You (and your partner) have important things to be thinking about; your sole job today is to get married.  Leave all of the other side bits and pieces to somebody else.  Either employ a Day-of Wedding-Co-ordinator or ask a trusted friend to take care of all those last minute things.

Keep Up The Communication

It's important to keep up communication on the day of your wedding. With your fiance, check on how you are both feeling.  If you are choosing to not see each other before the ceremony, then you could write each other a little note confirming your feelings and putting their minds at ease; with your Day-of Co-ordinator/trusted friend, keeping them informed as things change (also a great idea is to give this person's phone number to your celebrant and other suppliers); with your bridal party - if you're feeling nervy, let them know so they can help you through it.

Let It Go

Photo Credit: Arina B. Photography

There are going to be things that go wrong - there I said it.  You have to accept that and move on.  The most important thing on this special day is not whether the flowers are the right colour or if the flowergirl tipped all the petals on the ground in one place, then stormed off...... The most important thing is that you and your partner get married.  Everything else is decoration and/or funny.

Find The Funny


Speaking of flowergirls doing the dump and run... being able to laugh relieves stress and nerves tremendously!  You might like to speak to your celebrant about including a funny story into your ceremony, helping you to relax whilst engaging your guests.

Why not contact our TCN Celebrants to ensure a stress free ceremony.

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So, you are sitting there with your budget wondering why anyone could charge that much money for less than an hour’s work? 

Without the celebrant, your wedding is just a great party. The celebrant ensures that your party is actually a wedding. 

SO, how do you budget for your celebrant? First, you need to select your celebrant, and do that based on which one feels right for you, not based on their cost. And make sure that you book the date with them, and pay your deposit. 

Then, you can work out the best way to budget for the celebrant, in the same way you would budget for your cake, your reception, the photographer, the hairdresser. 

Some celebrants will happily work with you to organise a “lay by” scheme, whilst others have a scheduled three payment option. Talk with your celebrant about the best options for both of you. 

Having your perfect celebrant perform your perfect wedding ceremony is something that you will remember for the rest of your life.

With your perfect celebrant you can create magic on your wedding day and you can find your perfect celebrant in the TCN directory by clicking here.

READ MORE about Civil Celebrants by clicking here. 

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An indoor-outdoor venue

Spring certainly makes you think of flowers, new life and sunshine after the cold wintery months.  However, while a day full of glorious spring sunshine would be great, keep in mind that the weather is still a little unpredictable, so take this into consideration when you are choosing your venue.  

Book early!

Go seasonal

Be prepared

Be kind to your bridesmaids

Spring Gifts

Contact one of our TCN Celebrants and start sharing your spring wedding ideas!

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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 ?! 

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People sometimes say to me, why get married "it's only a piece of paper".  Is it this simple?
I think not....

 A lot of couples get caught up in the fun, glamour and frivolity of their wedding day - the dress, flowers, food and music.  It is however, the ceremony, in particular the legally binding words that are spoken by both bride and groom and the signing of the marriage documentation that is in effect the beginning of a legally binding contract, which comes with significant legal obligations and responsibilities.  Getting married changes your legal and taxation status and insurance, wills and social security status change.  Laws regarding inheritance and custody of children also come into play.  

Marriage really is one of the most important contracts one will sign in a lifetime, so perhaps this is why in Australia couples are legally required to give notice of their intended marriage to their celebrant, at least one clear month before their wedding day - a "cooling off" period perhaps?

Despite the impression you may have gained from the latest reality TV show, you are legally required to give your celebrant a completed Notice of Intended Marriage at least one month before the planned wedding, if you want to be married in Australia.

Most couples of course plan their wedding much earlier and are keen to book their celebrant well in advance, especially if they are marrying on a busy Saturday in summer or a popular date like Valentine's Day. Wedding planning is an important part of the preparation for your life together as a married couple and working with your celebrant over a period of time to design your ideal ceremony is part of the fun.

There are some very limited circumstances where the Notice period can be shortened to less than one month.  In situations such as terminal illness, immediate overseas postings and similar cases it is possible to obtain permission for an earlier wedding.  Your celebrant will be able to tell you about these rules how to go about seeking permission.

So don't be fooled into thinking that you can call up your celebrant for a wedding in the morning because you have just met the new love of your life.  It just doesn't happen like that.

