WHAT IS THE PROCESS FOR HAVING AN INTERPRETER AT OUR WEDDING?

26/7/2021 

This week’s blog is a little different to normal. However, it is an important topic that some couples may need to know about and that is, the process of having an Interpreter at your wedding. Here is what you will need to know:

Under Section 112 of the Marriage Act 1961 the celebrant (that’s me!) needs to be very sure that everyone (that’s the two of you that are getting married and your two witnesses) understand and comprehend the ceremony and its content, the notice of intended marriage (NOIM), the marriage certificate and the declaration and any other documentation presented. If an interpreter is required, they must be someone who is not part of your wedding party.

It is imperative that the participants to the wedding ceremony – that is the two of you who are getting married and your two witnesses and the celebrant (yep, me again!) speak and understand the same language, if this is not the case, which is absolutely okay! An interpreter needs to be organised.

Another consideration that needs to be taken into account is a translator, especially when it comes to documentation. You may be thinking, can’t I just have an interpreter? Here’s the thing, having a translator is slightly different to having an interpreter. So, what’s the difference then? Generally, the word translation refers to turning something written (and sometimes spoken) from one language into another, while interpreting refers to translating spoken words only. When and if a translator needs to be present to translate these documents, it is important that they are NAATI qualified. If you require further information on this please view the website here: www.nati.com.au

When you have an interpreter, they need to produce a statutory declaration that he/she understands and is able to converse in the language in which the ceremony is being spoken and the language of the interpretation. On completion of the ceremony, the interpreter must also provide a Certificate of Faithful Performance by Interpreter form for his/her duties as interpreter. Such a form can be downloaded here: https://www.ag.gov.au/families-and-marriage/publications/certificate-faithful-performance-interpreter These documents accompany the NOIM, that I send to Births, Deaths and Marriages.
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If you are still not sure if you require an interpreter, please get in touch with me and I will be happy to walk you through the process or answer any questions, you may have. 

WAYS TO SPICE UP YOUR FIRST DANCE

20/7/2021 

The first dance! Once of the most memorable parts of your wedding day and a time where your guests can revel in on your love and happiness. In the past, the most common dance routine was a bridal waltz. Today, couples are starting to spice their first dance up, which can be quite a nice surprise for your guests as well and something fun for you and your husband/wife to really enjoy performing. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Create your own wedding song: If you are really stuck on a song and nothing is taking your interest there are sites you can use to create your own song. Websites such as Custom Song and Custom Serenade can provide you the opportunity to create a song with personalised lyrics based on the information and feedback that you provide.

Costume change: Many brides opt to change into a separate reception dress after their wedding ceremonies. But, even if you want to wear your one wedding dress the whole night (after all, you may as well get as much use out of it as you can!), you can still do a quick costume change for the first dance only. Throw on fun matching sweatshirts over your formal wear, or dress up in themed head-to-toe costume that relates to your song or dance.

Going local: This can relate to your song being based upon where you live or even your location. Think about a song that unites your country, state or city. This will definitely get people enthused for your first dance! 

What about a medley? There are no rules on what you can do. If you really can’t decide why not do a mash up of your favourite songs. Your routine can also be jazzed up to suite the theme of the music. This will certainly get your guests guessing what songs will be next!

Live band: having a live band can sometimes make all the difference to your wedding. This can certainly wow your guests! Sometimes you can even get musicians who will gladly impersonate the artist to give you that authentic feel to your wedding.

Flash mob: using a flash mob can be so much fun and will definitely entertain your guests. The flash mob doesn’t need to be hired in, you can have your bridal party, parents and even some of the guests join as well! It is for sure going to get the party started!

​Whatever you decide to do, it’s important that it reflects you as a couple. That is what guests want to see and be apart of. Doing the first dance sometime can be very nerve wracking but spicing things up and making it your own is important in helping you feel comfortable performing in front of your guests. Have fun with it and your guests will too. 

SELF CARE IDEAS FOR THE LEAD UP TO YOUR WEDDING DAY

12/7/2021 

Planning a wedding can be a stressful and overwhelming experience for many couples. With so much to organise, potentially working on a tight budget, millions of ideas swimming around in your head about how you want your day to look and trying to please everybody (which is not always possible) can take its toll. That is why it is so important that leading up to your wedding you and your partner take time specifically for self care. Even though this may be the last thing on both your minds, it is so important to rest and rejuvenate the body and mind. 

It’s time to slow down: Take a spa day – you would be amazed at how much tension you can hold in your body, especially your back, neck and shoulders. Having a massage can release these tensions. After your massage, make sure you drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol and soft drinks as lots of toxins will be released after your massage. Take it easy afterwards and make sure to rest. Another option is having a facial. Having a facial can help rejuvenate your skin and help with that wedding day glow. After your session, your therapist may recommend some further creams and treatments to keep your skin well hydrated and blemish free.

