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Jun
29

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?
 
In Australia the majority of weddings take place in Spring and Summer with only 5% of marriages taking place in June and July.
 
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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:

*  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. 

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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. 

* 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. 

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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.  

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Practicalities:
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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Mar
15

A wedding Vs a marriage

 
Some people think that a marriage and a wedding go hand in hand.... well, they do - but really, they don't.  
Yes, you have a wedding because you are getting married, but you don't (or you shouldn't) get married because you want a wedding.
 
It's vital not to lose sight of what is important.

A wedding can take an extraordinary amount of planning and can test your ability to deal with stress, your organisational skills and possibly your patience, but that's about all.  At the end of the day, yes you'll be married (assuming you've remembered to book a civil celebrant), but throwing a successful wedding party doesn't mean that you have a successful marriage - not yet anyway.

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A marriage takes work and it takes time. Years of nurturing your relationship where you treat each other with equality, respect and kindness.  Marriage is supporting each other through the great and the not so great times.  Marriage may force you to assess and re-evaluate some of your choices. It may also be a constant reminder that there is another person that you need to consider.  It's being able to communicate with your partner effectively and working out ways to live together harmoniously.  It's creating strategies to deal with conflict and disagreements.

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So why do we put such a massive emphasis on the wedding day?

We follow traditions about what we should wear and what our friends should wear.  We make sure that everything is colour coordinated, we adhere to the prescribed formulae so the day is perfect and a lot of us are throwing big $$$$ dollars at this one day.

Does the most expensive wedding = the best marriage?
Does getting the colour scheme wrong = a marriage failure?
Does bucking traditions = not a real marriage?
No.

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A marriage is a lifelong partnership and a wedding is the one day you choose to celebrate the beginning of that marriage.
Which ever way you choose to celebrate your marriage is totally ok - there's no judgement here, however be mindful of what is actually more important to you - the marriage or the wedding.

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To find a TCN Celebrant to help you create an amazing celebration for what is sure to be a wonderful marriage -  Click here.

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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.  
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Jan
18

Don't Be Late!

Don’t be late!

 

Is it fashionable for the bride to be late to the ceremony anymore? 
 
 
Was it ever fashionable?  

 

There are valid excuses for being late:

 

Car trouble, traffic, wardrobe/hair/makeup malfunctions, nerves, forgot something vital to the ceremony… but intentionally planning to keep your guests waiting because you think it’s a tradition or so you can make a grand entrance is not necessary. 
 
Being late is as much a tradition as it is lucky when it rains on your wedding day - it's just something people say... and your entrance will be grand regardless of what time you arrive.

 

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Image source: stuff.co.nz

The same excuses can be allowed for guests, however intentionally arriving any later than 15+ minutes before the ceremony is due to start is not ok.  

 

Perhaps people assume that the bride will be ‘fashionably late’ and therefore what’s the point of arriving early? 
 
But what if this bride is considering the comfort of her guests and valuing her celebrant/photographer/videographer/musician/other ceremony service provider’s time and arrives on time for the ceremony - then you run the risk of missing the beginning of the ceremony or causing a ruckus coming in half way through.

 

Let’s ditch this idea that the bride (or groom) should be late to the ceremony.

 

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Image source: Pixabay

Let me tell you an extreme, and yet very true story of what can happen if you choose to be late on a hot day.  

 

Imagine, if you will, a very hot day - sweltering in fact... I'm talking up and over 40℃

 

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Your guests have arrived 15 minutes early as instructed.  They are dressed in their finery, ladies in heels and make up, gents in long pants and suit jackets.  You have opted for the magnificent location of that park near that lake where there’s not a lot of shade.  Your guests have not thought to bring hats or umbrellas, possibly not being familiar with the park’s shade offerings.  So they stand uncomfortably in the sun, holding their clutch purses over their faces, slowly melting, silently hoping that the bride will be on time.

 

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Photo credit: Shell Brown

The groom and his best man are dressed in their 3 piece suits, looking marvellous except for their glistening red faces and parched lips.
The bride is sitting somewhere in air conditioning having the finishing touches done to her hair and make up.  The girls are having a last champas before getting into the air conditioned car to get to the ceremony….. it doesn’t matter if we’re a bit late, they decide - it’s fashionable, right?

