Legals Only Ceremony at the Beach

Krissy and Elias wanted to get married before their baby arrived, and with the big life change of becoming parents ahead of them, they didn’t have the time or money to be worrying about a big wedding.

Originally they thought they’d just get married at the courthouse, but then they opted for a legals only ceremony with me at the beach. 
They decided to get Cheryl from Cedar and Salt Photography to photograph their nuptials and Krissy’s blossoming belly, as well. Such a great choice. 
After a bottle of bubbly was shared, they went to grab a coffee and some pastries at the Suffolk Park Bakery, before they had a party to celebrate with family and friends at one of the wonderful community halls in the Byron Shire that night.

Legals only ceremonies are exactly that, it only includes the legal requirements and the couple can also choose to write and deliver their own vows.

The ceremony can be this simple:

Welcome. My name is Cara Gallagher and I am duly authorised by law to solemnise marriages 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 two people, to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life.

Before we go any further, I ask you both:

Do you Party 1 & Party 2 come here freely, joyfully and without reservation to be married as husband and wife?

We do.

VOWS

Party 1:

I ask the people here to witness that, I, Party 1 , take you Party 2 to be my lawful wedded husband/wife/spouse.

(personalised vows said afterwards).

Party 2:

I ask the people here to witness that, I, Party 2 , take you Party 1, to be my lawful wedded husband/wife/spouse.

(personalised vows said afterwards).

Now smooch!