Can I have a surprise wedding?
I love a surprise wedding and, importantly, I’m great at keeping secrets! As long as your wedding isn’t a surprise for either of you (which is actually illegal in Australia), the answer is definitely “yes”! ♥ How to orchestrate a surprise wedding There are any number of reasons why you may choose to arrange a surprise wedding. For example, if things have become a bit stressful for you in the lead up to your wedding and you feel as though everyone has an opinion on absolutely every little detail, you could always change your date and...
read moreKeeping on track with your celebrant
For me, every couple and every wedding is different but there are certain things that I’ll go over with you, legal elements that I’ll explain and options and resources that I’ll offer you so as to make your celebration truly unique. ♥ Our first meeting At this meeting, I’ll make notes including your full names, address, contact numbers, email addresses etc. I’ll also run through my resource folder with you. This contains lots of really useful information including the legal elements associated with your wedding, sample readings and...
read moreAfter your wedding day
Well, the much anticipated day has now passed. What next? Here are a few things you may like to follow up on after you return from your honeymoon. ♥ Certificates of Marriage When your marriage takes place in NSW, I will discuss with you whether you would like me to order on your behalf, through Births Deaths & Marriages, a standard or standard plus commemorative Certificate of Marriage. I will keep you informed as to when the order has been placed and follow up with BDM in the unlikely event there are any delays in sending your...
read moreChoosing your wedding support group
♥ The lead up to your wedding day This is likely to be full of lots of research, decision-making and meetings with various suppliers and that’s in addition to what’s required of you in your job, within your family and circle of friends and in your day-to-day life! A key component of this is your wedding support group. You may choose, for instance, for this to be a friend whose opinion you trust, a family member or one or more members of your bridal party. While everyone is likely to have an opinion, what you need is someone to bounce ideas...
read moreReception seating plans
The layout and size of your venue may determine your reception seating plans for family and friends but it’s worth bearing in mind that you do have options. Your venue co-ordinator should be able to provide you with several floor plans so that you can choose the one that suits you best and which can accommodate your guests as well as other things such as a dance floor, band/DJ, cake station or lolly buffet etc. ♥ Round Tables Round tables to seat, say, 8-10 people, are great for getting everyone chatting. Your guests will have good eye...
read more10 biggest things brides forget!
A wedding can be small and intimate, a big glitzy affair or something in between. Whichever one you choose, here are a few things which some brides may forget in all the excitement. Now that you know them, they shouldn’t happen to you! 1. Start planning early Even if your wedding is months or over a year away, it’s always a good idea to have a checklist of things to be done and tick items off the list regularly. In Australia, a Notice of Intended Marriage can be lodged with a celebrant between one and 18 months before a marriage but some...
read morePayment plan when booking me as your celebrant
After becoming engaged, one of the first items on a couple’s list of things to do is to book their celebrant. This of course is crucial as, without a celebrant, there would be an amazing party but no wedding! Unless there are exceptional circumstances (such as a morning plus an afternoon or evening wedding), I only accept one booking per day so that I can focus on each couple. This means I’m not rushing to or straight from a venue with my mind on performing two or three ceremonies in quick succession. Arriving in good time before the ceremony...
read moreLove notes & keeping a journal
There are a variety of ways you can write about your love for your partner in the lead up to your wedding. Not only do they provide you with a means to express beautiful sentiments to one another but they can remind you of the experiences you’ve shared and the emotions you felt at the time. They also allow you, when you know someone intimately, to keep a record of your feelings which can be read and re-read over and over rather than just having your experiences committed to memory. ♥ Love Notes These can be written on little cards, or...
read moreBridal expos ~ what to expect
Bridal expos are a fantastic way to get a snapshot of current trends and to meet with many of your local suppliers. Here’s a list of what to expect: ♥ You will be able to chat, obligation free, with a range of wedding suppliers including celebrants, decorators, jewellers, florists, photographers, venues, wedding car hire companies, health professionals, cake makers, photo booth operators etc. This is an opportunity to ask as many questions as you like and see if you would feel comfortable with this person being part of your big day. ♥ You...
read moreShortening of time to marry
The shortest time I have been approached by a couple requesting a “shortening of time” to marry was 1 day! The application was successful as the prescribed authority deemed the reason for the shortening of time fell into one of the following categories. If you feel that your circumstances also meet one of the following categories, please feel free to contact me for further information regarding my availability on your chosen date. Five Reasons There are only five reasons a prescribed authority may allow a couple to marry in...
read more“Giving away” the bride
Here are some ideas for “giving away” the bride on your wedding day … Tradition Centuries ago, fathers did actually “give away” their daughters when they married into the care of their new husband as daughters were considered their “property” until then. Women in those days had no source of income and were totally reliant on their family or husband for all their needs. What happens now Nowadays, the bride’s father will usually (although not always) walk the bride down the aisle and deliver her to the groom,...
read moreWhat documents will we need to get married?
In order for a marriage to be legal in Australia, your celebrant is required to sight certain documents before your marriage can take place. There are several key pieces of information that must be provided which are (i) the date and place of birth of both parties and (ii) proof of identity of both parties. The documents which are commonly produced by both parties to meet these requirements are an original birth certificate or an original birth extract and a driver’s licence or a passport. There may be other circumstances which require...
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