Of course, if you are so madly in love that you cannot wait a month to gather your family and friends around you and declare your love to the world, you can ask your celebrant to do a "commitment ceremony" - this is what you saw on TV.  These ceremonies have absolutely no legal basis and the celebrant  makes this clear to everyone present.  Later on, if you both decide you want to marry then you can return to your celebrant, give due notice and have a legal wedding - as large or small as you wish. 

What do you do if your wife of nearly 25 years is taken from you due to liver cancer; and you are left with six children; five of them under sixteen years of age? This was the very sad future that faced Bill (not his real name) several years ago. He was serving in Afghanistan when he was informed his wife was seriously ill. Unfortunately; he was unable to leave for several days because of a concerted rocket attack. He was concerned his children might lose both parents. Less than a year after arriving home; his darling lost her battle.  His life began to unravel. One of his daughters; in her early teens, took on the mature role of keeping the family strong. Time passed; and as if dreams do come true; he met a lady who helped him smile again. He fell in love with her. Time passed some more; and she loved his children; and they, in time loved her.  On the 18th of April, 2013; I was their Marriage Celebrant. They were married in the garden, with many of his service comrades as witnesses. His five daughters and first grandaughter were there beside him to celebrate this special moment with him; this second chance at love.

For some; love does come again; sweetly, to fulfill dreams; even if they be the dreams of children.

Many Australian couples and overseas visitors decide to take advantage of our beautiful beaches, parks and headlands for their wedding ceremony. 

The result can be a beautiful ceremony with a stunning backdrop which delights you and your guests.

Here are my top four tips for an outdoor ceremony.

1.  Have a plan for wet weather or extremely hot weather - both are common occurrences.

2.  Try to have all the guests seated.  Some councils limit the number of chairs you can set up on public land but it really is much more comfortable for guests if they are seated.

3.  Think about your syle of wedding and location when choosing your outfits - very high heels and billowing long dresses and veils can be difficult to handle on the beach or grass.

4.  Check the tides.  At the wedding pictured we almost got our feet wet!!

What's your experience - do you have other good tips?

I love doing ceremonies on the beautiful beaches and headlands of the Eurobodalla area and the rain stopped long enough for this couple to get fabulous pictures after the ceremony.  Kyla Hall at Tuross Head however provided a perfect setting for the ceremony and everyone was dry and comfortable.

I was thinking about this question when someone recently suggested that civil ceremonies were a "cheap" option compared with the traditional church wedding.  Really nothing could be further from the true reason people choose civil ceremonies.  No matter where the ceremony is held, the cost of a wedding is determined by all the extras - dresses, flowers, photographs, cars, reception and so on, and these are usually the same whether the ceremony is civil or church.

No! The real reasons are about atmosphere and choice.  For the couple who do not have strong connections with a church, the words, music and atmosphere of a church service can be alien.  Whereas with a civil ceremony the couple can choose the time and day, their favourite location, the words and music for their ceremony and can make vows to eachother that are truly meaningful to them.  This choice leads to a happy, relaxed atmosphere in which guests can really appreciate the love and commitment that the couple are showing towards each other.  No wonder that civil marriage ceremonies, conducted by celebrants trained in both ceremonial and legal requirements, are the most popular ceremonies today.

One of the great things about the Ask A Celebrant section is the ability for couples and families to put their stories and photos about their ceremonies on our website.

I've just found this great entry from this year's ASKACELEBRANT Gold Rose Promotion. It is entry number 255.

The couple Brian and Liz have shared their photos from their Easter Sunday wedding.

Liz says " .... our theme was 'Rainbow of Love'.

As you can see this was represented by the colours :)

ASKACELEBRANT BLOG

On a Pop-up Wedding Day several couples are married at the same venue, in carefully controlled timeslots throughout the day.   They are certainly a fun, low cost alternative to the traditional large wedding.  For around $1000 and an hour of your time you have a short ceremony with a registered celebrant, photos in a pretty setting, a glass of champagne and some cake.  You don’t need to invite anyone – there will be witnesses on hand – or you might take a couple of guests with you. The ideal answer for couples who want a low key, no fuss, intimate occasion. 

Or is it? 

