Copyright

THE ARTS play a traditional and important part in ceremonies, which is recognised by the arts community, and society in general. Music, performance, literature, procession, costume and images all pay a traditional part in ceremony, and increasingly multi media transmission of such aspects of ceremony and ritual need to be considered. As a celebrant I am open to explore all these aspects with you both culturally and creatively.

As a Celebrant I have to be aware of copyright issues for what is broadcast, played, read or printed at your marriage ceremony. Please see the Guidelines below

Guidelines on the Marriage Act 1961
for authorised celebrant.AG Dept. 2019

ag.gov.au/FamiliesAndMarriage/Marriage/marriagecelebrants/Pages/Celebrant-resources.aspx#Guidelines

11.10 COPYRIGHT AND MARRIAGE CELEBRANTS

It is not the role of a marriage celebrant to obtain any necessary copyright licenses or permissions, however celebrants may be asked about some of these issues by couples as they plan their marriage ceremony or wedding reception. The below information is general information only and is not a substitute for legal advice. More information about copyright in Australia can be found below and on the Department of Communications and the Arts website. communications.gov.au/what-we-do/copyright/copyright-users

11.10.1 Playing music at weddings

Playing music in public requires permission from the owners of copyright in the music, lyrics and the sound recording. The couple’s wedding professional or venue may already have certain copyright licenses. However, performances of music at events such as weddings will not generally be in public even if they occur in a hotel, wedding hall or restaurant, as these events are considered private in nature.

11.10.2 Reproducing poetry or literature

Copyright in published works generally subsists for the life of the author plus 70 years (and will have expired if the death of the author was prior to 1 July 1958). If the work is first published after the death of the author, copyright in the published work subsists for 70 years from the date of the first publication.

Reproducing a literary or dramatic work on a printed order of service (as opposed to merely reciting it) may require the permission of the copyright owner (author or publisher). Taking one short poem or extract from a large edition is unlikely to require permission from the owner of the copyright in the edition.

11.10.3 Reading or reciting an extract from a book

Reading or reciting a reasonable portion of a published literary or dramatic work in public (provided the work is acknowledged) is an exception to copyright and no permission needs to be obtained.

11.10.4 Reproducing hymn or song lyrics in wedding booklets

As literary works, hymns or song lyrics are generally protected for the life of the lyricist plus 70 years. Where the author died before 1 July 1958, copyright will have expired. Therefore, in many older hymns or songs, they can be freely used. If the lyricist is still alive permission to reprint the lyrics may be required. If there is doubt about who the music publisher is, or their contact details, the Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners’ Society (AMCOS) may be able to assist.

11.10.5 Filming wedding ceremonies

The Australasian Performing Right Association and the Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (APRA|AMCOS) and Phonographic Performance Company of Australia (PPCA) provide a one-stop licence for incorporating music into films of weddings where those films have been made solely for the purpose of domestic viewing. The licence covers the separate rights in the underlying works and associated sound recordings.

11.10.6 Moral rights In addition to economic rights,
authors of works also have moral rights over their works. This means that where material is reproduced, although a licence or permission from the copyright owner may not be necessary or has been obtained, there are still requirements to acknowledge the author and to not falsely attribute the work. Moral rights also protect the author against the derogatory treatment of their work. Caution should be exercised when making changes to hymns, literary pieces and musical works. Moral rights over literary, musical or artistic works last for the duration of copyright protection.

OPTION 2 Simple Type Ceremony in my office or in nearby park, near my office

$400.00 (cheaper than peak Fri Sat Sun, BDM marriage cost)
A deposit of $200 to be paid when you lodge the Notice of Intention to Marry. This is non-refundable. The full fee is to be paid within 14 days of the NOIM lodgement.
completion of legal requirements

  • Completion and lodgement of the Notice of Intention to Marry Form (NOIM)
  • x1 Meeting with the bride and groom – initial NOIM and discussion of ceremony, date & time.
  • Basic ceremony developed with legalities and brief personalised comments
  • Preparing and completing all the certificates
  • Registration of legal documents with the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages (RBDM).
  • All correspondence
  • Communicating with you by phone and/or email (& liaison with Migration agent as required).
  • Stationery, postage and printing costs.
  • Use of signing table and table cloth
  • Ceremonial certificate of marriage.
  • Meeting 1 hour prior to ceremony to complete documentation.
  • Officiating at your wedding ceremony on the day

Additional Costs Apply For

  • Travel and accommodation expenses out of metropolitan area. greater than 50 k’s from my office in East Brunswick
  • There is an additional cost for extra time or additional rehearsals at your wedding venue or other location depending upon distance and travelling time. ($100 – $150) .
  • Formal correspondence for NOIM /Department of Home Affairs visa applications $100, unless there are more complex requirements

Refund policy
The $250 deposit “Booking Fee” (or “For a Notice of Intended Marriage” fee) is not refundable – unless I am unable to solemnise the marriage on the arranged ceremony day, and am unable to arrange for a substitute celebrant.

The $500 fee known as the “In respect of solemnisation of marriage by authorised civil marriage celebrant” fee (which must be paid no later than 14 days before the arranged ceremony day) is refundable only if written notice of cancellation of the marriage is given to me not less than 14 days before the arranged ceremony day OR if I am unable to solemnise the marriage on the arranged ceremony day and am not able to arrange for a substitute celebrant.

Fees paid (or payable) in respect of visit to the venue and/or travels costs exceeding 50km in a return journey between my base and the place of marriage are not refundable or waivable.