How To Get Married In Adelaide

5,000+ weddings conducted across Adelaide since 2005

A calm, confident ceremony that feels relaxed, natural — and truly you. Guiding couples through their wedding day since 2005.

A Simple Step-by-Step Guide for Couples

Everything you need to know about the legal process, the Notice of Intended Marriage, and how to organise your ceremony.

If you're planning to get married in Adelaide, the process is actually very straightforward once you know the steps.

This guide explains everything you need to know — including the Notice of Intended Marriage, the role of a celebrant, and how to organise your ceremony so everything runs smoothly on the day.

Many couples find that once the legal side is understood, planning the ceremony becomes one of the most enjoyable parts of preparing for the wedding.

Step 1 — Choose Your Celebrant

In Australia, most couples are married by an authorised marriage celebrant.

Your celebrant is responsible for:

preparing the legal paperwork
lodging and managing the Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM)
conducting the wedding ceremony
ensuring the marriage is legally registered

Some couples prefer a very simple legal ceremony, while others prefer a more personal ceremony that reflects their personalities and story.

Both options are perfectly valid — the important thing is choosing a celebrant whose style suits you.

If you are planning a relaxed and personal ceremony in Adelaide, you can learn more about Christopher Steele Wedding Celebrant here.

If you are looking for a basic, affordable legal ceremony, you may prefer Simple Weddings, which offers streamlined ceremonies at set locations and times.

Step 2 — Lodge the Notice of Intended Marriage

Before you can legally marry in Australia, you must lodge a document called the Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM).
(Your celebrant will provide this form for you.)

This NOIM form tells the government that you intend to marry.

There are two key requirements:

The NOIM must be "lodged"* at least one month before the wedding date.
It must be signed in front of an authorised witness (such as a Justice of the Peace or police officer).

After it is signed and returned, the legal side of the marriage is essentially taken care of.

*Lodged: This means, "signed and provided to the celebrant conducting your wedding."

Step 3 — Plan Your Ceremony

Once the legal paperwork is organised, you can start planning the ceremony itself.
This is where couples decide things like:

The location
Music choices
Whether to write personal vows
The style and tone of the ceremony

Some couples prefer a very short and simple ceremony.
Others enjoy creating something more personal, involving family and guests.

A good celebrant will guide you through the options and help make the ceremony feel relaxed and natural rather than formal or complicated.

Step 4 — The Wedding Day

On the day of the wedding, your celebrant conducts the ceremony and ensures the legal elements are included.

Australian law requires a few specific phrases to be spoken during the ceremony, but these are brief and easily incorporated into the flow of the event.

At the end of the ceremony, the marriage documents are signed and you are provided with the standard, legal wedding certificate. From that point onward, you are legally married.

The celebrant then sends the signed paperwork to the governments’ Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages
Your marriage is then officially registered by that office.

Simple Legal Ceremony vs Personal Wedding Ceremony

Couples planning a wedding in Adelaide usually choose between two main styles of ceremony.

Both are perfectly valid — the right choice simply depends on what you want the experience to feel like.

A Simple Legal Ceremony

Some couples prefer a very straightforward ceremony focused purely on the legal requirements.

These ceremonies are usually short, simple and affordable. The celebrant ensures the required legal wording is included and the paperwork is completed correctly.

This option is ideal for couples who:

simply want to be legally married
prefer a quick and uncomplicated ceremony
are planning a larger celebration later
want to keep the cost of the ceremony very low

Services such as Simple Weddings specialise in this type of streamlined ceremony.

A Personal Wedding Ceremony

Other couples prefer a ceremony that feels more personal and memorable.
A personal ceremony allows you to:

involve family and friends
include personal vows
choose meaningful music
create a relaxed atmosphere that reflects your personalities

Many couples find that this moment — standing together in front of family and friends — becomes one of the most meaningful parts of the entire wedding day.

Celebrants such as Christopher Steele Wedding Celebrant specialise in relaxed, engaging ceremonies designed to feel natural rather than overly formal.

Choosing the Right Approach

There is no right or wrong choice.
Some couples simply want to complete the legal requirements quickly and easily.
Others prefer a ceremony that becomes a special moment shared with family and friends.

The important thing is simply choosing the option that feels right for you.

Checking Your Wedding Date

If you would like to check whether your preferred wedding date is available, or simply talk through your plans, you are very welcome to get in touch.

Christopher Steele conducts relaxed, engaging ceremonies across Adelaide and surrounding areas, and is always happy to answer questions about the process.

You can enquire using this form, and Chris will usually respond personally to check the date and hear a little about what you are planning.

Check if your wedding date is available

Planning your wedding? I'd love to help.

Simply enter a few details below and I'll personally check availability and get back to you quickly.

Most couples hear back from me within a few minutes — often by phone.

Prefer a quick chat? Call me directly on (08) 8224 1320