Reminisce on the good old times! Go out on some date nights – so much of your time will be taken up with discussions about your wedding day. Take some time to put those conversations on the back burner and just enjoy each other’s company without the wedding talk. Take in a movie or go on a stroll. Or go to your favourite restaurants and enjoy the food and some wine overlooking your favourite view. It’s also important to laugh – strange as that may seem, laughing produces endorphins, which makes you happy. If there is a comedy show on or even if it’s an old memory that made you laugh or smile mention it!

Get your sweat on: Exercise – this doesn’t have to be boring and laborious! There are plenty of different ways you can exercise with your love by your side. Go for a run or a trail hike. Or maybe you want to spice things up a bit.. Maybe a poll dancing class, or if this isn’t your type of thing to do as a couple then salsa dancing can be so much fun and something a little different! It’s also a great way to socialise with other like-minded people. And hey you may even make some new friends along the way! If you prefer to stay closer to home and don’t really feel like venturing out, then you could do some gardening around the house or visit your local community garden and help out there! 

Take a big deep breath: Yoga and meditation – yoga and meditation are two fantastic ways to help calm your mind and centre yourself. Meditation in particular, mindfulness meditation is an excellent way to unwind and relax and just be in the moment without all the busyness that is life. There are some fantastic resources out there. Here is one that is free and easily accessible: 
https://palousemindfulness.com/index.htmlfbclid=IwAR3AmgUBIxcfJTi2PHk7z8kzKWh1nrasPwy6qjaWUtshNJLvrPcID6VNxO8
There are also lots of different apps out there that you can use on the go. If this is more your thing, then check out an app called Smiling Mind.

Mini vacay? Yes please! Going on your mini vacay whether it be with your love or with your friends or even your family doesn’t need to be expensive you could rent an air bnb or even go camping. Make sure wedding talk is banned for your weekend away. Just be in the present moment with those you love and enjoy your time away. It’s amazing how refreshed one feels after a mini getaway! ​

COVID FRIENDLY WEDDING IDEAS

6/7/2021 

Let’s be honest, COVID 19 has not been friendly to anyone!

Have you been feeling anxious about the unknown and feeling stressed with having to rearrange a number of vendors? Coupled with the amount of financial strain this may have caused you both? It is no wonder you may be feeling frustrated and disappointed. With the end of this global pandemic showing no signs of slowing down just yet, no one can blame you both for feeling sad and stressed about not getting the day you both wanted. Would you be surprised if I said that there is still hope? For all of us here in Australia, weddings are still occurring. As more and more members of the public are getting vaccinated here in Australia and with easing of restrictions couples are now able to wed – this is great news. Of course there is still a lot of uncertainty about this pandemic but amidst all this uncertainty there are ways in which you can still have a beautiful wedding day.

Check out some ideas below! 

Consulting with your venue: You have every right to ask your venue what their policies and procedures are for managing COVID 19. It is important that your venue is up to date with local, state and federal law. You need to consider what their policies are on social distancing, sanitation, what their contingency plans are if your wedding falls through and what their cancellation policy is. Will they have COVID Marshalls on the day/night? You also need to ensure that they have a QR check in code for you and your guests too. 

Hire a planner: You may not have thought about it, but hiring a wedding planner to help you organise all the nitty gritty stuff that comes along with COVID 19 measures can help decreases the burden and stress load when it comes to planning your wedding. Think of it as your wedding planner being your advocate, they are great with liaising and communicating with your venue and vendors and can coordinate the day smoothly for you so you are not left worrying whether your far distant relative signed in with the COVID QR code!

Consider minimising your big day: This is a tough one! Obviously, you want everyone that means the most to you to be there on your special day. However, you might need to take into consideration decreasing that guest list! The point of downsizing is to reduce the risk of transmission, so it is wise to choose an appropriate number of guests for the space that you have and leave it at that. 

Have guidelines in place: To limit uncertainty and decrease the risk of confusion, make sure either on your wedding website or your invitations to state very clearly COVID 19 guidelines for your special day. The venue may already have something that they want you and your guests to know, so please ensure this is well documented and clear for everyone. It is important to give this information a head of time just in case people have questions.

Space out your seating: Ideally, you'll want to group together families from the same household, and leave an appropriate distance between parties of different households. The venue should have markers on the floor on where people can and
cannot sit or stand. It is important to discourage guests from crowing so it may be pertinent to ask your venue what they intend to do to decrease the risk of this occurring. Again, it is important to look at local, state and federal laws in relation to this, especially when it comes to alcohol consumption and dancing. 

Wedding favours: Wedding favours are a great way to say thank you to your guests for taking the time to attend your wedding. Instead of the common gifts, consider face masks and hand sanitiser as an option to encourage people to look after themselves and others.

