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How to Change Your Name After Your Wedding in Australia

How to Change Your Name After Your Wedding in Australia

If you’re looking to change your last name after your wedding, but don’t know where to start, you’re not alone.

In my experience as a marriage celebrant, up to 90% of newly-married brides (and a few pioneering grooms and spouses) choose to change their last or family name after marriage and are super confused about how to go about it.

It’s a real process that can take around 8 hours over several days or weeks to complete. This is because every company or institution has their own unique process and is not legally permitted to share your details with anyone else.

The good news is, I can help save you a lot of time and even some money too.

Let’s get started!

Alana and Peter’s McLaren Vale Micro wedding

Alana and Peter’s McLaren Vale Micro wedding

Alana and Peter's wedding plans (like so many engaged couples worldwide) were thrown into disarray in 2020.

Between the NSW border closures due to COVID-19 and their original venue in Byron Bay burning down (true story!) Peter and Alana tried for a 3rd and final time to have a super low-key, no stress day just for them and their immediate family.

Something simple, but beautiful, elegant, but without any pretence.

Emily and Sam's Romantic Adelaide Hills Wedding

Emily and Sam's Romantic Adelaide Hills Wedding

Sam and Emily make time to see their families, to share special moments together, and they love talk on the phone often. They wanted to bring this warmth and appreciation, that had always been shown towards them, into their wedding ceremony too.

With COVID border closures, the tyranny of distance and for those who'd passed away, some of their family were not able to be with us in person, so we incorporated them and their interests as much as we could through readings, a memorial and with a big smoochy kiss right down Alex's lens. 😅

How To Book A (Great) Celebrant

How To Book A (Great) Celebrant

Such a cute photo from Meg Hansen Photography of little April at Tyler and Angela's wedding ceremony, yes? She was telling everyone who she thought that they loved the most; it was an adorable and precious moment for everyone.

What I see in this shot, is how far I have come in 11+ years.

Ada & Leigh - Longview Vineyard

Ada & Leigh - Longview Vineyard

When a couple has been together for around 5+ years, I call their wedding an "at last" celebration. There is definitely a more chilled atmosphere at the ceremonies of long-term couples and their guests are also especially buoyant and almost cheeky. 

For Leigh and Ada, who were married in February over 8 years into their relationship, there were all of these feelings and so much more. 

With family and friends who had travelled from London and all around Australia literally cheering them on, the Bride and Groom laughed and cried their way through their ceremony in the glorious sunshine on the Longview Vineyard lawn. 

Ada's dress was incredible, Lana and Hannah's white non-matching dresses were so classy, the flowers were gorgeous and I also loved that they both wrote their own vows and kept them a secret from each other until the day. 

These pics are by the ever delightful Kerry Rose Photography.

Enjoy!

Maddie & Matt at Golding Wines

Maddie & Matt at Golding Wines

The weather was near perfect, the scene set with modern decor and lush floral arrangements and Maddie and Matt's nearest and dearest had travelled from far and wide and were in a party mood. When you plan your wedding, this is the dream. 

I felt so privileged to create and conduct Mr & Mrs Wigg's marriage ceremony and felt that their gracious and inclusive nature shone through in the many thanks, tributes and acknowledgements to their family, friends and bridal party. There were smiles and a fair few chuckles too, like when Matt promised to cheer on the Swans when they aren't playing the Crows 'to infinity and beyond'. 

But when Maddie's good friend, Jess came forward to read a traditional Irish Wedding Blessing, a favourite of Maddie's late Nana Joan, most guests were a little misty-eyed.

Matt and Maddie's incredible supplier list included some of my absolute favourite Adelaide wedding professionals including the incredible floral artistry of Sam Burnell from Fabulous Functions and Luke Simon Photography, who kindly supplied these divine photos.

Maria and Ben - a foodie's paradise in McLaren Vale

Maria and Ben - a foodie's paradise in McLaren Vale

I can't express in words how much I love it when a couple gets in touch with me about their wedding and they already know what they want.

I mean, if you don't know and you want a little advice, some direction or my recommendations, that's cool too and it's why I wrote my 52 page Ceremony Planning Guide in the first place. 

But to me, if you have a good grip on what you want your wedding to be all about at the very beginning, it is the single most important and foundational element to ensure you have a top wedding day AND a great planning experience too.

Their photos are courtesy of the generous and talented Pete Thornton of What Pete Shot.

Enjoy!

Kylie and Chris - Partridge House, Glenelg

Kylie and Chris - Partridge House, Glenelg

Chris and Kylie like to do things their way.

But whether it's riding their bikes, having fun with their kids, Judd and Kobe, or simply laughing at each other's expense; they live life to the full.

I don't think I have ever laughed as hard or as often in a ceremony as I did during theirs.

Kylie conceded that their house IS similar to a prison camp when she forgets to buy chicken chips and Chris promised not to hold Kylie's obsession with Johnny Farnham against her. Aaaw, how sweet!

Stephanie and Nathan - Relaxed Winery Wedding

Stephanie and Nathan - Relaxed Winery Wedding

Nathan and Stephanie wanted to make sure that their family was made to feel welcomed and appreciated on their wedding day, so we added a few personal touches to their ceremony that acknowledged the people they love the most.

Stephanie's (90-something year old) Gran was invited up to read Corinthians chapter 13 verses 1 to 13 and both of their Mums were honoured with the presentation of a single rose; Nathan giving his rose to Steph's Mum and vice versa. 

These beautiful photos are courtesy of Gianna from Gpix Photo.

Corinne and David - Music Festival Wedding

Corinne and David - Music Festival Wedding

David and Corinne first met 6 years ago when they worked together at the (sadly) now closed Krypton Discs in Glenelg. Their mutual love of music drew them together and so it was only fitting that their wedding day had a healthy helping of quality live music as well.

They took their special day to the next level by introducing an upmarket (with mismatched vintage furniture from By The Oaktree & toilets that worked!) music festival vibe complete with picnic blankets and an awesome food truck at Karka Pavilion in the Belair National Park.