Questions, answered

Contact me to confirm my availability, then complete the booking form and send it with proof of your retainer (deposit). We’ll then arrange an appointment. The balance is due one week before the ceremony.

• Two copies of each person’s ID
• Three identical passport photos of each person
• Copies of both witnesses’ IDs
• Certified divorce decree (in English or Afrikaans) if previously married
• Death certificate if widowed
• Form BI-32A if under 21
• Highest qualification, occupation, place and country of birth
• Current and permanent residential addresses
• Postal address and contact details for both witnesses

No. In South Africa you do not need to get a licence prior to getting married.

Without an ante-nuptial contract you are automatically married in community of property, meaning shared assets and joint liability. The contract must be concluded and signed through a lawyer before the wedding — fixing it afterwards requires expensive High Court proceedings. It’s one of the most important things to organise before your date.

There is no law prohibiting outdoor ceremonies or signing the register outdoors. Gardens, forests, farms and beaches are all wonderful options.

Sadly, the Department of Home Affairs has changed its rules, and I am no longer allowed to legally marry a couple where one or both partners are foreign nationals, even if one of you is South African. The legal marriage will need to be done at Home Affairs.

I can guide you on everything that is needed and required, and I would be delighted to conduct your wedding ceremony. I just cannot do the legal side.

Straight after the ceremony you both sign the marriage register with me and your two witnesses, and I give you a hand-written marriage certificate. Within 3 working days of the ceremony I register your marriage with the Department of Home Affairs, then pay for a printout of your unabridged marriage certificate and send it to your nearest PostNet, together with the second copy of the marriage register you signed.

You can verify your marital status through the Department of Home Affairs online marital status enquiry.

• A hand-written marriage certificate on your wedding day, straight after signing the register
• Your unabridged marriage certificate, sent to your nearest PostNet after I have registered your marriage with Home Affairs
• The second copy of the marriage register that you sign on the day, sent with it

An abridged certificate contains your personal details and marriage date. An unabridged certificate holds more detail and is required for international travel, emigration or registering your marriage abroad. I send your unabridged certificate to your nearest PostNet once your marriage is registered.

No. A woman may assume her husband’s surname, resume a previous surname, combine her surname with her husband’s, or keep her maiden surname.

By law: the bride and groom, two witnesses and the marriage officer.

It’s optional. Some couples prefer phone, e-mail or WhatsApp, but I do like to have at least one face-to-face or video conversation before the day.

Arrangements or discounts may be possible at my discretion. Please get in touch and let’s chat.

Persons under 21 need consent — see Form BI-32 for consent to the marriage of minors.

Of course — and yes, I’ve done this before! Costume hire is at the couple’s expense.

I reserve the right to refuse a booking if I am uncomfortable with a request, in which case any payment is refunded in full. Please note I do not conduct same-sex unions.