Syron bush wedding

our bush wedding, Elaine Kitchener and Gordon Syron, on SBS 2/11/06Choosing the place to celebrate a marriage is possible when you have a celebrant flexible enough to go wherever you want. I’ve mentioned before that I’ve conducted weddings in the most interesting places – in Sydney on land, on a beach, on the harbour and out in the country, in the bush. The place needs to have meaning for the marriage to be memorable for you. It need not be difficult nor expensive for the location of choice. Then again, sometimes, it does involve a bit of organising and expense, depending on your needs.

SBS showed the Syron bush wedding
which took place at Wilcannia
where originally Elaine Kitchener and Gordon Syron
had discovered their love and where they had
their bush wedding in November 2004
they flew me to Broken Hill and
after a 2 hour drive I joined them
and finally planned their ceremony
which took place on the banks of the Darling River
where the bride carried a bouquet of
Australian wild flowers and they
exchanged their vows that were
based on his Aboriginal culture
and her Jewish custom of
the groom stomping on a glass
wrapped in a hanky on the ground
the weather was perfect
and nature’s playground
was breathtaking

Wedding flowers

Orchids, photo by Justyna Furmanczyk, Rotterdam, Netherlands, traditional eleganceWedding flowers are such a lovely touch for a marriage ceremony. Once a small bouquet was thrown by the bride for the single females to catch.? It was believed that whoever caught the bouquet would be the next to get married.? Nowadays it is possible to have an elaborate arrangement which the bride keeps and has framed as well as a smaller version to throw for the single women to try and catch.

my daughter has her wedding bouquet
which is dried, pressed and framed
hanging on a wall in her house
it is so gorgeous and it always
reminds me of the day they
celebrated their marriage
even though on the funny side
I had tripped and landed on
my knees as we were about
to have family photos taken
I often wonder what brought
me to my knees, or was it
just clumsy of me?

Simple and quaint wedding cake

Marriage Cake, photo by Stenio Silva, Sao Paulo, Brazil,  symbolic joy Here is another wedding cake which is representative of a traditional wedding cake with the bride and groom dolls on top. Yet it is simple and quaint for those who do not wish to have a many tiered wedding cake. As a celebrant I have seen many cakes. If you search you will always find what you like. This lesson also applies to everything in life.

a couple who came to me for
their wedding plans
turned out to be people who
had financial and emotional security
as well as fulfilling careers
they wanted a wedding which
would celebrate their loving relationship
without pomp and ceremony
a more personal event which
they could share with family
and close friends
so they wanted
a simple and quaint wedding cake
to fit the occasion

Marriage Cake, photo by Stenio Silva, Sao Paulo, Brazil, symbolic joy

Wedding accessories

Wedding abstract, photo by Justyna Furmanczyk, Rotterdam, Netherlands, artistic touchOne of the wedding accessories that gives a special touch is sugar coated almonds in a container or wrapped in net. The Greeks and Italians use these and call them bombonieres (Greek). This is symbolic of fertility for the couple and the bombonieres are given out to the guests to take away and eat. Quite a lovely touch to any wedding ceremony and easy to make. I personally love them to look at and to eat! As a marriage celebrant I recommend this for that special touch.

I went with a couple who were planning their wedding
to a shop that makes these bombonieres
such quaint wedding accessories
as I was to be their marriage celebrant and
of Greek background this was a pleasure
we saw different little containers to choose from
for the sugar coated almonds to be placed in
they also had some attractive hankies or tule
which the almonds can be wrapped in
that worked out perfectly and was more
economical for their purposes

Wedding car

Wedding 1, photo by apa matushowie, rtyreyrety,  Algeria, dream come  trueWhether it is an extravagant wedding or one on a low budget, having a wedding car for the event can be dreamlike. Sometimes the car that you know you will not ever be able to own can make such a difference to have for that special day. It is also not as expensive as it may sound. Search around and you’ll see that it’s possible to get the wedding car of your dreams.

she had that sparkle in her eyes as
they spoke about their wedding plans
it was so exciting and she hesitated
as we discussed the transport
then he clarified the situation by
mentioning that they both had
wished for the wedding car to
be something elegant
but they were afraid of the cost
I mentioned that there’s not
much difference in the price
but rather it depends on finding
the company that uses the
wedding car that they like
so they went away to search
for their heart’s desire

Wedding cake

Pink  Butterflies, photo on French Patisserie website, gourmet  delightWhen you are planning a wedding, whether you have an elegant cake or a simple creation, a wedding cake provides the romantic touch to a celebration. It is best to research and find a caterer who can make the type of wedding cake that you like and at a price you can afford. For example, a Croquembouche – the authentic French wedding cake made up of profita rolls stuck together with toffee and decorated by ribbons.

