So, there you are smack bang in the middle of a ceremony and something goes wrong….what do you do. I'm sure that there are many, many more, but let’s look at just a few things that could go wrong.
Today's Blog is written by Celebrant Susie Roberts from Grafton
The Celebrants Network Inc - BLOG
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More Blog posts can be found in the Blog Categories to the right.
The five stages of grief
Loss and grief affect all of us. We can experience loss through the death of a family member; a relationship breakup; or the loss of a home – as we have seen so much of in the recent fires across Australia. Join Celebrant and regular blogger, Melane Lawson as she takes us through the five stages of grief.
Rules around performing ceremonies in the heat -
what are the celebrant’s rights and responsibilities?
It's pretty hot out there at the moment and it's very important that we look after ourselves when working in the heat. Celebrant, valued member of The Celebrants Network and regular blogger, Susie Roberts is taking us through all the tips and tricks for what to do when you have an outdoor ceremony in the heat.
Dealing with Nerves
Many of us feel anxious about public speaking or being the centre of attention. Added to this, if you are getting married to taking a central part in an important ceremony such as funeral or baby naming, you may have the added anxiety of getting your part ‘right’. The Celebrants Network's resident guest blogger, Mel Lawson is here to let us in on some ways to calm those nerves...
Ceremony Presentation
Be prepared! That was the motto of the scouts and it is also the mantra that celebrants live by. Our blogger today is TCN Celebrant Sonia Collins and she is talking about the ins and outs of ceremony presentation...
Using humour in ceremonies
Marriage is a solemn and binding relationship. In fact, marriage celebrants are legally required to remind a couple of this during their marriage ceremony. But a marriage ceremony doesn’t need to be all solemn and serious and while marriage celebrants aren’t stand up comedians, there are many ways to include humour in your ceremony.... Today's blog post is written by TCN Celebrant Kim Waddington.
Writing your own vows - Part 2
Today's blog is the Part 2 of Writing your own vows - the final instalment written by TCN Celebrant, author and guest blogger, Susanna Jose from Canberra, ACT.
Writing your own vows - Part 1
Writing your own marriage vows? Not sure where to begin? Today's blog is the first of two parts - written by TCN Celebrant, author and today's guest blogger, Susanna Jose from Canberra, ACT.
My career change to become a celebrant
Becoming a celebrant has generally been a second, third or even fourth career change for some people. Most celebrants you speak to describe their work as 'a vocation', 'a calling', or 'a real labour of love', but once you've arrived at your destination of becoming a celebrant, it's hard to turn away. In today's blog we're introducing you to two TCN Members - Karen Dearing from Cobbitty, NSW and Katherine Sessions from Bendigo, Vic, who are sharing the stories of how they transitioned into the the world of celebrancy...
Planning for Plan B
TCN Celebrant and Guest Blogger, Susanna Jose from Canberra is sharing her thoughts on what you should do to plan for your Plan B - something we should all have in place, but all hope we never have to use.....
The Montville Chapel
Today's Guest Blogger is TCN Celebrant Karen Faa.... this is the story of Brent and Alyce, married a few days ago at The Chapel Montville. It was absolutely spellbinding. Karen has written what she thought Brent may have been experiencing as he showed the vulnerability and beauty of pure love. There was not a dry eye in the place!
TCN's "DAY OF LOVE" CELEBRANTS OFFERING CEREMONY CREDIT TODAY!
"Love; it will not betray you
Dismay or enslave you,
it will set you free"
Mumford and Sons
Each of these celebrants is offering you a credit for any ceremony if you call today to make a booking.
So, check out these amazing celebrants and get on the phone and start booking ………we are sharing the LOVE. 
New Year's Resolutions
Why do we make New Year's Resolutions? We make them every year and a couple of weeks into the new year, we're inevitably disappointed because we didn't stick to them. In fact apparently only 8% of people stick to their resolutions - mainly because we set goals that are either unobtainable or could be achieved, but when we don't see results straight away, we quit. So why do we make them in the first place?
Special Holidays - The dark side of celebrating
As Australians gear up to summer with public holidays and end of the year/new year celebrations, it is time for focus on families and friends.
Whether you are of a Christian faith or another faith - we have a wonderful mix in Australia - or have your own ethical value system based on respect for your fellow human beings and our world, the coming holidays are a special time.
Whilst these days we tend to think of holidays are being times where we are exempted from work or normal business, the origin of the word "holiday in English was hāligdæg, meaning a holy day.
Whether you are of a Christian faith or another faith - we have a wonderful mix in Australia - or have your own ethical value system based on respect for your fellow human beings and our world, the coming holidays are a special time.
Whilst these days we tend to think of holidays are being times where we are exempted from work or normal business, the origin of the word "holiday in English was hāligdæg, meaning a holy day.
A “Holy Day” usually means a day set aside for a special purpose or remembrance and the origin of the word connected with Old English hal (see hal) meaning "health".
Holidays are healthy - for taking time out - for being thankful for what we have in our lives - especially family and friends.
What is special about this time of year under the Southern skies?
The end of one calendar year and the beginning of a new. Time to take stock, trim the old and embrace the new.
So why a "dark side"?
An end to the old and embracing the new is often symbolised by the birth of a child. Along with the joys of having a new bub, can come sadness with the loss of personal time, as well as the previous roles and pleasures as non-parents.
Other things some people have to deal with at this time of year are:
Dealing with death
Many people find the emphasis on loved ones - family and friends - especially difficult when a loved one has died.
Dealing with death
Many people find the emphasis on loved ones - family and friends - especially difficult when a loved one has died.
Dealing with loneliness
Playing 'happy families' once a year for families who are fractured, can cause more pain than pleasure.
Dealing with stress
Big holidays come with extra stress, eating and drinking too much, and extra work, especially for those with children and other dependent family members.
Dealing with debt
Of course, sometimes we spend more than we planned.
Many famlies these days are finding ways to limit the money they cannot afford to spend.
There are many ways to do this
One example is:
One example is:
- Make other love languages as important as gift giving. After all for many people, the other love languages are more important : quality time, touch/hugs, acts of service, words of affirmation.
