Terms & Conditions - Disclaimer and Service Agreement

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Effective Date: 21-05-2026

Introduction;

Welcome to Riseabove Ceremonies (“we”, “us”, “our”). These Terms and Disclaimer govern your use of our website located at https://www.riseaboveceremonies.com.au and the services we provide as an Authorised Commonwealth-Registered Civil Marriage Celebrant.

By accessing our website, making an enquiry, or engaging our services, you agree to be bound by these Terms and Disclaimer.

1. Definitions;

Essential definitions:

• Celebrant: Aaron R Mepstead, The Authorised Commonwealth-Registered Civil Marriage Celebrant. Verification found Here https://marriage.ag.gov.au/commonwealthcelebrants/all
• Couple / Parties: Means the two clients listed on the (NOIM) who are engaging the services of the Celebrant to perform their marriage Ceremony or other Ceremony listed on website’s Ceremonies page;
• NOIM: The Notice of Intended Marriage, The mandatory legal document that must signed by the couple and witnessed - by an authorised witness, as listed on the top of page 4 of the NOIM form; then be lodged with the Celebrant a minimum of 1 (one) month before the wedding date and is valid for 18 (eighteen) months from the date received; meaning if a NOIM is received on the 14th of March, the couple cannot get married until the 14th April ‘one month notice period’ 
• BDM: The Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages; 
• Services: The Celebrant's professional duties, including Ceremony planning, drafting, conducting the Ceremony, and lodging official documents with the relevant State or Territory’s (BDM);
• Ceremony / Event Date: The agreed time, date, and location of the Ceremony chosen as specified in the initial booking invoice;
• Deposit / Booking Fee: The non-refundable, upfront payment required to secure the specified date and Ceremony time; and commence the Celebrant’s services.
• Official Documents: The legal paperwork required for the marriage, including the NOIM the Form 15 (Certificate of Marriage), the (2) Official Certificate’s of Marriage and The Declaration Of No Legal Impediment To Marriage.  

2. Services;

We provide Marriage Celebrant services, including but not limited to:

• Conducting legally recognised Marriage Ceremonies according to The Marriage Act 1961 (Cth);
• Preparation and lodgement of all required Marriage documentation to (BDM) in the State or Territory where the Marriage was solemnised;
• Ceremony planning consultations;
• Personalised Ceremony script writing;
• Rehearsal attendance (where agreed);
• Other related services as described on our website or service agreement.

All services are subject to availability and applicable legal requirements.

3. Professional Standards and Compliance;

• The Celebrant operates strictly in accordance with the Code of Practice for Marriage Celebrants (Schedule 2 of the Marriage Regulations 2017).
• The Couples acknowledge that the Celebrant cannot solemnise a marriage unless all statutory requirements are met, including the timely lodgement of the Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) (minimum 1 month prior to the ceremony) and the production of original identity documents (e.g., birth certificates, passports, photo ID, divorce/death certificates and change of name documents if applicable).

4. Service Agreement;

Clients agree to:

• Provide accurate and complete information;
• Meet all legal requirements for marriage under Australian law;
• Submit required documentation within specified timeframes;
• Attend scheduled meetings and appointments where reasonably required;
• Notify us promptly of any changes affecting the Ceremony.

We are not responsible for delays or issues arising from incomplete, inaccurate, or late information provided by clients.

5. Booking Fees and Payment Schedules;

All prices are quoted in Australian Dollars (AUD) unless otherwise stated.

Prices may change without notice; however, confirmed bookings will remain subject to the agreed fee outlined in your booking confirmation invoice or service agreement.

• Booking Fee: A non-refundable booking fee of $250 is required to secure the Celebrant's services for a specific date and time. This fee covers immediate administrative costs, initial consultation, the receipt of the Notice Of Intended Marriage form and commencement of legal paperwork. The date is not secured until this fee is paid.
• Final Balance: The remaining balance of the total fee of your chosen Ceremony package must be paid in full no later than 1 Month prior to the scheduled Ceremony date. If payment is not received by the due date, the Celebrant reserves the right to cancel the booking and retain the booking fee.

