Growing Old Together
I married Mathen and Kirste recently and witnessed a wonderful atmosphere at the service and reception. The bride and groom were laughing and enjoying the day with so many family and friends alongside them.
Marriage Preparation
The day you are engaged is one your will rarely forget. Then the task of the planning of the wedding begins. Often the enormity of the task is large. Venue, location, photographers, caterers, dress, suit, bridesmaids, flowers, service, speeches, invitations…… yes, the celebrant……. the list goes on.
Often in the busyness of the event planning, all the time you used to spend together talking about your relationship and future turns into scheduling where you go from one place to the next ticking another job off the ever growing list. Sound familiar?
Marriage preparation is a focus the Australian government is encouraging couples to experience because of the alarming marriage statistics. Not many celebrants in the Newcastle, Port Stephens and Hunter Valley areas include this as part of their service. However, I am passionate couples start their marriage well and continuing to grow their relationship. My passion is that the wedding day is a launch pad for the rest of their life rather than an event that is an emotional pinnacle. These 5 modules will assist couples talk through key relationship focuses and highlight some areas that could be problematic in the future if undealt with. Couples who have done these modules have really enjoyed them and found them beneficial to keep the wedding day about the main deal…… their relationship of love.
Witnessing a wedding
Australian law requires that two witnesses over the age of 18 years be present to witness the wedding service and sign the documentation.
Choosing the right people can vary from the traditional approach of using the best man and chief bridesmaid to choosing a special family member or a friend. The selection of the person can include somone not able to participate in the service in any other fashion.
The legal aspect is overseen by the wedding celebrant so the bride and groom can enjoy the reception and then their honeymoon post service.
The wedding celebrant will submit the paperwork to Births, Death and Marriages. It often takes up to two weeks for this paperwork to be processed.
The couple receive a commemorative wedding certificate on the day. Whilst not a legal document, often many couples can use this to change names or create joint accounts should they choose to do so.
The offiial wedding certificate can be applied for and is usually between $45-50.
The Power of Love
I married Mick and Melissa the other day at Burwood Colliery Rotunda. It was an amazing day and the setting lends itself for a magnificent backdrop to a wedding. What I enjoyed the most from this bride and groom was that after previous failed relationships, they had found great love, comfort and security in each other.
Love never fails. It can cover up the past and also heal some wounds of yesterday. Never doubt the power of love in your life. I am of the belief that love is in our DNA and when we are experiencing as well as actively releasing it, we are often the most fulfilled in life.
Local Wedding Celebrant
Newcastle Wedding Celebrant