 

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Image source: Pixabay

Cut back to the park where the guests have now been standing in the blazing sun for 30 minutes, with no bridesmaid filled vintage limo in sight.  The guests haven’t brought any water, as they didn’t think they’d be standing there for this long.  One of the nanas has thought to bring a fan with her and she is starting to look way too flushed. Her breathing slows down as she slumps slightly in her chair.

 

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Image source: totally-awesome.net

The girls are finally in the limo and are super excited to be on their way.  The guests have been waiting for 45 minutes now and people are losing their patience and good humour.  The limo pulls up to the park, it’s another 10 minutes while the bride has some photos in the car, then gets out of the car and has more photos in front of the car, then with the bridesmaids, then one with her dad, then a few of the bride with the bridesmaids fussing around her dress…. 

 

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Image source: Pixabay

The guests can see she has arrived and are wondering, as they wipe the sweat from their eyes, waterproof mascara running, why she hasn’t started walking towards them yet.  People can get cross and fed up in the heat.

 

The bride finally arrives and can’t understand why her guests all look furious and a little damp.

 

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Sure - this might be far fetched, but people can get cranky in the heat! Image source: iloverealestate.tv

Nana manages to make it though the ceremony - only just and is then taken to hospital with heat stroke.  Another two guests opt to go home because standing out in the heat has made them feel sick.

 

So… to be late or not to be late?

 

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Image source: memes.com

If you would like some advice on how best to plan your ceremony so that everybody makes it through to the reception, why not #askacelebrant? 
 
You can contact a TCN Celebrant by clicking this link.

 

And if you do have a guest suffer from heat stroke - here are some handy hints 

* ____________________________________ *

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!

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Nov
23

Do We Need a Bridal Party?

The History of the Bridal Party

During the "marriage by capture" era, close friends of the groom helped him to kidnap the bride from her family. The first groomsmen were more like a small army, fighting off the bride's angry relatives as the groom rode away with her on his horse.

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Bridesmaids and maids of honour became more common when weddings were planned. For several days before the marriage, a senior maid attended to the bride. This maid or matron of honour, as we know her today, ensured that the bridal wreath was made and helped the bride get dressed. 

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For a long time, bridesmaids wore dresses much like the bride's gown, while the groomsmen dressed in clothing that was similar to the groom's attire. This tradition began for protection against evil rather than for uniformity; if evil spirits or jealous suitors attempted to harm the newlyweds, they would be confused as to which two people were the real bride and groom.

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Over time this tradition has morphed into inviting a small number of your nearest and dearest to help you plan your special day and to carry out that plan on the day.  Special responsibilities are given to the bridal party, for example: bridesmaids will go with the bride to chose outfits and have a number of beauty treatments whilst the groomsmen pick their outfits and sometimes engage in a group activity like go carting or golf.

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Then on the day, they are given responsibilities such as: the Best Man holds the rings, the Maid of Honour holds the bouquet; the groomsmen hand out ceremony programs and the bridesmaids are in charge of making sure that the train on the bride’s dress is sufficiently fanned and that the flower girls are looked after. 

And they are all responsible for arranging buck’s and hen’s events.

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So, do I actually need to have a bridal party?

The short answer is no - there is no legal reason to have a bridal party.  However some people do like to have their closest buddies around them on their special day, sharing in the moment and helping them prepare, but it is not a prerequisite for getting married.  A civil marriage ceremony only requires you and your partner, your celebrant and your two witnesses - everybody else is there to watch and help you celebrate.

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Some 'pros' to having a bridal party

You get to share the shopping with your besties, you have access to honest advice throughout, hen’s/buck’s parties are more fun with more than one person there! If you are feeling a bit stressed on the day, your best man is there to talk you through it and your bridesmaids are at the ready with the touch up lippy.  Group photos are great fun and you have your best friends sharing your most special day with you from woe to go.

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Some 'cons' that come with having a bridal party

Sometimes having a bridal party can be a bit of a drama.  Before there was just you and your fiancé to think about, now you have a MOH a BM, 4 BMs and 5 GMs - Then you are plagued with questions: Is it going to look awkward if the numbers are uneven?  Do you invite somebody just to fill the numbers?  Will asking my 2 year old niece to be a flower girl balance the numbers out even though she won’t know why she’s there or even remember the day?  What colours will they wear?  Will they all were the same?  My girlfriends are all different shapes and sizes, will the same dress suit them all?  That’s a lot of money to pay for a dress that they’ll only wear once.  I’ve got 4 best friends but I only want 3 bridesmaids - how will I choose and how will my left out friend feel? 

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How you choose to celebrate your marriage is totally up to you.


