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The Celebrants Network Inc - BLOG

This blog is updated by passionate celebrants. Make sure you subscribe so you don't miss the latest from The Celebrants Network

More Blog posts can be found in the Blog Categories to the right.
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Katherine Sessions
Mar
13

Live music vs recorded music at your wedding ceremony

One of the big decisions you'll need to make for your wedding day and especially your marriage ceremony is the music. Celebrant Katherine Sessions of Adore Celebrancy Services and member of The Celebrants Network is taking us through the ins and outs of choosing live or recorded music...

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Katherine Sessions
Ceremonies and Celebrations
Shell Brown
Mar
05

LGBTQQIAAP ???

 
Have you ever stopped to think about what the letters LGBTQQIAAP actually stand for? 
 
 
Over the years we have gone from labelling a person's sexuality as either straight or gay to a rainbow of names that people sometimes find difficult to get their head around.... but if you care about people who identify as 'one of those other letters', then this blog could help give you some important information.
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Shell Brown
Ceremonies and Celebrations
Sonia Collins
Feb
27

Your Day to Propose – 29 February 2020

proposal

Christmas, New Year and Valentine’s Day have come and gone but he didn’t propose. All is not lost!

Once every four years it is not only OK, it is actually expected that women will ask their partner to marry them.  So what’s the story here? What makes this year and particularly Saturday 29 February 2020 so special?  The Celebrants Network's Celebrant - Sonia Collins from Batemans Bay is going to tell us...

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Sonia Collins
Ceremonies and Celebrations Marriage
Shell Brown
Feb
20

Naming Ceremony for a Transgender Person

A person’s name is the greatest connection to their own identity and individuality. Some might say it is the most important word in the world to that person. Most of us may have had the experience where somebody has called us the wrong name... think about how that felt.... now imagine that people are calling you by a name you feel no identity with and perhaps feel negative emotions about, especially when you've specifically asked them not to use it. 

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Shell Brown
Ceremonies and Celebrations Namings
Melanie Lawson
Feb
13

NSW Seniors Festival 2020

NSW Seniors Festival is happening during the week of 12-23 February.  The theme for this year’s festival is “Love to Celebrate”.  What a great topic for all of us at The Celebrants Network to embrace!  

In the spirit of this year’s festival, The Celebrants Network and Celebrant Mel Lawson bring you 5 things to celebrate about getting older...

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Melanie Lawson
Ceremonies and Celebrations
Susan Roberts
Feb
05

Contingency Plans - How to handle unforeseen events during a ceremony

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

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Susan Roberts
Ceremonies and Celebrations Civil Celebrants Weddings
Melanie Lawson
Jan
29

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.
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Melanie Lawson
Ceremonies and Celebrations Civil Celebrants Funerals Pre-Funeral Planning Memorials
Ask A Celebrant
Jan
24

Wedding statistics

Every year the Australian Burearu of Statistics puts out all the stats from the data collected from the year before... so we're always 12 months behind, but it gives us a good information about who is getting married in Australia adn how they're going about it.

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Ask A Celebrant
Ceremonies and Celebrations
Susan Roberts
Jan
09

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.

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Susan Roberts
Ceremonies and Celebrations Civil Celebrants
Roslyn McFarlane
Dec
30

Multicultural Weddings

As Celebrants we have the privilege of marrying people from all over the world.  Roslyn McFarlane, Celebrant and valued member of The Celebrants Network has outlined a few cultural traditions from around the world.

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Roslyn McFarlane
Ceremonies and Celebrations
Trevor Hayley
Dec
19

Memories of Christmas Lunch

Personal memories of a family Christmas lunch - a blog written by celebrant and member of The Celebrants Network - Trevor Hayley

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Trevor Hayley
Ceremonies and Celebrations
Melanie Lawson
Dec
11

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...

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Melanie Lawson
Civil Celebrants TCN Professional Celebrant Association
Sonia Collins
Dec
05

Pets at Weddings

When a couple’s pets are their fur-babies it is natural to want to include them in any family celebration. The Celebrants Network member, Sonia Collins takes us through the pros and cons of including your pet in your ceremony.