You should know that you can cut the costs and the fuss and still have total control of your wedding.  Choose a place that you both love and decide the day and time that suits you, book a celebrant for a simple short ceremony, book a photographer for a one hour shoot or take along a talented friend with a camera, chill a bottle of decent bubbly, pick up a cake (or your favourite food) and enjoy your special day your way. Fun to plan whether it’s your secret or shared with some close friends, unique and personal. Plus, you’ll definitely save money!

ASK A CELEBRANT BLOG: What does the ceremony do for a wedding?

Your wedding ceremony sets the tone for the rest of your wedding day and creates memories for you, your family and friends for years ahead

Getting married is about making one of the most important legal, emotional, social, economic and practical commitments you will ever make in your life.

It is a day too, that will never be able to be repeated.

ASKACELEBRANT BLOG:
This is a delightful personal story about the value of family and community in ceremonies and an example of the sorts of stories  our couples and  families could write about their wedding and other ceremony preparations.

The me, me, me wedding - By Hannah Seligson

http://www.tennantcreektimes.com.au/story/1771594/the-me-me-me-wedding/

From Gwen Stephenson
Celebrants & Celebrations Network Australia Civil Celebrant
Cairns Queensland.
www.rhapsodyceremonies.com.au

I recently officiated at my nephew's wedding at the beautiful Annabelle the Wedding Chapel at Sunshine Coast.  This wedding, even though I knew it would be difficult as I actually knew half of the wedding party/guests, I had no  idea it would so emotional for all concerned. 

The groom cried, the bride cried, the flower girl cried - and then everyone cried (including myself and the photographer).  Unbelievable!! 

Thank goodness we only do family weddings once in a while.    But it was my first family one and I loved every minute of it.  Doing another one for one of my Goddaughters this Saturday so that one will be interesting also.  Can't wait.  Love doing weddings.  Cheers to all my colleagues (no matter where you are) and keep up the good work.  

Our job is very important and many people rely on us.

Love Locks are gaining popularity in Australia and as The Age newspaper reported this week, Melbourne’s CBD has been hit with love lock fever, with several locations in the inner city, becoming popular places to “lock your love”. 

Love locks is an ancient custom, believed to have originated in China.  There are many cities around the world adorned with fences and bridges decorated with padlocks, symbolizing everlasting love.

Love locks are also gaining popularity in wedding ceremonies; a symbol of love and commitment between two people with the locking together of specially made “heart shaped” locks.  The key is then thrown away, symbolically locking their love together.

Whilst attaching padlocks to bridges in Melbourne may seem harmless enough, it seems the idea doesn't appeal to everyone and could actually pose a safety issue.

Read the full story in The Age, 16/7/13

http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/the-lock-of-love-secures-romance-20130716-2q14g.html

Photo supplied by: Getty Images

Article supplied by Robbie Fincham, Melbourne Civil Celebrant, www.robbiefincham.com.au

How many of us like to be kept waiting?  I've never met anyone who did.

It has become fashionable lately to state on wedding invitations a start time, which is actually considerably different to the actual start time.  On the face of it, it sounds like a good idea; after all, we don't all have good time-keeping skills and if guests have arrived in advance of the ceremony time then they won't miss the ceremony, or will they?  Perhaps they were intending to miss the ceremony anyway and just turn up at the reception?

Blog entry supplied by Robbie Fincham, Melbourne Civil Marriage Celebrant
Photograph courtesy Lars Paysen Photography

Later this year I will be marrying a delightful couple who were both born in 1943 which makes them 70 years of age.   This really is wonderful, and testament to the adage that “it’s never too late for love and marriage”.  Marrying later in life is by no means the “norm” in Australia, but makes me wonder if it will become more common, in light of a report released today, 27^th May 2013, by the Australian Institute of Family Studies.  

Essentially the report saysthat there is growing evidence that more couples are delaying divorce until after 20 years of marriage.  This delay may be because they are waiting until their children reach adulthood. 

Therefore, it makes sense that if couples are delaying divorce, then they may also meet and marry a new partner much later in life. 

Like to read the article in full in The Australian today? Click here: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/more-divorcing-after-20-years/story-e6frg6nf-1226650908092

From Roslyn McFarlane
Celebrants & Celebrations Network Australia Member
The Celebrants Network Inc Vice Chair

http://www.accesscc.com.au/

When you think of a wedding, one normally thinks of the Bride wearing a beautiful white dress, a stunning bridal party dressed in colour co-ordinated clothes, amazing flowers and a wonderful reception at a  fancy wedding venue.   Often the choice of words,  music and vows  will be very predictable.  But it does not have to be that way!

