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Celebrancy in the U.K.

Did you know there are no formal qualifications needed to be a registered Celebrant in the U.K.?

I arrived here about 5 weeks ago enjoying what I call 'temporary semi-retirement'. I have just been recruited by a local Funeral Director to be one their in-house Funeral Celebrants. When I went for the meeting (interview) I took with me all my relevant credentials, including my Cert IV certificate. I was advised none of this is required in the U.K.

The decision on who to use as your Wedding / Funeral Celebrant falls firmly with the couple or the grieving family and not with any governing authority. That's why there are so many performing this role in the U.K. Luckily for me in the U.K. (as with Australia) this is a female-dominated role and so the requirement for a male officiator is huge.

I'm looking forward to my first ceremony next week. Will keep you all posted.

Aug

Wedding Anniversary Symbols

Have you ever wondered about what wedding anniversary symbols are all about?

No one knows precisely when wedding anniversaries were first celebrated, but the tradition is believed to go back at least to the Middle Ages. At that time in the Germanic regions of Europe, a husband crowned his wife with a silver wreath on the 25th anniversary of their wedding day. If the couple was fortunate to live long enough, the husband presented his wife with a gold wreath on their 50th wedding anniversary.

Over the years more symbols have been added and it is generally believed that increasingly durable gifts were chosen for successive years to represent the progressive strengthening of the marriage relationship. As the years go by, the gifts increase in strength and worth from paper to diamond.

1st - Paper

Anniversary symbols paper

The first year of marriage is like a clear sheet of paper, a new beginning upon which to write your passage through the years together. Also like paper, it is fragile and can easily rip, not having yet been tried by the fires of adversity and the storms of life.

Apr

To Go or Not to Go....to a conference!

There are a number of things to consider when deciding to go to a Conference.

By Roslyn McFarlane

Aug

Record your life story - before it's too late

The 8th of August is Dying to Know Day - a day to start a conversation about death and dying. We tend to avoid talking about death, grief and loss despite this being something that affects all of us. Dying to Know Day encourages us to talk with our loved ones about death and to learn how to support others who are bereaved. Today's blog has been written by TCN Member, Melanie Lawson from Oberon, NSW.

Jul

Wedding Myth-busting

As celebrants we hear some common misconceptions about weddings, so today Celebrant Melanie Lawson from Oberon in NSW is going to bust some myths!

Jul

Kissing during your wedding ceremony – what do you think?

It’s the stuff of dreams and movie moments. The traditional kiss during the wedding ceremony is preceded by the celebrant saying to the groom “You may kiss your bride” and the big kiss is recorded by photographers and videographers as the guests cheer and applaud. In today’s blog we look at this sometimes tricky situation with Celebrant Sonia Collins.

Jun

Telling your story

There are so many very good reasons to tell or record your life story, and a great way to express this is in a photo book. A beautiful book that tells the story of your life in words and photos. Written by Celebrant, Leslie Ridgeway from Ocean Grove, Victoria

Jun

Why use a translator or an interpreter in Australia?

Are you getting married in Australia? Do you or your partner have limited English language skills? Are you or your partner hearing impaired? What about the two people you've chosen to be your official witnesses? Perhaps you have guests coming to your ceremony who don't understand English or are hearing impaired? There are a number of reasons why you might need to engage an interpreter or a translator when you are getting married....

May

Being more accessible - Global Access Awareness Day

The 16th of May was Global Access Awareness Day – the focus of this day is for the technology experts to think about how to ensure that the digital world is inclusive and accessible to all... Today, Celebrant Melanie Lawson is taking us through what we as celebrants can do to be more inclusive.

May

Shortening the one month notice period

When you get married in Australia the law is that you must give notice in writing by way of lodging a Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) form with your celebrant/registry office/clergy at least one (1) month prior to your ceremony date. You can lodge your NOIM up to 18 months beforehand... but why the one month wait? Celebrant Shell Brown takes us through the ins and outs of a Shortening of Time.

May

I just got engaged - now what do I do?

I just got engaged.... what do I do now? This is a common question asked by many a couple getting married for the first time, and in fact, it is still asked by people on their second and third time around. Getting married is not an everyday occurrence, so it's not a natural thing where people simply 'know' what to do. Celebrant Shell Brown walks us through the process...

Nov

Remembering Loved Ones

The 11th of November is coming up this Friday which is Remembrance Day. The day we pay our respects to those soldiers who died in the First World War.

May

Mother's Day Musings

Mothers Day is approaching, and with it, a flurry of hand written cards, hasty trips to the shops by dads, husbands, sons, daughters and partners, a myriad of school and pre school stalls, the busying of florists, jewellers, beauticians, and the stacking of installations of cards in post offices, shops, corner stores, and petrol stations. These are the Mother's Day Musings of The Celebrant's Network's guest blogger Lisa Philipsen....

Apr

Anniversary Symbols

Are you one of those people who can never remember what you're meant to buy your partner or your wife or your husband or your spouse for your anniversary each year? Is it paper? Is it wood? Which year do I give roses? Here's a handy guide for you..... you're welcome!

Jan

Getting Married Legally in Australia

On the 9th December 2017 the Australian Government changed the marriage laws to allow same sex couples to legally marry. This has been a long time coming for the LGBTQI community, their families, friends and supporters and it's finally here. After waiting the required month after lodging the Notice of Intended Marriage form, those couples can, as of the 9th of January 2018, marry the person they love, regardless of their gender.

