Planning a “first look” on your wedding day
Your wedding will be like no other day in your life. Unless you’re eloping or having a very small wedding with only a few special guests, it’s likely you’ll be surrounded by people from the moment you open your eyes until long into the night. For this reason, planning a “first look” on your wedding day could give you a small window of opportunity to just “be” with your partner, with only your photographer around, or to stop for a few moments, on your way down the aisle, in order to lock eyes with the...
read moreChanges to the Marriage Act 1961
Marriage Act 1961 On 9 December 2017, the Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Act 2017 resulted in changes to the Marriage Act 1961, specifically in relation to the definition of marriage in Australia. These landmark changes reverberated around the country and, indeed, the world and provided for marriage equality in Australia with the right to marry no longer being determined by sex or gender. Couples, free to marry, can do so as from 9 January 2018. This is because a Notice of Intended Marriage must be lodged with an...
read moreMore wedding FAQs answered
Having been an authorised Marriage Celebrant since 2013, I’ve found there are a number of questions which regularly come up in conversation with couples in relation to marriage in Australia. “More wedding FAQs answered” addresses five more commonly asked questions: Q1: I don’t have a copy of my final divorce order. How can I obtain one? A: The Courts (Federal Circuit Court and the Family Court) have, since February 2010, produced divorce orders in an electronic format including an electronic seal and signature. These...
read moreWedding resource folder ~ a wealth of information
Planning for every wedding is different for each couple and will reflect a variety of things including your personal style, location and budget. I offer every couple who books with me access to my resource folder. This contains a wealth of information and lots of ideas which can be incorporated to suit your individual requirements. The folder is available once you have secured your date with a booking fee and you’re welcome to hold onto it for as long as you need to, right up to your wedding day. Included in my resources are the following:...
read moreYour wedding FAQs answered!
Having been an authorised Marriage Celebrant since 2013, I’ve found there are a number of wedding FAQs which come up in conversation with couples in relation to marriage in Australia. In no particular order, here are some of the more commonly asked questions: Q1: Can we lodge a “Notice of Intended Marriage” with our Celebrant if one or both of us is still married to someone else? A: Yes! At Q5 (conjugal status) on p. 3 of the NOIM, you or your celebrant just need to write “Married Pending Divorce”. Then,...
read moreWhat is my passion?
When I’m asked “What is my passion?” two things immediately spring to mind. The first is my family. They ground me, encourage me, support me and love me. And the second? Well, that’s the career path I chose to take back in 2013. It represents a myriad of opportunities for me to connect with others and to design and deliver a ceremony that is authentic to them. What do I love? Being a storyteller is one of the things I love most about being a Celebrant. For me, it’s all about the details. Some are insignificant...
read moreWhat can I do with my wedding items after the big day?
When you consider how much couples can spend in the lead up to their marriage, many brides are asking themselves the question: “What can I do with my wedding items after the big day?” Here are just a few ideas: Sell There will always be other couples looking for items that may suit their theme or budget, so definitely consider this as a possible option. If you have joined one or more bridal Facebook pages, Gumtree or Buy, Swap & Sell pages in your local area, you should do well selling miscellaneous or leftover wedding...
read moreSocial media insights
What does someone’s use of social media tell you about them? A lot actually. It’s one of the quickest ways to reach a large audience with a message. It’s also one of the key ways you can see, at a glance, how motivated a person is to connect with others and how passionate they are about what they do. Things like content, frequency and how, or even whether, they respond are important clues to the person behind each post. Use of social media in business In business, there are many ways to connect with current and potential clients but...
read moreUsing a microphone
Benefits of using a microphone at your event When planning a special event, it makes sense that all your guests will be able to hear what’s being said so they can feel part of the occasion. Using a microphone allows you to capture everyone’s attention and means that the ceremony that has been written for the particular event can be delivered (without the need for someone to raise their voice.) It also ensures that any special announcements or speeches can be heard easily. Rather than being something which is brash and irritating, using...
read moreCelebrant versus Registry Office
Since 1973, heterosexual couples in Australia have had the choice as to whether they will be married by a religious or civil celebrant, or a State/Territory officer. Since 9.1.18, all couples in Australia now have the same choice. When the question of a celebrant versus Registry Office or local Court House is discussed, you may like to consider the following. Registry Office or Local Court House If you choose one of these options: ♥ Your ceremony will be simple and follow a standard format. ♥ You will be restricted to a limited...
read moreQuestions to ask before you tie the knot
Q & A If I asked you to come up with some questions to ask your partner before you tie the knot, what would you say? Marriage is a big step in anyone’s language. Sometimes, what you may consider inconsequential, could be a deal breaker for someone else. It may not be until you’re faced with a specific set of circumstances that you discover how your partner really feels about a particular topic. The following questions are in no particular order, but may provide food for thought when planning your future life together: Would...
read moreMaking memories with wedding keepsakes
Special treasures I encourage couples to think about all the aspects of their ceremony and wedding day beforehand and to gather any special things together so that they can become treasured wedding keepsakes. If, for example, you are marrying or having photos taken on the beach after your wedding, you may like to visit with your partner a day or so beforehand to collect a few shells, some sand or a small piece of driftwood from the exact area where you’ll be. These can be displayed in your home, perhaps on a side table or in a shadow...
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