The quickest & easiest way to get married in Australia is to hire an authorised marriage celebrant to conduct a simple wedding ceremony with all legal paperwork. In this guide we explain how to have your wedding quickly and provide a list of places that offer last minute marriages for couples in a rush to tie the knot.
Most couples who want to get married ASAP in Australia opt for a legals only ceremony or paperwork only wedding. These weddings include the minimum required wording to legalise your marriage in under 10 minutes. It is the cheapest way to get married in Australia as there is no personalisation of the wedding ceremony that needs to be prepared for you.
If you want to get married quickly but still want a meaningful wedding in a beautiful location, you can opt instead to book a simple wedding package through a local venue, or hire a celebrant who specialises in personalised ceremonies. Included in the list below are small and customised wedding ceremony experts who craft express weddings that are both expedient and highly momentous.
The quickest you can get married in Australia is one month from the time of submitting a Notice Of Intended Marriage form, or earlier in extenuating circumstances such as for medical reasons or legal proceedings. Your celebrant will help you fill in and submit your NOIM form. Here's the process to get married as quickly as possible in Australia.
How To Get Married Quickly In Australia
Choose A Location
A legally recognised marriage can take place anywhere in Australia. Most couples in a rush to get married choose one of these 5 popular places to officiate their nuptials:
- Your home
- Celebrant's office
- Local park, beach or garden
- Elopement venue
- Local registry office
The fastest way to get married in Australia is with a celebrant at their office, your home or other agreed location. Celebrants are easy to work with because as sole operators they have the flexibility to schedule your wedding on your preferred date & time, plus they lodge all documentation for you. Registry Office weddings have less availability and limited on-call support.
Required Documents
Once you've engaged a marriage celebrant they'll tell you exactly what documents you require to be legally married in Australia. To avoid delays, we suggest preparing as much documentation as possible before engaging a marriage celebrant. Documentation requirements are simplest for couples who are both 18+ years of age and have never previously married. You will both need to provide:
- Evidence of date & place of birth (birth certificate or passport)
- Evidence of identify (drivers license or passport)
If your situation is more complex, for example if you need to be married in less than 30 days or if either of you have previously been married, you'll be required to provide additional documentation. Other documentation requirements can include:
- divorce certificate
- death certificate
- medical certificates
- travel documents
- evidence of legal proceedings
Book An Authorised Marriage Celebrant
Here's a list of authorised marriage celebrants & recommended businesses who specialise in last-minute weddings. They'll guide you through the legal process of getting married quickly in Australia, including:
- Lodgement of your Notice of Intent To Marry form (NOIM)
- The officiating of your wedding ceremony
- Registration of your marriage
- Provision of your official marriage certificate
Find A Celebrant In:
Places To Get Married Fast in NSW
Fun Ceremony on Sydney Harbour
- Location: Sydney, NSW
- Cost: $795
- Ceremony: Personalised
If you're in a hurry to get legally married but still want a memorable ceremony full of laughs, warm feels and special moments then Zoe Sabados is the perfect civil celebrant for you. Her upbeat energy and infectious sense of fun bring a mighty sense of occasion to quick & simple ceremonies.
Zoe is a full time professional celebrant meaning she's on call to marry legends every day of the week. At a cost of $795 you're legally married in a 10 - 15 minute fully personalised wedding ceremony on Sydney Harbour (or a location of your choosing). All legal paperwork is done for you and you can meet in person or online beforehand.
Michael Janz
- Location: Randwick, NSW
- Cost: $500
- Ceremony: Simple Friendly, warm, personable
Michael is one of Sydney's most popular marriage celebrants, particularly with couples from diverse backgrounds. He's very personable and takes a warm interest in people from other cultures, always keen to offer assistance to couples getting married in Sydney from overseas.
Michael has a home office in Randwick where you can sign the official documentation to become legally married as quickly as one month from today. Alternatively he'll marry you anywhere on Sydney Harbour, the CBD or Eastern Suburbs of Sydney.
