Weddings
Except for the legal requirements in the ceremony, you have complete freedom to make your wedding what you want it to be. You may want a traditional wedding, or you might prefer something contemporary and creative. It could be a small, simple, intimate ceremony or you may have many family members and friends who you would like to include in the day.
Now, at this point you may be getting worried, thinking – I’ve never done this before, I don’t know what I want, I don’t know what to do! Well, that’s where I come in – I have done this before and I’m here to help.
I offer you the opportunity to create a marriage ceremony that expresses who you are as individuals and as a couple. How you feel about this important step in your lives, how you see your future and most importantly, the love you have for each other.
As your marriage celebrant I can provide you with a broad selection of ceremony ideas, readings, wedding vows, ring presentations, music selections and a wealth of experience to guide you. Some couples like to be very involved in creating the ceremony, others prefer to leave it to me – but whatever your preference, I see my job as making sure that your ceremony is the highlight of your wedding day – something that you will remember always, because it was all about you.
So let’s look at options –
A Civil Marriage Ceremony – whilst remaining in accordance with the laws of Australia – can take place in practically any location. From your loungeroom, to the local park, to a city hotel, a reception centre, the top of Eureka tower, the end of St.Kilda pier, the Fitzroy gardens, the Zoo, the Northcote Town hall, Como House, a country winery, you favourite restaurant……. the list is endless. All you have to do is decide.
Your ceremony – apart from the legal requirements – can be anything you want it to be. You might want to keep it very simple and low-key, there might only be the two of you, a witness each and myself. You might be marrying for the second time and have children you would like to involve by giving them a role in the proceedings. You might want the ceremony to have a party atmosphere, or you may want it to be quite traditional – bridesmaids, groomsmen, wedding cars, walking down the aisle with Dad etc. etc.
There is no right or wrong, it’s simply a question of choosing what suits you.
What can you include in a ceremony? Well, again it is a matter of choice. You might decide to use traditional rituals and symbolism within your ceremony framework.
You might like to “tie the knot” with a handfasting ceremony, light candles to reflect your union, or include elements that reflect your cultural heritage. You may prefer to have family or friends read a poem or passage of prose, you may have a close friend who is a wonderful singer? The only thing to think about when making these choices is – what is it that you are trying to express, and will the reading or the ritual achieve it?