TCN even suggests a combined group gift certificate for a Wedding Anniversary or Birthday in the new year where everyone contributes to the gift of engaging a professional celebrant to lead the occasion.
Search our TCN Directory for a TCN Celebrant near you.
Read TCN's full article on Special Holidays - The dark side of celebrating for more examples and ways to deal with some of issues mentioned above.
Remember - Holidays are meant to enrich our lives, our health and well-being.
Let's make that the focus of this special time of year.
???
Thank you for joining us....
?? We would love it if you would let us know what you think ?.
There is a comment section ? at the bottom ⬇ of the blog for you to do just that.
?Click on the word "Comment" and go for it!
? Don't forget to subscribe ? to this blog - the "subscribe" button is up the top of the page ⇞⇞⇞ and the blog will magically ?? appear in your email inbox ?.
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Leaving things to the last minute!
Supportive Relationships
How much does a marriage celebrant cost??
Civil Celebrants charge their own fee depending on the services they provide. There is a myth that goes around from time to time that Civil Marriage Celebrants charge from $500 for 20 minutes work. Let’s explore this myth a bit further and see where it takes us...
Funerals
Civil funeral celebrants are a popular alternative today and contrary to some beliefs are often happy to include religious components to the ceremony. The role of the Celebrant is to work with individuals and families to create and conduct a ceremony appropriate to the person; it is important to spend time with them to makes sure you are clear about what they want and that you can provide it for them...
Death Doula
The Digital World of Celebrancy
We are definitely living smack bang in the middle of the digital world and technology is progressing every day. So what does that mean for us as celebrants?
Renewing Your Vows – What’s the Point?
Throughout people’s lives, there are many good times as well as challenges and hardships, and it is how we react, how and what we feel and think, and the choices we make that can impact our journey.
I'm Getting Married!... Now What?
You've just proposed marriage or been propsed to, you're wearing an incredible ring and you've announced your engagment to your loved ones..... now what? Well, here begins a very exciting time of planning for you you both!
For some of you this proposal might have come as complete surprise and for others it might be the final stage to what could have been months of discussion and planning. Now that you’ve made the biggest decision - to get married, there are just a few more smaller decisions that need to be discussed and decided upon before your wedding day can be realised.
Celebrant Planning
Are you new to the celebrancy world? Trying to become more organised? or just wondering what a celebrant does? Check out guest blogger, Susie Roberts' list of everything a celebrant needs to plan to help keep you on track....
How to deal with December Stress
This time of year can be chaotic! It's the end of the year, school is nearly finished, if it hasn't already; there are end of year work parties, Christmas parties, birthday parties for those people born in December who always have to compete for a free Saturday night. You're buying presents - desparately trying to think of the right gift and battling with thousands of other people in the same boat. There's more cars on the road and less parking spaces. Some people will be having family members to stay which might mean higher levels of anxiety.
If only we could think of ways to reduce all that stress....
If only we could think of ways to reduce all that stress....
Outdoor Wedding ideas
When you're planning a lovely outdoor ceremony, you would generally think of how beautiful the scenery is, how the area matches your theme or perhaps there is a sentimental reason you've picked this spot, but rarely do you think about whether or not your guests will be eaten alive by mosquitos.
Here are 7 fabulous outdoor ceremony ideas to make sure that your ceremony it's too hot, too cold or overrun by mozzies.....
What is mindfulness?
Mindfulness is a practice that helps to bring your attention to the present moment and enables you to be aware of your senses and feelings at that point in time. You can be mindful by paying attention to your body and/or breath. This means not thinking about the past and not worrying about the future. Rather, just being in the ‘now’. Find out how being mindful can help you...
Celebrating family members
We have birthdays, mother's day and father's day... but what about everybody else in our family? When do we celebrate them?
Surviving an Australian Summer
Surviving an Australian Summer
Australia is a pretty big place - 7.692 million km² to be exact. We cross 25 degrees of longitude and 35 degrees of latitude as well as three timezones - so we're spread pretty wide - which means that we have a number of different climates.
In our south and mountainous areas, it can get super chilly in the winter, whereas in our north the same months see temperatures around the 30s. In the summer months, all over the country can see dehydratingly high temperatures, whilst the far north experiences tropical monsoonal rains.
In more recent years we've noticed that the hotter months seem to be happening a bit later and typically dry times of the year are seeing lots of rain - which means that we can no longer plan our ceremonies with any certainty that we're going to get what we hoped for.
Just this week - a December weekend in Victoria - historically a dry time of the year, has seen devastating rain and flash flooding - possibly not what most people thought would happen when they planned their ceremony 12-18 months ago.
In our south and mountainous areas, it can get super chilly in the winter, whereas in our north the same months see temperatures around the 30s. In the summer months, all over the country can see dehydratingly high temperatures, whilst the far north experiences tropical monsoonal rains.
In more recent years we've noticed that the hotter months seem to be happening a bit later and typically dry times of the year are seeing lots of rain - which means that we can no longer plan our ceremonies with any certainty that we're going to get what we hoped for.
Just this week - a December weekend in Victoria - historically a dry time of the year, has seen devastating rain and flash flooding - possibly not what most people thought would happen when they planned their ceremony 12-18 months ago.
Here are some ideas to help you survive a summer ceremony in Australia
(and strangely enough, they won't all be about the sun!)
(and strangely enough, they won't all be about the sun!)
1. Provide shelter.
Most adult guests will be able to make up their own mind as to what to wear to your ceremony - however, not everyone will want to put a hat on over their new 'do' and carrying an umbrella might be a hindrance - so to make sure your guests are comfortable from the time that they arrive and are waiting for you to arrive all the way through to when they can head to your reception - offer shelter. It might be an inside ceremony, under a marquee, umbrellas, hats, sunnies or even hiring palm leaf swishers. Offering shelter will be much appreciated..... nobody wants to sit in the sun sweating or indeed stand in the rain, especially if they've made an effort to look fabulous for your special day.
2. Offer refreshments
Iced mint water, a lemonade stand, mimosas.... it will be very much appreciated.
