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One of the attractions of having a civil ceremony is that you are free to hold your ceremony in which ever way you see fit….
The choices of how and where are yours. I am
always thrilled when I am invited to conduct a ceremony somewhere and
sometime
different to the usual.
Choosing a date is a task that can pose some real problems. What's your calendar like? When is your bridesmaid's new baby
due? Is it your fiance's annual 'boys skiing' weekend, the week before?
Try to find a date that doesn't clash with football grand finals, major
events, like the triathlon, which has roads blocked etc, and so that
accommodation isn't all booked out in your town. Don't be afraid to choose an "off peak" time of day, day of week, and time of year. Sometimes the bridal industry suppliers will discount for 'non Saturday' weddings.
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Once you've chosen a date, it's time to start putting all your dreams in place. Set aside time together to create your once
only event. I suggest that you find a quite place, and together, see what possibilities you uncover that aren't the usual
…..what is most important to you in this time of celebration?
Find a quiet place to sit together and consider what marriage means to you.
Is it the ultimate act of trust, patience, happiness, compassion, friendship, laughter?
The time you invest in thinking about your ceremony, is time invested in your future together. Pause
for a few moments in a quiet corner so that together you can create an
outline of the type of ceremony that reflects
who you are and what you value … visualize what it will be like, imagine
it, smell it, feel it, hear the music and feel its beat, and believe in
it. And then I'll help you create it.As your celebrant my challenge is
to craft a ceremony that is identifiably you …. You are wholly free to
make your own choices within the legal framework for marriage in Australia ….my heartfelt suggestion is that your ceremony should be honest, truthful, and pursued with a sincerity of purpose. If you speak openly of the feelings in your heart, and don't say
anything you don't mean, you can't go wrong! |
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Your wedding ceremony should be a reflection of the way you want your family and friends to see the two of you together. And always remember your vision may very well change over time … that's perfectly OK, as long as you end up with a ceremony that's right for you both, on the day.
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Inspirational Places to Celebrate On top of a mountain or headland.
Beside the ocean
Beneath the branches of magnificent trees.
On the shores of a lake, or by a river.
At the family home or in the garden loving created for the occasion.
In a vineyard
Under the sentinel of a lighthouse
An ancient place of worship, a place of significant heritage.
A place that has special importance to you both.
Sunrise and Sunset and every moment in between. |
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All marriage ceremonies should be inspiring, festive & memorable Every venue is special, however it is my advice that you think about an alternative venue, just in case the weather isn't all sunshine or moonlight. Alan (my husband) and I have a lovely older style home over looking the river at Tinonee, which is a lovely 'backdrop' for ceremonies … however it is our personal space and so we offer it only for very private occasions.
30 people are about the maximum number we like to have for private ceremonies. You will need to speak personally with me, if you wish to hold your celebration at "The Anchorage"… Remember it only takes 5 people to get married; the bride & groom, 2 witnesses over 18 years of age and me; your celebrant! |
Personalise your wedding:
Themes, Rituals & Vows
THEMING
A
fun & creative way to personalise your wedding is to carry a
particular theme all the way through, including the ceremony. It's the
perfect way to put your personal signature on the day, be it; simple
& natural, contemporary chic, vintage elegance, gorgeous gardens,
tropical dreams, formal glamour, nautical, sports, masquerade, historic
homestead, majestic beaches….. The ideas are limitless, and can help to
create that memorable WOW factor.
RITUALS
There is a special charm in sharing the love with others, simply by including them in your ceremony. It can be very moving.
All wedding ceremonies are steeped in
tradition and rituals. Many rituals come from our different cultures and
faiths. Many have been handed down through generations. Some are being
created as modernized versions …… All traditions evolve over time.
I've been lucky to be invited to craft
wonderful "rituals" acknowledging family heirlooms, and honouring family
traditions, and I'm always privileged to do so. Perhaps inviting a
guest to share the heartfelt sentiments from lines of poetry, is all
that is needed, for your special ceremony.
Or perhaps you'd like to include one of my sentimental favourites such as:
• Honouring your love in a Declaration of Hands.
• Proclaiming your love in simple Honouring of Hearts.
