Posts
about the Wedding Ceremony
Your ceremony is my joy and my jam! I'm totally
dedicated to inclusive, meaningful, memorable
ceremonies. No Cheese. No outdated stereotypes.
Nothing awkward or uncomfortable.
Including Your Sisters and Besties in Your Wedding
Ceremony
Categories: |
Inclusive Weddings
| Wedding Ceremony
(22/05/2022)
There are many ways to include your sisters and all of
your besties in your ceremony, even if you
want to keep your wedding party small. ...
More
Beware the It's Traditional Wedding
Guilt Trip!
Categories: |
Wedding Ceremony
(27/03/2022)
What lies behind the fairly widespread belief that
all weddings must be traditional? ...
More
Handfasting - The Sexy Must-Have Wedding Ritual
Categories: |
Wedding Ceremony
|
Wedding Rituals |
(25/02/2022)
Handfasting is a highly symbolic ritual where the
couple's hands are tied together. It is infinitely
adaptable, can be themed to match the overall wedding
theme, and delivers multiple opportunities for great
photos. It is also great fun and quite sexy ...
More
The Rose Ceremony
Categories: |
Wedding Ceremony
|
Wedding Rituals |
(21/02/2022)
The Rose Ceremony is a sweet wedding ritual where roses
are exchanged or given as tokens of love and
appreciation ...
More
Handfasting vs Handtying vs Tying the Knot
Categories: |
Wedding Ceremony
|
Wedding Rituals |
(17/01/2022)
Is there a difference between Handfasting and Handtying?
I believe there is. But it is not what you think it is!.
...
More
Old School Things That Make Wedding Ceremonies
Wonderful - and a Few that Don't
Categories: |
Wedding Ceremony
|
Wedding Planning
|
(19/12/2021)
In all the rush to be modern and contemporary, I think
we often downplay the old school things that make
wedding ceremonies wonderful. In fact, many wedding
professionals act as if nothing old school happens
during the wedding ceremonies they are involved with.
But just because they
are not acknowledged, doesn't mean they aren't there!
Here is my list of all the (largely unacknowledged)
things that have made weddings special forever, and
continue to do so. ...
More
26 Good Reasons to Schedule a Wedding Rehearsal
Categories: |
Wedding Ceremony
|
Wedding Planning
|
(30/11/2021)
While the practical reasons for having a rehearsal are
well known,other equally important reasons
are rarely discussed, so in this blog post I discuss the
practical reasons together with the emotional and
relationship-strengthening reasons and outline what a
rehearsal should achieve and what happens at one ...
More
Read Your Vows Like a Pro
Categories: |
Vows |
Wedding Ceremony |
(29/11/2021)
On your wedding day you can repeat your vows after your
celebrant, or you can read them. Or you can do both! In
Australia, each of you must speak a specific contractual
statement. It is this statement that creates your
marriage. If you choose to read this statement
(perfectly legal to do so) and/or your personal
promises, there are several things you can do to make
sure that you read with confidence ...
More
How to Rock Rose Petals in Your Wedding Ceremony
Categories: |
Wedding Ceremony
|
Wedding Traditions |
(27/11/2021)
There are many ways to include rose petals in your
wedding ceremony that will both surprise and delight
your guests because they won't have experienced them
before ...
More
Traditions and Your Wedding: Tweak Old Ones and Make
New Ones!
Categories: |
Wedding Ceremony
|
Wedding Traditions |
(25/11/2021)
All traditions were invented by someone for some reason
that was good, socially acceptable, or in line with a
social norm at the time. So it follows that traditions
can be comforting. but they can also be a burden if
they've outlived their usefulness or express values that
are at odds with your own. In the 21st century, there
are good reasons to reexamine traditions that are nearly
200 years old, and tweak them or make new ones ...
More
21 Good Reasons to Have a Celebrant Wedding
Categories: |
Celebrant
|
Wedding Ceremony |
(20/11/2021)
A celebrant-led wedding gives you so much more
flexibility and choice than marrying in either a
religious ceremony or a registry office ceremony while
not restricting the content of your ceremony ...
More
8 Legit Ways to Use Smart Phones in your Wedding
Categories: |
Wedding Ceremony
|
(06/11/2021)
Smart phones are a largely ignored and definitely
under-exploited resource in wedding ceremonies ...
More
Weddings and Weaponry in Queensland
Categories: |
Wedding Ceremony
|
Wedding Legals |
(03/11/2021)
Carrying a knife (sgian dubh) is part of the traditional
male Scottish Highland Dress. But in many
places, including Queensland, carrying a knife in a
public place can land you in trouble with the law. Read
on to find out about the rules and what you can do to
get round them ....
More
The Six Stages of Ceremony Development
Categories: |
Wedding Ceremony
|
(02/11/2021)
A personal and authentic bespoke ceremony doesn't just
happen. By following my unique six steps of ceremony
development we will make your vision for your ceremony a
reality ...
More
How to Hold Your Wedding Bouquet
Categories: |
Wedding Ceremony
|
Wedding Dresses |
(29/10/2021)
How you carry your bouquet can make a world of
difference to your photos, and to how much your guests
see of your beautiful dress and, potentially, your face
...
More
Dot Point your Vows for Ease and Effect
Categories: |
Vows |
Wedding Ceremony |
(21/10/2021)
Succinct vows can be very effective. And you can't get
more succinct than dot points. If you are planning to
read your vows, dot pointing them will make them easy to
read and so much easier to write! ...
More
14 Ways to Include Lucky White Heather in your
Wedding
Categories: |
Wedding Ceremony
|
Wedding Planning |
(12/10/2021)
White heather, a Scottish tradition that has spread far
and wide, is considered lucky in weddings. While it is
traditional to include a sprig in a bride's bouquet,
there are many other ways to incorporate it in your
wedding ...
More
Could a Tandem Wedding be Your Thing?
Categories: |
Wedding Ceremony
|
Wedding Legals |
Wedding
Planning |
(10/10/2021)
A tandem wedding ceremony is one that is officiated by
two people, working in concert, but only one of whom is
authorised to solemnise legal marriages ...
More
What Does The Marriage Act Do?
Categories: |
Wedding Ceremony
|
Wedding Legals |
(26/09/2021)
The Marriage Act applies to all marriages solemnised in
Australia. It lays down the framework, creates offences,
and deals with the recognition of foreign marriages ...