3. Have a Plan B
Even if you don't to use it, it's peace of mind to have it at the ready should the meteorologists deliver unwanted news on the weekend of your ceremony. A big percentage of couples state, "It's going to be a beautiful day. We won't need a Plan B." To those couples, I say, "Please listen to your celebrant/wedding planner/friends/venue manager when we suggest to you that you need to have a Plan B." We promise not to say "I told you so" when the sky opens up.
4. Consider how far you are asking your guests to walk
Your dream ceremony location may not suit the guests you've invited. Can Nana walk all that way down the sand dune? Do you think Pop can climb up the side of that mountain? Will the people wearing high heels appreciate having to walk across that field? Does anybody want to walk 2kms in the heat/rain?
5. Consider the time of day
The majority of ceremonies are held in the afternoon and this is understandable - people want to use the morning to get ready or travel and they'd like their ceremony to flow straight into their evening reception, whilst taking advantage of dusk for great photo light..... but you don't have to do it this way - consider making your ceremony later in the day when it's cooler, just before the sun goes down... great light, cooler, happier guests.
5. Offer your guests sunscreen & mozzie repellent
..... and burn some citronella or spray some essential oil magic to keep the bugs away.
6. Wear appropriate outfits
If you have had your heart set on a large, puffy, lots of material wedding dress, and 3 piece suits.... then perhaps the beach isn't the ideal setting for you. Sand is not designed to be walked on in shoes (especially heels) and heavy, layered outfits are not designed to be worn in the blazing sun. Always think "Comfort! Comfort! Comfort!" This goes for your guests as well - set an appropriate dress code for your guests so they know it's ok to kick off the heels for the ceremony.
7. Check the weather
There are a number of Apps where you can easily check the weather the week before giving you plenty of time to be prepared. Willy Weather gives you information on the temperature, rainfall, wind, sunrise/sunset, UV index and tides - all essential things to know about when planning an outdoor (beach) ceremony.
8. Know the weather in your area
Being able to check the weather is great, but having a bit of knowledge about the weather (especially the wind) in your area can be crucial to the planning process. And if you're holding your ceremony in a different location from where you live - ask your celebrant - they'll know.
Studies have shown that the ideal temperature for people to be able to focus and take in what is being said is 22 degrees, so if you want your guests to be mentally present at your ceremony, then strive for the ideal climate, anyway you can.
???
Thank you for joining us....
?? We would love it if you would let us know what you think ?.
There is a comment section ? at the bottom ⬇ of the blog for you to do just that.
?Click on the word "Comment" and go for it!
? Don't forget to subscribe ? to this blog - the "subscribe" button is up the top of the page ⇞⇞⇞ and the blog will magically ?? appear in your email inbox ?.
Also please feel free to share ? our blog on your social media ? so we can spread the love ?!
Please use this ? link: https://www.celebrations.org.au/blog when you share. ?
Find us on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter
Most adult guests will be able to make up their own mind as to what to wear to your ceremony - however, not everyone will want to put a hat on over their new 'do' and carrying an umbrella might be a hindrance - so to make sure your guests are comfortable from the time that they arrive and are waiting for you to arrive all the way through to when they can head to your reception - offer shelter. It might be an inside ceremony, under a marquee, umbrellas, hats, sunnies or even hiring palm leaf swishers. Offering shelter will be much appreciated..... nobody wants to sit in the sun sweating or indeed stand in the rain, especially if they've made an effort to look fabulous for your special day.
2. Offer refreshments
Iced mint water, a lemonade stand, mimosas.... it will be very much appreciated.
3. Have a Plan B
Even if you don't to use it, it's peace of mind to have it at the ready should the meteorologists deliver unwanted news on the weekend of your ceremony. A big percentage of couples state, "It's going to be a beautiful day. We won't need a Plan B." To those couples, I say, "Please listen to your celebrant/wedding planner/friends/venue manager when we suggest to you that you need to have a Plan B." We promise not to say "I told you so" when the sky opens up.
4. Consider how far you are asking your guests to walk
Your dream ceremony location may not suit the guests you've invited. Can Nana walk all that way down the sand dune? Do you think Pop can climb up the side of that mountain? Will the people wearing high heels appreciate having to walk across that field? Does anybody want to walk 2kms in the heat/rain?
5. Consider the time of day
The majority of ceremonies are held in the afternoon and this is understandable - people want to use the morning to get ready or travel and they'd like their ceremony to flow straight into their evening reception, whilst taking advantage of dusk for great photo light..... but you don't have to do it this way - consider making your ceremony later in the day when it's cooler, just before the sun goes down... great light, cooler, happier guests.
5. Offer your guests sunscreen & mozzie repellent
..... and burn some citronella or spray some essential oil magic to keep the bugs away.
6. Wear appropriate outfits
If you have had your heart set on a large, puffy, lots of material wedding dress, and 3 piece suits.... then perhaps the beach isn't the ideal setting for you. Sand is not designed to be walked on in shoes (especially heels) and heavy, layered outfits are not designed to be worn in the blazing sun. Always think "Comfort! Comfort! Comfort!" This goes for your guests as well - set an appropriate dress code for your guests so they know it's ok to kick off the heels for the ceremony.
7. Check the weather
There are a number of Apps where you can easily check the weather the week before giving you plenty of time to be prepared. Willy Weather gives you information on the temperature, rainfall, wind, sunrise/sunset, UV index and tides - all essential things to know about when planning an outdoor (beach) ceremony.
8. Know the weather in your area
Being able to check the weather is great, but having a bit of knowledge about the weather (especially the wind) in your area can be crucial to the planning process. And if you're holding your ceremony in a different location from where you live - ask your celebrant - they'll know.
Studies have shown that the ideal temperature for people to be able to focus and take in what is being said is 22 degrees, so if you want your guests to be mentally present at your ceremony, then strive for the ideal climate, anyway you can.
???
Thank you for joining us....
?? We would love it if you would let us know what you think ?.
There is a comment section ? at the bottom ⬇ of the blog for you to do just that.
?Click on the word "Comment" and go for it!
? Don't forget to subscribe ? to this blog - the "subscribe" button is up the top of the page ⇞⇞⇞ and the blog will magically ?? appear in your email inbox ?.
Also please feel free to share ? our blog on your social media ? so we can spread the love ?!
