Different Celebrations - Special Ceremonies
All people love to celebrate a happy
occasion. Is it a marriage? Welcoming a new baby into the world?
Reaffirming your marriage vows of many years ago? The list is endless,
isn't it?
Below are the most often-requested ceremonies, and some information
about them. Click on the ceremony you want, and it will come to
the top of the page for you. A sample of each different ceremony
is included, but again, but there are many, many more from which
to select. Remember, it is your day, so it is your choice!
VENUE SUGGESTIONS
Any suitable location in the metropolitan area. This includes your home, gardens, beaches, reception/function centres, restaurants, or on boats on Sydney Harbour. Always have a wet weather alternative, and keep in mind that the ceremony must start at the agreed time, not two hours later, if the ceremony venue changes due to inclement weather. It is advisable to include with your invitation a phone number to access a recorded message, for guests to phone on the day if in doubt.
FEES & CHARGES
I am mindful that this is an important consideration for you. As a member of The Association of Authorised Celebrants Australia Inc. I do follow their recommendations, and feel that my fee is very reasonable and competitive. Incidental expenses such as parking station fees, water taxis to or from venue, etc, are extras. Please feel free to call me, to discuss current fees.
WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE FEE?
All meetings prior to the ceremony(usually 2-3) are included.
Provision of my ceremony book which contains a selection of words and readings, and a name change kit for Brides who wish to change their surname following the wedding - not a legal requirement, but most do.
Any telephone and mailing costs, and travel on the day.
Performance of the ceremony at the designated time, at the selected venue. The ceremony must start at the agreed time. Ample time is given between ceremonies to cover travel time, but being late is not acceptable. (A time factor of 5 or 10 minutes only after the given time to the guests is appropriate, no longer.)
Completion of all legal work and on-line registration of the marriage within 24 hours, then within 14 days by post, as required under the Marriage Act 1961.
PA system with a lapel microphone and cordless hand-held microphone, so you can be sure your ceremony and any readings will be heard clearly by all your guests.
Selecting
and perfecting your wedding ceremony
Life is full of opportunities for celebration. When you come for your first visit to complete your Notice of Intended Marriage, we will discuss different styles of wedding ceremonies - do you prefer short? Long? Very traditional? A little bit more "today"? Joyous and colourful, or quiet and reflective? The range is huge.
I have put together a booklet of ceremonies, showing the many differing styles that can be used, and some sample readings, which will be given to you when you confirm your booking.
Each ceremony is usually made up of eight parts:
- Introduction - where the Celebrant introduces herself, and
talks about the importance of the marriage vows, and of a loving
union (a requirement of the Marriage Act 1961). This section
includes the wording referred to at the Monitum.
- First Reading (if appropriate for your needs).
- The Question of Intent - where each partner to the marriage
is asked to state their intentions. Full names are used
in this section.
- The Vows - where the couple make their promises to each other.
First names only used in the Vows. There is very specific legal wording which must be
included, but you are then free to include any other words of your choide so that you can have the romantic wedding of your dreams.
- The Exchange of Rings (or giving of ring, if only 1 ring).
- The Second Reading (if appropriate).
- The Declaration of Marriage - where the couple are declared
to be Husband and Wife.
- The Presentation - where the Celebrant introduces the newly
married couple to their guests, following signing of the relevant
documents.
My booklet contains ceremonies ranging from short ( approx.12 minutes), a little longer (approx. 25-30 minutes), some that are traditional, others a little more "today", some spiritual. A selection of symbolism is also included (hand-fasting, Candle of Unity, Sands of Unity)but you are free to include any other elements of your choice. I encourage couples to read them all, then select the sections from individual ceremonies that they prefer - a mix-n-match situation. Or write your own. Whatever you have in mind, my task is to provide the ceremony you want to hear - it must only please you, the Bride and Groom.
If your ceremony is to be in a garden or park, you will need to provide a small table and one or two chairs for signing the Marriage Certificates and Register. If it is to be at the reception venue, they will no doubt set this up for you.
You can select music to be played during the processional, during signing of the documents, and again during the recessional, if you wish. Some couples arrange to have a trio, or harpist, or even a piper, to play during these parts of the ceremony - of course the choice is yours. Or you can opt to have no music, if that is your wish. All of these matters are discussed during our meetings.
Namegiving ceremonies
A lovely joy-filled ceremony, to be treasured for the rest of the child's life, during which a child is welcomed to the community of the family and friends, and to the world, and a name is "given". This can be symbolised by lighting of candles, planting and dedicating a tree, and reading special verses. The ceremony enables you to celebrate your child's arrival with family and friends, to honour your family story, and will become a vibrant part of your family history
.
A Certificate of Namegiving
is prepared for the child, and either Godparent or Guardian Certificates
for the people who undertake these responsibilities, as well as
Certificates for Grandparents who are present at the ceremony if
requested.
Reaffirmation of wedding vows
Special anniversaries (1st, 10th, 25th or any other) are often selected by couples to re-affirm the vows that they made on the day they were married. This is not a legal ceremony, but simply a time when families come together to celebrate a successful union, and to commit themselves to a continuing life together. The vows made on the wedding day over the years have become a part of you, but sometimes the sheer reality of living blurs the promises that were made. In celebrating a Reaffirmation Ceremony, the words again come to the forefront in sharp focus, and help to continue shaping your lives together.
A Certificate of Reaffirmation
of Marriage Vows is presented to the couple at the conclusion of
the ceremony.
Ceremonies of commitment
These are delivered without gender or religious bias. They are not legal "weddings", but are nevertheless a very real commitment by the two people involved. It is a public proclamation of the feelings shared by two people who love each other, who perhaps cannot, or do not wish to, enter into a legal marriage. A Commitment Ceremony enables them to make this statement in the presence of special family and treasured friends.
A Certificate of Commitment
is presented to the couple at the conclusion of the ceremony.
Funeral services
Celebrants are often called upon to perform funeral ceremonies, which may be conducted at a Cemetery, or a Crematorium Chapel, or at the Funeral Director's Chapel. Funerals represent a time of great sorrow. Those left behind, faced with funeral arrangements for one much loved, may find the responsibility extremely difficult. Your Funeral Celebrant needs to be sensitive and caring, will help to compose a full and meaningful tribute, and will ease you through the grief of the occasion.
Other
ceremonies
There is really no limit to the type of ceremony that can be requested. Life Celebrations, Graduation Ceremonies, Significant Birthdays, are all rituals that may be important. If you have an special occasion coming up, and you feel that you would like to mark the event with a ceremony, I would be happy to have a chat, and together we can work on the content of the ceremony to ensure that it reflects your intentions and your wishes. It can be a wonderful way to commemorate a celebration, no matter what the occasion!
Example of ceremonies
> Wedding Ceremony
> Naming Ceremony
> Reaffirmation of vows ceremony
> Commitment ceremony