Here are 8 'non rules' that might be helpful when deciding if you want to include a bridal party or not.

1. You don’t have to have a bridal party if you don’t want to.

2. You don’t have to stick to female bridesmaids and male groomsmen - this is going to sound crazy, but you can choose who ever you want.

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3. You are under no obligation to ask anybody to be your bridesmaid/groomsman - (even if you promised them when you were 9 years old)

4. Remember you are getting married to the person that you love - not putting on a show for paying customers.

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5. The ceremony is about you and your loved one pledging your life to each other and declaring undying love. You don’t need help with that part - except from your celebrant.

6. You can give friends and family special roles/jobs i.e: a reading, day of co ordinator, holding the rings, being in charge of not running out of champagne, looking after the gift table - sort of like a bridal party, but they can wear what they want and they sit with the other guests while you have centre stage.

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7. Giving those people that helped a special mention in your speech is all that is needed.

8.  You can have as many bridesmaids, groomsmen, flower girls, page boys, matrons of honour and best men that you want to - it's your day!

 

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If you would like to speak to an experienced TCN Celebrant about how you can create your own marriage ceremony - CLICK HERE

 

What are your thoughts on having a bridal party - leave your comments in the comment section below.

 * __________________________________________________________ *

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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Jul
14

The importance of family and community involvement in ceremonies

Humans have used ceremonies and celebrations for thousands of years to: 
  • affirm or encourage people at special events  e.g. Olympic Games, Presentation nights, graduations
  • celebrate milestones in our individual life journey e.g. birthdays, anniversaries, retirement 
  • acknowledge significant life-changing occasions e.g. namings/ christenings, engagements, marriages, funerals
  • honour individuals or celebrate community values, e.g. memorials, Australia Day, Citizenship Day, Harmony Day

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The pros and cons of a private ceremony

TCN celebrants have noticed a recent trend towards couples choosing to elope and having a small ceremony with just the celebrant and witnesses.  

On the plus side, these ceremonies can be romantic, fun, stress free and far less expensive than the traditional family occasion.  They are ideally suited to some couples.

The down side may be that family are genuinely hurt by being excluded from this important occasion. 

This can be difficult to understand, especially for couples who are already living together and who decide they just want to "make it legal" with minimum fuss.  

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Sharing is Caring

However, if the couple think more deeply about the significance of the marriage ceremony they may see the value in a larger ceremony that involves family and friends.

The marriage ceremony results in changes of legal status and relationships.  The marriage partners become legally responsible for each other and any children of their relationship.  They also acquire new relationships with their in-laws - a new extended family and friendship group.  For the parents of "first time marrieds"  the marriage ceremony symbolically marks a "graduation" at which their work in raising a baby to adulthood formally ends. 

So in many ways a marriage is not just a relationship between two individuals. It is a formal and social relationship between two networks of family and friends.  Being part of the ceremony means a lot to those who love the couple.

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"But big family weddings are too expensive - eloping cuts the cost!"

This can certainly be true.  So how can we have a big celebration for a small cost? 

This TCN article about having a big celebration on a low budget could assist your planning.

Share your ideas on how to involve family and friends in celebrations that are meaningful for everyone present … 

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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!

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Sep
20

When your wedding plans are becoming overwhelming - remember the reason you’re getting married.

Your wedding is getting close and your nerves are becoming more frazzled. Feeling overwhelmed is becoming your new normal, and you and your fiance seem to spend all of your time consumed with wedding plans.

Sounds familiar? According to a survey by fearcourse.com

  • 71% of brides-to-be suffered from some type of nerves during the build-up to their wedding
  • 92% of brides experienced nerves on the day of the wedding or the evening before
  • 66% reported that it affected their daily lives prior to it, or hampered their performance and enjoyment during the day itself.


These feeling of overwhelm could be caused by a number of issues in the busy lead up to your wedding.

  • Budget
  • Guest lists
  • Seating plans
  • Suppliers who don't deliver
  • Disagreements over some of the wedding details
  • Family pressure
  • Wanting the day to be perfect.

Whatever your reasons are, perhaps it is time to take a wedding planning break, just you and your partner spending time together, just hanging out and remembering your reasons why you wanted to get married.

Taking a mini break dedicated to you as a couple is a great way to let you see the big picture, strengthen your bond, and to set a good pattern for your marriage, especially after you have kids.