Please use this ? link: https://www.celebrations.org.au/blog when you share. ?
Find us on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter
Questions to ask other than... "How much do you charge?"
Questions to ask other than... "How much do you charge?"
Yes, I agree - sticking to a budget is very important when planning a ceremony - of any kind, especially a wedding which can blow out very easily. However when you're choosing your celebrant, price should be the last question that you ask about. You are going to engage a person that you probably haven't met before to perform the ceremony at one of the most important events of your life, so wouldn't you like to know a bit about them? Wouldn't you like to know that they are a good fit and are able to provide the service that you have dreamed about?
Asking any wedding supplier if they available on your chosen date is probably the first question you would need to ask, but there are a few other questions that are more important than price that can help you to make sure you are a good fit for each other.
When you book your caterer, you would probably first ask if they can provide the food that you want served
When you book your band or DJ, you would first ask if they can play the music that you want for your reception
When you book your reception venue, you would probably first ask if they can accommodate the amount of people that you are inviting
So, why then, when people book their celebrant do they make their first question all about price?
Do they think that all celebrants are the same?
Do they think that all celebrants do is turn up for 20 minutes on a Saturday and say some words?
(See last week's blog for what celebrants really do)
Well, there are over 8,000 civil celebrants registered with the Attorney General's Department and with that comes over 8,000 different personalities, styles and ways of doing things. So here are a few more questions that you might want to ask to make sure that you are hiring the perfect person for the most important part of your wedding day.
Remember, without your celebrant, you're just throwing a really expensive party.
1. Are you available?
2. What services do you offer
3. What are your thoughts on marriage equality?
4. How many ceremonies have you performed?
5. What made you want to become a celebrant?
6. I would like to have my horse as my best man - do you like horses? (or other niche requests)
7. Do you provide a PA system?
8. Do you speak any other languages other than English?
9. Are you willing to travel?
10. Are you willing to dress up in a costume?
11. Would you like to perform our ceremony?
12. We'd like our dogs to carry the rings.... are you ok with dogs?
13. We're naturists and we'd like a nude ceremony - are you comfortable with that?
14. Do you have ideas for including our children/family in the ceremony?
Every couple and every ceremony is going to be different and not every celebrant is going to fit the wants and needs of every one. So meet with potential celebrants and ask questions and if you find a celebrant that ticks all of your boxes, that's when you'd ask about their price.....
Remember, the most expensive isn't always the best so it's important that you find the best fit. Celebrants will charge you what they think they and their services are worth, so if you've found somebody who is perfect for you and they're available, then my guess is that they're worth every cent!
To find a TCN Celebrant in your area - click HERE
???
Thank you for joining us....
?? We would love it if you would let us know what you think ?.
There is a comment section ? at the bottom ⬇ of the blog for you to do just that.
?Click on the word "Comment" and go for it!
? Don't forget to subscribe ? to this blog - the "subscribe" button is up the top of the page ⇞⇞⇞ and the blog will magically ?? appear in your email inbox ?.
Also please feel free to share ? our blog on your social media ? so we can spread the love ?!
Please use this ? link: https://www.celebrations.org.au/blog when you share. ?
Find us on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter
Yes, I agree - sticking to a budget is very important when planning a ceremony - of any kind, especially a wedding which can blow out very easily. However when you're choosing your celebrant, price should be the last question that you ask about. You are going to engage a person that you probably haven't met before to perform the ceremony at one of the most important events of your life, so wouldn't you like to know a bit about them? Wouldn't you like to know that they are a good fit and are able to provide the service that you have dreamed about?
Asking any wedding supplier if they available on your chosen date is probably the first question you would need to ask, but there are a few other questions that are more important than price that can help you to make sure you are a good fit for each other.
When you book your caterer, you would probably first ask if they can provide the food that you want served
When you book your band or DJ, you would first ask if they can play the music that you want for your reception
When you book your reception venue, you would probably first ask if they can accommodate the amount of people that you are inviting
So, why then, when people book their celebrant do they make their first question all about price?
Do they think that all celebrants are the same?
Do they think that all celebrants do is turn up for 20 minutes on a Saturday and say some words?
(See last week's blog for what celebrants really do)
Well, there are over 8,000 civil celebrants registered with the Attorney General's Department and with that comes over 8,000 different personalities, styles and ways of doing things. So here are a few more questions that you might want to ask to make sure that you are hiring the perfect person for the most important part of your wedding day.
Remember, without your celebrant, you're just throwing a really expensive party.
1. Are you available?
2. What services do you offer
3. What are your thoughts on marriage equality?
4. How many ceremonies have you performed?
5. What made you want to become a celebrant?
6. I would like to have my horse as my best man - do you like horses? (or other niche requests)
7. Do you provide a PA system?
8. Do you speak any other languages other than English?
9. Are you willing to travel?
10. Are you willing to dress up in a costume?
11. Would you like to perform our ceremony?
12. We'd like our dogs to carry the rings.... are you ok with dogs?
13. We're naturists and we'd like a nude ceremony - are you comfortable with that?
14. Do you have ideas for including our children/family in the ceremony?
Every couple and every ceremony is going to be different and not every celebrant is going to fit the wants and needs of every one. So meet with potential celebrants and ask questions and if you find a celebrant that ticks all of your boxes, that's when you'd ask about their price.....
Remember, the most expensive isn't always the best so it's important that you find the best fit. Celebrants will charge you what they think they and their services are worth, so if you've found somebody who is perfect for you and they're available, then my guess is that they're worth every cent!
To find a TCN Celebrant in your area - click HERE
???
Thank you for joining us....
?? We would love it if you would let us know what you think ?.
There is a comment section ? at the bottom ⬇ of the blog for you to do just that.
?Click on the word "Comment" and go for it!
? Don't forget to subscribe ? to this blog - the "subscribe" button is up the top of the page ⇞⇞⇞ and the blog will magically ?? appear in your email inbox ?.
Also please feel free to share ? our blog on your social media ? so we can spread the love ?!
Please use this ? link: https://www.celebrations.org.au/blog when you share. ?
