Getting Married in Victoria in Less Than One Month
If you need to get married quickly in Victoria, it is possible - but only in specific circumstances.
Australian marriage law requires couples to lodge a Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) at least one month before the ceremony. However, if you meet strict legal criteria, you may be granted a Shortening of Time, allowing you to be married in a matter of days.
How Getting Married Quickly in Victoria Works
To get married in under one month, an application must be submitted to Births, Deaths & Marriages Victoria (BDM) requesting approval to shorten the notice period.
A registered celebrant must be involved. We manage:
All legal paperwork
Submission to BDM Victoria
Liaison during approval
Scheduling your ceremony once approved
Approval is typically granted within 24-48 hours, after which your wedding can take place within days.
This is the quickest legal way to get married in Australia, and we handle the entire process for you.
Fees for a Shortened Notice Marriage
The cost for applying for a shortening of time is $195, in addition to your ceremony fee.
This includes:
The official BDM Victoria application fee
Preparation and completion of all legal documentation
Lodgement and follow-up on your behalf
When Can the One-Month Notice Be Shortened?
Under Australian law, only five specific circumstances allow a shortening of the notice period:
Employment-related reasons
(e.g. relocating overseas where a spouse visa requires marriage)Medical reasons
(e.g. terminal illness involving one partner or an immediate family member, or important guest at the wedding, your best man, maid of honour etc)Wedding arrangements already made
(where the legal notice requirement was genuinely unknown)Imprisonment or serious legal issues
Celebrant error
(rare - and not applicable here!)
Important:
BDM Victoria does not grant exemptions purely for:
Visa applications
Pregnancy
Quick Weddings in Melbourne
Once approval is granted, we can conduct a simple, legal wedding ceremony in Melbourne or nearby areas.
These ceremonies are:
Stress-free
Registry-style
Ideal for couples with tight timelines
If you need witnesses, we can also provide witnesses if required. You may also find these guides helpful:
Is This the Quickest Way to Get Married in Australia?
Yes - if you qualify.
Without approval, the one-month notice period cannot be bypassed. With approval, this is currently the fastest legal pathway to marriage in Victoria.
Ready to Get Married Quickly?
Don’t let timing or logistics stop you from saying “I do.”If you meet the criteria, you can legally marry in less than one month - and we’ll guide you every step of the way. We make getting married in Melbourne fast, simple, and beautiful.