Signage: Use wedding signage to spell out what safety measures you'd like your guests to abide by. Whether it's directing a certain flow of foot traffic or reminding guests to mask up (and party down!), signage is a fun and friendly way to remind everyone of the rules.

Use of technology: To ensure your guests aren’t missing out due to you having to downsize your wedding, you could consider doing a live stream of your wedding day. that way, friends and/or family that are not able to attend can still feel included and celebrate with you in the comfort of their homes.

Entertainment: Depending on the state, local and federal laws and what is happening with COVID your guests may be prohibited from dancing. If that is the case, then you may consider a performance, dance show or even a comedian to perform at your wedding. Another option is to ensure you have out door games organised. This can be a lot of fun, but it is important to ensure social distancing is upheld. Please check with your venue if either option would be available to you.

Drinks: Receptions are always known for when the party really gets started, everyone relaxes and drinks are flowing! With this in mind and with COVID still very prevalent, perhaps you can put a limit of two or three drinks per person. This is entirely up to you and how the venue wants to minimise the risk of your guests not social distancing. It would also be good to check your local, state and federal laws surrounding the consumption of alcohol.

For more information, please check out the following websites:

SA Health COVID 19 Information:
https://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/public+content/sa+health+internet/conditions/infectious+diseases/covid-19
Government of South Australia – COVID 19:
https://www.covid-19.sa.gov.au/

SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW, SOMETHING BORROWED & SOMETHING BLUE

28/6/2021 

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The traditional something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue is derived from the Old English rhyme, "Something Olde, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue, A Sixpence in your Shoe"—which names the four good-luck objects (plus a sixpence) a bride should include somewhere in her wedding outfit or carry with her on her wedding day.

Let’s delve a little deeper into the meaning behind the four good luck objects. "Something old" symbolises your lives prior to when they became intertwined and offers a chance to honour your family heritage, too while "something new" reflects your future shared life together. Meanwhile, "something borrowed" typically means incorporating an item belonging to a family member or dear friend for good luck, and "something blue" symbolises purity.

Here are some ideas for each good luck object, this list is just a small example. You can create your own good luck objects for your wedding day to make it personal, memorable and special.

Something Old
Vintage car
Family Heirloom
An old book
Locket/ brooch

Something New
Perfume
Your initials embroided onto your wedding dress/suit
Tattoos – if you’re not afraid of needles!

Something Borrowed
Veil/Tie
Dress/Suit
Jewellery – pearls are quite common

Something Blue
Handkerchief
Garter
Shoes
Flower bouquet
Dressing robe 

Whatever you decide it needs to reflect you, there is no right or wrong. It is personal and should remain that way. 

INTRODUCING THE WEDDING PARTY AT THE RECEPTION

21/6/2021 

The wedding ceremony is officially over. Now it’s time to let your hair down with your wedding party. This is where introducing the wedding party to your guests start. It’s important to recognise those closest to you who have helped you throughout to make your wedding day special.

You need to consider the introduction and it needs to reflect your wedding party. Introducing the wedding party does set the tone and mood for the rest of the evening. Do you want it to be loud and fun, even a bit chaotic? Or do you prefer a more orderly and formal format.

You also need to consider getting the format of the wedding party and timing right. Make sure you liaise with the DJ/MC on how you want the wedding party to be announced because there is nothing worse when no one is ready and the DJ/MC starts introducing each wedding party member (hopefully with the right pronunciation of names!) and your guests start clapping but no one has entered the reception!!!

Once you have these two things sorted it’s time to figure out how your bridal want to enter. There is no correct way of doing this. Ultimately it needs to be an introduction that your bridal party is comfortable with, it’s their time to shine just for a minute or two before all eyes are back on you and your husband/wife. 

So, what can you do to make sure the introduction is fun for everyone? Does anyone in your bridal party like to play sport? You could get the DJ/MC to announce the procession like as if you were all at a basketball match. Or do you have some movie buffs? Perhaps you could get your wedding party coming into the reception area with lasers to the theme song of Star Wars! Or perhaps your bridal party want to do a choreographed dance so they all come in together at the same time?
You could also ask the DJ/MC as they would have witnessed wedding party entrances!

​Be sure to ask your friends what they feel would be appropriate and together you can create a fun and memorable entrance! 

WHAT’S YOUR PLAN B?

10/6/2021 

You’re all set for your wedding. It’s in a matter of days…. Weather forecast is set to be a beautiful day. No wind or rain, just enough cloud cover, so that your wedding photos don’t show you and your husband/wife to be and guests squinting in the direction of the photographers. It’s all looking picture perfect. It’s not long to go and you will be walking/standing at the aisle ready to get married. Then you can sense it. Something is not quite right. You look outside the window or go outside and have a look at the sky and there it is. The clouds are starting to look a little bit darker than you would like, the wind has suddenly picked up and you start to feel a bit fresh. Then you can see it, even before it touches you… rain. Oh no! What happens now???

