Can a Friend Marry Us?

Usually, a friend cannot legally marry you unless they are already authorised under Australian law.

The easy workaround

Many couples do the legal marriage with us first, then have a friend lead a separate celebration later.

That gives you:

• a legally valid marriage handled properly
• a low-cost paperwork-only service
• the freedom for a friend to be part of the personal celebration later

Why this works well

Becoming an authorised celebrant is a big commitment for someone who only wants to help once.

Doing the legal marriage first is usually simpler, cheaper, and less stressful.

Important note

This website is not for the personal celebration ceremony. It is for the legal marriage.

If you want a full ceremony with your friend heavily involved on the day, talk to a full-service celebrant like Josh Withers.

Related pages

• Becoming a celebrant
• Simple marriage service