What is a legals-only wedding?

The shortest lawful ceremony there is. The celebrant says the legal statement, you each say one required line, everyone signs, and it is done in ten to fifteen minutes. There is no processional, no readings and no custom script. Couples use it before a party, before travelling, or simply because the paperwork is the part they wanted.

Is a legals-only ceremony cheaper than the registry office?

On a Saturday, yes. The NSW registry charges $482 on a weekday and $597 on a Saturday, in Sydney only, which is a six-hour drive from the Tweed. Queensland charges $410.60 weekday and $534 Saturday in Brisbane. A legals-only ceremony here is $495 weekday and $595 Friday to Sunday, at a place you choose.

How many guests can come to a legals-only ceremony?

Up to ten, plus your two witnesses. That is more than either registry allows: Queensland's weekday legals-only service is limited to four people with no guests at all, and it runs on weekdays only, with Saturdays booked out for the year.

Do we still need a Notice of Intended Marriage?

Yes. The one-month notice period applies to every marriage in Australia regardless of how short the ceremony is. The form is lodged with your celebrant, not with the registry, and it must be signed and received at least one calendar month and no more than eighteen months before the day.

Can we upgrade later?

Yes. Plenty of couples do the legals quietly and hold a ceremony for family months or years later. That second event is a commitment ceremony or a vow renewal rather than a marriage, because you are already married, and it is priced at $650 rather than as a wedding.

Legals-only & registry-style ceremonies

A legals-only ceremony is $495 Monday to Thursday and $595 Friday to Sunday: ten to fifteen minutes, the words the law requires, your paperwork lodged and a commemorative certificate. Up to ten guests are welcome. Six weeks is usually enough notice, and your Notice of Intended Marriage still has to be lodged one calendar month before the day.

What it costs

What you get	Mon–Thu	Fri–Sun
Legals-only / registry-style ceremony Ten to fifteen minutes, the two of you plus witnesses and up to ten guests, the Notice of Intended Marriage, lodgement, a commemorative certificate, 20-30 km travel. No PA and no custom script.	$495	$595

Australian dollars, GST included. Travel within 30 km is included and $1 per kilometre round trip beyond it. Booking fee $250, which comes off the total. Witnesses supplied at $60 each. Council permits for beach and park ceremonies are passed through at cost.

How far ahead to book

Allow about six weeks for a weekend date in season. Midweek and winter dates are often available at much shorter notice. The one fixed limit is the law: a Notice of Intended Marriage has to be lodged at least one calendar month before the ceremony.

What you need

Notice of Intended Marriage, lodged at least one calendar month ahead
Birth certificate or passport for each of you
Photo ID
Two witnesses aged 18 or over

The NOIM, explained — the form, the timing and the documents in full.

Against the registry

A legals-only ceremony exists because the registry office is not a realistic option for most people here. New South Wales holds its registry ceremonies at Pyrmont and Parramatta only — a nine-hour drive or a flight from the Tweed — at $482 on a weekday and $597 on a Saturday. Queensland's nearest is Brisbane at $410.60, weekdays only for the legals-only service, four people, no guests, booked twelve weeks out, with Saturdays currently unavailable for the rest of the year.

At $495 midweek and $595 Friday to Sunday, this is the same paperwork with up to ten guests, at a place and on a day you choose, without a trip. On a Saturday it undercuts the New South Wales registry outright.

Where

Legals-only celebrant at Tweed Heads — NSW, about 20 minutes away
Legals-only celebrant on the Gold Coast — QLD, about 40 minutes away

Everywhere else covered from Murwillumbah.

Questions people ask

What is a legals-only wedding?: The shortest lawful ceremony there is. The celebrant says the legal statement, you each say one required line, everyone signs, and it is done in ten to fifteen minutes. There is no processional, no readings and no custom script. Couples use it before a party, before travelling, or simply because the paperwork is the part they wanted.
Is a legals-only ceremony cheaper than the registry office?: On a Saturday, yes. The NSW registry charges $482 on a weekday and $597 on a Saturday, in Sydney only, which is a six-hour drive from the Tweed. Queensland charges $410.60 weekday and $534 Saturday in Brisbane. A legals-only ceremony here is $495 weekday and $595 Friday to Sunday, at a place you choose.
How many guests can come to a legals-only ceremony?: Up to ten, plus your two witnesses. That is more than either registry allows: Queensland's weekday legals-only service is limited to four people with no guests at all, and it runs on weekdays only, with Saturdays booked out for the year.
Do we still need a Notice of Intended Marriage?: Yes. The one-month notice period applies to every marriage in Australia regardless of how short the ceremony is. The form is lodged with your celebrant, not with the registry, and it must be signed and received at least one calendar month and no more than eighteen months before the day.
Can we upgrade later?: Yes. Plenty of couples do the legals quietly and hold a ceremony for family months or years later. That second event is a commitment ceremony or a vow renewal rather than a marriage, because you are already married, and it is priced at $650 rather than as a wedding.

Not yet taking enquiries here

This site is being built. The phone number, the Google listing and the entry on the Attorney-General's register of marriage celebrants will be published together, as one identical set — which is what a search engine needs in order to be sure they all describe the same business.

Prices, inclusions and paperwork on this site are complete and current. Only the contact details are outstanding.