Find us on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter
A behind the scenes look at being a civil celebrant
A behind the scenes look at being a civil celebrant
Have you ever wondered "What exactly does a celebrant do?"
Have you ever thought "Gee, that looks like an easy job - just talking for 20 minutes on a weekend!"
Well, you can be half forgiven for thinking those things because you might only see the celebrant for 20 minutes on a weekend, but the majority of a celebrant's work is done way before they turn up at the ceremony.
Before your ceremony they will have:
Attended meetings and rehearsals, researched, writen a unique ceremony that suits each individual couple or family, assisted couples and families with writing their own personal wedding vows or poems to their children or loved ones, organised paperwork, including accepting the legal Notice of Intended Marriage form, answered questions, given opinions and made suggestions.
Have you ever wondered "What exactly does a celebrant do?"
Have you ever thought "Gee, that looks like an easy job - just talking for 20 minutes on a weekend!"
Well, you can be half forgiven for thinking those things because you might only see the celebrant for 20 minutes on a weekend, but the majority of a celebrant's work is done way before they turn up at the ceremony.
Before your ceremony they will have:
Attended meetings and rehearsals, researched, writen a unique ceremony that suits each individual couple or family, assisted couples and families with writing their own personal wedding vows or poems to their children or loved ones, organised paperwork, including accepting the legal Notice of Intended Marriage form, answered questions, given opinions and made suggestions.
Then your ceremony day arrives and they will arrive at least 45 minutes before your guests to make sure everything is perfect, greet your guests, calm people's nerves and then perform your ceremony, coordinating the music and the bridal party and the flower girls and page boys and whoever is holding the rings. They will also be kind and compassionate and have an very good understanding of what you're going through when you are saying goodbye to your loved one.
After your marriage ceremony your celebrant will lodge your marriage certificate with the BDM and securely keep all of the necessary legal documents.
And that's just for your ceremony.
They've also kept their office running with invoices, receipts, notes, creating, printing, filing, purchasing legal stationery, financials, taxation, websites, social media, advertising...
Before any of that can happen though, each celebrant must successfully complete a Certificate IV in Celebrancy and then once the certificate has been awarded, the candidate then must apply to the Attorney General to become registered. This is a fairly costly exercise - $600 for the applicaiton alone and that must be paid whether the AG registers them or not.
Each year every registered civil celebrant is required to attend an OPD - (Professional Development) at their own cost.
So, whilst you might only see the Celebrant for 20 minutes whilst the ceremony is happening, please be assured that they have worked very hard before the ceremony even starts.
If you'd like to meet one of our hard working TCN Celebrants, click HERE for find a celebrant in your area.
???
Thank you for joining us....
?? We would love it if you would let us know what you think ?.
There is a comment section ? at the bottom ⬇ of the blog for you to do just that.
?Click on the word "Comment" and go for it!
? Don't forget to subscribe ? to this blog - the "subscribe" button is up the top of the page ⇞⇞⇞ and the blog will magically ?? appear in your email inbox ?.
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And that's just for your ceremony.
They've also kept their office running with invoices, receipts, notes, creating, printing, filing, purchasing legal stationery, financials, taxation, websites, social media, advertising...
Before any of that can happen though, each celebrant must successfully complete a Certificate IV in Celebrancy and then once the certificate has been awarded, the candidate then must apply to the Attorney General to become registered. This is a fairly costly exercise - $600 for the applicaiton alone and that must be paid whether the AG registers them or not.
Each year every registered civil celebrant is required to attend an OPD - (Professional Development) at their own cost.
So, whilst you might only see the Celebrant for 20 minutes whilst the ceremony is happening, please be assured that they have worked very hard before the ceremony even starts.
If you'd like to meet one of our hard working TCN Celebrants, click HERE for find a celebrant in your area.
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Why would I want to know about relationship education?
Why would I want to know about
relationship education?
Today’s blog starts off with a legal note about the rules that are set out in the Marriage Act (and the Guidelines to the Act) for all Commonwealth Registered Civil Celebrants. 
To quote “As soon as practicable after receiving the NOIM, an authorised celebrant must give the parties a document outlining the obligations and consequences of marriage (subsection 42(5A) of the Marriage Act). This document has been approved by the Attorney‑General in the form of a brochure entitled Happily Ever Before and After, and indicates the availability of marriage education and counselling and other important legal matters concerning marriage.
A notation of the giving of the document should be made by the authorised celebrant in the appropriate space on the reverse side of the NOIM. If the space is left blank it will indicate that the authorised celebrant has not fulfilled their obligations.” 
And, yes there is more with the Code of Practice stating “ Item 6 requires Commonwealth-registered marriage celebrants to maintain up-to-date knowledge about the range of information and services designed to enhance and sustain marrying couples throughout their relationship, not just in the period immediately preceding the marriage ceremony. Commonwealth-registered marriage celebrants must also inform marrying couples about this range of services. Meeting this obligation requires ongoing action by Commonwealth-registered marriage celebrants. The family relationship services available in their area should be reviewed by them annually at least to ensure the information they provide to marrying couples is up-to-date.” So, what do all of these legal words mean? 
Your Commonwealth Registered Marriage Celebrant is legally required to give a copy of “Happily Ever Before and After” to both the bride and groom as soon as practicable after receiving your Notice of Intended Marriage.
This handy brochure outlines some points that you might need to consider:
- Health and welfare benefits
- Changing your name
- Citizenship
- Making a Will
- Taxation after Marriage
- Before Marriage : Marriage Education
- During Marriage : Family Counselling
- Marriage Breakdown : Dispute Resolution.
This brochure has also been translated into a variety of different languages if English is not your first language. Your celebrant can obtain a copy for you very quickly as they are also available in PDF format. The brochure also provides information about the Family Relationships Online Website and Advice Line.
The other important part of the legal requirements for all Commonwealth Registered Marriage Celebrants, is that your celebrant must keep up to date with information about the local Family And Marriage Counsellors in your area, and should provide you with a list of these practitioners at the time that they give you your copies of “Happily Ever Before and After”.
Relationship Education and Counselling has gotten a bad rap over the years, with people thinking it is only for couples who are heading for the divorce court.