Nov

Being a Celebrant in the Digital World

We've come a long way since filling out forms with old fashioned paper and pen. There are new rules, new technologies and a new way of doing things. Celebrant Shell Brown takes us through what we, as celebrants, can and can not do electronically.

Apr

How to add Ceremony to any Celebration

If you think about it, there is always an element of formality to most events. When you think of formal events you think weddings, funerals and naming days, but there are many events in our lives where we can add ceremony. Celebrant Shell Brown from Geraldton, WA shares some ideas as how to add a bit of ceremony to your celebration.

Apr

How The World Mourns...

When we're faced with inevitable life transitions, such as death, we look to tradition to guide us through the difficult time and help us mourn our loved ones...

Apr

We Need to Talk About Relationship Counselling

When you meet with your celebrant before your marriage ceremony, they will hand you a brochure called "Happily Ever Before and After" which gives you information about what happens after you're married and also includes information about relationship counselling and marriage education. Have you considered seeking relationship assistance? If so, great.... if not, why not? Today's blog has been written by Celebrant Shell Brown from Geraldton, WA.

Mar

Cultural Diversity

Australian people come from a wide range of cultures and backgrounds – 270 ancestries to give some idea. Canberra Celebrant Susanna Jose shares what we can do to promote and model cultural diversity...

Mar

Harmony Day

Harmony Day - bringing everyone together, celebrating our differences and acknowledging our similarities in humanity...

Mar

Including your pets in your ceremony

When you have a pet, a fur baby, or a four legged best buddy, they become a very important part of your life, so why wouldn't you include them into your life celebrations? Celebrant Shell Brown talks to us about including your pet in your marriage ceremony.

Feb

Now that we have marriage equality, what are we still fighting for?

At this time of year we enjoy watching the news reports from the world famous Sydney Mardi Gras festivities particularly the Fair Day and the Parade as well as scenes from other Pride Events across the country. Celebrant Sonia Collins reminds us that marriage equality did not end the struggles for the LGTBIQA+ community.

Feb

Turning 18 is a really big deal!

Turning 21 and celebrating your 21st is seen as the big celebration and the year that you become an adult, but turning 18 is actually more of a big deal - especially here in Australia. It not only marks your transition into adulthood, but there are quite a few responsibilities that go along with it.

Feb

Valentine's Day

Have you ever wondered about the legend of St Valentine's Day? February has long been celebrated as a month of romance, and in particular, the 14th - St Valentine’s Day, but who was Saint Valentine, and how did he become associated with this special day? Celebrant Shell Brown tells us the story...

Feb

Year of the Tiger

The 1st of February marks another Lunar New Year and it's many festivities - 2022, the Year of the Tiger. Mike Perry gives us an insight in to what Chinese New Year is al about...

Jan

Australia Day 2022

The Australia Day public holiday falls at the end of our busy holiday season. As we think about getting back into the swing of work, school and the year ahead it is also a good day to reflect on how Australia Day means different things to different people, In today’s blog celebrant Sonia Collins looks at some of the issues surrounding our national day.

Jan

We got engaged over Christmas – what should we do next?

Christmas can be a time for family togetherness, happiness and love. Combined with good cheer and optimism about the year ahead, the festive season can prompt many loved-up couples to get engaged. If this is you, congratulations! Celebrant Melanie Lawson takes us through what to do next...

Jan

2020 New Year's Resolutions

Every year people around the world make New Year’s resolutions. They might want to eat better, quit drinking and do more exercise. While many people are successful at keeping their resolutions, according to studies - 46%, others are destined to fail citing a number of reasons... one being that they made too many. Here are few tips on how to make successful choices in your resolutions.

Dec

Estranged Family and the Marriage Ceremony

This time of year can bring about some awkward family dynamics... today Celebrant Susanna Jose shares some stories and tips about dealing with estraged family around your marriage ceremony.

Dec

Dealing with grief around the holidays

The feelings that we experience when a loved one dies are never easy to deal with, but they can be even more difficult during the significant dates in your life and the holidays. Celebrant Roslyn McFarlane walks us through dealing with grief at this time of the year...

Dec

Happy 4th Anniversary to Marriage Equality in Australia

5 years ago today Australia spoke out loud and proud about their want for Marriage Equality. Celebrant, Leslie Ridgeway takes us through some stats since that historical day...

Dec

International Day of People with Disability

Each year, December 3 marks the International Day of People with Disability. This day aims to raise awareness, understanding and acceptance of people with disability. Celebrant Melanie Lawson spoke with her friend, Carolyn about how we, as celebrants, can be more inclusive in our work.

Nov

Your wedding is not a competition

It is very easy to get overwhelmed during your wedding planning, so the first thing you need to decide is are you having a wedding or are you gettng married? Celebrant Melanie Lawson from Oberon, NSW explains why your wedding isn't a competition.

Jan

The Importance of Ceremony

When a baby is born, when somebody dies, ANZAC Day, and most Saturdays at 3pm there are ceremonies taking place all over Australia... Celebrant, Shell Brown from Geraldton, WA takes us through the importance of ceremony in our communities.

Nov

How to involve blended families into your ceremony

Ceremonies have been used for thousands of years to help us manage change and build stronger bonds with our families and friends. In the modern blended family a ceremony can reinforce how much each member is valued, and the importance of their role in the family.

May

Not everyone from the LGBTIQ+ community wants a big gay wedding

Remember back to when marriage equality was introduced, one of the stereotyped expectations within the general community was that everyone in the LGBTIQ⁺community would rush out and have a big gay wedding. Celebrant Bronte Price shares with us why this didn't happen...

Oct