More
Why Border-Straddling Weddings Are a No-No
Categories: |
Wedding Ceremony
|
Wedding Legals |
(25/09/2021)
Marriages in Australia must be registered in the state
or territory in which they take place...
More
Everyone Present at Your Wedding is a Guest
Categories: |
Wedding Ceremony
|
Wedding Planning |
(27/07/2021)
Everyone present at your wedding is a guest, including
the two of you! This is something to take to heart. It's
not just about being kind and considerate, it is also
about social media use. . ...
More ...
Vows, Personal Promises, and what goes first
Categories: |
Vows
| Wedding Ceremony |
(07/07/2021)
Out in celebrant land there are differing opinions about
whether your personal promises must follow the legal
vows, or whether they can be said before you make your
legal vows. Here's why I believe that personal promises
can be made anywhere in the ceremony - or not at all, if
you so choose. ...
More
...
Can you all hear me?
Categories: |
Wedding Ceremony
|
Wedding Planning |
(21/06/2021)
How successful your wedding ceremony is depends very
largely on your guests being able to hear
every word. That can mean your celebrant needs to use a
PA system. However, the choices you make early in your
planning, and the unexpected challenges your chosen
venue throws up, can have an immense impact on how well
your guests will be able to hear the
ceremony. ...
More ...
Declutter your Vows: 3 Vows are Better than One!
Categories: |
Vows
|
Wedding Ceremony |
(21/05/2021)
There is a simple solution to the struggle to write your
personal vows. Instead of trying to fit it
all into one vow, write three vows. And there is a
rational reason why this is a great idea ...
More ...
Wedding Ceremony Anxiety and How to Deal with it
Categories: |
Wedding Ceremony
| Wedding Planning
|
(17/05/2021)
It is the very rare bride or groom who doesn't develop
some level of wedding ceremony anxiety in the lead up to
their wedding. It's common, but, by understanding what
it is and why you might be feeling that way can go a
long way to damping it down. ...
More ...
Pimp up your wedding ceremony program to the max
Categories: |
Wedding Ceremony
| Wedding Planning |
(04/05/2021)
Wedding programs have fallen out of favour. They are no
longer a must-have. However, done well, your wedding
program can serve as a guide to your ceremony, an
introduction that adds to the anticipation and
excitement ...
More ...
Yes! You CAN have a gender-neutral, stereotype-free,
wedding ceremony
Categories: |
Inclusive Wedding
| Wedding Ceremony |
(20/04/2021)
The Marriage Act permits couples to have a totally
gender-neutral marriage ceremony. Regardless of how much
pressure others may apply to try to make you confirm to
gender stereotypes, you are legally entitled to ignore
them. ...
More
...
Including Your Brothers and Best Mates in Your
Wedding Ceremony
Categories: |
Inclusive Wedding |
Wedding Ceremony |
(04/04/2021)
There are so many ways to include all of your best mates
and brothers in your ceremony, even if you want to keep
your wedding party small ...
More
...
Unplugged Wedding: Pros, Cons, and Alternatives
Categories: |
Wedding Ceremony |
Wedding
Planning |
(30/03/2021)
Having an unplugged wedding has benefits, but it also
has drawbacks. A compromise position might be the best
strategy.. ...
More ...
How to Deal with Unsolicited Wedding Advice
Categories: |
Wedding Ceremony |
Wedding
Planning |
(16/03/2021)
Unsolicited wedding advice from well-meaning friends and
loved ones can feel like criticism and be stressful. In
this blog post I discuss how to deal with it. ...
More
...
Warming of the Rings - a Powerfully Inclusive Ritual
Categories: |
Wedding Ceremony |
Wedding
Rituals |
(28/02/2021)
In the
Warming of the Rings ritual your wedding
rings are infused with love, energy, strength,
and commitment by friends and loved ones as an
expression of their support and good wishes for your
marriage. In this blog post I discuss the charm and the
challenges of this ritual, one of my favourites,
particularly since COVID ...
More ...
False Origin Claims about Three Wedding Rituals
Categories: |
Wedding Ceremony |
Wedding
Rituals |
(24/01/2021)
There is no need to attribute invented traditions to
long ago and far away to give them authority.
Misattribution is both disrespectful and unnecessary.
These ceremony enhancements are enough, as they are.
They can stand alone. ...
More
...
Pairing up your Wedding Party: Who Walks with Who?
Categories: |
Wedding Ceremony |
Wedding
Traditions |
(21/01/2021)
How do you pair up your wedding party when you've tossed
the idea of a a strict division along
gender lines and your
I Do Crew is made
up of your besties with no regard for equal numbers or
matchy matchy on gender. ...
More ...
How to Avoid Ugly Crying During Your Wedding
Categories: |
Vows |
Wedding
Ceremony |
(15/01/2021)
Are you nervous about ugly crying during the most
emotional parts of the day (the ceremony and the
speeches)? There are tried and true ways to make sure
you feel the emotions but avoid the ugly part of the
crying ...
More
...
Plan X - The 2021 Wedding Must Have
Categories: |
Wedding Ceremony |
Wedding Planning |
(05/01/2021)
Plan X is the plan you have ready to guide you when your
wedding, as planned, can't go ahead on the day because
of restrictions imposed in response to COVID-19
outbreaks ...
More
...
Fund your Wedding and Include your Loved Ones with a
Wedding Registry
Categories: | Wedding Budget
| Wedding Ceremony |
Wedding Planning |
(05/12/2020)
Rethinking what you might put on your wedding registry
list and/or substituting a Wedding Wish List for a
Wishing Well can be great solutions to two of the big
dilemmas 2020 has created for couples planning to
marry
More
...
Ramp Up the Fun with Wildlife at your Wedding
Categories: | Wedding
Ceremony | Wedding
Planning |
(22/11/2020)
An emerging trend is that couples are thinking beyond
their own fur kids and exploring the idea of adding a
wildlife element to their wedding. It is also a growing
area in wedding-related businesses, so you are spoiled
for choice. However, to successfully include wildlife in
your wedding requires some thought and
preparation
More
...
Celebrate Your Grandmas in Your Wedding Ceremony
Categories: | Inclusive Weddings | Wedding
Ceremony |
(15/11/2020)
There are so many ways to include your grandmothers in
your ceremony.
More ...
No Wedding Ceremony Is Boring ... However ...