A week ago, I received a phone call from a "Bride" who, while she was on a holiday cruise; was "surprised" by her partner with a "Wedding Ceremony" in international waters. She wanted to know if it would be recognised in Australia. Interesting; considering that the person-who stated"by the powers invested in me", was the cruise Program Administrator. I thought she might be joking; but, as she was in the process of purchasing property in Australia; maybe thought it could be true. The emailed copy of her "Marriage Certificate was obviously a cheap copy downloaded fro the internet. BDM's suggested she get legal advice. I thought that it had gone far enough; and rang the shipping company concerned. "No; we only perform renewal of vows Ceremonies on any of our liners." Problem solved. End result-happy couple-happy Celebrant (I will be performing a legal Ceremony for them in the near future) with guests invited to witness a "renewal of vows Ceremony." Isn't this profession interesting?

Formal, casual, themed, fancy dress?

It seems we Celebrants will get to experience them all at one time or another. November last year, The couples theme of choice was Halloween.

The Bride was a "white witch". Her bridesmaids were "black witches". The Groom wore a T shirt with skeletal bones on it. (He also wore trousers) The entrance music was the combined sounds of howling winds and howling dogs; chains rattling, and spooky moans. All very tongue in cheek This Celebrant wore a black cape; red-lined, with high collar. This type of Ceremony may not be everyone's choice; but it displays the variety that couples have within the Civil Celebrant program. You might say that the Ceremony was a "howling success."                                               

Most couples marrying in Australia exchange rings during their wedding ceremony.  Another lovely sub-ceremony to include, as a leadup to this time honoured tradition, which is gaining popularity these days, is the Ring Warming Ceremony.  The "warming of the rings" which it's also called is a lovely way to also involve wedding guests.  So what happens during a ring warming?

Looking for something different to  include at your wedding?

What about a Sand Ceremony?

This is a lovely, unifying idea based on the idea of blending the bride and groom's families. Two containers of sand represent the single journeys the bride and groom were once on as well as their own families and friends.

From Rebecca Skinner

The Celebrants Network Incorporated Blog Coordinator
Celebrants & Celebrations Network Australia Celebrant Member
www.celebratinglifeschapters.com

Hand tying or handfasting adds a lovely new dimension to a wedding ceremony. But what coloured ribbons should you choose?

All colours have their significance. For instance red is the colour of passion, strength and fertility; orange represents attraction and kindness while yellow is linked to confidence and joy.

Green, often used by financial institutions, represents prosperity along with health while blue, the colour of the ocean, stands for tranquility, devotion and sincerity.

Purple represents power, white- purity and peace and black, strength and success.

Pink is the colour of romance, brown is very grounding while gold is linked to energy, wealth (of course!) intelligence and longevity.

Silver on the other hand is the colour of creativity and inspiration.

So knowing all that, which colours would you choose? Maybe a mixture of them all...

. . . with family blessings

From Rebecca Skinner
Celebrants & Celebrations Network Australia Celebrant Member
www.celebratinglifeschapters.com

At this time of the year, couples that are thinking of getting married often start to make plans.

Do we have small an intimate or big and flashy? A ceremony within a religious tradition, one with religious elements or one that focuses their personal spiritual beliefs and values about relationship and family?

The difficulty with big and flashy can be the cost - sometimes an amount that would make a great deposit on a house or purchase a new car outright!

From Robbie Fincham CMC

Melbourne Civil Marriage and Family Celebrant
Celebrants & Celebrations Network Australia Celebrant Member
Vice Chairperson TCN Inc
www.robbiefincham.com.au

EMIKO AND PETER - 2012 GOLD ROSE ENTRANTS 193

On a beautifully sunny spring afternoon in Melbourne in October this year I had the pleasure of conducting the marriage between Emiko and Peter, incorporating a family blending ceremony.  Family and friends gathered on the banks of the Yarra River in Kew where the oldest operating boathouse in Victoria stands - the Studley Park Boathouse.  Being only a 10 minute drive from central Melbourne, you could be mistaken from thinking you were somewhere in the country, so natural is the setting with picturesque views of the Yarra River and the perfect setting for their ceremony.

Emiko was given away by her Father, who had flown in from Japan for the special occasion.