Badge & Claims Rules

MARRYMARK BADGE & CLAIMS USAGE RULES
Version: 1.1
Effective date: 15 January 2026
Owner: MarryMark Pty Ltd (ACN 689 159 064) (“MarryMark”, “we”, “us”, “our”)
Applies to: MarryMark Accredited Businesses (5/6/7 Star Silver & Gold) and MarryMark Certified Wedding Professionals (CWP)

Who these Rules apply to
These Badge & Claims Usage Rules apply to:

  1. MarryMark Accredited Businesses (5 Star, 6 Star, and 7 Star at Silver and Gold levels);
  2. MarryMark Certified Wedding Professionals (CWP); and
  3. applicants (who must not use MarryMark badges/claims unless MarryMark provides a specific “application” asset in writing).

MarryMark badges, marks, and post-nominals are used under a limited, revocable licence and may be used only while status is current and in good standing, and only within the verified scope recorded by MarryMark. Accreditation and credentials indicate standards met at the time of assessment and are not a guarantee of future performance or outcomes.

These Rules must be read with the relevant Business Accreditation Terms or CWP Credential Terms, and MarryMark’s Professional Standards & Complaints Policy (including investigations, outcomes, appeals, and re-verification).

1) Purpose

MarryMark badges and claims exist to make verified excellence recognisable, without misleading couples, the public, or the industry. These rules protect:

  • badge integrity (verified, tiered, earned),
  • consumer clarity (what the badge does and does not mean), and
  • fair, consistent use by accredited businesses and CWP holders.

These rules are aligned to global best-practice principles for third-party marks and accreditation symbol use: use must be accurate, within scope, not misleading, and must stop immediately when status is withdrawn.

2) Document status and hierarchy

These Badge & Claims Usage Rules (“Rules”) form part of the MarryMark scheme and must be read with:

  • Business Accreditation Terms / CWP Credential Terms
  • Business Code of Conduct and/or CWP Code of Conduct
  • Professional Standards & Complaints Policy (including Investigations, Appeals & Re-Verification)
  • Privacy Policy

If there is any inconsistency, the Terms prevail.

3) Who may use MarryMark badges and claims

Only the following may use MarryMark badges/claims:

  1. Accredited Business entities and the trading names recorded on the MarryMark accreditation record, within the accredited scope; and
  2. Individuals holding a current CWP credential, for their personal professional representation.

Applicants: Applicants must not publicly use MarryMark badges/claims. If MarryMark provides an “Application Submitted” asset in the future, it may only be used as issued and only as directed. (Best practice restricts mark use before grant.)

4) Definitions

  • Badge / Mark: Any MarryMark star-tier badge (5/6/7 Star Silver/Gold), CWP badge, “CWP” post-nominals, or any MarryMark mark/logo used to indicate scheme status.
  • Claim: Any statement that refers to MarryMark accreditation/credential (e.g., “MarryMark Accredited”, “7 Star Gold”, “CWP”).
  • Scope: The accredited legal entity, recorded trading names, verified service category/categories, and any limitations recorded (e.g., locations/brands).
  • Good standing: Current, valid status with all obligations met (including correct badge use, cooperation, and re-verification where required).
  • Misuse: Any use that is inaccurate, outside scope, misleading, modified, or used after status ends.

PART A — CORE RULES

5) Rule 1 — Use only when current and in good standing

You may use MarryMark badges/claims only while your accreditation/credential is current and in good standing.

If your status is lapsed, suspended, downgraded, or revoked, you must immediately cease using badges/claims and remove them within the timeframe directed by MarryMark. This mirrors global accreditation symbol rules requiring discontinuation on withdrawal.

6) Rule 2 — Claims must be accurate and within scope

All MarryMark claims must be:

  • accurate,
  • tied to the correct issued tier/level (e.g., “7 Star Gold”),
  • used only for the entity/trading names on record, and
  • used only for the verified service categories.

Accredited organisations are expected to describe their status accurately and remain within scope (a consistent requirement across accreditation systems). 

Not allowed:

  • claiming or implying that a sister company, venue, related brand, associate business, or contractor is accredited unless separately verified.

7) Rule 3 — Do not use badges/claims in a misleading way

Your badge/claims must not be used in any manner that:

  • implies MarryMark has certified/approved a specific product, deliverable, or outcome;
  • implies MarryMark is guaranteeing performance, safety, or results; or
  • suggests MarryMark is a party to client contracts.