Categories: | Wedding Ceremony |
(12/11/2020)
Weddings and wedding ceremonies have acquired the
reputation of being boring even though no wedding is
boring if you've never been to a wedding before. The
problem isn't that weddings are boring, but that they
are predictable, which is both comforting and boring.
And that's the challenge.
More ...
White Weddings are uh, White
Categories: | Wedding Ceremony |
Wedding
Planning |
(26/10/2020)
The traditional white wedding, still seen as the norm in
Australia, is culturally white, through and
through
More
...
Like First Impressions, the First Line of Your
Wedding Ceremony Matters
Categories: |
Wedding Ceremony |
Wedding
Legals |
(26/09/2020)
The first line of your wedding ceremony can be
captivating and intriguing. It can make your
guests lean forward, eager to participate. It does not
have to be boring. Unfortunately, it often is...
More ...
Guest Blog Post on the Wedlockers site:
Louder than Words: The Potent "Hidden" Messages Your
Wedding Ceremony Can Send
(24/09/2020)
As the saying goes, the little things are the big
things. In weddings, subtle messages sent by both
actions and words speak volumes about your
relationship. Whether accurate or inaccurate, subtle
“hidden” messages can influence the way your
relationship is perceived and the marriage itself ... Read it
Your Wedding Vows: Legal, Personal, Private? What's
the Difference?
Categories: |
Vows|
Wedding Ceremony
|
Wedding Legals |
(12/09/2020)
What's the difference between legal vows and personal
vows (personal promises) and can you keep
them private?...
More ...
12 Wedding "Rules" to Kick to the Curb for a Modern
Marriage
Categories: |
Wedding Ceremony |
Wedding
Traditions |
(04/09/2020)
Your wedding is a personal occasion, but a personal
occasion that lays a critical foundation
for your future together. There are no rules, other than
minimal legal requirements. But there are plenty of
tyrannical traditions that you can skip with a clear
conscience ...
More
...
Give your Dog a Starring Role in Your Wedding
Categories: |
Wedding Ceremony | Wedding
Planning |
(27/08/2020)
Dogs being themselves make for magic moments. All you
need to do is to give your dog the
opportunity by including them in your wedding every way
you can. ...
More
...
Celebrate Your Fathers in Your Wedding Ceremony
Categories: |
Inclusive Weddings |
Wedding Ceremony |
(19/08/2020)
There are so many ways to include both fathers in your
ceremony.. ...
More
...
You Absolutely Should Plan Your Wedding with
Anniversaries in Mind
Categories: |
Vow Renewals |
Wedding
Ceremony |
(18/08/2020)
Weddings are about making memories, and one of the ways
to keep the memory of your wedding alive is to celebrate
your wedding anniversaries. Planning your wedding with
future wedding anniversaries in mind is particularly
important at the moment, when COVID-19 has imposed so
many restrictions on weddings. ...
More
...
Love Locks: a Ritual with Ancient Relevance and
Contemporary Problems
Categories: | Wedding Ceremony |
Wedding
Rituals |
(14/08/2020)
The love lock unity ritual is a relatively new ritual
inspired by the custom of lovers attaching a padlock to
a public structure and throwing away the key. It offers
numerous possibilities for meaningful personalisation,
but needs to be mindfully prepared and performed on the
day ...
More ...
Breakfast Weddings - A Beautiful Budget-Friendly
Option
Categories: |
Wedding Budget | Wedding
Ceremony |
Wedding Planning |
(11/08/2020)
Even on a weekend, having a breakfast wedding gives you
more options and more chance of booking your chosen
suppliers. And it is a very budget-friendly option ....
More ...
Barefoot at Your Wedding - An Ancient Tradition
Categories: |
Wedding Ceremony |
Wedding
Traditions |
(07/08/2020)
Marrying in bare feet is an ancient Celtic tradition,
easily translatable to the Australian environment. ...
More ...
Masked-Up and Married - How to Rock a Mask on your
Wedding Day
Categories: |
Wedding Ceremony |
Wedding
Dresses |
(31/07/2020)
With COVID-19 compulsory mask-wearing anytime you leave
your own home very definitely on
the agenda, it is time to do some forward planning and
prepare to rock a mask on your wedding day if you are
required to wear one ...
More
...
34 Ways to Incorporate Tartan in Your Wedding
Ceremony Without Wearing a Kilt
Categories: |
Wedding Ceremony |
Wedding Traditions |
(26/07/2020)
There are many ways to incorporate family tartans into
your wedding ceremony apart from the men wearing kilts
...
More ...
Redesigning Wedding Ceremonies for 2020
Categories: |
Wedding Ceremony |
Wedding Rituals |
(19/07/2020)
While developing my own COVIDSafe plan for the
ceremonies I officiate it became clear that many parts
of the ceremony now need a different approach in order
to keep everyone safe. The challenge is how to adapt the
ceremony to make it safer without compromising the
emotion of the occasion ...
More
...
Wedding Cake Unity Ritual
Categories: |
Wedding Ceremony |
Wedding Rituals |
Wedding Traditions |
(15/07/2020)
A wedding cake unity ritual, where you cut and share
your wedding cake during your ceremony, works well, both
symbolically and practically, and is a great way to deal
with the new COVID-19 restrictions on sharing the cake
with guests ...
More ...
In 2020 and Beyond Children Need to be Invited to
Your Wedding
Categories: |
Inclusive Weddings |
Wedding Ceremony |
Wedding Planning |
(12/07/2020)
There are good reasons why it is particularly important
since 2020, a year where their lives were
disrupted, for children to experience wedding
ceremonies ...
More ...
How to Have a Plastic Free Wedding
Categories: |
Wedding Ceremony |
Wedding
Planning |
(03/07/2020)
Your wedding day is a great opportunity to share and
showcase your values. It is also a day that presents
multiple opportunities to either pile on the plastics or
do your best to avoid that. So I've put together some
suggestions, some simple, some straightforward, some the
obvious,
and some a little bit cheeky! ...
More ...
What Makes a Good Wedding?
Categories: |
Wedding Ceremony |
Wedding
Planning |
(28/06/2020)
After 14 years and well over 1000 weddings (legal and
non-legal), together with 11 books and 190+
blog posts about things wedding, I know a bit about
weddings, and what makes a good wedding, and what
doesn't. ...
More
...
Can I sing my vows?