they came to see me about their marriage
my part as a celebrant was easy but
there was conflict over the celebration
as the bride wanted an elegant wedding
but the groom was concerned about the cost
I helped them to find creative solutions
to make their day special and memorable
and their wedding cake was vital to this

Opera House Wedding

Sydney Opera House, photo by Kim Beardsmore, Kellyville, Australia, romantic moment Having a marriage celebrant conduct your wedding means you can have the event anywhere you wish. Several couples have had an Opera House wedding. My son and his wife had their reception at the Opera House where the celebration involved exchanging their wedding vows. Others were on a wharf or the steps of the Opera House or even on a cruiser, which we all boarded at the Opera House. As the ceremony does not take long this is just what people enjoy. Some have had their wedding at Mrs Macquarie’s Chair with the Opera House and Harbour Bridge in the background. The atmosphere is magical.

a couple came to me requesting
an Opera House Wedding
the wharf was their choice
it was so exciting because it
was a wedding with a difference
not only because of the location but also
because of the black colour scheme for
the bridal party, guests and me
furthermore as they worked as film FX people
their wedding ceremony was
attended by some colleagues in
a helicopter flying in circles above us
how fascinating!

Wedding Ceremony Checklist

  • Decide on the type of wedding – religious or civil Breathtaking shot of single calla, photo taken by Lars Jensen, Shibuya, Japan, wedding plan
  • Civil: contact a celebrant no later than 1 month and 1 day before the wedding date
  • With the celebrant of your choice complete a Notice of Intended Marriage form
  • Together with the celebrant plan the type of ceremony you want
  • Choose the wedding vows which will be used – could be just the legal words or more
  • Choose the venue for the ceremony
  • Choose the wedding party (best man, bridesmaids, grooms men, witnesses (2)
  • Decide on and order the outfits to be worn by the bride, groom and wedding party
  • Music to be played – can be a musician friend playing a musical instrument
  • Decide on who will do a reading – this can have meaning
  • Arrange catering and the wedding cake
  • Ensure that the wedding ring or rings are ordered
  • Order the flowers
  • Choose at which shop to have a wedding register for people to purchase your gifts
  • Send out wedding invitations at least 8 weeks before the wedding, allowing for RSVPs
  • Arrange for the photography and filming of the wedding
  • Arrange transport for the bridal party and for those who do not have cars
  • Remember to purchase small gifts for the bridal party
  • Consider mementos to be given to the guests – may be sugar coated almonds in hankies
  • Choose where you will spend the honeymoon and make arrangements for this
  • Purchase going away outfits for after the reception, and for the honeymoon

Basic wedding format

Wedding1, photo by Marcos Santos, Tatui, Brazil, marriage plansWeddings, whether formal or not, have a certain essential format. First, the couple need to find a celebrant and make a Notice of Intended Marriage at least 1 month and 1 day before the wedding date. If it is a religious ceremony then a church is the appropriate place. However, if a religious ceremony is not desired then a civil marriage celebrant who is appointed by the Attorney General’s Department is the appropriate person to conduct their wedding. At this initial meeting the wedding vows are considered.

Second, the couple chooses the venue and the type of ceremony required – this can be with some help from the celebrant. For the more detailed arrangements a wedding planner is ideal if the couple can afford it, otherwise, many people have managed without one.

Next to be considered is how many attendants and the outfits and flowers preferred for the bridal party – usually the bride’s choice in consultation with the groom. Sometimes small gifts are offered to the attendants for their participation. At some weddings each guest is given a memento of the occasion such as sugar coated almonds in a hanky, or a fresh flower.

The next decision is whether there will be a reception and where? Also the catering requirements such as a wedding cake – depending on the budget set. Flowers and decorations come into this category as well as entertainment. Sometimes close friends can provide entertainment or carry out readings for the ceremony which can be quite artistic. Usually, a photographer to take the stills or film the celebration can be a friend or a professional can be hired.

Here you have a basic format which can be added to or changed for individual preferences, and which is also an enjoyable process for the bride and groom.

Wedding 1, photo by Marcos Santos, Tatui, Brazil, getting married

Romantic wedding

Newport Beach, photo by Tori Campbell, Fort Worth, United States,  beach weddingAre you planning your wedding and wondering how to make it special? Are you confused about what to say? Don’t be, a celebrant can show you many readings to choose from that can express your innermost feelings and that fit the scene perfectly. That’s how you design your wedding. Then you can both consider where would be the most romantic place to enjoy this important event. It may be a small romantic wedding with only a handful of people or a large wedding at a function centre. Perhaps it could be on a secluded beach.

they loved the beach
and had been to some of
the best ones around the world
their tans were proof of that
they wanted to wear beach wear
white was their chosen colour
there would be a handful of
close friends and a short ceremony
was their preferred style
I gave them a list of readings
and they chose the words
from The Prophet
it was an unforgettable
small romantic wedding

Newport Beach, photo by Tori Campbell, Fort Worth, United States, beach wedding