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Sonia Collins
Ceremonies and Celebrations Weddings
Ask A Celebrant
Nov
29

How to involve blended families into your ceremony

 
Ceremonies have been used for thousands of years to help us manage change and build stronger bonds with our families and friends. In the modern blended family a ceremony can reinforce how much each member is valued, and the importance of their role in the family.
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Ask A Celebrant
Ceremonies and Celebrations Betrothals - Engagements Marriage Weddings
Melanie Lawson
Nov
11

Remembrance Day 11 November 2019

On November 11 Australia, along with all Commonwealth countries will honour Remembrance Day in recognition of the day the guns fell silent at the end of World War One. After four years of warfare and the loss of millions of lives, an armistice was signed to take effect on the 11th hour of the 11th day of November, 1918.

Today we have our regular guest blogger Melanie Lawson from Oberon, NSW, recognising Remembrance Day. 

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Melanie Lawson
Ceremonies and Celebrations Memorials
Melanie Lawson
Nov
07

"What Could Possibly Go Wrong" - Be Prepared!

Celebrants are involved in a wide range of ceremonies, often held outside involving children, dogs, emotional family members and people taking part in rituals for the first time in their lives. What could go wrong? The answer is anything and everything!

Today we have our regular guest blogger Melanie Lawson from Oberon, NSW raising awareness of potential calamities in your ceremonies and tips on how to be prepared.

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Melanie Lawson
Ceremonies and Celebrations Weddings
Sonia Collins
Oct
15

Remembering Loved Ones

As I walked through the supermarket today I noticed the pumpkins and other goodies ready for the annual Halloween celebrations.  The modern rituals of Halloween - carving the pumpkins into lanterns, dressing up as ghosts and witches and trick or treating are now very common in Australia but not many people are aware of the origins.

TCN Celebrant and today's guest and regular blogger Sonia Collins from Batemans Bay, NSW talks about the Remembering Our Loved Ones. 

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Sonia Collins
Ceremonies and Celebrations Memorials
Melanie Lawson
Oct
09

Love is in the air – Renewing Your Wedding Vows

Spring brings warmer weather, a sense of hope and optimism, and a revival and renewal of plants and animals. Flowers bloom, and baby birds, cows and sheep appear across the country. Spring is also the busiest time of the year for weddings and many people are enjoying attending weddings as a guest, member of the bridal party or the happy couple themselves. This sense of love and excitement may inspire happily married couples to renew their wedding vows.
TCN Celebrant and today's guest and regular blogger Melanie Lawson from Oberon, NSW talks about the renewing wedding vows.

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Melanie Lawson
Ceremonies and Celebrations
Melanie Lawson
Oct
03

Ceremonies for Children and Young People

School holidays are here and many of us are spending more time with the young people in our lives. For Year 12 students, school and childhood are coming to an end as they prepare for final exams next term and a transition to adulthood. TCN Celebrant and today's guest blogger Melanie Lawson from Oberon, NSW talks about the different types of ceremonies we celebrate with children.

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Melanie Lawson
Ceremonies and Celebrations
Sonia Collins
Sep
21

Celebrating being Australian

Advance Australia Fair

 

Tuesday 17th September was Citizenship Day in Australia.  The Australian Government established Citizenship Day in 2001 as a day when all Australians could celebrate their Australian citizenship. Today's blog is wriiten by TCN celebrant Sonia Collins from Batemans Bay, NSW

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Sonia Collins
Ceremonies and Celebrations
Ask A Celebrant
Sep
18

I just got engaged - now what do I do?

I just got engaged.... what do I do now? This is a common question asked by many a couple getting married for the first time, and in fact, it is still asked by people on their second and third time around.  Getting married is not an everyday occurrence, so it's not a natural thing where people simply 'know' what to do.
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Ask A Celebrant
Ceremonies and Celebrations Civil Celebrants Marriage Weddings Commitments
Shell Brown
Sep
11

Celebrating New Beginnings

Think about all the times in your life when you've started something new... School, university, work, moved house, bought a house, moved in with a partner, moved towns, cities, states and countries, a new project, marriage, children... the list goes on.  TCN Celebrant and today's guest blogger Shell Brown from Mandurah, WA takes us through how we can add ceremony to all our life celebrations.
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Shell Brown
Ceremonies and Celebrations Birthdays Namings
Melanie Lawson
Aug
29

Celebrating fathers

This Sunday, the 1st of September is Father’s Day across Australia.  A day to celebrate the involvement of fathers of every size and shape in the care and development of our children and the support of our families.  Today's blog is written by TCN Celebrant, Melanie Lawson from Greater Western Sydney.