8) Rule 4 — Badge must be linked clearly to the accredited party

Badges/claims must be placed so the relationship between the badge and the accredited party is obvious. Best practice requires marks be positioned so the relationship is clear and not used in isolation in a confusing way.

Practical MarryMark standard:

  • Place the badge adjacent to your business name/trading name (or the CWP holder’s name).
  • Do not display a badge in a way that could be interpreted as applying to an event, venue, or third party.

9) Rule 5 — Do not alter badges or create “look-alikes”

You must use MarryMark badges exactly as issued. Do not:

  • redraw, recreate, animate, distort, add drop shadows/filters, change colours, or alter text
  • crop the badge in a way that removes key elements
  • create “inspired by” or “MarryMark-style” graphics.

10) Rule 6 — Permission is not transferable

Your permission to use MarryMark badges/claims is personal to the accredited entity or CWP holder and cannot be assigned, transferred, sublicensed, or lent to any other party (including agencies, directories, venues, or partners).

11) Rule 7 — No registration, naming, or handle use

You must not use, register, or apply for registration of any MarryMark marks (including “MarryMark”, star tier badges, “CWP”, or any confusingly similar variation) in:

  • business names, trading names, or entity names
  • domain names, URLs, subdomains, or website page slugs
  • social media usernames/handles
  • app names or account names
  • trademarks, service marks, or other IP filings

unless MarryMark provides prior written permission.

This rule does not prevent you from using accurate descriptive claims in permitted places (for example, “MarryMark Accredited — 6 Star Gold” or “[Name], CWP”) as set out in these Rules.

PART B — APPROVED CLAIMS (WHAT YOU MAY SAY)

12) Approved badge claim formats (Business)

You may use the following claim structures (choose the one that fits the context):

A) Short form (marketing):
  • “MarryMark Accredited — [5/6/7 Star] [Silver/Gold]”
  • “MarryMark [5/6/7 Star] [Silver/Gold] Accredited Business”
B) With period (best practice where space allows):
  • “MarryMark Accredited — [Tier] [Level], valid “Credential Year: [Year]”)

Required meaning: Whenever you describe accreditation, you must not change its meaning. Use this language (or equivalent):

  • “Verified against MarryMark standards at the time of assessment.”
    (This aligns to best practice that mark use must accurately reflect status and scope.)

13) Use of Individual Credentials (CWP) & Post-Nominals

MarryMark’s Certified Wedding Professional (CWP) credential is an individual certification. Business accreditation and individual credentials must not be confused, blended, or marketed as equivalent.

A) Who may use CWP post-nominals
  • Only individuals who hold a current CWP credential in good standing may use “CWP” after their name.
  • The CWP credential is not transferable and must not be used by a business entity, team member, subcontractor, or colleague who is not certified.
B) Format and placement rules
  • The correct format is: First Last, CWP (no punctuation; not “C.W.P.”).
  • CWP may be used in:
    • email signatures
    • business cards
    • LinkedIn / professional bios
    • proposals, profiles, and team pages
  • CWP must not be used:
    • as part of a business name or legal entity name
    • as a “floating badge” implying a whole team/business is certified
    • in a way that implies endorsement beyond what MarryMark has granted
C) Business-level representations (what the company may claim)

The business may state (truthfully and specifically):

  • “CWP on our team: [Name], CWP”
  • “Certified Wedding Professional (CWP) holder: [Name]”
  • “Our [Role] holds the MarryMark CWP credential.”

The business must not state:

  • “We are a CWP business”
  • “MarryMark certified company” (unless referring to the business accreditation tier explicitly)
  • Any wording that implies all staff hold CWP when they do not
D) Status changes and removal obligations
  • If a person’s CWP status lapses, is suspended, or is revoked, they must remove CWP post-nominals and related claims from all materials within MarryMark’s specified timeframe.
  • If a CWP holder leaves the business, the business must promptly update website/team pages, proposals, and marketing to avoid misleading representations.
E) Misuse

Misuse of CWP post-nominals or misleading credential representations may be treated as a major non-conformance or serious breach, triggering corrective action, suspension, or revocation of business accreditation.

Quick Examples (Approved Use)

1) Email signature (individual)
Jane Jones, CWP
Senior Wedding Planner | [Business Name]
Phone | Website
(Optional) MarryMark Accredited Business – [Tier]

2) Website team page (individual credential)
“Jane Jones, CWP – Certified Wedding Professional (MarryMark)”

3) Proposal / capability statement (business claim)
“CWP on team: Jane Jones, CWP.”