Categories: |
Wedding Ceremony |
(26/06/2020)
Smaller, more intimate weddings mean that couples feel
more relaxed about thinking outside the box. But are you
allowed to sing your vows? ...
More ...
Down the Aisle, Social Distancing Style
Categories: |
Wedding Ceremony |
(26/06/2020)
With restrictions on numbers at weddings being relaxed,
the aisle is coming back. But how do you set up your
ceremony space and walk down the aisle with style when
social distancing is still required? ...
More ...
Blowing Bubbles, Covid-19 Safe or Covid-19 Risky?
Categories: |
Naming Ceremonies |
Wedding
Ceremony |
(23/06/2020)
Is it safe to blow bubbles in your ceremony, or is there
a risk of spreading COVID-19? ...
More ...
How to be Gorgeous in Glasses on Your Wedding Day
Categories: |
Wedding Ceremony |
Wedding
Dresses |
(19/06/2020)
Marrying the person who fell in love with
glasses-wearing you has got to be the best reason on the
planet to splurge on a new pair of luxury designer
frames ...
More
...
Cats and Weddings - A Melt Your Heart Combination
Categories: |
Wedding Ceremony |
Wedding
Planning |
(17/06/2020)
Whatever the temperament of your kitty fur baby
including them in your wedding photos is something
you'll never regret. All it takes is a bit of caution
and some forward planning to make sure your baby is safe
and comfortable ...
More
...
7 Things to Do With Your Vows After Your Wedding
Categories: |
Vows|
Wedding Ceremony
|
(15/06/2020)
The promises you make to one another are the heart,
soul, and centrepiece of your ceremony.
They come from your best and higher selves. They are
also the blueprint for your marriage and a timeless
reminder of what is important to you both. So don't pack
them away...
More ...
Left or Right? Which Side is Correct for Your
Wedding?
Categories: |
Wedding Ceremony |
Wedding
Traditions |
(14/06/2020)
Which side is correct in a wedding depends on what we
are talking about - flowers, rings, or seating ...
More ...
5 Good Reasons to have a Theme Wedding
Categories: |
Wedding Ceremony |
(12/06/2020)
Theme weddings are fun. They also tick all the boxes for
a great experience for you and for your guests ...
More ...
Till Death Do Us Part - Traditional Yes, Required
Definitely Not
Categories: |
Vows |
Wedding Ceremony
|
(09/06/2020)
Why do we associate
Till Death Do Us Part with
weddings and do you have to say it in your vows? ...
More
...
Let's Talk About Bubbles in Your Wedding Ceremony
Categories: |
Wedding Ceremony |
Wedding
Rituals |
(03/06/2020)
Bubbles of both kinds (champagne and bubbles you blow)
can add so much to a ceremony....
More ...
How to add Surprises to your Wedding Ceremony
Categories: |
Wedding Ceremony |
(02/06/2020)
A great way to make sure your guests are engaged and
entertained by your wedding ceremony is to do the
unexpected, to surprise them....
More
...
More than "I do": 6 Things Your Wedding Ceremony
Should Achieve
Categories: |
Wedding Ceremony |
(30/05/2020)
A successful wedding ceremony will achieve six things
...
More
...
The Groom is Getting Married Too!
Categories: |
Wedding Ceremony |
(23/05/2020)
On your wedding day, two people are getting married. It
is time to give the groom equal billing, and here's how
you can do that easily, without added expense, and
without mystifying your guests ...
More ...
How to have a Non-Legal Wedding Ceremony
Categories: |
Wedding Ceremony |
Wedding
Legals |
(14/05/2020)
Getting married and having a wedding can be a two-step
process.. ...
More
...
Celebrate Your Mothers in Your Wedding Ceremony
Categories: |
Wedding Ceremony |
Inclusive Weddings
|
(10/05/2020)
There are so many ways to include both mothers in your
ceremony. ...
More ...
Contact Tracing and Your Wedding
Categories: |
Wedding Ceremony |
Wedding Planning |
(09/05/2020 - Updated 17/05/2020)
As we progressively relax restrictions on weddings and
gatherings there is a new rule - contact records
must be kept for all attendees ...
More
...
Double Weddings are Fun, Budget Friendly, and Poised
for a Comeback
Categories: |
Wedding Ceremony |
Wedding
Planning |
(06/05/2020)
Double weddings are great fun, budget friendly and
likely to make a comeback because of extra competition
for dates, venues and vendors that will flow on from
weddings postponed in 2020 ...
More ...
What's the Best Time of the Day to Get Married?
Categories: |
Wedding Ceremony |
Wedding
Planning |
(30/04/2020)
The time of day you choose for your wedding will have a
significant impact on your whole day, including on your
budget, your photographs, your choice of venue, and
possibly on the availability of your preferred vendors
and whether or not guests can attend ...
More ...
Your Wedding, Your Story
Categories: |
Wedding Ceremony |
(28/04/2020)
Sharing your love story with your guests is a common
feature in a marriage ceremony, but how do you do that
in the best possible way, particularly when many of your
friends and loved ones are not going to be able to be at
your wedding? ...
More ...
ISO (Coronavirus) Weddings Can Be Oh So Romantic
Categories: |
Wedding Ceremony |
(23/04/2020)
Rule of Five weddings under the current Coronavirus
restrictions, are limited to the minimum number of
people needed to be present for a legal marriage, but
this should not mean that your wedding is a second-best
alternative ...
More ...
Romantic Wedding Ring Ideas
Categories: |
Wedding Ceremony |
Wedding
Rituals |
(21/04/2020)
One of the most emotional (and romantic) high points of
your marriage ceremony is the exchange of your wedding
rings. Why not make that moment even more romantic by
adding something unique to the two of you, something
that emphasises that your rings symbolise your love and
unity ...
More ...
Isolation (Coronavirus) Weddings FAQ
Categories: |
Wedding Ceremony |
Wedding Legals
|
(18/04/2020)
Current social isolation/social distancing restrictions
on weddings are complicated because, while the Federal
Government set the broad restrictions, the fine detail
is controlled on a state by state basis.....
More ...
How to Write a Love Letter
Categories: |
Wedding Ceremony |
Wedding Planning |
Wedding Rituals|
(15/04/2020)
What could possibly be more romantic than receiving a
love letter? Writing one! Putting your love in writing
is a way to have it endure for ever....
More ...
