing or paying for custom locations.

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5. General Provisions

A. Limitation of Liability: To the maximum extent permitted by Australian Consumer Law and other applicable laws, Simple Ceremonies and its celebrants, employees, or agents shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, or any loss of profits or revenues, whether incurred directly or indirectly, or any loss of data, use, goodwill, or other intangible losses, resulting from (i) your access to or use of or inability to access or use our services; (ii) any conduct or content of any third party on the services; or (iii) unauthorized access, use or alteration of your transmissions or content. Our total aggregate liability for any claim arising out of or relating to these Terms or our services shall not exceed the amount paid by you to Simple Ceremonies for the specific services giving rise to the claim.

B. Force Majeure: Simple Ceremonies shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performing its obligations under these Terms where such failure or delay is caused by events beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to acts of God, natural disasters, war, terrorism, civil unrest, government restrictions, epidemics, pandemics, or significant illness or unavailability of the celebrant. In such circumstances, we will endeavour to provide an alternative celebrant or work with you to reschedule your ceremony to the earliest possible mutually agreeable date.

C. Privacy: We collect, use, and store your personal information in accordance with our Privacy Policy, which is available on our website. By using our services, you consent to the collection, use, and disclosure of your personal information as described in our Privacy Policy.

D. Governing Law and Jurisdiction: These Terms and Conditions are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of New South Wales, Australia. You agree to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of New South Wales for any disputes arising out of or in connection with these Terms or our services.

E. Severability: If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, that provision shall be severed from these Terms, and the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

F. Entire Agreement: These Terms constitute the entire agreement between you and Simple Ceremonies regarding the provision of our services and supersede all prior and contemporaneous understandings, agreements, representations, and warranties, both written and oral, with respect to such subject matter.

G. Amendments: Simple Ceremonies reserves the right to amend these Terms and Conditions at any time. Any changes will be effective immediately upon posting the updated Terms on our website. Your continued use of our services after any such amendments constitutes your acceptance of the revised Terms.

H. Code of Practice

All Marriage Celebrants are required to comply with the Code of Practice, which ensures a minimum standard of service for all couples getting married. You can view the full Code of Practice here.

At Simple Ceremonies, we pride ourselves on providing a service that goes above and beyond this Code. However, if you are not satisfied with the service provided by Simple Ceremonies or our partnered celebrants, please contact us directly by phone: +61 2 9059 8270 or email : wedo@simpleceremonies.com.au, to discuss your concerns

We hope to resolve any issues you may have quickly. If, however, you feel your concerns have not been resolved satisfactorily, you may make a formal complaint to the Attorney-General's Department. To make a formal complaint, please visit the Attorney-General's website here.

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H. Contact Us: If you have any questions about these Terms and Conditions, please contact us by phone +61 2 9059 8270 or email wedo@simpleceremonies.com.au to discuss prior to booking.

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