6. Cancellations and Rescheduling;

• Cancellation by the Couple: If the Couple cancels the Ceremony booking:
  • More than 3 Months prior to the Ceremony: The non-refundable Booking Fee is retained by the Celebrant. Any additional fees paid beyond this will be refunded.
  • Between 3 Months and 1 Month prior to the Ceremony: 50%of the total cost will be refunded except for the non-refundable Booking Fee. 
  • In the event where no monies have been paid at this stage 50% of your balance shall be paid in lieu of Loss of earnings.
  • Less than 1 Month prior to the Ceremony: The total fee is completely non-refundable, as the Celebrant has blocked out the date and declined other work.
• Rescheduling: If the Couple requests a date or time change, the Celebrant will accommodate the request subject to availability.
  • A rescheduling fee of $50 will apply if the change is made less than 1 Month before the original date.
  • If the Celebrant is unavailable on the new date, the booking will be treated as a cancellation by the Couple.

7. Celebrant Illness or Unavailability;

• Inability to Attend: In the highly unlikely event that the Celebrant is unable to conduct the ceremony due to illness, accident, or an extreme unforeseen emergency, the Celebrant will make every reasonable effort to secure a qualified, registered replacement celebrant.
• Document Transfer: The Celebrant will legally transfer the NOIM and associated paperwork to the replacement celebrant to ensure the marriage can legally proceed on the day.
• Liability Cap: If a replacement cannot be found, the Celebrant’s liability is strictly limited to a full refund of all monies paid by the Couple to date.

8. Sobriety Obligations - Punctuality & late starts;

• Sobriety Clause:: Under the Marriage Act, I cannot legally marry a couple if either party or their two witnesses appear intoxicated or under the influence of drugs.
• Scheduled Time: The ceremony must start at the agreed time. The Celebrant often books multiple events in one day and must leave strictly on time to fulfil other legal obligations.
• Delay Allowance: The Celebrant will wait a maximum of 30 minutes past the scheduled start time.
• Consequences of Delay: If the Ceremony does not commence within this window, the Celebrant reserves the right to leave the venue to attend other commitments. In this event, the total fee is forfeited. The Celebrant may return later in the day to perform the ceremony, subject to availability and an additional travel/late fee.

9. Weather Contingencies (Outdoor Ceremonies);

• Back-up Venue: For all outdoor or open-air ceremonies, the Couple must provide a viable wet weather / alternative indoor venue line of defence.
• Notification: The Couple must notify the Celebrant of the decision to move to the back-up venue at least 3 hours before the scheduled start time.
• Safety Refusal: The Celebrant reserves the right to refuse to conduct the ceremony in the open air if weather conditions threaten the safety of attendees, the Celebrant, or risk damaging legal paperwork and sound equipment.

10. Force Majeure & Legal Incapacity

• Definition: 

A "Force Majeure Event" means any event beyond the reasonable control of the  Celebrant, including but not limited to: natural disasters, severe weather (e.g.,  cyclones, floods), government restrictions, public health emergencies, transport  or communication disruptions, power failures, or the sudden severe illness,  injury, or emergency incapacity of the Celebrant.

• Notice and Action Plan: 

If a Force Majeure Event prevents or delays the Celebrant from performing the  ceremony, the Celebrant will notify the Client as soon as practicable. The  Celebrant will make every reasonable effort to secure a qualified, legally  registered replacement marriage celebrant to perform the ceremony on the  scheduled date and time.

• Financial Resolution: 

If a replacement celebrant cannot be found, or if the Force Majeure Event causes  the entire wedding to be cancelled permanently:

 The Celebrant will refund all fees paid by the Client, minus a reasonable non- refundable booking fee to cover the administration work and legal lodgements  (such as the Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM)) already completed prior to the  event.

 Neither party will be liable for any further financial losses, venue costs, or third- party damages arising from the cancellation.