Mick Goldie
- Location: Sydney, NSW
- Cost: $500
- Ceremony: Simple
Mick Goldie is your go-to Sydney celebrant for last minute wedding ceremonies after hours. He'll get you legally hitched in a simple ceremony anywhere around Sydney between 6pm - 9pm weekdays for $500. Mick's a fun celebrant with a background in tour guiding and is well liked for his laid back sense of humour.
Lords Estate
- Location: Seven Hills, NSW
- Cost: $2,000
- Ceremony: Personalised
Just 15 minutes from the Sydney CBD is Lords Estate, an historic private residence with beautiful gardens and a 140 year old restored chapel. While the chapel is often booked for larger weddings, the drawing room within the refectory is perfect for couples getting married in a rush as its an intimate space for up to 10 guests and usually available at the last minute, particularly during the week.
All inclusive wedding ceremony packages start at $2,000 with use of the Drawing Room and rose garden for 1.5 hours on weekdays. A celebrant and all legal paperwork is included, plus a photographer, cake and celebratory drink. We suggest requesting Michael Janz (featured above) as your celebrant as he is local to this venue.
Elope In Sydney
- Location: Sydney Harbour, NSW 2000
- Cost: $1,995
- Ceremony: Simple
Elope In Sydney are an all-in-one wedding ceremony company that specialise in small and low key weddings. Packages start at $1,995 and come with an arbour, signing table and guest seating, a celebrant to officiate a simple but tailored wedding ceremony, all legal paperwork and a photographer to capture the moment. Weddings are officiated in central Sydney and can be attended by up to 30 guests.
Megumi Carver Weddings
- Location: Rosebery, NSW 2018
- Cost: $400+
- Ceremony: Legals only
Megumi is a Japanese speaking marriage celebrant who offers a $400 legals only wedding ceremony that gets you officially wed with all the legal documentation included. She's based in Sydney and travels to you. There may be a travel fee for locations outside the Sydney metro region.
Simple Ceremonies
- Location: Milsons Point, NSW
- Cost: $350
- Ceremony: Quick
Michael Teulon from Simple Ceremonies has a marriage office in Milsons Point that offers quick paperwork only weddings from $350 for just the couple. You are married in a 5 minute wedding ceremony that includes the legally required words to be spoken and paperwork signed. The office has seating for up to 40 guests to attend at a cost of $535.
Elegant Hearts Ceremonies
- Location: Penrith, NSW
- Cost: $3,300
- Ceremony: Personalised
Kellie Warren at Elegant Hearts offers all inclusive wedding ceremony packages that come with all legal paperwork, her services to officiate your marriage, a styled ceremony set up with arbour and guest seating, and a photographer for 1.5 hours. The photographer can be subtracted from packages if not required. Last minute bookings are welcome.
Goosewing Cottage
- Location: Hunter Valley
- Guest Capacity: 20
- Cost: $3,595+
Goosewing Cottage is a scenic little farm stay situated in the iconic Hunter Valley wine region. The farm specialises in small weddings & elopements with 2 - 20 guests and offers all inclusive packages that make it easy to get married quickly in a beautiful place amongst stunning scenery.
All inclusive wedding ceremony packages start at $3,595 and include use of the open-air chapel, a choice of celebrants, a photographer and all legal paperwork organised for you. Goosewing Cottage is available for mid-week weddings and hence, usually has last minute availability. Optional onsite accommodation is also available.
St Joseph's Guesthouse
- Location: Hawkesbury, NSW
- Capacity: 2 - 100
- Cost: $4,800
Built from the ruins of a 160 year old church, St Joseph's Guesthouse is one of the quirkiest places to get married quickly in Australia. There's a ceremony spot under the original church bell which hangs above the front door and an intimate event space on the ground floor. The upper two storeys have 5 bedrooms which can be added to venue hire if you wish to stay a few days.
