Civil Partnerships

Same sex couples in Queensland now have the right to have their relationship legally recognised. The Civil Partnerships Bill was passed in State Parliament with 47 MPs voting yes and 40 no.

At this point in time - mid February 2012 - no civil celebrants have been authorised to perform civil union ceremonies - hopefully this will happen very soon.

The bill, introduced by (the then) deputy premier Andrew Fraser, allows same-sex or heterosexual couples to register their union with the Queensland Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages located in the city of Brisbane. Couples will also be able to declare their intentions in a civil ceremony.

The legislation now aligns Queensland with reforms already made in Tasmania, Victoria, the ACT and NSW.aming Ceremonies 

If, like many parents you want to introduce your child to family and friends, but without the religious commitment, a Name Giving Ceremony is the perfect option.

We will help with the wording and order of the service including readings and vows and any explanation of the choice of names. A naming certificate is presented to the newly named person. Ceremonies can also include activities such as planting of trees, sealing a time capsule, contributing to a memento box, or releasing balloons. The naming may be accompanied by different rituals, such as the lighting of candles, anointing with oils, or sprinkling with water or rose petals.

Commitment Ceremonies and Renewal of Vows

A heart-centred Commitment Ceremony or vow renewal will celebrate your love and commitment.  Janice will blend the right amount of lightness and spirituality, inspiring family and friends as they feel the magic, the sacredness of the moment, the romance, the laughter and the tears of joy. 

Janice will work with you to design a service including vows or readings, music or prose and any other element to personalise your ceremony and reflect your love.

Funerals

At this sad time, a carefully composed personal ceremony will pay proper and adequate tribute to the loved one who has passed.  Nothing can take away the grief of death, but a genuine, well prepared funeral service eases the ache. The recollection of your personal funeral ceremony is a constant consolation.

Book Review

 "Learning to Laugh When You Feel Like Crying; Embracing Life After Loss" by Allen Klein

 I am in touch with grieving families on a daily basis and I feel Allen’s book is a ‘must read’ for those who are experiencing the trauma of loss.

From a wealth of personal experiences, emanating from the loss of his own wife, to a guide to finding joy and happiness in everyday life, Allen’s wisdom shines through. As I read Allen’s words I realised I began reading expecting something very different – perhaps I expected a lot of funny stories instead I found an understanding of the depth of sadness at the loss of someone dearly loved ….  a compassionate understanding of the feelings and emotions encountered …. and a guide to treating oneself gently, leading towards a re-awakening of the joys in life.

Well done Allen.

Please come to Australia … I would love to hear you speak! And I know a lot of my colleagues would too!Funeral Support

I can also assist with the provision of printed materials for funeral services including Orders of Service, Memorial Cards, Keepsake Bookmarks and the creation of beautiful memorial DVD presentations. 

For more information see www.networkmedia.com.au 

Other Ceremonies

Gathering together in ritual with friends and family who offer love and blessings is an act that harnesses huge amounts of energy and lives forever in the hearts of those who care. You may choose to celebrate any of life’s milestones with a tailored ceremony. A Beautiful Service can help with your New Home Dedication, Launching of a new business, Birthdays or Memorial Services and many other ceremonies of your choosing.

Call Janice on 07 3890 0462 or 0438 417 066 for more information or to arrange an obligation-free appointment to discuss your needs.

Name Changes and Certificates

Short answer to the question "does a bride have to change her name" – is "NO" IT IS A CHOICE FOR A BRIDE TO CHANGE HER NAME AND THERE IS NO LEGAL REQUIREMENT TO DO SO. However, most brides do, and the explanation below is to assist you in that process.

A Marriage comes under a Federal (Commonwealth ) Act of Parliament . The wedding legalities and documents are the same no matter which state or Territory of Australia you live, or are married in.

Some couples never request a Registered Marriage Certificate although I do recommend that you do so. If the bride wants to change her name on her Drivers Licence or Passport (and usually Bank Accounts) she needs a Registered Marriage Certificate to do this .

However, the State Parliaments have control of keeping the Registries of Births, Deaths and Marriages and can have some slight differences the way the Registered Marriage Certificate is supplied if one is requested.

Let me outline this aspect of your Queensland wedding.

At the end of your ceremony, after your celebrant has declared you to be husband & wife, the certificates are signed.

I ask my couples to sign my register first (this is a legal requirement on the part of the celebrant to keep a Register of all marriages she has performed). I then ask that the newly married husband & wife – in turn – sign the Certificate of Marriage and then the Presentation Certificate. The signatures are all witnessed by the same two people (over the age of 18 years) chosen to be the official witnesses who, of course, add their signatures.

The Presentation Certificate – which is a legal document and carries an individual registered number on the back, and is often written in a calligraphied font, is usually handed to the bride & groom as the celebrant introduces them as ‘husband & wife.’

After the wedding the celebrant completes her paperwork and the Certificate of Marriage is then sent by the celebrant along with the Notice of Intended Marriage (the very first form you completed) to the Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages in Brisbane, where the marriage is registered.

Your celebrant will most probably have discussed with you if you require a registered copy of your Certificate of Marriage and may even have provided the form for you to complete. This is the easiest way for you to obtain your registered copy as the celebrant sends your request form to BDM with the other paperwork and you then receive a registered copy in the mail approximately 20 working days later. (This time can vary greatly depending on the time of year and the number of weddings being performed).

If you decide not to complete the Request Form to receive a registered copy of your Certificate of Marriage then you can make your request at a later date. You will however need to provide 100 points of identification to prove you are a person who is entitled to obtain the certificate. So, although a bride can call herself ‘Mrs’ immediately after her wedding for a bride to change her name with Government departments and institutions like banks or building societies and credit unions, you will need to provide the registered copy of your Certificate of Marriage.

So, to summarise, if the Bride or Groom do not want a Registered Certificate of Marriage then they do not have to do anything. But if you do require a registered Certificate of Marriage, as there are significant differences in this procedure from State to State in Australia, check with your celebrant, minister or Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages in the state in which you will be married.