All Things Weddings, Ceremonies & Planning
MORE unique and beautiful wedding readings for your ceremony
For many of my couples who want to create a heartfelt and inclusive ceremony, they know that asking a friend or family member to do a reading for them is a smart choice.
The reader feels honoured to be asked to be a part of the couple's ceremony, the couple feels like they have elevated the reader to a more visible role and everyone feels validated.
Until the actual reading needs to be chosen.
That's when it all hits Stress-Town.
If you're on the lookout for something sweet, romantic, a little left-of-centre, then I might have some gold for you right here.
Failing this, there is always the post: 5 Wedding Readings That Aren't Too Soppy
How To Book A (Great) Celebrant
Such a cute photo from Meg Hansen Photography of little April at Tyler and Angela's wedding ceremony, yes? She was telling everyone who she thought that they loved the most; it was an adorable and precious moment for everyone.
What I see in this shot, is how far I have come in 11+ years.
Wedding Ceremony Wine Box Ritual (what it is and how to do it)
Most of my couples are not dove/butterfly/ferret-releasing kind of people.
Many are a bit uncomfortable being in the limelight on their wedding day and don't want over-the-top, grand gestures or anything said that's too soppy. That's when I tell them about the wine box ritual. I like to think of it as a time capsule with interest.
Let me explain..
What does a celebrant do?
It's been a pretty busy week for me, which I'm guessing is par for the course for most celebrants in peak season. When family and friends ask me what I've been up to, I invariably answer 'just busy with work' which is often met with a raised eyebrow and some exasperation. The look on their faces says 'are you really THAT busy, when your job is just to stand at a ceremony and talk for 20 minutes?'
It used to make me angry when people didn't get what I do, but I have learned over the years that many people are simply not aware of what goes on behind the scenes, how much preparation goes into a ceremony and the contingencies that a good celebrant needs to account for.
So in the interests of being open and trying to educate rather than explode, here's a snapshot of what I get up to in an average week.
5 tips for a successful surprise wedding
Fun, funny and oh so memorable; I think that these photos from Be Frankie Photography say it all..
And although Lucas and Claire's family and friends were supportive and got into the spirit of things when the big reveal was made, there was a lot of groundwork that went on behind the scenes to make it all look easy and effortless on the day.
Here are a few key points that you need to address and/or consider to ensure that your surprise wedding is just as successful and doesn't fall flat.
Kate & Rohan - Glen Ewin Estate
“As a completely clueless bride-to-be, I’m excited to be getting married but don’t get all the hype/drama/must haves etc. that many brides can find themselves caught up in. “
When I get enquiries like Kate’s I get a little giddy: a couple who knows what really matters, these are my people!
Tommie & Josh - Adelaide Botanic Garden
Tommie and Josh's celebration at Botanic Garden Weddings in January was quite extraordinary.
Apart from how it looked (freaking incredible, right Kiera Blanden Events + Styling?), it FELT awesome too. It's so wonderful when a couple is completely at ease and can express themselves with a little self-deprecating humour.
Ada & Leigh - Longview Vineyard
When a couple has been together for around 5+ years, I call their wedding an "at last" celebration. There is definitely a more chilled atmosphere at the ceremonies of long-term couples and their guests are also especially buoyant and almost cheeky.
For Leigh and Ada, who were married in February over 8 years into their relationship, there were all of these feelings and so much more.
With family and friends who had travelled from London and all around Australia literally cheering them on, the Bride and Groom laughed and cried their way through their ceremony in the glorious sunshine on the Longview Vineyard lawn.
Ada's dress was incredible, Lana and Hannah's white non-matching dresses were so classy, the flowers were gorgeous and I also loved that they both wrote their own vows and kept them a secret from each other until the day.
These pics are by the ever delightful Kerry Rose Photography.
Enjoy!
Lucy & Duncan - Longview Vineyard
When I first sat down with Duncan and Lucy, I didn't know at the time that they are both immensely musically talented (Lucy is a classical double bassist and Duncan a multi-instrumentalist), but we just clicked.
There is soooo much to love about their December wedding day and I literally could not cull down the number their photos that I wanted to share with you any further than I already have. Simon Bills is just amazing and the story he has captured here is incredible.
Seriously, just have a scroll through these and you will feel as if you know the Bride and Groom.
Rayleen & Paul - Adelaide CBD
Paul and Rayleen, who first met when Paul was in town from Melbourne for business, were initially drawn to one another by their quirky sense of humour and shared taste in music and dumplings. It stood to reason that their wedding day should include a decent helping of laughs, music, good food and fun..