However, Relationship Education prior to your wedding can highlight all the good parts of your relationship where you are really compatible, and tease out the areas that you might need to work on, and let’s be truthful, every married couple has a handful of these.
Most counseling is done in a relaxed setting, with lots of talking, lots of laughter, lots of agreement, lots of ah-ha moments and lots to take home to discuss.
Counseling Services in your area can support you before getting married and throughout your marriage if tricky issues become sticking points, and they offer a safe space to discuss the myriad of concerns that every married couple has over the years, especially in this fast paced, high stress society.
Counseling is no guarantee, but it can provide a solid framework of understanding for your marriage to grow.
Click here if you'd like to speak to a TCN Celebrant about getting married or obtaining more information about Relationship services in your area.
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Simple ways to donate to charity
Simple ways to donate to charity
Charity doesn't have to be a huge grand gesture, costing you hundreds of dollars that you may not be able to spare.
Charity can come in many different forms...
Charity doesn't have to be a huge grand gesture, costing you hundreds of dollars that you may not be able to spare.
Charity can come in many different forms...
* Monetry donations
* Donations of your time
* Donations of goods or services
* Lending an ear
* Being able to feel empathy for people who are in a less fortunate situation to yourself
Here are some ways that you could help that you might not have thought of before.
If you're a celebrant or someone who offers wedding/celebration services you could donate a percentage of each ceremony to a nominated charity. Either choose a charity that is important to you or you could work with each individual client and decide together where that particular contribution will go.
If you're someone who is having a ceremony/event you could...
- Have one, two or three tip jars - each labelled with a different charity... let people either donate money directly, or give each person a token to put into the preferred jar and you donate that amount to each charity at the end.
- Ask your guests for donations to a chosen charity in lui of gifts
- Make it a themed event where your guests pay a gold coin to join in - all proceeds go to the charity of your choice.
This is how you "Party with a Purpose"
For more information about partying with a purpose - check out our website
And if you'd like to speak to a celebrant to help you with your next celebration - simply click HERE
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Day of Love Ceremony Credits
"I hope you don't mind
that I put down in words
How wonderful this life is
while you're in the world"
Elton John
Each of these celebrants is offering you a credit for any ceremony if you call today to make a booking.
So, check out these amazing celebrants and get on the phone and start booking .... #sharethelove
Sonia Collins - Batemans Bay, NSW
Fiona Hall - Central Coast, NSW
You can find all our other fabulous celebrants HERE
Thank you for being a part of TCN's Day of Love
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Thank you for being a part of TCN's Day of Love
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Show me the Stats
Show me the Stats
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics dated November 2016, there were 113,595 marriages registered Australia wide in 2015.
The number of marriages decreased in 2015 by 7,602 - down 6.3%
81.1% of brides and 79.1% of grooms were marrying for the first time.
16.3% of the marriages included one partner who had been married before.
Marriages where both partners had been married before were at 11.7%
The median age for men getting married was 31.8 years and for women it was 29.8 years - both ages increased from previous years.
Couples who lived together prior to marriage accounted for 81%
54.2% of couples married in 2015 were both born in Australia.
Out of the couples married in 2015 31.9% were born in different countries.
13.9% were born in the same overseas country.
Civil Celebrants have overseen the majority of marriage ceremonies (since 1999) at an average across the country of 74.9%
If you would like to engage a civil celebrant for your marriage ceremony, commitment ceremony, vow renewal, baby naming ceremony or any other event that you'd like to celebrate - including memorials and life celebrations - then please contact one our fabulous TCN Celebrants
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Should we get Married in Summer or Winter?
Should we get Married in Summer or Winter?
Summer Weddings versus Winter weddings
When and where to hold your wedding are probably two of the biggest choices you will make and they go hand in hand.
Do you want a balmy summer day so that you can get married outdoors?
or
Do you prefer a cosy intimate celebration centred around a roaring fire?
When and where to hold your wedding are probably two of the biggest choices you will make and they go hand in hand.
Do you want a balmy summer day so that you can get married outdoors?
or
Do you prefer a cosy intimate celebration centred around a roaring fire?
In Australia the majority of weddings take place in Spring and Summer with only 5% of marriages taking place in June and July.
However both have their positives and negatives so let's look at some of the factors that may influence your decision:
Weather:
How do you picture your dream wedding... exchanging vows with a beautiful sunset in the background or a roaring fire? Points to consider about the weather:
Weather:
How do you picture your dream wedding... exchanging vows with a beautiful sunset in the background or a roaring fire? Points to consider about the weather:
* In summer you need to plan for excessive weather changes such as rain or extreme heat.
* In winter you know it is going to be cold so you and your guests can dress accordingly.
* In summer you may have daylight saving so longer hours to enjoy the sunshine.
* In winter the shorter days may dictate the time of your wedding.
The Wedding Dress:
How have you pictured your wedding dress… sleeveless, backless, light and summery, long sleeved? Although the time of year may not influence your choice of wedding dress you will need to consider some extras for a winter wedding such a shawl or jacket and it is not always easy getting it to match your dream wedding dress. And don’t forget your bridesmaids who will feel the cold a lot more than you as they don’t have the same amount of adrenalin to keep them warm, so will need extra clothes. The amount of clothing is much less for a summer wedding.
How have you pictured your wedding dress… sleeveless, backless, light and summery, long sleeved? Although the time of year may not influence your choice of wedding dress you will need to consider some extras for a winter wedding such a shawl or jacket and it is not always easy getting it to match your dream wedding dress. And don’t forget your bridesmaids who will feel the cold a lot more than you as they don’t have the same amount of adrenalin to keep them warm, so will need extra clothes. The amount of clothing is much less for a summer wedding.
How Quickly do you want to get Married?:
How quickly you want to get married after your engagement may determine the season in which you marry.
How quickly you want to get married after your engagement may determine the season in which you marry.
* It is far easier to book many of the wedding vendors at short notice in winter. Popular venues and photographers are booked well in advance for a summer wedding. There is greater availability and choice in winter.
* It is often cheaper to book popular vendors in winter because prices become negotiable as they are less busy. In summer you may need to pay a premium for the more popular vendors.