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Minibreaks could be an afternoon off, a weekend off, or even a whole week with wedding planning put on the back burner, while you spend time looking after your relationship. Some great mini breaks are :

  • A couples massage session
  • An afternoon movie session
  • A romantic dinner date
  • A weekend away at your favourite B and B
  • Bingeing out on a whole TV series.
  • A walk on the beach.
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Time out is a great habit for couples to adopt, and when better to start the habit, than during the planning of your important day.
 * __________________________________________________________ *

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!

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Jul
14

Choosing the perfect location for your ceremony

Is there such a thing as THE perfect location for your wedding?

Surely it depends on the individual couple and their own dreams and aspirations for what their wedding day will look like.
What is perfect for one couple may not be perfect for another. However it will probably be the first and biggest decision you’ll make as an engaged couple and it will influence your budget, decor and even your attire.
 
Ask yourselves the following questions as the answers may help you decide the type of location you want.

How many people are we inviting?
How much do we want to spend….what is our budget?
What kind of wedding style do we want……formal, relaxed, rustic, outdoors, inside?
Is the Venue available on our wedding day?
How much work do we want to do?
Do we want to leave everything to the venue or do we want to do some of the work ourselves?
What time of the year do we want to get married?
Do we want the Ceremony and the Reception to be in the same place?
How easy is it for our guests to get to the location?
Do we have any elderly or informed guests?
Do we want to make it a weekend of celebrations or a singular day?

Garden arch

Locations that are Popular for Weddings
Barns, Farms, and Wineries
Wedding Receptions and Ballrooms
Hotels 
Restaurants In a Public Garden
Zoos, Children’s Farms, Museums, Art Galleries, Warehouses
On a Beach On a Boat
In our own Home
In a Chapel Overseas at a Destination Wedding.


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Things to Do Before you Choose your Location

Narrow down your search to a few options. 
Once you have narrowed down your search email or call the venue and make an appointment to go and see it.

If it is an outdoor wedding try to view it at the same time as your ceremony so that you will know the sun orientation.
Write down a list of questions to ask. Does the location suit the style/theme you want? Read reviews from other couples
 
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If you want an outdoor wedding always have a Plan B in case of bad weather……too hot or too cold. If you are using a public place you may need to apply for a permit. 

Don’t choose the first place you see…..unless you absolutely fall in love with it.

For more advice about choosing a venue, contact one of the TCN Celebrants



Keep Oz Beautiful
Footnote:
 Many couples choose the outdoors for their wedding to take advantage of the beautiful scenery. When deciding on an outdoor venue please take into consideration the need to tidy up after the celebration.

Australia Beautiful Week is an annual event and runs from 22nd to 28th August and the theme this year is ‘Do the Right Thing’ for a litter free and sustainable Australia.  


* __________________________________________________________ *

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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Jul
14

Ceremonies using interpreters

Today we look at using Interpreters at marriage ceremonies conducted in compliance with Australian Law. Section 112 of the Marriage Act provides that ‘where a celebrant considers it desirable to do so, they may use the services  the services of an interpreter in or in connection with a marriage ceremony. ‘

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What Does Section 112 Mean?

  1. If you as the Celebrant are only able to conduct a ceremony in English and if either of the couple or the official witnesses do not speak/understand English fluently, an interpreter will be required.

  2. The couple and witnesses MUST fully understand the legal components of the ceremony, which includes the Monitum and the legal vows.

  3. It is the responsibility of the Celebrant to decide if an Interpreter is required.

  4. It is advisable to use an Interpreter, if either or both of the couple are hearing impaired.
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Who can be an Interpreter?

  1. Where possible, it is best that the interpreter be an accredited interpreter through the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters Ltd (NAATI) or another official agency. To find an interpreter, please visit: http://www.naati.com.au/

  2.  The interpreter must be a person other than a member of the wedding party. Where a family or friend is used as an Interpreter the Celebrant must be confident that he/she is doing the job properly.

  3. The Interpreter must provide a Statutory Declaration, prior to the wedding, stating their fluency in the relevant language. This must be witnessed by the Celebrant.

  4. After the ceremony the Interpreter must provide a Certificate of  Faithful performance of his or her services. This must be witnessed by the Celebrant.
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Who can be a Translator?

  1. Your celebrant must be satisfied that the translation is a true and accurate translation of an offical document through NAATI or another official agency.

  2. The National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters Ltd (NAATI) is the only agency to issue accreditations for practitioners who wish to work in this profession in Australia.

