How To Get Married Without A Wedding
Getting married without a wedding is often called a legals-only wedding ceremony in Australia. A legals only wedding is conducted by an authorised marriage celebrant who will organise and submit all the required paperwork to get you legally married - without the bells and whistles of a large wedding.
A legals-only wedding is a quick and easy process which requires around 120 words to be spoken, the presence of two witnesses and lodgement of paperwork to the Births, Deaths & Marriages office in your state.
The easiest way to get married without a wedding is to find a legals only marriage celebrant in the place you'd like to say "I do". Below, you'll find a list of recommended officiants all around Australia who specialise in non-wedding marriages as part of their services. (Not all celebrants offer this.)
A legals only marriage is a great option for couples not wanting a big wedding, or just needing the legal paperwork without the seated rows of excited onlookers. It's also the ideal option for couples who want their wedding ceremony to be performed by a loved one - who isn't a qualified celebrant. With the ceremony aspect taken care of, the registered celebrant then simply organises your paperwork and makes the marriage official on your big day.
Here are 27 highly recommended marriage celebrants in Australia who will get you legally married without a wedding ceremony.
Legals Only Weddings
NSW Celebrants
VIC Celebrants
QLD Celebrants
WA Celebrants
SA Celebrants
TAS Celebrants
ACT Celebrants
Get Married Without A Wedding In NSW
Michael Janz
- Location: Sydney
- Service Area: Greater Sydney
- Paperwork Only Wedding: $595
Michael Janz is a warm and personable celebrant who will marry you without a wedding in his home office in Randwick. Legals only weddings are available Monday to Thursday at $595 (weekends $695) and you receive the standard marriage certificate from Births, Deaths & Marriages.
Eliza McAllister
- Location: Sydney
- Service Areas: Sydney, Northern Beaches
- Legals Only Wedding: $400
Eliza McAllister is a down to earth, caring, bubbly and happy civil celebrant with a beaming smile. She resides on Sydney's Northern Beaches and offers quick & easy legal wedding ceremonies anywhere from Sydney Harbour to Palm Beach. Eliza's simple ceremonies get you married without fuss from $400.
Marriage Ceremonies by Kellie Warren
- Location: Londonerry - Sydney, NSW
- Service Areas: Penrith, Blue Mountains
- Legals Only Weddings: $500
Kellie Warren is a young and friendly civil celebrant who specialises in simple wedding ceremonies in Western Sydney and surrounding regions. Known for her easy can-do attitude, Kellie makes registry-style marriages super simple with affordable ceremonies from $500.
Mick Goldie Celebrant
- Location: Coogee, NSW 2034
- Service Areas: Sydney, Central Coast
- Paperwork Only Wedding: $500
Mick Goldie is one of Sydney's newest wedding celebrants and brings a relaxed, no-fuss presence to legals-only weddings. He'll get you married in a quick & simple wedding ceremony that's effortless but not lacking on warmth or meaning. Mick comes with 5 star reviews that applaud his communications in the lead up to the big day.
Zoe Sabados Weddings
- Location: Sydney Harbour
- Service Area: NSW
- Paperwork Only Wedding: $595+
Zoe Sabados is a vibrant and fun celebrant who brings joy to weddings big and small with her infectious laugh and energy. She offers fuss free, registry office style legalities that get you married without a wedding but with plenty of fun memories. The $595 package includes all legal paperwork, marriage registration, unlimited contact and travel within Sydney. Zoe comes with the guarantee of more than 200 five star reviews.
Mollymook Celebrant Gary Mooney
- Location: Mollymook, NSW
- Service Area: South Coast NSW
- Cost: $700+
- 5 Star Reviews: 140+
Gary comes with more than 150 five star reviews including from several of Australia's most well known celebrities whose weddings he officiated. This highly experienced celebrant offers simple ceremonies in the Mollymook, Jervis Bay and Batemans Bay areas of the NSW South Coast with packages from $700.
Simple Ceremonies Sydney
- Location: Milsons Point, NSW 2061
- Years in Business: 8+
- Cost: $350+
- 5 Star Reviews: 700+
Simple Ceremonies Sydney specialise in registry office style weddings and have an office in Milsons Point where you can sign all the legal paperwork to become officially hitched without a wedding. For a more aesthetic option Michael offers simple ceremonies at McMahons Point where you can sign the married documents against the beautiful backdrop of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Leanne Rose Weddings
Location: Hunter Valley
Service Area: Hunter Valley
Legals Only Package: $350
Leanne Rose will get you legally married for $350 at her lakeside home office at Dora Creek or within 5km. A maximum of 4 guests are able to come with you if you wish.
