9 comments

• Comment Link Monday, 02 February 2015 15:34

  Contacted by a couple who wanting to marry that day as the bride's father was dying.
  
  With cooperation from BDM Melbourne and medical personnel the marriage was conducted six hours later. Shortening of time, sighting of documents, ID established and father's condition verified, all thanks to common sense and compassion.
  
  Hospital supplied priority parking for me, cake and flowers for the couple and the bride's father was aware and gave his support. He died some hours later.
  
  COMMONWEALTH MARRIAGE CELEBRANT - NAME SUPPLIED & VERIFIED
• Comment Link Sunday, 01 February 2015 13:31

  Some years ago while visiting my mother in a salvation Army Nursing home, the lady resident in the next room asked me to perform her wedding. The much younger bridegroom was a fellow resident, who had been in the care of the Salvation Army since birth. (My mother was always looking out for work for me).
  
  Knowing the lady quite well, I wasn't entirely sure about her mental capability, and as for the groom- was he a ward of the state? Bearing in mind everyone's rights to happiness, did I have to seek permission? and if so, from whom? It put me in a delicate situation.
  
  I decided to talk to the Director of the Nursing home, who should know the legal situation involved. I received a good confidential meeting, and he told me he would handle it. My mother had reported much night time room visiting, and good for them. The would be bride must have forgotten by morning because no one was moved, and no wedding took place, and nothing further was ever said.
  
  COMMONWEALTH MARRIAGE CELEBRANT - NAME SUPPLIED & VERIFIED
• Comment Link Thursday, 22 January 2015 21:07

  I am officiating at a wedding where the bride does not speak English, although the groom does. The couple have had to employ an interpreter to be present at the ceremony. I have read the Guidelines and Marriage Act and spoken with BDM WA to ensure that I have everything in order, but it has been a situation with which I was unfamiliar.
  
  COMMONWEALTH MARRIAGE CELEBRANT - NAME SUPPLIED & VERIFIED
• Comment Link Wednesday, 07 January 2015 23:17

  As a celebrant you are asked to perform all types of ceremonies and there are no P D for anything other than wedding ceremonies. I think that the P D should cover all ceremonies and give support to celebrants for all work that is likely to be done. Thanks
  
  COMMONWEALTH MARRIAGE CELEBRANT - NAME SUPPLIED & VERIFIED
• Comment Link Wednesday, 07 January 2015 06:52

  The wife's teenage son from a previous marriage hanged himself in their garage
  I had married the couple a couple of years before, and was overseas when the funeral was conducted. Scattering of the Ashes ceremony following a "cleansing" ceremony of the place where he died. Tragic situation and both very difficult to design in conjunction with the couple and very difficult to do. COMMONWEALTH MARRIAGE CELEBRANT - NAME SUPPLIED & VERIFIED
• Comment Link Wednesday, 07 January 2015 06:46

  Naming of a a 5 month old baby delivered still born as a result of a termination. The child was grossly deformed and not likely to go full-time, and certainly not to survive if was delivered and the umbilical cord severed. Was much loved and anticipated first baby. Then the funeral and burial a week later with the tiny white coffin and a close circle of family and friends. COMMONWEALTH MARRIAGE CELEBRANT - NAME SUPPLIED & VERIFIED
• Comment Link Wednesday, 07 January 2015 06:42

  Members of the bridal party fainting - one groom fortunately caught by the best man, one groomsman literally falling face-first stick-like rigid with his ankles as the pivot point slamming his jaw and nose into concrete. Result a broken jaw and several broken teeth. Also one guest in the front row went down for the count.
  
  COMMONWEALTH MARRIAGE CELEBRANT - NAME SUPPLIED & VERIFIED
• Comment Link Wednesday, 07 January 2015 06:37

  A couple who had been married for 8 years, wanted a "real" CIVIL wedding as the bride could not bring herself to tell her mum. The bride had booked the 5 star wedding resort, did not want to take no for an answer when explained that the guests would have to be informed that they were already legally married, and wanted to haggle about the fee as well!
  
  COMMONWEALTH MARRIAGE CELEBRANT - NAME SUPPLIED & VERIFIED
• Comment Link Monday, 05 January 2015 15:49

  This concerns an overseas couple but could also relate to couples living in Australia. The NOIM was filled out in Germany 10 months before the wedding date, with both of them residing at different addresses. They arrived in Australia a few days before the wedding and when I met them I asked if they were living together and she replied, yes, at my place. I filled in the Official Certificate of Marriage with them both residing at her address and at the same time they applied for a Marriage Certificate and Apostille. Once they received the certificate they noticed I had written his address the same as hers and they contacted me to apologise but said even though they were living together he was not registered at that address and they needed a certificate with his address as the old one. I had not asked the precise question, "is it correct that you both reside at different addresses?" It was an expensive learning experience for me.
  
  COMMONWEALTH MARRIAGE CELEBRANT - NAME SUPPLIED & VERIFIED