12 Things Coronavirus Won't Stop You Having in Your
"Rule of Five" Wedding
Categories: |
Wedding Ceremony |
(04/04/2020)
Under current coronavirus restrictions you are only
permitted to have a total of five people present at your
wedding - the same five people that is the minimum
number for the marriage to be legal. But the ceremony is
not limited to the legal requirements only. You are free
to make it as fun and fabulous as you wish ...
More ...
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Your Rings
Categories: |
Wedding Ceremony |
(30/03/2020)
The most common question about weddings under the new
restrictions is about whether rings are
allowed. ...
More ...
Getting Married via Skype - Possible in Australia or
Not?
Categories: |
Wedding Ceremony |
Wedding
Legals |
Wedding Planning |
(24/03/2020)
Sorry, it is NOT legal in Australia to get married over
Skype, FaceTime, Google Hangouts, or
other videoconferencing technology, or by proxy. And
this is why...
More ...
So Coronavirus Cancelled Your Wedding ... What Now?
Categories: |
Wedding Ceremony
|
Wedding Planning |
(23/03/2020)
You've been thrown a curve ball that means your wedding
can't go ahead on the day you've planned for, or, can't
go ahead the way you've planned it. Closure of venues,
restrictions on the number of people who can be in both
indoor and outdoor spaces, travel restrictions, social
distancing, and a lot of uncertainty because we have no
idea how long this will last ...
More
...
What Should We Tell Our Guests About Our Wedding in
the Time of the Coronavirus?
Categories: |
Wedding Ceremony
|
Wedding Planning |
(19/03/2020)
With Government restrictions ramping up on a daily
basis, concerns about flattening the curve, and worrying
media reports about the effects of the Coronavirus
(COVID-19) on weddings, you wouldn't be human if you
weren't stressing about your wedding, or worrying about
what you should tell your guests...
More
...
Can You Have Two (or More) Weddings?
Categories: |
Wedding Ceremony |
Wedding
Legals |
Wedding Planning |
(17/03/2020)
Can you, as a marrying couple, have more than one
wedding? The answer is
Yes, but also,
That
Depends...
More
...
Coronavirus and Your Wedding - Some Suggestions
Categories: |
Wedding Ceremony |
Wedding
Legals |
Wedding Planning |
(11/03/2020)
How novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) might impact your
planned wedding is a hot topic at the moment. So, should
you be concerned? Or, in the words of that wonderful
World War II advice, Alert but not Alarmed? ...
More ...
You Are Never Too Old To Get Married the Way you
Want
Categories: |
Wedding Ceremony |
Wedding
Planning |
(03/03/2020)
How do you, as a mature age couple, negotiate the whole
process of wedding planning when most of the marketing,
information, and focus out in wedding land is on the
younger couple wanting the fairy-tale wedding
experience? ...
More
...
The Importance of Consent: Why no-one can force you
to marry, to kiss in your wedding, or to have sex
afterwards
Categories: |
Wedding Ceremony |
Wedding
Legals |
(02/03/2020)
Celebrants in Australia have to be on the lookout for
any indication that you might not be freely and
willingly agreeing to marry, and if we are at all
concerned, to pull the plug on the wedding. You can't be
forced to marry, to kiss during the wedding, or to
have sex after marriage ...
More ...
Not "Just a Celebrant" (and Not "Just Half an Hour")
Categories: |
Celebrant |
Wedding
Ceremony |
Wedding Legals |
Wedding
Planning |
(28/02/2020)
What does a celebrant do? And why do they charge for
more than the half hour the ceremony takes? The easy
answer is that a celebrant changes your legal status
from not-married to married. which is a pretty big
thing. Life-changing, in fact. And they do that by
creating and performing a ceremony. But it certainly
doesn't stop there. When you hire me as a celebrant,
you're getting a lot more than someone who will make
sure you tick a few legal boxes, stand up in front of
your guests, rabbit on for a bit, and then declare that
you are married. ...
More
...
May Love Be Your Umbrella: Using Umbrellas and
Parasols in Your Wedding Ceremony
Categories: |
Wedding Ceremony |
Wedding
Rituals |
(21/02/2020)
Umbrellas present fabulously Instagramable opportunities
for your wedding, including many richly symbolic ways to
feature them in the ceremony ...
More ...
No Licence Needed
Categories: |
Wedding Ceremony |
Wedding
Legals |
Wedding Planning |
(21/02/2020)
Getting married in Australia is super simple. You don't
need a marriage licence, and your venue doesn't have to
have a licence to host wedding ceremonies ...
More ...
Stand by Me - Or Please Be Seated: There are No
Rules for Your Bridal Party, or for Guests at Your
Wedding
Categories: |
Wedding Ceremony |
(18/02/2020)
There are no rules that require your wedding party to
stand up in the front for the whole ceremony. It is your
choice. However, deciding whether your wedding party
will stand with you, or be seated, comes down to a
number of things ...
More ...
Your Grand Entrance: How to walk down the aisle with
style
Categories: |
Wedding Ceremony |
Wedding
Traditions |
(08/02/2020)
Guests at weddings are very accepting of couples doing
their own thing and making their own decisions about how
to walk down the aisle. No-one bats an eye if you choose
to do something other than walk down the aisle on the
arm of your father. And most people no longer assume
that, if you do walk down the aisle on your father's
arm, the ceremony that follows will be ultra-traditional
and totally predictable ...
More
...
Your Marriage Certificate(s)
Categories: |
Wedding Ceremony |
Wedding
Legals |
(06/02/2020)
Every couple marrying in Australia will be presented
with a certificate on the day. That certificate is proof
that you are married, but it isn't proof that your
marriage has been registered. So you need a second (and
different) certificate as well ...
More ...
How to have a Stress-Free Wedding in Your Own
Backyard
Categories: |
Wedding Ceremony |
Wedding
Planning |
(05/02/2020)
The benefits of holding your wedding in your own
backyard are many, and varied, but they all add up to
two things - a backyard wedding is easy on the budget,
and it gives you the ultimate opportunity create a more
relaxed, more personal feel to your wedding.
More
...
Love and Laughter make for an Unboring Wedding
Categories: |
Wedding Ceremony |
(30/01/2020)
Other than getting the legal bits right, spontaneous and
shared laughter is the most important ingredient for a
wedding ceremony. It lifts the mood. It relaxes
everyone. When everyone is laughing they are engaged in
an experience. They are not merely an audience ...
