On Saturday, I had the joy of marrying Pericles and Estafani — a beautiful couple who came all the way from Brazil — in my garden here in Sydney. It was a warm, unhurried civil ceremony, with their extended family gathered close. And here's the lovely part: this wasn't the end of their wedding plans. It was the beginning.
The legal "I do" now, the big celebration later
Pericles and Estafani are planning a bigger destination wedding later this year — the kind of celebration you gather everyone for. But rather than tie the legal side to that one big day, they made a smart, increasingly popular choice: get properly, legally married first, quietly and beautifully, with the people closest to them.
So the marriage that counts in law happened right here, in a Sydney garden, on a relaxed Saturday afternoon. The paperwork is done. The certificate is signed. And when their larger celebration comes around, they'll walk into it already husband and wife — free to make that day purely about the party, the people and the place, with no registry office looming over it.
It's the same clever thinking I see again and again with couples who have a wedding in two acts: handle the legals-only part calmly on home ground, then celebrate however — and wherever — you like.
A garden, a family, and no fuss
They didn't want a grand hall or a long guest list for this part. They wanted something intimate: a flower-framed arch on the lawn, a cheeky red "love" balloon, relaxed clothes, and their family within arm's reach. The sort of ceremony where everyone is close enough to hear the vows and see the smiles.
There's something I love about couples who understand that the marriage isn't the size of the venue. Pericles and Estafani had travelled a long way to build a life, and they chose to mark this milestone the way it should be — surrounded by family, in the warmth of a garden, without a single thing to stress about.
Pericles, I'm told, is a keen fisherman — the kind of man who'll happily wait all day for a bite. So he knows a thing or two about patience, and about recognising a keeper when he finds one. On Saturday, that patience had a very happy ending.
Making it official
Once the vows were spoken and the rings were on, we signed the paperwork with their witnesses — and just like that, in front of the people they love, Pericles and Estafani were married under Australian law.
For a couple building their future between two countries, there's real peace of mind in having it done: a marriage that's fully recognised here, and, with the right certified paperwork, recognised overseas too. Whatever their big celebration looks like later this year, the legal foundation is already solid.
Marrying in Australia before a wedding overseas?
You don't have to be an Australian citizen or resident to marry here — couples on any visa, and visitors from overseas, can be legally married in Australia. Many couples do exactly what Pericles and Estafani did: complete the legal marriage in a simple, personal ceremony, then hold their big celebration whenever and wherever they choose.
The one thing to plan early is the paperwork: a Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) must be lodged with your celebrant at least one calendar month before the ceremony. If your bigger wedding will be overseas, it's also worth asking early about getting your Australian marriage certificate apostilled or authenticated so it's accepted in the other country. I'm happy to walk you through all of it.
Common questions about a civil wedding in Sydney before a wedding abroad
Can you have a small civil wedding in Sydney before a bigger wedding overseas?
Yes — and it's one of the most sensible ways to do it. Your legal marriage can be a short, intimate ceremony in a garden or at home, with two witnesses, well before your larger celebration. Once it's done, you're legally married, and the bigger day overseas can be purely about celebrating. Pericles and Estafani married legally in my Sydney garden and are planning their larger destination wedding for later in the year.
Do you need to be an Australian citizen or resident to get married in Australia?
No. Any two people can marry in Australia regardless of nationality or visa status, as long as both are over 18 (or have a court order), are not already married, and are not in a prohibited relationship. The key requirement is lodging a Notice of Intended Marriage at least one month before the ceremony. Couples visiting from overseas, and couples living here on any visa, are all welcome to marry.
Is a marriage registered in Australia recognised in other countries?
A marriage properly solemnised in Australia is legally recognised here, and it's generally recognised in other countries too — usually once your official marriage certificate has been apostilled or authenticated for use abroad. Requirements vary by country, so it's best to confirm the exact steps with the relevant authority where you'll be celebrating. It's a simple process to plan for once you know what that country needs.
Can family who speak Portuguese follow the ceremony?
Absolutely. I conduct the ceremony in warm, plain English that's easy for everyone to follow, and it's very common to include readings, a few words or a family member speaking in another language — Portuguese included — so no one feels left out. If it matters to you that loved ones can follow along in their own language, we'll build that in. You can read more about bilingual ceremonies.
Marrying here, celebrating there?
If you're planning a wedding in two parts — the legals in Sydney, the big party somewhere special — tell me the day you're picturing. I'll make the paperwork calm and the ceremony genuinely yours.
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