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Melanie Lawson
Ceremonies and Celebrations
Ask A Celebrant
Aug
07

Record your life story - before it's too late

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

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Ask A Celebrant
Ceremonies and Celebrations Dying to know day
Melanie Lawson
Jul
25

D2KDay – 8 August 2019

DTK Day is on 8th August 2019. To quote the Dying to Know Day website "Too many of us are dying in a way not consistent with our values or wishes. Too often, we feel ill-equipped to support loved ones who are dying, caring or grieving. Dying to Know Day is designed to change this by activating conversations and curiosity."

Today’s blog is written by TCN Committee Member, Melanie Lawson. https://www.celebrations.org.au/find/celebrant-directory/2521-melanie-lawson
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Melanie Lawson
Ceremonies and Celebrations Funerals Pre-Funeral Planning Memorials Dying to know day
Pamela Fynan
Jun
28

The Importance of Naming Ceremonies

Have you ever thought about having a Naming Ceremony for your child? Today's blog has been written by TCN Celebrant Pamela Fynan who talks about what an important life ceremony a naming can be...

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Pamela Fynan
Ceremonies and Celebrations Namings
Sonia Collins
Jun
18

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...

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Sonia Collins
Ceremonies and Celebrations Civil Celebrants
Melanie Lawson
Jun
03

The Great Outdoors - Planning a successful outdoor ceremony

An outdoor ceremony can take a lot of planning and today, TCN Celebrant and Guest Blogger, Melanie Lawson from Richmond, NSW is taking us through all the ins and outs...
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Melanie Lawson
Ceremonies and Celebrations Weddings
Kim Waddington
May
30

Using humour in ceremonies

Photo credit: Rochelle James - www.rochellejamesphotography.zenfolio.com

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.

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Kim Waddington
Ceremonies and Celebrations Civil Celebrants
Susanna Jose
May
27

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. 
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Susanna Jose
Ceremonies and Celebrations Civil Celebrants Marriage
Susanna Jose
May
22

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.

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Susanna Jose
Ceremonies and Celebrations Civil Celebrants Marriage
Melanie Lawson
May
14

Being more accessible - Global Access Awareness Day

The 16th of May is Global Access Awareness Day – the focus of this day is for the technology experts to think about how to ensure that the digital world is inclusive and accessible to all... Today's Guest blogger is TCN Celebrant Mel Lawson.

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Melanie Lawson
Ceremonies and Celebrations Civil Celebrants
Lisa Philipsen
May
09

Mother's Day Musings

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

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Lisa Philipsen
Ceremonies and Celebrations
Melanie Lawson
Apr
29

The Seriousness of Underage Marriages & Forced Marriages

Underage marriage is a sensitive and complex issue that affects communities around the world.  This issue impacts on women and girls who marry at a young age and often without giving consent.  Our guest blogger, TCN Celebrant Melanie Lawson - takes us through the stats and legalities of underage and forced marriage...

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Melanie Lawson
Ceremonies and Celebrations Civil Celebrants Marriage
Trish Keating
Apr
23

Commemorating ANZAC Day

Let we forget

Australians recognise the 25th of April as a day of national remembrance, which takes two forms. Commemorative services are held across the nation at dawn and commemorative ceremonies held at war memorials around the country.  Today's blog is written by TCN Member, Trish Keating.

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Trish Keating
Ceremonies and Celebrations Memorials
Ask A Celebrant
Apr
17

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...

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Ask A Celebrant
Civil Celebrants
Susanna Jose
Apr
09

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.....

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Susanna Jose
Ceremonies and Celebrations Civil Celebrants
Karen Faa
Apr
02

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! 

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Karen Faa
Civil Celebrants Weddings
Ask A Celebrant
Mar
21

Harmony Day

Harmony Day - bringing everyone together, celebrating our differences and acknowledging our similarities in humanity...
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Ask A Celebrant
Ceremonies and Celebrations
Ask A Celebrant
Mar
07

What is a Naming Ceremony?

The Naming Ceremony is a celebration where you formally introduce the newest member of your family to your extended family and friends. You can use this as an opportunity to share the names you’ve given to your child and the reasons why those names were chosen as well as the hopes and dreams you have for your bundle of joy.
Continue reading
Ask A Celebrant
Ceremonies and Celebrations Namings
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