Can we sign our marriage certificate, but not register the marriage until 4 months later?

We have booked our church wedding, but it is not an auspicious date for marriage in the Chinese calendar. My parents say it's bad luck to be married then. So we have organised a Chinese tea ceremony 4 months earlier on a good date, but my parents now want a celebrant to officiate and for us to register the marriage then. Unfortunately, my bride doesn't want that date on our certificate. Can we sign, but not register the marriage until our official church wedding?

Unfortunately, this is not possible. Under The Marriage Act, the Celebrant must lodge your official paperwork within 14 days of the ceremony, otherwise we can be punished by law. The date on your Official Certificate of Marriage will be date that you signed. What you can do instead is have a Commitment Ceremony with your celebrant on the lucky date, including a decorative certificate, but no signing of official paperwork. You can include the tea ceremony or any other traditions that please your parents on that day. Then have the church wedding on the date your bride prefers and register the wedding then. This is one way you can please both your parents and bride to be, but do remember this is your wedding and future and you should do what makes you happy.

In difficult situations such as these, I am more than happy to advise you on the options available when trying to please family and your future spouse. Feel free to reach out and I will be only too happy to assist.