The Celebrants Network Inc - BLOG

Insurance and copyright can be fairly confusing topics, but Celebrant Susie Roberts helps us make sense of it all...

Who's up for an adventure?  In today's blog Celebrant Melanie Lawson takes us through a rollercoaster of  adventurous ideas for your ceremony...

Have you just become a celebrant or are thinking about embarking on that journey?  Registered Celebrant and member of The Celebrants Network, Leslie Ridgeway gives us some insights into what you need at the business end of Celebrancy.

In Australia, any two people over the age of 18 can marry provided they are not already married, not in a prohibited relationship and they give real consent.  They do not need to be citizens or residents of Australia and they can choose any time and place for their marriage ceremony.  Celebrant and member of The Celebrants Network Sonia Collins from Batemans Bay NSW discusses how celebrants are legally required to be sure that both parties consent to the marriage.

This week is National Families Week, coinciding with the International Day of Families on May 15.  These events are about highlighting and celebrating the vital role that families play in our communities. Celebrant Melanie Lawson from Oberon, NSW takes a look at the many different family groups that make up our society.

Having celebrant buddies is really important for a number of reasons. Celebrant Susie Roberts takes us through just a few...

How do celebrants keep their knowledge and skills up to date? How do a couple know that their celebrant has the knowledge to make sure their marriage is legal? 

The answer to both questions is “professional development”. This week celebrant Sonia Collins discusses the importance of professional development for celebrants.

Each year since 2009, the 31st of March has been the day when people around the globe celebrate International Transgender Day of Visibility. It’s a day when we pause and reflect on the efforts and achievements of trans activists and culture changers, both past and present who have fought and continue to fight for equal human rights enjoyed by the rest of the general community.

Celebrant Bronte Price, the writer of today's blog, is a gay cis male. He’s aware that it’s preferable for trans people, rather than cis people, to write about trans issues. He apologises for any information in this blog that is inaccurate – that was not deliberate. 

Along with all the excitement of planning a wedding, many couples like to consider the impact of their event on the environment as well as on their budget.

Recently, The Celebrants Network Inc received a copy of an article from 77 Diamonds, a London based jeweller, with a request to share their ideas about sustainable weddings with our readers.

We all want to hear that we've done a great job, but feedback offers more than just a pat on the back... it helps us to improve and grow in our profession.  Celebrant Melanie Lawson gives us her thoughts on asking your couples and families for feedback.

Ever wondered what it is like to be a Marriage Celebrant?  Celebrant and trainer, Karen Faa from Queensland explains it so well...

It takes a very special type of person to work with grieving families; to show empathy and care at such a trying time; to be able to talk about a person, that they probably never met, in a way that shows respect, dignity and professionalism.  One such Funeral Celebrant is Sonia Collins from Batemans Bay in NSW and today shares with us the special skills that it takes to be a Funeral Celebrant.

So, you are wondering what to get for your special human for Valentines but you are not inspired by the usual offerings? Love red roses but you want to do something different this year.   What else could you do on Valentine’s Day…..especially as it is on a Sunday this year? Celebrant Susie Roberts from Grafton, NSW takes us through some quick, easy and relatively inexpensive ideas that could work for you both. 

If you had to guess... What do you think is most popular day and time for a wedding in Australia? If you said Saturday at 3pm, you'd be bang on, but did you know there are other great times to hold your ceremony?  Celebrant Mel Lawson from Oberon, NSW is taking us through some of the alternatives...

Ever wondered why a bride used to wear a veil or carries flowers to the marriage ceremony?  Celebrant Susie Roberts takes us through some well-known wedding traditions, and the history behind them...

And now for something completely different... Each week we usually bring you a blog to share information about celebrants and celebrations, our members, our association, tips for people getting married or organising a funeral... that sort of thing, but today, as a Christmas treat, we are bringing you a collection of some of our members' favourite Christmas recipes... Enjoy

Robyn O'Connell is a Funeral Celebrant and the Founder of the Rebecca Jane Foundation - a volunteer run charity helping families who are experiencing financial hardship as well as going through the heartbreaking loss of a baby. The foundation is named after Robyn's own baby girl who passed away at almost 10 months of age.  In today's blog, Robyn is sharing her thoughts on what it's like to grieve through 'happy family occasions' such as Christmas...

