Can a Friend Marry Us?

Only an authorised celebrant can perform the legal marriage in Australia.

So if your friend is not an authorised celebrant, they cannot legally marry you.

The simple option

Use our paperwork-only marriage ($780) for the legal marriage.

Then, if you want, your friend can still be involved in a separate symbolic celebration or personal moment.

Or, if you would rather have a real ceremony on the day, book our elopement ceremony or wedding ceremony and have your friend give a reading or say a few words during it.

Important caution

The legal marriage and the non-legal celebration need to be clearly separated and handled properly.

If you want to involve a friend, talk to us early so we can explain the clean and lawful way to do it.

Often this is better than

• asking a friend to become a celebrant for one day
• trying to make the legal part look like a full wedding
• getting tangled up in rules you do not need

If your real goal is simply to get married, keep the legal part simple.