TIPS FOR YOUR SUMMER WEDDING

With several outdoor weddings on my books, I thought it may be a good time to offer a few tips if you are planning an outdoor wedding ceremony this summer.  During January/February, temperatures are set to rise and clever brides and grooms provide “extras” to make their guests comfortable when sitting or standing in the open and exposed to the summer sun.  Remember that many guests arrive 30-45 minutes before a wedding ceremony is due to begin.  Traditionally, brides are “fashionably late” which means that your guests may be exposed to full sun for up to an hour.   Below is a listing of tips you may wish to consider and discuss with your wedding co-ordinator:

1.    Make small bottles or glasses of cold water available in ice-filled tubs for guests when they arrive.

2.    Place Sunblock (spray and/or cream) in the ceremonial area and in the ladies and gent’s restrooms for your guests to use.

3.    Country Australia always prompts “The Great Aussie Salute”.  Often, brides and grooms forget to wear insect repellent and are forced to swat flies from their face during their ceremony.  Make containers available for your guests, and remember to carry a container for the bridal party.

4.    It’s a great pity that wearing formal hats has become unfashionable. Why not start a trend – place a reminder on your wedding invitations for your guests to wear a hat for sun protection.

If you find hats unsuitable, why not provide a parasol for each of the ladies. They are reasonably priced and available from most variety shops.

Christmas is a wonderful time of year, why not consider a Christmas wedding ? 

In Australia, summer heralds love and energy and it’s the time of year when parties and celebrations abound so including your wedding celebration could be a natural inclusion.  If you are having a Christmas wedding, my best wishes go with you for a lifetime of happiness.  I also wish you and your loved ones peace, health, happiness and prosperity in the coming new year. Let the spirit of love gently fill our hearts and homes, and in this loveliest of seasons,  may you find many reasons for happiness.

Is unplugging right for your wedding ?

Digital services are ever-present in our daily lives; what role do you want these devices to play at your wedding ?

Not all weddings should be unplugged, or that guests are doing anything wrong when they have their cameras and phones on.  If it doesn't bother the couple, then it's not a problem.  Ultimately this wedding decision comes down to what feels right to each couple.

In this era of 24-hour connectivity, where there's an iPhone in every pocket, a Facebook status update in every encounter, and a digital hobbyist photographer in every family, it's important to carefully consider the issue - Let me know what you think - would love you to leave a comment.

What paperwork do I need to begin my wedding arrangements ?

Make sure you do your paperwork

You need to check in your state exactly what paperwork you are required to organise before you get married.  You must give your marriage celebrant at least one month notice and you must fill out a “Notice Of Intended Marriage Form“.  Generally, your celebrant will need to see evidence of the date and place of birth of both of you, or a current overseas passport if you were born outside Australia and  evidence of any previous divorce or death of any spouse, if applicable (e.g. divorce papers, death certificate). Be sure to give yourself enough time to get all of the documentation you require.

Element in Lower Plenty has been revamped and it's fabulous

I had the privilege of conducting Sue and Ralph’s wedding at the weekend at Element Restaurant and Events in Lower Plenty.  The venue was previously known as La Fontana and is now under new management.   Element offers  a welcoming, versatile, yet intimate venue nestled amongst 2 acres of secluded and  beautifully maintained gardens. Everything can be found in the one location. You don’t have to travel anywhere and there is plenty of safe and secure parking. Get married in the charming, romantic rotunda, or the terrace or indoors in the function room which boasts fabulous garden views.  Have your photos taken onsite in the varied picturesque locations while your guests enjoy alfresco pre-dinner drinks on the terrace.  Check out this fantastic venue at  www.elementrestaurant.com.au

NECESSITY OF THE MONITUM (in accordance with the Marriage Act 1961)

THE NECESSITY OF THE MONITUM

 

More and more couples question the wording of the Celebrant’s Monitum.  For a civil wedding ceremony to be legal and valid, the Monitum must be included and is gender specific.  It points to present legislation in the following sentence:

 

“Marriage according to the law in Australia, is the union of a man and a woman to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life”.

Some couples object to this portion of the Monitum and ask if I can omit or leave it out of the ceremony.  At present the law allows only men and women to marry and if you have objection to this wording, I can include dialogue to inform your guests of your objections.  As an authorized and professional celebrant, I must include this wording to ensure that I deliver a legal and valid wedding ceremony.  However,  before delivering the Monitum in a ceremony, I can make presentation to the guests that (the bride and groom) do not agree with present laws and I would include wording along the following lines:

 
“Bride and Groom understand that Australian law currently only recognises marriage between a man and a woman, and not between a man and a man, or a woman and a woman.  Bride and Groom would like those present to know that for them, this is the law as it is; not as it should be”.

Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any wedding queries.

Do you really have to have a Photographer ?

Nick and Bec planned an intimate, minimalist, brief and eclectic wedding ceremony with 8 guests in attendance.  They had very definite views and philosophies in relation to their ceremony content and two of their very special guests were creative and talented  - one was an Artist and the other a Writer.  So instead of contracting a professional photographer to take photographs, their wedding ceremony was recorded in drawings and words.  The results were stunning.  Whilst the wedding ceremony was in progress, the Artist sketched each moment of the ceremony whilst the Writer described the wedding ceremony as a written story – a true life fairy tale on parchment with description and quotations.  The pages were professionally mounted in their wedding album interspersed with detailed black-and-white, and coloured sketches.