11. Equipment and Technical Limitations;

• PA System: The Celebrant provides a professional, battery-powered PA system for the ceremony. While this equipment is regularly maintained, the Celebrant is not liable for unexpected equipment failure due to environmental factors or sudden technical faults.
• Power and Layout: The Couple must ensure the ceremony location offers a safe, stable surface for the Celebrant and their equipment.

12. Intellectual Property;

All content on this website, including text, images, branding, logos, graphics,  and ceremony materials created by us, remains our intellectual property unless  otherwise agreed in writing.

You may not reproduce, distribute, or commercially exploit any content without  our prior written consent.

13. Testimonials and Photographs;

With your consent, we may use photographs, testimonials, reviews, or feedback  provided by you for promotional purposes, including on our website and social  media channels.

You may withdraw consent at any time by contacting us in writing via this email  address;

riseaboveceremonies+support@gmail.com

14. Website Use;

You agree not to:

• Use the website unlawfully;
• Attempt to interfere with website functionality;
• Upload malicious software or harmful content;
• Copy or misuse website content without permission.

We may suspend or restrict access to users who breach these Terms.

15. Third-Party Links;

Our website may contain links to third-party websites.

We are not responsible for the content, accuracy, or practices of third-party  websites and provide such links for convenience only.

16. Privacy and Data Collection;

• Sensitive Information: The Celebrant collects sensitive personal data (including financial, identification, and marital history details) solely for the purpose of completing statutory legal requirements under the Marriage Act 1961.
• Storage: All data is securely stored and handled in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 and will never be shared with third parties for marketing purposes.
• You can view our Privacy Policy here.

17. Limitation of Liability;

To the maximum extent permitted by law:

• We exclude liability for indirect, incidental, consequential, or special losses, including but not limited to venue hire, catering, guest travel costs and/or accommodation.
• Our liability for any claim relating to our services is limited to the amount paid by you for those services;
• Nothing in these Terms excludes rights that cannot be excluded under Australian Consumer Law.

18. Australian Consumer Law;

Nothing in these Terms excludes, restricts, or modifies any rights or remedies available under the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) or other applicable legislation. Where permitted by law, our liability is limited to the re-supply of services or the cost of having services supplied again.

19. Changes to These Terms;

We may update these Terms and Conditions from time to time.

Updated versions will be published on our website and will take effect upon the date of publication.

20. Governing Law;

These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of Australia, any disputes arising in connection with these Terms shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Australian courts.

21. Disclaimer;

General Information

The information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only.

While we strive to ensure that information is accurate and current, we make no warranties or representations regarding the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability of any information contained on the website.

Not Legal Advice

Information relating to marriage laws, documentation requirements, or legal processes is provided as general guidance only and should not be relied upon as legal advice.

Individuals should seek independent legal advice where appropriate.

Service Availability

Descriptions of services, pricing, packages, and availability are subject to change without notice.

Submission of an enquiry does not guarantee availability or acceptance of a booking.

Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites for convenience.

We do not endorse and are not responsible for the content, security, privacy practices, or accuracy of third-party websites.

Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, Riseabove Ceremonies excludes liability for any loss, damage, cost, or expense arising directly or indirectly from:

• Use of this website;
• Reliance on information contained on this website;
• Temporary unavailability of the website;
• Technical errors, interruptions, or viruses.

Nothing in this disclaimer excludes any rights that cannot be excluded under Australian Consumer Law.

Copyright

All website content, including text, graphics, logos, photographs, and designs, is protected by copyright and remains the property of Riseabove Ceremonies unless otherwise stated.

No content may be reproduced or distributed without prior written permission.

Changes

We reserve the right to amend this Disclaimer at any time without notice.

Continued use of the website constitutes acceptance of any updated Disclaimer.

22. Contact Us;

If you have questions about these Terms and Disclaimer

please contact us here:

Aaron R Mepstead;

Riseabove Ceremonies:

ABN: 29 420 163 128

Mobile: 0493339213

Email: riseaboveceremonies+support@gmail.com

Website: https://www.riseaboveceremonies.com.au