  3. If you need a certified translation, please visit: http://www.naati.com.au/

The Difference Between an Interpreter and a Translator 

Interpreters and translators perform similar tasks, but in different settings. While an 
interpreter converts any spoken material from one language into a different language, as required in Wedding Ceremonies, a translator converts written material in the same manner, as required in the use of legal documents in relation to marriage. 

If you are unsure about your need to use an Interpreter, you may contact The Celebrants Network or the Marriage Law and Celebrant Section of the Australian government for more information. 

* __________________________________________________________ *

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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Jun
25

5 Tips for Staying Calm on Your Wedding Day

All the planning for your special day is complete.  You have chosen the perfect music, you're wearing the perfect wedding ensemble, your ceremony location is even more picturesque than even you could have imagined, you've taken care of every last detail.

With so much effort having gone into creating such an amazing day there are sure to be a few nerves.  Not only do you have to handle the pressure of everyone wanting your attention, but you also feel the stress of wanting everything to go smoothly.

Pre-wedding jitters are totally normal and we're here to help you with these 5 tips for staying calm through your marriage ceremony.

Be Yourself

 

Try and remember that this ceremony is about you and your partner declaring your love and promising to live a beautiful life together.  It is not a performance for your guests.  Nobody is expecting more from you than you are able to give.  If you are nervous about talking in public, then just imagine it is you and your partner (and your celebrant) simply having a chat.  Most couples who were nervous beforehand say afterwards that it wasn't nearly as bad as they thought it was going to be.

Delegate! Delegate! Delegate!
 


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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Jul
07

How does the cost of a celebrant fit in with your budget?

Congratulations, you are getting married and are busy working out where you want the ceremony and the reception, the wedding gown, the photographer, how many guests (and do you really have to invite all of the cousins?), who is in the bridal party, rings, cars, cakes, the list goes on. 

And the costs escalate.  Escalate very quickly.

So, where does the celebrant fit into your budget? Celebrant fees can range from $300 to over $1,000 depending on your location and the celebrant. A good tip is to check the fees for your state’s Registry Office, who provide a basic marriage ceremony and expect the fees of an independent celebrant, who comes to your venue of choice and provides a personalised service to charge more than that.


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

A celebrant will spend an average of between 10 and 20 hours working on your wedding. Holding meetings with you, making sure all of the legal paperwork is correct, and then making sure the correct paperwork is lodged with the Birth Death and Marriages Section in your state. They will also write a special ceremony for you, with all of your wishes included, they will organise rehearsals of your ceremony and then, on the big day, they will perform your wedding ceremony and make sure that your wedding is legal. 


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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?? 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!

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May
29

Calling All Spring Brides.

Spring is just around the corner!
Here are some fabulous ideas to make your Spring wedding amazingly fresh!

 

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.  

You will, of course have a back up plan just in case, and if your Plan A venue has a Plan B location - even better!

 

Book early!

Spring is a popular time to get married so your favourite suppliers, like the celebrant you've been following on Twitter may well be booked up. Don’t be afraid to go with your gut and make that booking as early as you can. This way you'll be organised and relatively stress free, whilst avoiding disappointment. Win/Win!

 

Go seasonal

Spring brides have a great choice when it comes to flowers. Late spring flowers such as sweet peas and peonies come in an array of different colours and are stunning in both bouquets and centrepieces.

 

If you’re going seasonal with your flowers this can be a good place to start your planning in terms of a theme, as your colours may well be decided by the choice of blooms available. 

 

 

Be prepared

Choosing an all-weather venue is a great start but you’re likely to want to have some photographs taken outside. Spring brides should definitely be prepared for showers and embrace the possibility of rain or wet ground by investing in a fabulous umbrella or a pair of statement wellies.

 

Rain on your wedding day is considered to be good luck by some cultures and remember that a wet knot is harder to untie!

 

Be kind to your bridesmaids

Floaty chiffon and tulle bridesmaid dresses can be stunning but aren’t the warmest outfits for a chilly spring day! If you’re opting for this sort of dress check out wraps or shrugs for them as well to ensure they are comfortable and are not a light shade of blue in the photos.

 

Spring Gifts

Think about how you can extend your Spring theme into gifts for your guests by planting small containers of spring bulbs as wedding favours, or maybe a packet of summer flower seeds to brighten up their gardens and remind them of your day.

 

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 ?! 

Please use this ? link: https://www.celebrations.org.au/blog when you share. ?

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May
18

Why it's not just a piece of paper

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?