Love Kiss Confetti
- Location: Forster
- Service Area: Mid North Coast
- Legals Only Package: $450+
Emily of Love Kiss Confetti offers a full celebrant service that includes an 'Essentials Only' package available from $450 for marriages in Forster. The package includes the 124 legally-required words and paperwork to officially register your marriage with Births, Deaths and Marriages. Expect a fun-loving personality who brings a sense of humour to the occasion.
Sam Johns
- Location: Brunswick Heads
- Service Area: Northern NSW
- Legals Only Weddings: $450
Sam Johns is a good talker who brings the perfect balance of sentiment and humour to weddings - creating a very comfortable environment for couples who prefer a quick, fuss free occasion. He'll get you married without the personalised ceremony script, lodge your paperwork & register your marriage anywhere from Tweed Heads to Lismore to Ballina.
The Lady Who Weds
- Location: Northern Rivers
- Service Areas: Tweed Coast, Byron Bay
- Legals Only Wedding: $450
Rachel is a kind and easy going celebrant who supports couples to get married in a quick & easy registry style meeting from $450. She makes the process easy and carefree, taking care of all legal paperwork.
Andrew Michael Weddings
- Location: Byron Bay
- Service Area: Byron Bay
- Legals Only Weddings: $550
Singer songwriter Andrew Michael is an outgoing marriage celebrant who offers a legals only service from $550. He's also a surfer and will happily marry you sitting on a surfboard in the ocean with two witnesses by your side.
Get Married Without A Wedding In VIC
Kerrie Thomson
- Location: Melbourne
- Service Area: 20km from Coburg
- Legals Only Wedding: $450
Kerrie Thomson offers a basic wedding package for $450 that gets you married without the full bells and whistles of a larger wedding. You'll need to attend a meeting at least one before for your wedding date to sign the Notice of Intended Marriage. On the day itself you can bring up to 6 guests to your chosen location which can be your home. You'll say the required words, sign documents and then you're legally married.
Weddings by Danielle Emily
- Location: Mornington Peninsula, VIC
- Service Area: Cost:
- Legals Only Wedding: $450
Danielle is an organised & efficient marriage celebrant perfect for couples who want to get married without all the trappings of a large wedding. You simply show up and say the legals words with a couple of witnesses in tow, add your signatures and you've got yourselves an easy paperwork-only fully legal wedding.
Danielle's legals only package is priced from $450 with additional travel fees outside of the Mornington Peninsula. Up to 10 guests are welcome and this package is exclusively available Sunday - Thursday or Friday & Saturday mornings before 10.30am.
Get Married Without A Wedding In QLD
Married By Elva
- Location: Brisbane
- Service Area: Brisbane
- Legals Only Wedding: $450
- 5 Star Reviews: 50+
Elva Nicolson is a friendly marriage celebrant who specialises in affordable, quick & easy weddings. She'll get you legally married in 10 minutes at a suggested location or one of your choosing. Elva marries many couples of diverse backgrounds and cultures, and is able to provide letters to support visa applications.
The Sunny Celebrant - Natalie Skye
- Location: Noosa Heads, QLD 4567
- Service Area: Sunshine Coast
- Legals Only Wedding: $500+
With more than 250 five star reviews, Natalie Skye is one of Queensland's most popular marriage celebrants. She has a happy go luck disposition and is known for her easy going and jovial presence. Natalie offers registry office style weddings from $500 in Noosa, Maroochydore, Montville, Maleny and Caloundra.
Tarnya Bennett
- Location: Gold Coast
- Service Area: Gold Coast, Brisbane
- Paperwork Only Wedding: $450
Tarnya Bennett of I Do For You Marriage Celebrancy offers a Monday to Thursday no frills, legals-only wedding package. This package is utilise a lot by couples who are having a destination wedding overseas to make the wedding legal in Australia.
Roxy Hotten Weddings
- Location: Brisbane
- Service Area: Brisbane
- Legals Only Wedding: $655
Roxy Hotten offers 5 minute "ceremonies" that get you married without a wedding anywhere within 20km of the Brisbane CBD. Available Monday to Thursday only. A personalised service is available for couples who are looking for a memorable moment, but just without all the guests.
