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Are you one of the many couples finding that you need to change your wedding plans because of the coronavirus? The reality of travel restrictions as well as those on ceremonies and wedding receptions means making some decisions. Luckily we have Celebrant and Chairperson of The Celebrants Network - Sonia Collins at the ready to give some suggestions...
1. a formal act or ritual, often set by custom or tradition, performed in observation of an event or anniversary
"Longing to Connect
It’s such a shame that in our fast-paced society, many people no longer truly ‘get’ the profound opportunities ceremony offers! They either do nothing, or go through the motions with perfunctory (just get through it) ceremony.
Ceremony should be a Catalyst
[thank you to Michele Davidson - Modern Celebrant for allowing us to use her webpage]
Ceremonies happen at many events:
* At birthdays we blow out candles and sing "Happy Birthday" - would the party mean as much if we didn't do those things?
* We celebrate people's greatness by giving out awards and making speeches - would the recipient feel as special and appreciated if we made no fuss?
* At funerals and memorials we lay flowers and recite poetry to show respect to lost loved ones - how would we feel if we didn't mark their death in some significant way?

The more that we pay attention to the ceremony, and accept that it is there to help make our transitions through life smoother, the easier it will become to understand why it is so important.
Talk to a TCN Celebrant today about adding ceremony to your next life event
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ASK A CELEBRANT BLOG: Problem is by the time I've reached this age, I'll probably need someone else to organise this for me!
So how can a congratulatory message be organised? Australians who are celebrating a special birthday or wedding anniversary can receive personal congratulations from the Prime Minister, Governor-General or The Queen.
Who is eligible for a congratulatory message?
- The Prime Minister will send a message of congratulations to people turning 90 years of age or more.
- The Queen and Governor-General will send a message on a 100th birthday.
ASK A CELEBRANT BLOG: When Rona Goold TCN Coordinator celebrated her 20th Anniversary, she sent her 'sweetie husband" Steve a personal e-card on the theme of 'Life is a bowl of cherries' - when you have a good partner, where one's joined at the heart and that they made "a good pair" with this image :-)
Steve and Rona say that knowing each other's Love Languages is one way they strengthen their relationship.
"Fortunately 'gift giving' is not high on either of our lists, but words of affirmation and acts of service are.On receiving his e-card, Steve declared that it is really great to feel so close that neither "gives each other the pip"!" says Rona
What are your words of advice to newly weds about strengthening their marriage over time?
ASK A CELEBRANT BLOG: How often do we think "things" when considering a present for our parents, children or other family members and friends? Why not think about experiences that can never be repeated, that can bring pleasure to everyone, and to which everyone can donare the money to make it happen?
For the 55 and over age group "things" become less important, more things to dust and more things to say goodbye to when the time comes to downsize into a smaller place.
So why not make the celebration itself the gift?
The changes to society in the last 200 years in western culture have brought many benefits, but also many negatives
- people are separated from family support and roots by employment needs and thus young and old alike are more isolated. Thus at higher risk of depression.
- the wedding is too late for relationship education. Becoming an adult, leaving home, getting engaged are better times to promote those services
This week featured celebrant is Sonia Collins from Batemans Bay NSW.
My name is Sonia Collins and I am a Civil Celebrant in Batemans Bay, New South Wales. This is a very popular area for weddings, with couples coming from Canberra, Sydney and Melbourne, and country towns across NSW and Vic, as well as our local area. The area has great venues for weddings and for receptions and with the natural beauty of the coast and the bush it is not surprising that Batemans Bay is a first choice for many couples especially those with happy memories of time spent here on holidays.I have enjoyed a satisfying career in Human Resource Management and my interest in people led me to undertake the training to become a Marriage Celebrant.
TCNA is celebrating our Ruby Anniversary of the first Civil Marriage Celebrant in Australia - so I've written a little review via my personal life but this is reflected in over 70,000 marriages each year in Australia.
Truly an Australian success story :-)
http://www.celebrants.org.au/ask-a-TCNa-celebrant/stories/celebrating-civil-celebrants-ruby-anniversary/
And one we take for granted every week around our amazing country.
Let's celebrate
Rona Goold
Celebrants & Celebrations Network Australia
Coordinator.