The venue offers an all inclusive elopement package suitable for small & simple weddings that is priced at $4,800 with best availability mid week. The package includes a celebrant, photographer, grazing platter, cake and flowers.
Leuralla Amphitheatre
- Location: Blue Mountains, NSW
- Capacity: 2 - 15
- Cost: $3,850+
You can get married quickly at Leuralla Amphitheatre in the Blue Mountains which is one of Australia's most scenic wedding ceremony sites. Wedding packages at the amphitheatre are offered by Kyle & Emily at Blue Mountains Weddings and start at $3,850 + gst with a celebrant, photographer and intimate cliff-top picnic. All legals are included and you even get a back view of the Three Sisters rock formation.
Wallaringa Farm
- Location: 321 Wallaringa Road, Wallaringa, NSW 2420
- Capacity: 12
- Accommodation: Sleeps 8
- Cost: $5,500+
Wallaringa Farm offers the opportunity for a mid-week 2 night getaway during which you can get married with a quickie wedding surrounded by beautiful countryside and friendly horses. The 3 bedroom farm house is situated on a 750 acre farm and offers complete privacy and immersion in nature.
The all inclusive wedding stay package comes with 2 nights accommodation, a celebrant who officiates your nuptials and organises all your legal paperwork, a photographer for 2 hours, flowers and gourmet breakfast hampers. We suggest taking cheese and champagne to enjoy on the verandah during the spectacular sunset.
Places To Get Married Fast in VIC
Megan Jordan Wedding Ceremonies
- Location: Melbourne
- Cost: $650
- Ceremony: Quick & easy
For couples wanting to get married quickly in Melbourne, Megan offers a quick & easy legals only wedding service that gets you officially wed at your local bar, on your own lounge at home or anywhere else of your choosing within the metropolitan area. It costs $650 and you get a no-fuss ceremony that involves the required 130 spoken words and a handful of signatures.
Weddings by Danielle Emily
- Location: Mornington Peninsula, VIC
- Cost: $450
- Ceremony: Legals Only
Danielle offers last minute wedding ceremonies throughout the Mornington Peninsula region of Australia for couples who are in a rush to say "I do". This simple legals only package is priced at $450 and comes with a basic wedding ceremony that includes all the legally required wording & documentation to get you officially hitched. Max 10 guests. Travel fees may apply. Not available Fridays or Saturdays after 12pm.
The Altar Electric
- Location: Melbourne, VIC
- Cost: $2,000+
- Ceremonies: Personalised
This unique marriage office in Melbourne is a privately operated Vegas-style chapel that offers shotgun weddings from $2,000. Packages include chapel hire for 30 minutes, a customised wedding ceremony, a commemorative marriage certificate and a polaroid photo.
The chapel has a maximum capacity of up to 80 guests and offers all inclusive last minute wedding packages with catering, a dj and photography which range up to $23,000.
Simply Ceremonies By Heidi
- Location: Macedon Ranges, VIC
- Cost: $550
- Ceremony: Legals Only
Heidi Kay is a registered civil celebrant based in Victoria's Macedon Ranges and with a background as a legal secretary she's the perfect choice for a simple ceremony that gets you legally married in the shortest time frame possible. Heidi's shotgun weddings include a legals only style ceremony that involves filling in some forms, saying a few simple words and being declared officially wed. Travel fees may apply.
Shotgun Weddings by Benn Stone
- Location: Melbourne, VIC
- Cost: $890
- Ceremony: Short & Sweet
That's Benn on his knee. He brings fun, laughter and light-hearted shenanigans to weddings all over Melbourne and is well known in the industry given he marries more than 100 couples throughout the city every year.
With Benn's short & sweet ceremony package you get an original and personal wedding ceremony that's fun and to the point. It can be anywhere in the CBD and includes all legal paperwork, registration of your marriage and assistance with writing personalised vows if required.