4) LinkedIn headline (individual)
“Wedding Planner | Jane Jones, CWP | [Business Name]”

Quick Examples (Not Approved)

  • “We’re a CWP certified business.”
  • “Our team are all CWP.” (unless true and verifiable)
  • Using CWP in the business name or as a general company designation.

PART C — PROHIBITED CLAIMS (WHAT YOU MUST NOT SAY)

14) Unacceptable statements (examples)

You must not use wording that implies outcomes are guaranteed or MarryMark endorses your services beyond verification scope. Examples of prohibited claims include:

  • “MarryMark approved”
  • “MarryMark guaranteed / risk-free / safest / certified quality outcomes”
  • “Endorsed by MarryMark”
  • “MarryMark certified my products/deliverables”
  • “Official partner of MarryMark”
  • “MarryMark ranks us #1 / best”

PART D — WHERE AND HOW YOU MAY USE BADGES

15) Permitted use (Business and CWP)

You may use the badge/claim on:

  • your website and landing pages
  • proposals, brochures, capability statements, tenders
  • email signatures, PDFs, social profiles and posts
  • advertising (paid and organic), provided claims are accurate and within scope
  • on-site signage, expo stands, and studio collateral (where applicable).

16) Restricted / prohibited placements (to prevent misleading impressions)

Unless MarryMark specifically permits it in writing, do not use badges/claims:

  • on product labels/packaging or in a way that implies product certification/approval (if you sell physical goods)
  • as a “stamp of approval” on third-party documents that could be misconstrued as MarryMark-issued
  • in a way that implies a venue or event is “MarryMark accredited”
  • in metadata/SEO/keywords in a way that misleads users (e.g., “official MarryMark partner” when untrue).

17) Social and media conduct (badge integrity)

If you use badges/claims on social media:

  • do not publish private disputes or share client personal information
  • do not use the badge as a weapon in industry disputes
  • do not imply that a negative review or complaint is “invalid because we are MarryMark accredited.”

PART E — DESIGN & BRAND RULES (PRACTICAL)

18) Use only official assets

Use only the digital badge files supplied by MarryMark. If you need a different format, request it (do not recreate).

19) Clear space and legibility

  • Badge must remain legible at the size used.
  • Do not crop or obscure the badge.
  • Maintain sufficient clear space so it is not visually merged into another logo.

20) Relative prominence

To avoid confusion about who is providing the service:

  • The badge must not be displayed more prominently than your primary brand mark in a way that implies MarryMark is the service provider.

PART F — THIRD PARTIES, AGENCIES, AND SUBCONTRACTORS

21) Agencies and marketing contractors

Your marketing agency may place the badge on your behalf only if:

  • they act under your instruction, and
  • usage complies with these Rules and your scope.

They must not use the badge to promote themselves.

22) Subcontractors and associates

Subcontractors may not claim your MarryMark status as their own. If a key subcontractor is publicly named, ensure wording remains accurate (e.g., “working on behalf of [Accredited Business]”). Your Code of Conduct requires you to control badge/claims made on your behalf.

23) Directories, venues, third-party partners

No third party may use MarryMark marks to promote themselves as accredited unless they have their own MarryMark status or express written permission.

PART G — MONITORING, ENFORCEMENT, AND TAKEDOWNS

24) Monitoring

MarryMark may review public use of badges/claims (web, social, advertising, proposals) to protect scheme integrity.

25) Corrections and takedown directions

If MarryMark identifies misuse, we may issue a direction to:

  • correct wording,
  • remove an asset, or
  • cease using a badge/claim.

Urgent integrity matters (e.g., false tier claims, use after lapse, “lookalike” marks) may require removal within 48 hours.

26) Consequences of misuse

Misuse may result in one or more of:

  • corrective action plan (CAP) and re-verification
  • monitoring/probation
  • tier downgrade (e.g., Gold → Silver)
  • suspension
  • revocation / non-renewal

Best practice across accreditation schemes treats misuse as grounds to restrict mark licence and enforce immediate discontinuation on withdrawal.

PART H — REQUESTS, APPROVALS, AND UPDATES

27) Pre-approval requests

You must request written approval if you want to:

  • co-brand the badge with a third party in a partnership campaign
  • create a new badge placement that could confuse scope (e.g., venue signage implying venue accreditation)
  • use the badge in new formats (video animations, broadcast media, large-format printing)
  • translate badge claims into another language (so meaning remains accurate).

28) Updates to these Rules

MarryMark may update these Rules from time to time. Where changes are material, we aim to provide reasonable notice. Updated rules apply as set out in your Terms.