Flowers:
Do you want your favourite flowers for your bouquet? Flowers are seasonal so the prices will vary a lot depending whether they are in season or need to be imported. If you are happy to use only seasonal flowers you have a greater choice in summer than in winter.
Do you want your favourite flowers for your bouquet? Flowers are seasonal so the prices will vary a lot depending whether they are in season or need to be imported. If you are happy to use only seasonal flowers you have a greater choice in summer than in winter.
Practicalities:
Practicalities include all the extra little things that need to be considered for a wedding.
Practicalities include all the extra little things that need to be considered for a wedding.
* In summer that would include providing shade for your guests for the ceremony, lots of cool drinks, umbrellas on hand for sun or rain and an indoor alternative venue for rain or sun.
* In winter that would include hats, gloves, shawls, warm drinks and an outdoor alternative if its a nice sunny winter day.
Whether you choose summer or winter there will always be a TCN Celebrant free to perform your ceremony so contact your local TCN Celebrant now.
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Getting Married in Australia - The Legals
Getting Married in Australia - The Legals
The Marriage Act of 1961 says that you must comply with these six things below in order to get married in Australia:
1. your relationship must be between a man and a woman
2. you must be 18 years of age or over
The Marriage Act of 1961 says that you must comply with these six things below in order to get married in Australia:
1. your relationship must be between a man and a woman
2. you must be 18 years of age or over
(Under rare circumstances, a person between the age of 16 and 18 can marry, provided their prospective marriage partner is 18 years or over, and the couple have been granted permission by a Court)
3. you must not be married to anyone else
4. you cannot marry a person who is your antecedent or descendant by marriage or adoption
5. you must both be capable of and give free consent to marry the other
3. you must not be married to anyone else
4. you cannot marry a person who is your antecedent or descendant by marriage or adoption
5. you must both be capable of and give free consent to marry the other
6. you must lodge a Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) form with your celebrant no earlier than 18 months and no later than 1 month before your ceremony
(A prescribed authority may authorise a marriage where a NOIM form is lodged within one month of the date of the ceremony - ask your celebrant for details)
So, if you can say yes to all six of the Marriage Act rules, or you have been granted the necessary permissions, then you are clear to start planning with your celebrant.
Making the union legal between you and your partner can sometimes be a confusing business which is why it's a great idea to #AskaCelebrant and they will explain all the requirements to ensure your marriage is legally valid.
You can find a TCN Celebrant in your area through the TCN website.
Your celebrant must also sight original forms of your ID and divorce/death certificates (not photocopies) before the ceremony can take place.
Some legal things that you might not know:
It is an offence, punishable with fines and/or jail time:
* for a person to go ahead with their marriage when the haven't complied with the 6 rules stated above and for a celebrant if they knew and solomnised the marriage anyway
* for a couple or a celebrant to falsify documents, by giving false information or backdating forms and certificates
* for a person who is not an authorised celebrant to solemnise a marriage
* for an interpreter to give false information
During the ceremony
The celebrant must state that they are authorised to solemnise marriages according to the law, and recite the monitum - which literally means "warning" that informs a wedding couple of the legal expectation of the binding nature of marriage within Australia, then the couple states that they want to become legally married to each other.
This all has to be done in front of your celebrant and 2 witnesses who are over 18.
This all has to be done in front of your celebrant and 2 witnesses who are over 18.
To conclude the ceremony, you, your celebrant and your witnesses sign three certificates and then your paperwork is sent off to the BDM in the state your ceremony took place to be registered.
And that's it! It's that simple!
FAQ:
What about if I want to surprise my fiance and organise the wedding without them knowing?
I'm sorry, but this just can't happen.
You can surprise your guests, but both people who are getting married must have full knowledge and be in agreement at least one full month before the ceremony date.
Can I marry my first cousin?
Yes, you can.
You can surprise your guests, but both people who are getting married must have full knowledge and be in agreement at least one full month before the ceremony date.
Can I marry my first cousin?
Yes, you can.
Will my name be changed after the ceremony?
No, If you choose to change your name after you are married, you can automatically take your partner's surname without doing anything. You can officially change your name, by going into government departments - Passport Office, Department of Transport, your bank, Medicare, etc, however.... you will first need to obtain an official marriage certificate from the BDM in the state you were married in.
The pretty certificate you get on the day is a legal document that shows you are married but is not accepted by government departments and others for changing your name.
Read More Information Here
If you have any questions relating to legally getting married in Australia, you can find one right here: Find a TCN Celebrant
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If you have any questions relating to legally getting married in Australia, you can find one right here: Find a TCN Celebrant
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TCN National Celebrant e-news
Yesterday the latest edition of our TCN National Celebrant e-news was emailed to more than 7500 celebrants on our mailing list.
Key points from the latest newsletter are:
Celebrating Who You Are
Celebrating who you are gives you an opportunity to thank family and friends for their love and support.
Be the reason to enable loved ones to come together to build stronger relationships. Not one of us would be who we are today without "a little help" along the way.
There are plenty of times in our lives that should be celebrated, but we generally only acknowledge a few...
Our birthdays every year; a major anniversary, getting married and having a baby - they're the staples that most people celebrate, but what about all those other life transitions and accomplishments that are forgotten about?
Here's a few for you to contemplate....
Graduating:
Pre-school, primary school, high school and university. Some people celebrate these monumental academic accomplishments with a ceremonial graduation along with their classmates, but there's nothing to stop you from also celebrating with your nearest and dearest loved ones too.
11 Questions to Ask Your Celebrant
First of all, what is the role of the celebrant?
The role of a civil celebrant is to:
- work with couples and families to create a beautiful, meaningful ceremony that suits their style.
- witness two consenting adults entering into a legal and binding relationship.
- complete all the legal paperwork and make sure that it is all done within the strict legal rules set in the Marriage Act of 1961.
Here are some questions that you might consider when engaging a civil celebrant.
1. Are you available on the date I’ve chosen for my wedding/anniversary party/baby naming/funeral?
This is probably the most important of questions because if the celebrant is not available on your preferred day, then the rest of the questions are irrelevant.
2. What paperwork is required before we can get married?
2. What paperwork is required before we can get married?
This is a great question because there is a strict time-frame as to when you need to have initial paperwork lodged with your celebrant.