Places To Get Married Fast In QLD
Married By Elva
- Location: Brisbane, QLD
- Cost: $450+
- Ceremony: Simple
Elva Nicolson has a wonderful warmth and friendliness that brings a special feeling of intimacy to small ceremonies. Her presence makes simple ceremonies highly memorable and she makes the process of getting married very easy & carefree for clients by completing & submitting all paperwork. Registry style weddings cost $450 and she'll also supply letters for immigration or visas as required.
Daydream Island Resort & Living Reef
- Location: Whitsunday Islands, QLD
- Cost: $4,500+
- Ceremony: Your choice
Daydream Island is a private island resort immersed in the turquoise waters of the Whitsundays in Queensland. The island is a world class destination near the Great Barrier Reef and has a brand new glass chapel, pearl sand beaches and a seaside infinity deck that are perfect spots for a small and intimate wedding ceremony.
Being situated 30 minutes from the mainland, the resort has plenty of availability for last minute marriages and is easy to access with affordable boat transfers or the option of landing by helicopter. The island has a wedding planning team who will assist in making all the necessary arrangements to get you married on your preferred wedding date.
White Chapel Kalbar
- Location: Scenic Rim, QLD
- Cost: $6,650+
- Ceremony: Personalised
White Chapel Kalbar is an all-inclusive wedding chapel located less than an hour from Brisbane in the Scenic Rim region of Queensland. With its modern neon lit altar and beautiful surrounding gardens the chapel offers a one-of-a-kind experience for last minute nuptials.
The best wedding package for quick marriages is $6,650 which includes everything you need to get legally married including, two hours exclusive venue hire, styling & flowers, a celebrant, cake, photographer, use of a vintage Bentley for wedding photos at locations near the chapel, catering and a two night stay at Herrmann House.
Darling St Chapel Brisbane
- Location: Ipswich, QLD
- Cost: $2,350+
- Ceremony: Personalised
This modernised wedding chapel has a beautifully intimate vibe perfect for small, last minute weddings and comes with a choice of all inclusive packages starting at $2,350. You get 2 hours venue hire with styling, a customised wedding ceremony from a choice of preferred celebrants and all legal paperwork lodged for you.
For larger celebrations there's all inclusive wedding packages for 30 guests or 50 guests priced from $5,000 and $9,500 respectively that include a ceremony and catered reception. Mid week dates have the best availability for weddings with short notice.
The Sunny Celebrant - Natalie Skye
- Location: Sunshine Coast, QLD
- Cost: $500+
- Ceremony: Legals-only
Natalie Skye is a popular Noosa based marriage celebrant who is known for her vibrant, jovial presence. She offers quickie weddings that take a total of 5 minutes to get you legally wed with packages ranging from $500 - $675 for locations around Noosa Heads to Maleny.
Natalie also runs Fancy & Free Weddings which is a specialist elopement company that offers eclectic & spiritual ceremonies for 2 - 40 guests. Package options include getting married by moonlight, on horseback or in a gondola with pricing typically between $2,000 - $3,500.
Lauren Bridge Celebrant
- Location: Gold Coast, QLD
- Cost: $550+
- Ceremony: Legals only
If you're looking for a coffee table style marriage in the front living room of your Gold Coast abode, Lauren Bridge is your lady. She's a fun, professional marriage celebrant who offers a 2 minute legals-only signing that gets you officially hitched with zero fuss. Most people who Lauren marries are having a destination wedding overseas and need the marriage to be recognised in Australia.
Places To Get Married Fast In Western Australia
Shannon Fleming Drive Thru Celebrant
- Location: Perth, Western Australia
- Cost: $500
- Ceremony: Fun
Shannon Fleming is a down-to-earth and fun marriage celebrant who provides drive thru wedding ceremonies so you can get married quickly & efficiently without needing to get out of your car. Drive through wedding ceremonies start at $500 for a legals only style ceremony or you can upgrade to an all-inclusive package which comes with a photographer, bouquet and more personalised ceremony and is priced at $2,000.
