Contrary to popular belief, your witness isn’t there to witness your signature.  Their role is so much more than that!  Let me explain.  In Australia, you must have two witnesses, both over the age of 18 (and sober) to ensure your marriage is valid.  Their job is quite instrumental actually.

 

You see, every civil celebrant must say what is referred to as the ‘monitum’.  A monitum explains to you, your witnesses and guests that the celebrant is indeed authorised to do what they say they can do.  More importantly the monitum just gives you a gentle nudge in the ribs to remind you both what you are about to enter.  It is a legal requirement that must be read verbatim.  Your witnesses must hear the celebrant say the monitum.  And finally your witnesses must hear you say how you will take your loved one to be your lawfully wedded partner.  So if any of your witnesses perhaps yell, “What was that love? I was in the loo” That’s not a good thing.  In fact, their signatures on your certificates of marriage is acknowledging they heard you and me – and that’s a good thing!

 

Some couples ask me who is best placed to be a witness.  Well that can be absolutely anyone attending your ceremony.  I’ve seen couples choose Mum’s, Dad’s, their own adult children, siblings, venue staff, lucky door prizes and the mystery of putting two winning stickers under guest seats.

 

As one of Coffs Harbour’s leading marriage celebrants you can rest easy that you’re in great hands.  For more information how I can make your wedding ceremony one to remember for a lifetime contact me at MarriedBySimon.com.au, celebrating happiness since 2008.

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  • We would just like to THANK YOU for such a perfect and personal ceremony. Our guests thought you were a friend we had known for years (we didn’t tell them any different). There were so many positive comments about the work you did. We loved that you kept the ceremony about us, that you talked about our story and you were so professional. Great suggestion about the music playing throughout. We would highly recommend you to all of our friends and family (even strangers). I also believe that you made such an impact, our guests would be recommending you to their people.

    Your work was very much appreciated!! We can not thank you enough, Simon!!

    Pav & Jacob

  • Simon is a delightful, friendly and very passionate celebrant. I value his warmth, care and enthusiasm for a professional and loving celebration – I am very happy to recommend his services. Wendy Haynes, Celebrant and Author, Coffs Harbour

    Wendy Haynes, Celebrant and Author

  • We can’t thank you enough for making our wedding day so special. We truly appreciate the time you took getting to know us. Almost three months later and our guests still comment on how beautiful the ceremony was. We had such a fun day and you topped it off with your relaxed nature and great sense of humour.

    Sarah & Scott

  • Thank you for everything you did leading up to and during our ceremony.  Your friendly and confident approach made us feel very comfortable and at ease on the big day and you played a big part in that we just wanted to say thank you very much.

    Rohan and Simone

  • Thank you for playing such a wonderful important role in our special day and starting our marriage.  We can not repay you enough for joining us in union but we will feel forever blessed that such an amazing, humourous and loving man helped us in our very beginnings.

    Libby & Mark

  • Jordan and I truely didn’t realise how lucky we had scored until the beginning of our ceremony. Simon had ourselves and our guests in tears from laughter and love. He was personal, deep and truely understood how we wanted our ceremony to feel. Our day started at 28 degrees and finished at 45 degrees, however, no matter how hot it became Simon was professional and knew how to make ourselves and our guests feel at ease. Our guests raved about Simon throughout the night and still to this day, we receive compliments on his behalf. He helped to create an atmosphere that will stay with us forever and we cannot thank Simon enough for this. We highly recommend Simon to be a part of your special day.

    Erin & Jordan