More ...
What's a Legals Only Wedding?
Categories: |
Wedding Ceremony |
Wedding
Legals |
(28/01/2020)
You might be wondering what those
Legals Only
weddings you've seen advertised are. Simply put,
Legals
Only is marriage celebrant speak/shorthand for the
bare minimum ceremony as required by the Marriage Act.
But that's not the whole story ...
More ...
When (soppily) romantic isn't your thing
Categories: |
Wedding
Ceremony |
(23/01/2020)
Your wedding ceremony doesn't have to be dripping with
sentimentality to be meaningful, and special, and a real
reflection of the commitment the two of you have to one
another and to your marriage. If you don't do soppy, and
don't feel comfortable with lovey-dovey poetry or
extravagant vows, you can still have a personal ceremony
that is everything you wish for." ...
More
...
It's True - Your Marriage Ceremony can be
Unstructured!
Categories: |
Wedding
Ceremony |
Wedding Legals |
(19/01/2020)
It might surprise you to learn that there is nothing in
the Marriage Act that requires that your marriage
ceremony has to follow a tightly structured script. As
long as you meet the very minimal legal requirements,
everything else is optional! ...
More ...
Charitable Giving and your Wedding
Categories: |
Wedding
Ceremony |
Wedding Planning |
(15/01/2020)
There are many ways to make charitable giving part of
your wedding, including making it part of your ceremony,
and it is always a good idea to give your guests a
heads-up if you are asking them to give to a cause dear
to you ...
More
...
Your Wedding Party - Busting the Myths
Categories: |
Wedding Ceremony
|
(13/01/2020)
Four myths about wedding parties persist, despite it
being the 21st century, despite society more inclusive,
and despite three quarters of wedding ceremonies in
Australia being civil ceremonies where ceremony content
is all about personal choice and ensuring that your
wedding reflects who you are as a couple. ...
More ...
How to Get Them to the Ceremony on Time
Categories: |
Wedding Ceremony
|
Wedding Planning |
(21/12/2019)
Guests arriving late to the ceremony is a common problem
which puts you, your celebrant, your photographer,
together with other guests in the unenviable
position of having to decide whether you will exchange
your vows in front of a lot of empty seats, have special
people miss the ceremony, suffer disruptions caused by
people wandering in half way through the ceremony, or
become unwell because of a long wait in the heat. ...
More
...
How to have a Hygge Wedding in a Heatwave
Categories: |
Wedding Ceremony
|
Wedding Planning |
(08/12/2019)
A hygge wedding is a perfect way to beat the heat and
have a cosy and comfortable wedding ...
More ...
Easy ways to Conquer Your Fears about Your
Vows
Categories: |
Vows |
Wedding
Ceremony |
(21/11/2019)
One of the biggest fears couples share with me is about
speaking in public and stuffing up their vows, but
making your vows to one another is not like standing on
a platform, facing an audience, and making a speech. So
there are ways to avoid ugly crying ...
More ...
Tree Planting Ritual
Categories: |
Naming Ceremonies
|
Wedding Ceremony |
Wedding Rituals
|
(19/11/2019)
The planting of a tree during a wedding, naming
ceremony, or memorial ceremony is a powerful ritual. ...
More ...
Micro Weddings - Pluses and Opportunities
Galore
Categories: |
Wedding Ceremony |
Wedding Planning |
(19/11/2019)
While a Micro Wedding is usually interpreted to be
abbreviated on all fronts - a shorter, simpler ceremony
and celebration with only a handful of guests - it
allows greater flexibility and offers many wonderful
possibilities not
possible in a larger wedding. ...
More ...
10 Ways to Beat the Heat on Your Wedding Day
Categories: |
Wedding Ceremony |
Wedding Planning |
(14/11/2019)
Australia is a hot place where outdoor weddings are
popular. Heat can compromise your wedding in many ways,
Doing these 10 things can help you beat the heat and
have a fantastic day ...
More ...
Religion in your Civil Marriage Ceremony
Categories: Vows |
Wedding
Ceremony |
(13/11/2019)
In Australia there is no prohibition on including
personal expressions of religious or spiritual belief in
a civil marriage ceremony, and there are many ways to do
this ...
More ...
Nail your Vows by doing these 3 simple things
Categories: Vows |
Wedding
Ceremony |
(21/10/2019)
I've never met a couple who didn't want their exchange
of vows to go without a hitch on the day. The good
news is, like everything else about your wedding,
preparation is key. Doing 3 simple things before you
start writing your vows will guarantee a flawless vow
exchange ...
More
...
Avoid pre-wedding dramas with a Witness Lottery
Categories: |
Wedding Ceremony |
Wedding Legals |
Wedding Planning |
(02/10/2019)
Because being witness is an honour, not choosing someone
who expected to be chosen can cause hurt feelings and a
ongoing drama, including broken friendships and family
rifts. Sidestep problems by having a witness lottery
....
More ...
A Spontaneous Wedding? Yes you can
Categories: |
Wedding Ceremony |
Wedding Legals |
Wedding Planning |
(29/09/2019)
Does that whole let's get married now vibe appeal to
you? No big wedding, just running away and doing it
without any fuss and bother?...
More ...
7 Things to Read at your Wedding instead of a Poem
Categories: |
Wedding Ceremony
|
(21/09/2019)
While meaningful readings can add to the whole emotional
impact of a personal ceremony, just inserting a standard
reading or two adds little or nothing, and can detract.
marrying with a civil celebrant opens up many more
possibilities, as long as we think outside the box and
don't feel constrained by (or obligated to follow) the
tradition of including 3 readings
More ...
Balloons and Bushfires
Categories: Naming Ceremonies |
Wedding
Ceremony |
Wedding Rituals |
Wedding
Planning |
(12/09/2019)
Balloon releases can cause or spread bushfires
More ...
OMG! We forgot the rings ...
Categories: Wedding Ceremony |
Wedding
Planning |
Wedding Rituals |
(24/08/2019)
Forgetting the wedding rings happens. But it doesn't
have to if you have strategies in place to avoid this.
Worst case scenario? There are multiple creative ways to
deal with being ringless on the day...
More ...
The curious reasons why Marriage Documents are
signed with black ink
Categories: Wedding Ceremony |
Wedding
Legals |
(04/08/2019)
Have you ever wondered why your marriage certificate
must be signed in black ink? Or, indeed, why the Notice
of Intended Marriage should be filled in using black ink
(if you're filling it in by hand)? It has a lot to do
with archival requirements - but also with status!