Weddings With Cathy
- Location: Perth, Western Australia
- Cost: $350+
- Ceremony: Legals only
For couples who want a legals only wedding, Cathy Wolfenden offers highly affordable paperwork only ceremonies and has availability 7 days a week. The $350 ceremony package includes a meeting to complete all legal documentation, verbalising of the legal wording and vows and optional ring giving. This can either happen your place or Cathy's.
Cathy also offers a $500 wedding package that includes a 15 - 20 minute more personalised ceremony with optional readings.
Places To Get Married Fast In South Australia
Last Minute Marriages With Jen Attard
- Location: Adelaide, South Australia
- Cost: $590
- Ceremony: Simple signing
Jen Attard believes getting married should involve everything you want and nothing you don't, hence for those who wish to tie the knot quickly she invites you to her office in Glenelg East for a personal, legals-only wedding ceremony & signing.
The package includes a short & sweet pre-written service which takes around 15 minutes from start to finish and preparation and lodgement of all legal documentation. Hours of operation are Monday to Thursday from 11am to 4pm. You'll need two witnesses or Jen can provide them for you at additional cost.
Christine Trenwith Ceremonies
- Location: Adelaide, South Australia
- Cost: $590
- Ceremony: Legals only
Christine is an authorised civil celebrant who welcomes all couples wanting to get married quickly to her home in Glenelg North or to the Patawalonga River lawns for a legals only wedding ceremony. It costs $590 to be legally married between 11am - 4pm weekdays and includes lodgement of paperwork and registration of your marriage.
Christine will say the legally required words, you then exchange vows & rings and sign the marriage register. After about 10 minutes you're officially married.
Shelley Allturner
- Location: Barrossa Valley, South Australia
- Cost: $450+
- Ceremony: Simple
Shelley brings warmth and joy to registry style weddings in your home or anywhere in and around the Barossa Valley region of Victoria. Her ceremonies are simple and relaxed, allowing couples to get married rapidly but still with meaning and heart. Legals only marriages are $450 or $500 with slightly more personalisation and witnesses can be supplied for you.
Places To Get Married Fast In Tasmania
Nat Weaver
- Location: Hobart, TAS
- Cost: $550 - $9,900
- Ceremony: Personalised
Nat Weaver is an authorised marriage celebrant as well as the proprietor of Wilderness Weddings in Tasmania, a company that specialises in micro weddings & elopements. Couples who want to get married quickly have the option of a simple & fuss-free ceremony priced from $500 in Hobart, or an all-in-one destination wedding ranging from $4,345 - $9,900 with a photographer, flowers and accommodation among the inclusions.
Places To Get Married Fast In Canberra
Judy Zilber
- Location: Australian Capital Territory
- Cost: $500
- Ceremonies: Traditional
Judy Zilber is a Canberra based civil celebrant who offers affordable paperwork-only marriages from $500. She's well organised, comes with decades of experience and is an expert with complicated scenarios such as needing to get married quicker than one month.
FAQ - Getting Married ASAP In Australia
Can you get married online in Australia?
No, you can no get married online in Australia. The easiest & quickest way to get married in Australia is by engaging a marriage celebrant located near you for legals only or paperwork only signing which can be officiated at your home, the celebrant's office or a local park or garden.
Can you get married without a wedding in Australia?
Yes, you can get married without a wedding in Australia by having a simple, legals only ceremony that involves saying the legally required wording and signing the paperwork. You'll need an authorised celebrant to conduct your legals only ceremony and two witnesses to sign the marriage register. Celebrants will often supply witnesses if required.
Who can get married in Australia?
To get married in Australia you must both be:
- 18 years or older
- Not currently married
- not marrying a direct family member such as a sibling
- willing to get married
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