Written by Belinda Letts, Authorised Marriage Celebrant. Published on 17 September 2021
So you’re married. What’s next? Congratulations on being married by me. I have no doubt, I absolutely loved performing your wedding, telling your love story and the leadup to the Wedding together. Learning how you became the couple you are today. I’m sure we’re all still buzzing looking at the photos and reminiscing how great the wedding really was.
So in Victoria, Australia your Authorised Marriage Celebrant will submit your marriage and paperwork to Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM) Victoria. The timing of when the Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM) Victoria registers that marriage, really depends on what time of the year you get married. Spring is super popular for weddings, so might take a little longer then a mid year wedding in winter. However, 2022 is set to be the busiest year in Australia for marriages (with postponements effected by covid-19 in 2020 and 2021 shifting to 2022), so please be patient.
At your wedding ceremony, you’ll receive a commemorative marriage certificate passed to you, by me, to take home. It’s not the same as a legal marriage certificate and usually can not be used for official purposes as proof of your marriage. Following the wedding you can apply for your legal marriage certificate. However, they won’t post it until your marriage is registered (your celebrant or minister will do this and let you know once they have confirmation of this), you can apply for your legal marriage certificate. https://www.bdm.vic.gov.au/marriages-and-relationships/get-a-marriage-certificate The 2022 fee is $52.30 + $10 postage within Australia* (pricing by BDM subject to change).
Should you want to change your surname if you were married in Australia:
- You can take your spouse’s family name
- You can take both partners and can hyphenate your family names
You don’t need to apply for a change of name. Just give the relevant organisations a copy of your Australian marriage certificate. Most organisations will only accept the BDM-issued legal certificate as evidence (not the commemorative marriage certificate you received on your Wedding Day). You can find further information here: https://www.bdm.vic.gov.au/changes-and-corrections/changing-your-name-after-marriage-separation-or-divorce
So you’re married. What’s next?
The day after your wedding:
- Tie up any loose ends, did you leave anything at the venue? Cake, wedding favours, wedding gifts, props? Is there any suppliers you put down a bond for (like photobooth or wedding venue) that you need to ask for back? Don’t forget to get that fabulous Wedding dress dry cleaned!
- The absolute best thing you can do to thank all your wedding businesses for contributing to your amazing day is to leave their businesses a review. For my business you can do this on Google, Facebook or Easy Weddings (<—click on text to open the link). Firstly, it means the world to me/us, but it also helps demonstrate credibility behind my small business. This helps future couples feel assured they’re making the right decision when considering my services. It’s best to review while you’re still having that wedding buzz!! Tell your story! I appreciate you! Future couples appreciate you.
- Was your celebrant easy to get hold of (email, call and text)? Were they always happy to answer your questions?
- Do you feel your celebrant made the process of planning your ceremony, and getting married / legal documents easy?
- Did your celebrant take the time to get to know you both as a couple? Do you feel your celebrant truly crafted a ceremony that reflected you both as a couple?
- Was your celebrant flexible during an uncertain time (pandemic) and helped you with making decisions on what your wedding could look like?
- Did your celebrant provide advice, tips and ideas in the leadup to the wedding?
- Did you and your guests comment on your ceremony after the wedding? What were some highlights of your ceremony/wedding day?
- What were your favourite characteristics of your celebrant? And would you recommend them to a friend/engaged stranger?
- I will also feature your review on my “Kind Words” section of my website https://weddingbelle.com.au/kind-words/
- Update your Facebook status to married! Or post that first photo and watch the love flood in!
A few weeks/months after:
- Enjoy married life! Go on a honeymoon or mini moon, take a breathe and enjoy being married.
- Start writing thank you cards to guests.
- Share all your wedding photos over socials (remember to tag your suppliers).
- Tell your employer and Australian Register Commission if you’re updating your surname.
- To update your family name on documents such as your drivers licence, bank accounts and passport you’ll need to contact VicRoads, the Australian Passport office or your bank. You’ll need to give them either a Marriage Certificate (from BDM, not the one you received at your ceremony) or a change of name certificate (if married in Australia).
- Sell off anything you no longer need from your wedding. If its a dress, or easels, or decorations you’re never going to use again. You’d be surprised how savvy DIY couples can be.
- And most importantly….. Enjoy your love, laughter and happily every after!