More ...
Acknowledgement of Country
Categories: Wedding Ceremony |
Wedding
Rituals |
(26/07/2019)
Starting your wedding or other ceremony with an
Acknowledgement of Country sends a powerful message of
respect and inclusion...
More ...
Oathing Stone Wedding Ritual
Categories: Wedding Ceremony |
Wedding
Rituals |
(26/07/2019)
The oathing stone is an ancient Celtic tradition that
can add meaningful symbolism to your wedding ceremony -
and can be used as a planned or emergency substitute for
wedding rings...
More
...
Sweet Wedding Rituals
Categories: Wedding Ceremony |
Wedding
Rituals |
(14/07/2019)
Honey and sugar are traditionally used in many cultures
to wish a couple a sweet married life. These customs can
add a beautifully romantic moment to a contemporary
wedding ceremony...
More ...
Coffee Unity Ceremony
Categories: Wedding Ceremony |
Wedding
Rituals |
(11/07/2019)
A coffee unity ceremony can be a variation on the wine
ceremony, or a variation on the sand ceremony, depending
on whether you use liquid coffee or coffee beans...
More
...
Booze, Pills, and your Wedding
Categories: Wedding Ceremony |
Wedding
Legals |
(08/07/2019)
Being drunk or under the influence of other substances,
legal or otherwise, can prevent you from getting married
...
More ...
Showcasing Wedding Music Makers
Categories: Wedding Ceremony |
Wedding
Planning |
(03/07/2019)
One of the joys of being a celebrant is seeing other
wedding professionals "on the job", and working with
them as a team. Recently, I took the opportunity to
delve into what lies behind the skills of a couple of
favourite wedding music makers, and what enables them to
make the magic they do...
More ...
Quick-fix hacks for unexpected wedding problems
Categories: Wedding Ceremony |
Wedding
Planning |
(30/06/2019)
There will always be something that doesn’t go to plan
on the day. Some have the potential to derail the whole
wedding...
More
...
Wine ceremonies for vineyard weddings
Categories: Wedding Ceremony |
Wedding
Rituals |
(19/06/2019)
A wedding in a winery or vineyard offers not only a wide
range of settings for your ceremony - both indoors and
out, depending on the facilities made available by the
particular winery - but also creative inspiration for
the ceremony...
More
...
Realistic Wedding Readings
Categories: Wedding Ceremony |
(09/06/2019)
If you're a down to earth couple, with a realistic view
of what marriage really entails, the vast majority of
the poems and poetic prose read at weddings are just not
for you. I've gathered together a selection of more
down-to-earth readings...
More ...
Showcasing Wedding Photographers
Categories: Wedding Ceremony |
Wedding
Planning |
(05/06/2019)
One of the joys of being a celebrant is seeing other
wedding professionals "on the job", and working with
them as a team. Recently, I took the opportunity to sit
down with two photographers I always love working with
to delve into what lies behind the skills, what enables
them to make the magic they do...
More
...
Getting married when you don’t identify with a
gender
Categories: Inclusive Wedding |
Wedding Ceremony |
Wedding Legals |
(23/05/2019)
Gender is now immaterial when getting married in
Australia. When marrying you do not have to use gendered
terminology or adhere to gendered role ...
More ...
Children in your bridal party
Categories: Wedding Ceremony |
(19/05/2019)
Including children in your bridal party can make for
unexpectedly magic moments ...
More ...
Getting the Author right for a Wedding Reading
Categories: Wedding Ceremony |
(10/05/2019)
A popular poem claimed to be a translation of an
original Persian poem by Sufi poet, Hafiz, is found not
to be so. This is a problem because ...
More ...
Wedding Reading - Epithalamium
Categories: Wedding Ceremony |
(09/05/2019)
A beautiful poem read at the wedding of the first gay
couple to legally marry in Scotland ...
More ...
Surprise Weddings - How to have a successful one
without breaking the law
Categories: Wedding Ceremony |
Wedding
Legals |
Wedding Planning |
(03/05/2019)
The Marriage Act is very clear. Surprise weddings are
illegal - but only if one of the marrying
couple is being surprised. Which means there are plenty
of legal ways to have a surprise wedding ...
More ...
Unity Candle Ceremony
Categories: Wedding Ceremony |
Wedding
Rituals |
(27/04/2019)
The Unity Candle Ceremony - what it is and how to
prepare for it ...
More ...
Unity Sand Ceremony
Categories: Wedding Ceremony |
Wedding
Rituals |
(25/04/2019)
The Unity Sand Ceremony - what it is and how to prepare
for it ...
More
...
How Many Bridesmaids is Just the Right Number?
Categories: Wedding Ceremony |
Wedding
Planning |
Wedding Traditions |
(13/04/2019)
There is a
very fine line between an appropriate number of
bridesmaids (and groomsmen) and just too many,
and a wide range of factors that come into play
when deciding how many is the right number for
your wedding ...
More ...
Writing your vows doesn't have to be hard
Categories: Vows |
Wedding
Ceremony |
(07/04/2019)
Writing your own vows is a wonderful way to personalise
your ceremony - and it is not difficult if you remember
one simple thing ...
More ...
Civil Ceremony, Secular Ceremony,
Humanist Ceremony. What's the difference?
Categories: Wedding Ceremony |
(02/03/2019)
All legal marriages in Australia are, in a sense, civil
marriage, because they are registered and recognised by
the state. Secular and Humanist marriage ceremonies
differ in some profound ways...
More ...
When are you actually legally married?
Categories: Wedding Ceremony |
Wedding
Legals |
(08/02/2019)
There are many incorrect assumptions about when in the
sequence of the ceremony, the signing, and the
registration of their marriage a couple is actually
legally married. ...
More
...
Has Marriage Equality Changed Weddings? – My
Predictions Revisited
Categories: Wedding Ceremony |
Wedding
Planning |
Inclusive Wedding |
(25/01/2019)
A year ago,
I predicted that Marriage Equality would change all
weddings in Australia, as more and
more heterosexual couples, previously
constrained by a wedding playbook that includes
outmoded traditions and embedded roles defined
by gender, experience the individual,
meaningful, expressions of an equal relationship
in the weddings of same-sex couples - and
that every wedding, gay or straight,
would be the better for it.