3. Can we meet and get to know each other before we decide?
Of course! It’s always a good idea to meet with your celebrant and make sure you feel comfortable with them and that you get a feeling of trust - after all, they will be taking care of a very important event for you and your loved ones.
Of course! It’s always a good idea to meet with your celebrant and make sure you feel comfortable with them and that you get a feeling of trust - after all, they will be taking care of a very important event for you and your loved ones.
Image source: https://trulymarvellousweddings.co.uk
3. What services do you offer?
This can be used as a good comparison between celebrants, but it also gives you reassurance that you will be receiving everything that you want/need for your ceremony.
4. What happens during the ceremony?
If you’ve not been to too many ceremonies - weddings, namings or funerals, you may not be aware of how a ceremony works. Asking this question will help to give you a visual of how the ceremony will flow.
3. What services do you offer?
This can be used as a good comparison between celebrants, but it also gives you reassurance that you will be receiving everything that you want/need for your ceremony.
4. What happens during the ceremony?
If you’ve not been to too many ceremonies - weddings, namings or funerals, you may not be aware of how a ceremony works. Asking this question will help to give you a visual of how the ceremony will flow.
For example in a marriage ceremony where everyone will stand or when you’ll be able to kiss your new husband.
Photo credit: Shell Brown
5. Are you willing to travel?
Fairly important if you’re planning to have your ceremony 500kms away from where the celebrant lives!
6. Do you provide a PA system?
As part of the Celebrant Code of Practice, celebrants must make sure that the ceremony can be heard. So if you’re having your ceremony on the beach or in a field, it’s important that your celebrant is able to provide a good quality PA system.
5. Are you willing to travel?
Fairly important if you’re planning to have your ceremony 500kms away from where the celebrant lives!
6. Do you provide a PA system?
As part of the Celebrant Code of Practice, celebrants must make sure that the ceremony can be heard. So if you’re having your ceremony on the beach or in a field, it’s important that your celebrant is able to provide a good quality PA system.
Image source: Pixabay
7. Do you have or will you take any other bookings on the same day?
Some celebrants will book more than one ceremony on a day, which is completely fine – however a professional celebrant will make sure there is enough time to get between venues without rushing and missing anything.
7. Do you have or will you take any other bookings on the same day?
Some celebrants will book more than one ceremony on a day, which is completely fine – however a professional celebrant will make sure there is enough time to get between venues without rushing and missing anything.
Image source: wixsite.com
8. Why did you become a celebrant and what do you enjoy about being a celebrant?
Getting to know your celebrant a little and finding out what they love about being a celebrant should help you to decide whether they are a good fit for your style, your personality and your ceremony.
Photo: TCN Celebrant Scott Broadbridge-Brown - Beyond Celebrancy
9. Are you a member of a professional celebrant association like TCN?
Professional celebrant associations like TCN - (The Celebrants Network) offer their members support, assistance and ongoing professional development. Celebrants who are a part of an association are able to network with colleagues and share their knowledge and experience whilst having access to a vast amount of information to help improve their skills.
Professional celebrant associations like TCN - (The Celebrants Network) offer their members support, assistance and ongoing professional development. Celebrants who are a part of an association are able to network with colleagues and share their knowledge and experience whilst having access to a vast amount of information to help improve their skills.
10. What are your fees?
Once you’ve decided that you'd like this celebrant to be a part of your ceremony, that is the time that you’d ask them about their fees. Obviously each element of your ceremony needs to fit into a budget, but try not to make your decision based on fees alone. The ceremony is often the part that makes the event different to other family gatherings or parties, and remembered most when beautifully designed and delivered.
In regard to weddings, an article was written recently about the costs of weddings and the break down listed the celebrant as the lowest cost item on people’s budgets, which is surprising when you think of the amount of work that is done to personalise a ceremony and the fact that your marriage can’t actually begin without a celebrant.
Image source: ASIC - Money Smart
11. Would you like to be our celebrant?
What a wonderful offer. I’d be honoured!
What a wonderful offer. I’d be honoured!
* ________________________________________________ *
Thank you for joining us....
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Creating Meaningful Ceremonies
When you hear somebody talking about how meaningful the ceremony was, what does that actually mean?
Where does the meaning come from?
Does everybody who participates take away the same meaningful message?
Your ceremony might be more community centered, bringing the people of your town or city together to celebrate or to mourn or to remember. The meaning comes from the shared emotion felt amongst your community.
Perhaps your ceremony is about welcoming a new child into your family. The meaning of which will be intensely personal to you and your family members.
You might be holding a ceremony to celebrate the end of an educational pursuit - the meaning in your graduation culminates from all the hard work that you've put in. There are feelings of pride and acommplishment for what you've achieved.
When I started thinking about how we, as celebrants create meaningful ceremonies I wondered where we get our inspiration from and the answer is - from the very people we are performing the ceremony for.
The meaning comes from you; your story, your love, your loss, your dreams, your past and your future.
The meaning in a ceremony is different for every person, every couple and every family. No two ceremonies are alike, which is why your celebrant takes the time to get to know you and to learn your story. Creating a ceremony that is both unique and meaningful to the couple or family is not a simple task and takes empathy, knowledge, experience, care and time.
Here are some suggestions to how you could add meaning to your ceremony:
Add music
a favourite piece of the family member who has passed away; or a song that you and your partner love and feel tells your love story.
Add poetry
writing your own piece of poetry adds extra meaning becuase you have dedicated time and thought into how you feel. Although, sometimes you find just the right words, that explain exactly how you feel have already been written by somebody else - which is fine as long as you credit their work.
Add a ritual
for some people, participating in a ritual makes what you are celebrating or mourning much deeper and heartfelt; It can help you to feel more connected.
Add a cultural element
the meaning will come from the pride you feel about your home and the traditions that you can share.
Stay true to who you are
your wedding doesn't become more meaningful based on how much money you spend on your reception.
Meaningful ceremonies take place when you are together, sharing a moment with the most important people in your life.
Why not contact one of our fabulous TCN Celebrants and let us create meaning ceremonies for you.
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