Civil Ceremony Melbourne
A civil ceremony is a non-religious wedding, and if that's what you're after, you're in the majority. Around 80% of all weddings in Australia are now civil ceremonies, and for good reason. They're flexible, personal, and can be exactly the kind of wedding you want.
At Registry Weddings, every civil wedding in Melbourne we conduct is tailored to suit the couple. Whether you want a short, simple civil marriage in Melbourne or something more personalised with vows and music, we'll make it work for you. View our ceremony packages to see what's included.
What is a Civil Ceremony?
A civil ceremony is a legal wedding conducted by a registered civil celebrant rather than a religious minister. Under the Marriage Act 1961, civil celebrants are authorised to perform legally binding marriages in Australia.
A civil marriage is legally identical to a religious wedding. The paperwork is the same, the certificate is the same, and you're just as married. The only difference is where and how the ceremony takes place.
Here's what makes a civil wedding different:
Not held in a church, mosque, temple or other religious venue
Conducted by a registered civil celebrant (also known as a civil wedding officiant or civil marriage celebrant), not a religious minister
No religious content required (though you can include some if you want)
Completely flexible in tone, content and location
Welcoming to everyone regardless of background, religion or relationship structure
Why Couples Choose a Civil Wedding in Melbourne
Civil ceremonies have become the most popular type of wedding in Australia because they work for almost anyone. Couples choose a civil wedding because:
They're flexible. You can include personal vows, readings, cultural elements, music or none of the above. It's your call
They're affordable. Without the costs of a church and religious minister, a civil wedding in Melbourne is generally much cheaper
They're not religious. A civil ceremony skips the religious content entirely and focuses on you and your relationship
They're inclusive. Mr & Mrs, Mr & Mr, Mrs & Mrs, whatever combination works for you
They suit any size. From a two-person elopement to a 40-guest celebration, a civil ceremony scales to fit
The flexibility is the big one. A civil ceremony is whatever you want it to be.
Can a Civil Ceremony Include Religious or Cultural Elements?
Yes. This is a common question, and the answer is usually yes.
Even though civil ceremonies are technically non-religious, you can include religious readings, prayers, hymns, or cultural traditions if they're meaningful to you. As your civil wedding celebrant, we can incorporate elements from your heritage, family customs, or faith background without turning it into a religious service.
Couples often include:
A reading from a religious text or spiritual writing, you may also want to invite a family member to do this
Cultural ceremonies like a tea ceremony, sand ceremony or handfasting
Traditional music or blessings
A moment of silence or reflection
Your ceremony, your rules. Let us know what's important to you and we'll make it happen.
Civil Ceremony Packages at Registry Weddings
We offer three civil ceremony packages to suit different styles and budgets. All include a qualified civil celebrant, your ceremony space, and all the legal paperwork lodged with Births, Deaths and Marriages Victoria.
Legals Only from $295: A short, no fuss civil marriage ceremony covering just the legal requirements. Ideal if you want to keep things simple. Read more about our legals only wedding option
Intimate Ceremony from $495: Up to 16 guests, 30-minute booking, time for personal vows and photos
Personalised Wedding from $695: Up to 40 guests, 60-minute booking, full ceremony with music, your story and personal vows
All civil weddings are available seven days a week, including evenings. View our full pricing for the detailed breakdown.
Where Your Civil Wedding Takes Place
We hold most civil weddings in Melbourne at The Ivory Room, our ceremony space inside St Kilda Road Towers. It's a calm, modern space with natural light and views over Albert Park Lake and Port Phillip Bay.
If you'd prefer to get married somewhere else, we can do that too. We conduct civil ceremonies at parks, gardens, private homes and other locations around Melbourne. External locations incur an additional fee to cover travel and setup, and some public spaces require a permit, but we can help you work out the details.
How to Book Your Civil Ceremony in Melbourne
Booking your civil wedding with us is quick and straightforward:
Choose your date and time. We're available seven days a week, including evenings
Complete your Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM). This needs to be lodged at least one month before your wedding. We can witness it in person, or over Zoom, FaceTime or WhatsApp
Bring photo ID and your two witnesses on the day. If you don't have witnesses, we can provide them for $50 each
Enjoy your ceremony. We'll handle the paperwork and register your marriage with BDM Victoria
For a full walkthrough, see our 3 steps to get married guide.
Ready to Book Your Civil Ceremony?
A civil ceremony is one of the most flexible, welcoming ways to get married in Melbourne. Whatever style of civil wedding you have in mind, we can make it happen.
Book your ceremony date or get in touch to chat through your options. You can also view all our ceremony packages to find the right fit.