Summer can be a lovely time of year for a ceremony – long warm days, balmy twilights, lush green gardens and a holiday feel.  However, in many parts of Australia summer can also be hot and insect ridden!  The beginning of 2020 also reminded us of the threat of bushfire and smoke.  Celebrant Mel Lawson from Oberon, NSW takes us through some ideas on how to have a fabulous summer ceremony.

The 3rd of December is the International Day of People with Disabilities and as a progressive association of celebrants, we aim to be inclusive not only with our members, but with the couples and families we serve in our communities as well.  Today we have a guest blog writer, Marriage and Funeral Celebrant Roslyn McFarlane from Pakenham in Victoria to talk about ways we can make sure everybody is included in our ceremonies...

Wednesday 25 November is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.   Celebrant Sonia Collins from Batemans Bay, NSW looks at Forced Marriages and why the issue of consent is so important in relation to marriage.

The current trend amongst savvy couples is to have a small wedding with lots of oomph! Today, Celebrant Susie Roberts from Grafton, NSW is sharing a few suggestions on how to get that OOMPH!

Memorialising people and events is an important part of grieving. When we mark our history through memorials we ensure that we will not forget and that there is something concrete for future generations to see, and learn about their past.  

This week Mexicans will be gathering to pray, remember and celebrate those who have died.  There are so many ways that many cultures remember their loved ones after they've died.  Celebrant Mel Lawson from Oberon, NSW is sharing a few with us...

In 1990 the United Nations General Assembly voted to establish October 1^st as the International Day of Older Persons.  Celebrant Sonia Collins from Batemans Bay, NSW gives us a few ideas about celebrating the older people in our families and communities.

If you are planning a wedding in Australia you have probably given a beach wedding at least a passing thought.  Celebrant Sonia Collins from Batemans Bay, NSW gives us a few things to consider to make sure your day is amazing....

Our lives are constantly changing and evolving. This is inevitable. So why do we think that once we get married - that's it, we don't have to try to keep connecting with our partner?  A marriage is a union of two separate people who will face personal challenges that may differ from their partners, so it's important that we continue to learn about each other....

More people are opting for Memorials for their loved ones instead of a funeral service, so it begs the question - What is a Memorial Service and how does it differ from a traditional Funeral Ceremony? Celebrant Leslie Ridgeway from Ocean Grove in Victoria is going to take is through the details....

We are certainly living in a strange time where some of us at sometime this year have been or will be denied access to our loved ones when they are sick, dying or have passed away.  Today we have Celebrant Susanna Jose from Canberra, ACT sharing her own personal story...

Usually when a celebrant is engaged by a family or a couple it will be first time that they've met and therefore they will need to get to know each other.  They do this by asking each other questions..... but are we asking the right questions?

Flowers are beautiful but….

Flowers play a part in so many of our rituals and ceremonies.  From adorning a wedding aisle, laid as a wreath to remember those who died in war, or given as a gift to a bereaved family, flowers can enhance a ceremony and evoke memories and emotions.  However, there are many alternatives to the traditional use of flowers.  Celebrant and regular blogger, Mel Lawson shares some fabulous ideas......

The short answer is NO and Celebrant Susie Roberts is going to tell us why.....

Celebrant and regular blogger Sonia Collins shares the importance of recording your life story while you still can....... “Why would I want to tell my life story?  I’m not rich or famous, no one is interested in my life”...... This is often the first response from people at workshops on recording life stories.  Before I start to give them ideas why they might want to record their life stories I always ask one question – “Who in this world knows the most about your life?”

So, your couple has asked you to incorporate something special in their ceremony to honour a deceased friend or family member………do you have a ceremony that will fit the bill?  

Celebrant and regular blogger, Susie Roberts from Grafton, NSW shows us the way....

Mother’s day is approaching and although the COVID-19 restrictions are being eased in many areas, we still need to be very cautious about travelling and spending time with family.  Celebrant and regular blog contributor, Mel Lawson shares some ideas on how we can connect with our Mums this year.