Wedding Traditions You Can Totally Ignore

After creating thousands of weddings across 22 countries, I’ve learned something important: most of what people think “has to” happen at a wedding actually doesn’t. Let’s bust some myths about what makes a wedding “proper” or “legal” in Tasmania.

1. “The Ceremony Has to Be Long and Traditional”

Actually, I believe the perfect ceremony length is 18 minutes - the same length as a TED Talk. Why? Because it’s long enough to feel significant but not so long that your guests start checking their phones. Your ceremony should be the highlight of your wedding day, not something to endure.

Plus, I don’t read from scripts or iPads. Your ceremony should feel like a natural conversation about where you’re heading together, not like someone reading an essay about how you met (your guests already know that story).

2. “You Need to Say ‘I Do’”

The only words Australian law requires are:

• Your full legal names
• That you’re free to marry
• That you take each other as husband/wife/spouse

Everything else? Optional. No “I do,” no “speak now or forever hold your peace,” no “by the powers vested in me.” These are movie traditions, not legal requirements.

3. “Someone Has to Give the Bride Away”

This tradition comes from when marriages were business transactions (yikes). Today, you can:

• Walk in together
• Have both parents walk with you
• Walk in solo like the independent person you are
• Have your dog lead the way
• Whatever feels authentic to you

4. “The Ceremony Must Be at 2pm”

One of the biggest mistakes couples make is scheduling their ceremony too early. The best ceremonies I’ve created have been closer to sunset. Think about it: better lighting for photos, cooler temperatures, and a natural flow into evening celebrations.

Just remember to consider:

• Your photographer’s needs
• Your venue’s requirements
• Tasmania’s varying sunset times
• That jacket I always recommend bringing (it can snow on Mount Wellington even in December!)

5. “You Need a Bridal Party”

Some of the most meaningful weddings I’ve celebrated had no formal bridal party at all. Instead of designating specific roles, every guest felt like part of the celebration. Your wedding should reflect who you are, not what Pinterest says you need.

What Actually Matters?

After 16 years as a celebrant, here’s what I know makes a ceremony great:

• It focuses on your future, not just retelling your past
• It feels authentic to who you are
• Everyone can hear it (thanks to my professional Bose speakers)
• It celebrates that being married is even better than getting married

The Only Legal Requirements

Here’s what Australian law actually requires:

• One month’s notice (through your Notice of Intended Marriage)
• Two witnesses over 18
• A registered celebrant (that’s me!)
• Those few specific legal words
• Your consent to marry

Everything else is optional. Your ceremony can be as traditional or unconventional as you like, as long as it feels true to you.

Want to Create Something Different?

If you’re planning a wedding that breaks from tradition, I’d love to help. Whether it’s an intimate elopement on kunanyi/Mount Wellington or a sunset ceremony in the Tamar Valley, let’s create something that celebrates where you’re heading, not just where you’ve been.

Let’s meet for a coffee or jump on a video call - no surveys or homework, just a real conversation about how people like you get married.

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