• The blessing of your wedding bands in a Ring Warming.
• Timeless Candle Lighting ceremonies, the Covenant of Sand, Sharing of Wine.
• A touching Rose ceremony. Bell ringing. Pouring and Blessing of Pure Water …
• Traditional Tying the Knot and beautiful Handfasting ceremonies.
• The magical Ritual of Coloured Ribbons.
• A Family Unity or Commitment to Children for blended families.
To name but a few!
(PLIGHT YOUR TROTH) THE VOWS
I
hope that by spending just a little time with you, I can help inspire
you to express everything you want to say on the day - in your own way.
I encourage my couples to write your own
personalized vows. This helps you both reflect the depth of feeling for
one another, and to emphasise the strength of your love for one another.
Some couples adapt the traditional wording, and some write totally
original words …. Some are humorous, some are very personal, and some
are real "tear jerkers" … It doesn't matter, as long as the words
capture the spirit of the moment and the essence of who you are, and
what you want to promise to one another.
You don't have to memorise a word … I will guide you every step and every word.
"Every day I wake beside you is the best day of my life."
"We look forward to a future of dreams, to fulfill and share"
"I give you my hand and heart as a sanctuary of warmth and peace."
"Our marriage will be like a good pot of
freshly brewed coffee … strong, energizing, and guaranteed to keep us
awake all night"
"From this day forward I promise to share with you the secrets of my soul"
"Today I give my life to the most wonderful person I have ever met
'You touched my hand … and I knew "
My Fee includes many additional items with my compliments to help "set the scene":
• Activation of Notice of Intended Marriage
• Administration & formal correspondence
• Personal folder with all your information
• Travel costs
• Design of your unique ceremony
• Use of Red Carpet (Aisle & Ceremonial area)
• Candle stands & Hurricane Globes
• Topiary trees & prayer flags
• Registration table, decorated to your theme
• State of the art PA system with CD/tape
• Keepsake Certificates
• Your State Registered "Certificate of Marriage"
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Legal Requirements
Deciding to get married is a very important step in your life, and should therefore be carefully considered throughout your courtship. As an element of your marriage ceremony,
I will remind you both that marriage is serious, and solemn and binding
and that according to Australian law "Marriage is the union of a man
and a oman to the exclusion of all others voluntarily entered into for
life."
Age?
If both partners are over 18, getting married in Australia is straightforward.
If both partners are under 18, you cannot marry in Australia.
No one under the age of 16 is permitted to marry in Australia.
If one partner is under 18, but older than 16, you
must have parental or guardian consent and a magistrate or judges court
approval to be married.
Paper Work ?
You
must activate a Notice of Intended Marriage document at least a month
and 1 day, prior to your ceremony, and no more than 18 months before the
ceremony.
The waiting period is to prevent "spur of the moment" marriages. You
owe it to one another to carefully consider your decisions. Marriage,
remember,is "the union of a man and a oman to the exclusion of all
others voluntarily entered into for life."
It is usual that the person with whom you activate
your Notice of Intended Marriage document will conduct your ceremony.
The document may be transferred to another celebrant should
circumstances be necessary.
Your celebrant is responsible for ensuring you have fulfilled the legal requirements prior to your ceremony.
After the ceremony the celebrant will forward to the relevant State
Registrar of Births Deaths & Marriages The NOIM, the Certificate of
Marriage, signed by the groom and bride and two witnesses, (who must be
over 18 years of age and who attended and witnessed your union in valid
marriage) together with Form 14 Declaration., for the completion of the
registration process.
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Available for these areas, and other areas nearby:
Taree, Wingham, Chatham, Cundletown, Forster, Tuncurry,
Pacific Palms, Smiths Lake, Halliday's Point, Blackhead, Old Bar,
Harrington, Oxley Island, Manning Point, Nabiac,
Coopernook, Krambach, Moorland, Gloucester, Buladelah, Wauchope, Port
Macquarie. Laurieton.
All States & locations by arrangement Debra Steber "The Anchorage" Winter St Tinonee NSW 2430 • ph 02 6553 1115 • fax 02 66553 1531 |
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