Venita Manning Weddings
- Location: Brisbane
- Service Area: Brisbane
- Legals Only Wedding: $450
Venita Manning is a reassuring and organised marriage celebrant with excellent communication. She offers registry office style weddings at her home office in McDowall or at public locations; Soul Pantry, Kedron Brook Parks and Tetto Rooftop Bar.
Mark Reynolds
- Location: Logan
- Service Area: South East Queensland
- Legals Only Weddings: $450
Mark is a quirky Queensland celebrant who offers intimate elopements and paperwork only marriages from $400. He'll meet with you prior to the wedding day to sign the NOIM & submit paperwork, perform the legally required wording on the day and then submit the paperwork to Birth's, Deaths & Marriages getting you legally hitched.
Get Married Without A Wedding In WA
Celebrations By Candice
- Location: Perth
- Service Area: Perth
- Legals Only Wedding: $450
Candice is a friendly and supportive marriage celebrant who offers a bare minimum ceremony suitable for those wanting to get married without a wedding, or for couples who have a loved one performing the unofficial parts of the ceremony and need a celebrant to handle the legal bits.
For the slightly higher fee of $600 Candice will add a few lovely words and you can include an exchange of rings and do your own personal vows.
Anne Miller Weddings
- Location: Perth
- Service Area: Perth
- Legals Only Weddings: $450
Anne Miller offers legals only weddings in her home office at Mount Lawley. Alternatively you can have Anne come to your home or a location of your choosing within 50 km of the Perth CBD for $550. The package gets you legally married with the minimum wording. Anne will also provide witnesses if required.
Get Married Without A Wedding In SA
Vintage Love Ceremonies
- Location: Tea Tree Gully
- Service Area: Adelaide
- Legals Only Weddings: $350
Hayley Rusinski of Vintage Love Ceremonies is a young and vibrant marriage celebrant who offers quick and hassle-free weddings that include the minimum required legalities. She also offers a 'co-pilot' package from $500 where a loved one performs your ceremony and Hayley completes the legal bits.
Mr Samuel James
- Location: Adelaide
- Service Area: South Australia
- Legals Only Package: $350
Sam is a down to earth, supportive marriage celebrant who offers a few different legal-only ceremonies. Available Monday to Sunday, you can get married with the $350 legals only package at Sam's home or a cafe or bar within 15km of the Adelaide CBD.
There's also the 'Wingman' ceremony from $640 where Sam supports your faux officiant the legal components of the marriage.
Christine Trenwith Weddings
- Location: Adelaide
- Service Area: Adelaide
- Legals Only Package: $550
Chris is a modern and well spoken celebrant who offers mid week elopements and simple ceremonies from $550. You have the option to get married on Chris's front lawn on the beautiful Patawalonga River (or anywhere local) from 10am-4pm Monday to Thursday including all the required legals plus an exchange of vows and rings.
Get Married Without A Wedding In TAS
Emma Rose Weddings
- Location: Hobart
- Service Area: Hobart + 20km
- Legals Only Weddings: $495
Emma Rose is a down to earth and open minded marriage celebrant who believes that as long as the legals are covered, you can get married any way you like. She'll cover the legally binding bit. You decide the what, where, how. Be it at a favourite bar, a park picnic or at your place over a cuppa.
Get Married Without A Wedding In The ACT
Billie The Celebrant
- Location: Canberra
- Service Area: ACT
- Legals Only Weddings: $400
Billie Spencer is a fun loving and inclusive marriage celebrant who offers legals only marriages for couples who prefer a more low key approach to their wedding day. She takes care of the formalities with a quick face-to-face meeting, ceremony that consists of legal wording only and lodgement of all legal paperwork.
Want to get married without having a wedding? All of the marriage celebrants listed above offer legals only weddings that get you officially married without having to have a full scale wedding. Contact the above wedding celebrants if you require to be legally married and:
- want it to be quick & easy
- don't want guests
- are having a non-legally binding wedding elsewhere (such as overseas)
- are having a cultural or religious wedding performed by a non-authorised minister
- a friend is acting as your celebrant
Legal only weddings in Australia range in cost from $350 - $850 depending on inclusions and required travel. For a simple paperwork only meeting covering all the legals the average cost is $400 - $550. This is the only cost required to get officially married in Australia. May we suggest, you might also like to document the moment with a simple wedding photography package.
Cover image: Little Black Bow Photography