There are so many Celebrants to choose from, how do we start?
Is a CCGA Celebrant likely to be the best one for me?
How do I know if a Celebrant is any good?
What do Celebrants charge?
Will there be any ‘extra charges’?
What does it matter to me if my Celebrant is a member of an Association?
I am a Monash Graduate. I'd like to join the CCGA
Problems with website - Ask for website support
I want to contact the Association
Marriage Questions
What are the legal requirements for getting married?
Should we have a rehearsal?
Can we choose our own vows and other ceremony content?
Where are we able to hold our wedding ceremony?
We just want a simple ceremony. Is that OK?
Must we do a ‘pre-marriage education’ course before getting married?
Can we get married in a church and have a civil ceremony later?
Funeral Questions
Can we choose the Funeral Celebrant we want?
Are CCGA members qualified Funeral Celebrants?
Would a Monash Celebrant let us choose some of our own content for the ceremony?
Is it inappropriate to ask a Celebrant to start preparing a funeral ceremony before a person has died?
Naming Questions
What is the difference between a baptism and a naming ceremony?
What role might the family play in a Naming Ceremony?
Do we have to appoint godparents?
Do you present certificates?
Is there an age limit for being named?
Can a person change their name legally by having a naming ceremony in which they adopt a new name?
Other Ceremony Questions
Are CCGA members able to conduct these ceremonies?
What’s the difference between a marriage ceremony and a commitment ceremony?
Will my friends find it unusual or surprising if I choose to mark my important occasion with a ceremony?
There are so many Celebrants to choose from, how do we start?
You’ve already started well by visiting this website! All full-members of CCGA have completed the comprehensive Graduate Diploma of Arts [Civil Celebrations] course at Monash University and are committed to giving clients a high standard of service over a range of ceremonial needs.
We suggest you contact several of our members to ask about their services and their fee. Arrange to meet about 3 of them before deciding on the one you feel you'll be most comfortable working with, and who you think will give you the best service-value for your money.
Is a CCGA Celebrant likely to be the best one for me?
This is a Dorothy-Dix question if ever there was. You know what our answer will be, but for the record – Yes, it's very likely that a CCGA celebrant is the best choice for you!
If you want a day where nothing is left to chance, where your celebrant has ensured that you know exactly what to expect and has worked with you to prepare a ceremony you're going to be happy with, then choose a Monash celebrant!
How do I know if a Celebrant is any good?
That’s a difficult one, but ‘gut feeling’ is a good guide. Ask yourself: do they present well and have a good speaking voice, are they able to give good advice and prepare a ceremony that reflects what I/we want? In short, does he/she inspire confidence that you won’t be disappointed?
You could also ask about their experience and their qualifications. But please note: in recent years celebrant training courses have varied greatly in length and content, so having completed a training course and calling oneself 'qualified' are not in themselves measures of good quality. With the Monash course however, it is a very reliable indicator of quality. Pre-appointment courses only became compulsory for Marriage Celebrants in 2003, so there are many experienced celebrants who would not have a formal qualification.
What do Celebrants charge?
You’ll need to ask each one, there is no set fee. It is unwise to simply shop-around for the cheapest price – remember that you are not buying an appliance you can return later if you’re dissatisfied. The Celebrant is the most conspicuous service-provider for your very special life-event, and you’ll want that event to be presented in a way that is memorable only for all the 'right reasons'.
Will there be any ‘extra charges’?
Again, you’ll need to ask. For example, some Celebrants may charge travel expenses over a certain distance, or for assisting with Intended Spouse Visa applications. The CCGA policy is that members are expected to advise clients of all foreseeable ‘above-fee extras’ before accepting a booking. Most Celebrants will ask for an advance payment of part of their fee at time of booking.
What does it mean to me if my Celebrant is a member of an Association?
It means that although you book just one Celebrant, he/she can call on a team of well-trained and dedicated colleagues to help provide you with the best possible service. Whether that means helping to find a specific poem you request, advice on an ethnic custom or even finding a last-minute replacement in case of illness, our membership of a vibrant professional association ultimately benefits all of our clients.
What are the legal requirements for getting married?
Our members are the experts on this, but basically you must be over 18. If one of you is under 18 but over 16 you should speak to a celebrant regarding the requirements. Other important things you need to know are: • A ‘Notice of Intended Marriage’ must be completed by both parties and lodged with a Celebrant at least a month before your proposed wedding date. If less than this, you’d need to seek ‘Shortening of Time’ permission from the relevant Government body. Our members will assist with this. • Your Celebrant will need to see your birth certificate (if born in Australia) before the wedding. If you were born overseas and don’t have a birth certificate a current overseas passport will suffice. Your Celebrant can advise on what to do in those cases where neither of these documents is obtainable. • Documentation proving the dissolution of any previous marriage must also be shown to the Celebrant. • Your witnesses must be over 18.
Should we have a rehearsal for our wedding ceremony?
We recommend holding a rehearsal close to the day. This enables potential problems to be identified and participants to know their role, helping to ensure your ceremony will run smoothly. While it is often advisable, it is not always necessary for the rehearsal to be held at your venue.