 

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May
22

Sorry - marrying when you first meet just cannot happen

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.

i propose 927744 200Most 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. 

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Apr
19

Life; love and tragedy. Does love visit again?

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.

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Apr
25

Dreaming of a beachside wedding?

beachsideMany 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?

 

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Apr
24

Outdoor weddings need a wet weather plan

indoor-decorationThe recent stormy weather meant that one of my couples had to make a last minute change to their wedding venue.  As you can see from the photo, the decorators quickly adapted their planned headland setup to make a beautiful indoor setting for the arrival of the bridal party.

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.

Kyla_Hall_small_640x479

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Jun
22

Why do 75% of couples choose civil ceremonies?

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.

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Nov
21

Rainbow of Love

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 :)

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Jun
05

Pop Up Wedding - or more choice?

pop-up-toaster-225ASKACELEBRANT 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!

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Jan
26

What do we think is the most important part of a wedding day?

child_bride_groom_holding_hands_md_clrASK 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.

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Oct
30

The me, me, me wedding

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.

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

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Sep
01

Emotional Wedding

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

tears-weddingI 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.  Smile  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.

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Aug
11

A ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME . . . .

ASKACELEBRANT
This article submitted by NSW TCN Celebrant, Rebecca Skinner 
www.celebratinglifeschapters.com
Throughout history roses have held great significance. Monks tended rose gardens in the Middle Ages...there are references to roses in the bible and of course Shakespeare's immortal words were, "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet."  So no wonder some couples chose to include a rose ceremony at their wedding.
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Jul
20

LOCKING YOUR LOVE IN MELBOURNE

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

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Jul
09

What time should the Ceremony commence?

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?

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May
27

YOU'RE NEVER TOO OLD

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, 27th 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

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Apr
24

WAYS WITH WEDDINGS

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!

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Apr
19

Married on the high seas?

 

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? Laughing

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Apr
19

Rattle my chains? For better or worse?

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."                                               

 

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Apr
12

What exactly is a Ring Warming Ceremony?

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?

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Apr
12

Sand ceremony at a wedding

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.

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Apr
11

Hand tying or handfasting. But what coloured ribbons should you choose?

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...

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Jan
28

Tips for Wedding Ceremonies Involving Children

From Mr Peter Grant - Cvil Marriage Celebrant
Celebrants & Celebrations Network Austraia
Brisbane Queensland

http://www.peterthecelebrant.com.au/

Many of our wedding ceremonies now involve extended families with the couple having children (either together or from previous relationships) and that immediate family being readily accepted by parents, siblings and grandparents.
 
We advise our couples that the wedding ceremony is a terrific event to incorporate the love and acceptance across all levels of the family unit. We ensure that the involvement of family members does not detract from the solemnization of the marriage nor dilute the focus from the Bride and Groom.
 
My advice to couples is to sit with their celebrant and discuss the various ways and rituals that can be used to incorporate their children and their parents into their ceremony. Some of the ways we have done this is for the Bride to pause during the Processional next to the mothers (of the Bride and Groom) seated in the front seating and hand them a single red rose each as a token of love.

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Jan
20

The demon ...

By Mr Pat Slee - Celebrant
Celebrants & Celebrations Network Austraia
Pimpama. QLD
www.spotlightstars.com.au

Well...
I had 'one of those moments' recently. (January 2013 heatwave!)
A Beachside wedding.. 4.30pm..
not on the sand but in a park alongside.. Damn Hot!

Park structure shelters were all around with shade..
My Bride insisted the set up by the organisers at a certain tree = absolutely no shade.
Pat is set up ready to go the usual 30 mins before..
All OK.. Pat is calm..

Pat has his trusty towel to wipe the ever increasing brow furrows...
4.25 comes... guests have arrived, huddled in shady spots... Pat Chats..
Organiser lady has rung bride.. she is just putting the dress on..
will be 20 minutes late = great Undecided

but...
No sign of the groom & his 6 attendants...
Organiser lady rings the groom... no answer.
Pat remains patient and smiling..
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Dec
28

Breaking with Tradition: Eloping

. . . with family blessings

From Rebecca Skinner
Celebrants & Celebrations Network Australia Celebrant Member

www.celebratinglifeschapters.com

taking-wedding-vowsAt 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!

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Dec
02

Family Blending Ceremony at the Oldest Operating Boathouse in Victoria

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

wedding-celebrant-melbourneOn 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.

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