So how accurate was I?
More ...
What if Someone Objects?
Categories: Wedding Ceremony |
Wedding
Legals |
(05/01/2019)
We've all
seen it in movie after movie - If anyone knows
any reason why these two should not be joined in
marriage, speak now .... So what happens if
someone objects at your wedding?
More ...
Witnesses and Weddings
Categories: Wedding Ceremony |
Wedding
Legals |
(05/12/2018)
In
Australia, no matter whether you marry in
church, the registry office, or by a civil
celebrant, and no matter whether you have the
big white wedding with a large wedding party, or
choose just to elope, the one thing that every
wedding must have is two witnesses...
More ...
Friend or Professional Celebrant?
Categories: Celebrant |
Wedding Ceremony
|
Wedding Legals |
(02/12/2018)
Would choosing a friend instead of a professional
celebrant to conduct your wedding ceremony be a good
option for you? Everything you need to consider -
and how you can have the best of both worlds ...
More
...
Before you Meet Your Celebrant
Categories: Celebrant |
Wedding Ceremony |
Wedding Planning |
(19/11/2018)
There are two distinct aspects to getting married -
planning the ceremony and meeting the legal
requirements. Without the ceremony, your wedding
will just be an expensive party. And without meeting the
legal requirements you will not be legally married! Here
is a list of things to decide and things to do before
you meet with me. If you can tick off all of these the
process will go smoothly and efficiently.
...
More ...
Wine Box or First Fight Box?
Categories: Wedding Ceremony |
Wedding
Rituals |
(20/09/2018)
Why an Anniversary Wine Box is a more appropriate ritual
for a wedding than a First Fight Box ...
More ...
Bride promising to obey until death? Not any more
Categories: Vows |
Wedding
Ceremony |
(09/09/2018)
A very common question from brides is "Do I have to
promise to obey"
More ...
'You may kiss your bride' - oh yeah? How to
have the Perfect (and Perfectly Modern) Kiss
Categories: Wedding Ceremony |
Wedding
Traditions |
(updated 04/08/2018)
As a celebrant I not only see many many wedding kisses,
I also have the responsibility of prompting them. Your
first kiss as a married couple will be photographed and
remembered by your guests (and everyone who sees the
photographs) for years and years, so it is important to
plan for the perfect kiss!
More ....
How Marriage Equality Will Change Wedding Ceremonies
Categories: Wedding Ceremony |
Wedding
Planning |
Inclusive Wedding |
(17/01/2018)
This is my prediction – wedding ceremonies will change,
but it won’t be a case of the wedding industry
merely accommodating same-sex couples. Rather same sex
couples will influence, by example, all civil wedding
ceremonies in Australia, and all weddings will be the
better for it.
More
...
Same Sex Ceremonies - Negotiating the Gendered
Nature of Ceremony Traditions
Categories: Inclusive Weddings |
Wedding
Ceremony |
Wedding Traditions |
(09/01/2018)
Rather than assign roles, assign various customs ....
More ...
Multicultural Fusion Weddings
Categories: Inclusive Weddings | Wedding Ceremony |
Wedding Rituals | Wedding Traditions | Wedding
Planning |
(08/01/2018)
If you are an
intercultural couple, how do you navigate your
ceremony? It is not uncommon to have two
ceremonies. But there is a third option - a fusion
wedding ceremony that incorporates the traditions of
what are important to you both
... More
...
Signing the Register and the Certificates
Categories:
Wedding Ceremony |
Wedding Legals |
(updated 16/12/2017)
Everything you need to know about signing the Marriage
Register and Marriage Certificates ....
More ...
Your celebrant is NOT ripping you off (it is more
than just half an hour)
Categories: Celebrant |
Wedding Budget |
Wedding Ceremony |
Wedding
Planning |
(10/07/2017)
There is an awful lot that goes into the half-hour the
ceremony lasts - and that's what you are paying for
....
More
...
Great Wedding Photos Start in the Mind
Categories: Wedding Ceremony | Wedding
Planning
(22/09/2016)
Mindset and mind-power can make or break
your wedding photos ...Read
on ...
How to Train your Flower Girl for a Brilliant
Petal Toss
Categories:
Wedding Ceremony | Wedding Planning
(14/09/2016)
There is nothing sweeter than a flower
girl tossing petals with exuberant abandon. But
achieving that takes a little training ... Read on ...
And the Flower Girl
wore a Backpack ...
Categories:
Wedding Ceremony | Wedding Planning
(14/09/2016)
Give the children you want involved in
your wedding ceremony the choice of what they will
do and what they will wear and magic happens
... More
...
How to Remember and Honour Deceased Loved Ones in
your Wedding Ceremony
Categories: Wedding Ceremony | Wedding Rituals
(09/09/2016)
Memorialising
deceased loved ones is something many couples wish
to include in their wedding. There are many ways to
do this, and many things that need to be considered
... More ...
How (Not) to
Stagger Down the Aisle (in 3 easy steps)
Categories: Wedding Ceremony
(31/08/2016)
There is an art to walking down the aisle
elegantly - and most of it relates to preparation
...
More ...
Don't Forget This One Simple
Thing When Choosing a Ceremony Venue
Categories: Wedding Ceremony | Wedding
Planning |
(23/08/2016)
There is a very simple thing that makes all the
difference when choosing your ceremony venue.
Forgetting to do it is a serious oversight ... More ...
How
to Avoid the #1 Wedding Embarrassment
Categories:
Wedding Ceremony | Wedding Planning
(15/08/2016)
The most feared wedding embarrassment is
something that nobody wants to do in public, let
alone at their wedding ... More .....
Wedding
Psychology: How and Where to Stand
Categories:
Wedding Ceremony
(30/07/2016)
How and where the bride and groom stand
during the ceremony not only impacts on photographs
of the ceremony, it can have a far-reaching impact
on the marriage, More
...
The
Problem with Wedding Readings
Categories: Celebrant |
Wedding
Ceremony
(17/07/2016)
Most people assume that you have to have readings in
a wedding ceremony. Unfortunately, on the day they
often don't work ...
More ...
Food,
Flowers, and Furniture
Categories: Celebrant | Wedding
Ceremony
(updated 30/07/2018)
Every now and then, someone asks me what I
supply in terms of styling and other add-ons for a
wedding ... More ....