Can we choose our own vows and other ceremony content?
Yes. A Monash Celebrant will help you to find and/or write the vows and will compose a ceremony which reflects your wishes and input. Please note that Federal law imposes some minor inclusions in the ceremony wording, on which a Celebrant has no choice.
Where are we able to hold our wedding ceremony?
Almost anywhere! If that is in an outdoor public space it is wise to check with the local Council to see if you need to book it. For outdoor weddings our members generally advise to also have a Plan B 'just in case' location in the event of wet weather or extreme heat.
We just want a simple ceremony. Is that OK?
Yes of course, although ‘simple’ can cover a range of things. A 3-minute ceremony would be simple, but it may lack the dignity and style you’ll probably want for such a significant life-event. The art of the Celebrant is to compose a ceremony which balances simplicity with the right sense of occasion. Most ceremonies last about 20-25 minutes.
Must we do a ‘pre-marriage education’ course before getting married?
No, this is not a legal requirement - but celebrants are legally required to inform you about Relationship Education courses. These courses aim to help couples identify and develop the strengths of their relationship, and to recognise strategies that will help them avoid potential problems. They are well worth your consideration and can be done even after you are married. To put one old furphy to rest - the courses do not aim to tell you whether you are 'right for each other'.
Can we get married in a church and have a civil ceremony later?
Yes, but not if the second ceremony is represented as ‘your wedding’. It is illegal to do this. The alternatives are that you can have a civil ceremony with some religious observance, or that the second ceremony be presented as a celebratory event with family and friends in which you re-affirm the vows previously taken.
Can we choose the Funeral Celebrant we want?
Yes, you can. Funeral Directors do usually have ‘a stable’ of Celebrants they recommend, including many of our members, but if you’d prefer to choose your own Celebrant - you can. Their fee is a matter between you and them.
Are CCGA members qualified Funeral Celebrants?
There is no formal qualification required to be a Funeral Celebrant. All CCGA members have been trained for, and are able to both arrange and conduct funeral ceremonies.
Would a Monash Celebrant let us choose some of our own content for the ceremony?
Yes, of course. He/she would consult closely with the immediate family and work with the aim of creating a ceremony which appropriately reflects and celebrates the life of the person who has died. This ceremony may include participation by family and friends.
Is it inappropriate to ask a Celebrant to start preparing a funeral ceremony before a person has died?
No, and it is increasingly being done. Handled sensitively, being able to help plan their own funeral and contribute to their own eulogy can give elderly or ailing people considerable personal satisfaction.
What is the difference between a baptism and a naming ceremony?
A baptism is a religious sacrament which welcomes the child into the church culture and community. Naming ceremonies welcome children into their family culture and community. It is possible for a child to have both.
What role might the family play in a Naming Ceremony?
The celebrant will encourage participation of all who are part of the child’s circle – parents, grandparents, mentors, and friends. Participation takes many forms. Most families take the opportunity to celebrate family values and talents and express their wishes for the child.
Do we have to appoint godparents?
No. Some people prefer to appoint ‘guardians’, ‘mentors’ or use some other term of choice or simply call on those present to take an active role in being good role models for the child.
Note: the appointment of a guardian in a ceremony creates no legal obligation for that person in the event of the death of the parents.
Do you present certificates?
Yes, if desired. Some celebrants may charge extra for these. Naming certificates and ‘godparent’ or other certificates are available.
Is there an age limit for being named?
No. In fact some parents prefer to wait until their children are old enough to choose between a baptism or a Naming and to appoint their own role models.
Can a person change their name legally by having a naming ceremony in which they adopt a new name?
No. The only ways a person can legally change the name on their birth certificate are to apply to the office of Births, Deaths and Marriages for a Change of Name Certificate or by getting married and taking the new spouse’s family name. However, a ceremony can still celebrate such a change of name and make it public.
What does ‘other ceremonies’ include?
Almost anything that is important enough for people to want to celebrate with a special rite or by staging a ‘special function’. These might include ceremonies of: • Commitment, • Registration of a Civil Union, • Renewal of Vows, • Anniversary, • Birthday, • Interment of Ashes, • Remembrance, • Retirement, • Boat launching
Are CCGA members able to conduct these ceremonies?
Our training has equipped us to conduct a wide range of other ceremonies. If the celebrant of your choice is unable to conduct one of these ceremonies our collegiate nature means that he/she should be able to find and refer you to a celebrant who will.
What’s the difference between a marriage ceremony and a commitment ceremony?
The first creates a legally recognised relationship, the second doesn’t. For a variety of reasons a couple may choose not to marry, for them a commitment ceremony can be the way to celebrate their relationship with family and friends. This ceremony cannot be represented as a wedding ceremony.
Will my friends find it unusual or surprising if I choose to mark my important occasion with a ceremony?
Some might at first, but people are increasingly recognising the value of using ceremony to acknowledge important rites of passage and other significant moments. Our members have said that people for whom this is a new experience have told them "I wish we had realised earlier that this was possible", and "Thank you, you gave a wonderful focus to Grandma's 80th birthday celebration".