Ever heard of this scenario being played out before with other weddings you have been to? Weather is so unpredictable and can change in a flash that is why it is so important to have a PLAN B in case you find yourself with bad weather on your wedding day. The venue you pick should have a plan B and it is one of the first questions that need to be asked when touring the venue before you take the plunge and put down that deposit. It is so important that the venue you pick does have enough indoor or enough undercover area to fit all your guests comfortably. Ask them if they have a rain plan or get them to tell you stories as to what they did to help make other wedding days seamless despite the rain. It is important to treat it like a bit of an interview- a bit dramatic? Sure, but remember this is your day and you are investing time and money so it is important to be very clear on what contingency plans the venue has in place when bad weather hits. If rain is forecast or it’s on the way, here are some options that might be worth considering. Obviously, some options may not be practicable, especially on the day of, but usually you can gauge in advance what the weather may be doing and try having a contingency plan in place.

Keeping your guests up to date. If you have a Facebook group messenger get your trusty MOH and bridesmaids to let everyone know to dress warmly or if you are moving the ceremony inside, let your guests know exactly where to go.
Rugs/blankets for people to put over their knees or shoulders. Especially good for your elderly guests.

Umbrellas – these can be the clear ones or if you want a bit of pop and fun colour then you can get rainbow umbrellas.

Make sure you have towels in place especially if you and your husband/wife to be are going to be taking outside shots. Having towels will help soak up any water on your dress/suites before hitting the reception.

The most important thing that you and your wife/husband to be can do is keep calm and carry on. It is understandable that you may feel upset or disappointed about the weather, but try not to let it get to you! Embrace the change and have fun with it. 

WHAT TYPES OF RITUALS CAN BE PERFORMED AT CEREMONIES?

8/6/2021 

Are you wanting to spice up your wedding ceremony, but not sure how to do it in a meaningful way that represents you as a couple? There are heaps of rituals that can be used, created and formatted to suit your ceremony. But before we get into some ideas, let’s talk about the history of rituals.

Ancient history tells us that ritual and ceremony were a way in which to help people have control over the world they lived in. Having ritual and ceremony aided people to understand the unanswered questions of the world which predominantly had a religious underpinning. Rituals helped bring a sense of calm to the world around them and to help people come together and feel empowered and unified. There seems to be an innate need for humans to connect to something bigger than themselves and rituals help us make that connection. Rituals are also a form of symbolic expression, and it allows us to communicate and describe our world and our place within it. They bring a sense of routine to everyday life and this is of course within the ceremony but also in general daily life. When it comes to a civil ceremony, there is still the aspect of symbolism and special meaning that can be encapsulated.

Here are some ideas to help you get started:

Sharing of Wine: The goblet of wine is symbolic of the cup of life. As you share this wine, you promise to share all that the future will bring.

Stone Ceremony: In early Australia, our convict forebears and many of our early settlers could not afford the normal symbolic presentation of rings at a wedding ceremony. To confirm their vows, instead of a ring or rings being given and received, the bride and groom cast a stone each into a nearby river or ocean - thus symbolising their remaining together forever while the tides of time ebbed and flowed over their lives.

Candle Lighting: The unity candle symbolises the very essence of the wedding ceremony. Two taper candles, representing the couple as individuals, are used to light a single centre candle as a visible symbol of their commitment to each other.

Unity Bowl Ritual: This tradition is a way to honour multiple generations of the couple’s families, and/or a way to include any children that the couple may have.

The couple selects a glass bowl they would enjoy having in their new home. Each grandparent, parent, stepparent, godparent and so on is given a bud vase filled with a different colour of flat coloured marbles, with the separate colours signifying the individuality of each family member.

The grandparents pour their separate colours into the Unity Bowl as the foundation of the wedding of the bride and groom. Each set of parents does the same. After each set of grandparents, parents and so on have added their marbles to the mix, the celebrant stirs the colours with her hand, creating new mosaics each time.

There are many rituals you and your partner can choose from. Your celebrant should be able to send you further information and talk you through these rituals in more detail. 

BUTTER CREAM OR FONDANT ON YOUR WEDDING CAKE?

1/6/2021

Cakes! One of the most exciting parts of organising a wedding or other special event. There are a lot of cake makers out there and it is important to consider the following when deciding on who to go with: How much experience have they had? What types and styles of cakes do they offer? Do they have insurance in case something happens? How do they transport the cake? What happens if your order falls through or the cake maker is sick on the day? Is there a backup plan? What about a refund policy? As a consumer, you need to be very clear on what your rights are and make sure you read all documents pertaining to your cake makers service. 

Aside from these important considerations, deciding on your wedding cake should be a fun time with your partner. It is so important to have a cake tasting before deciding on whether the cake maker is right for you – do check this before booking an appointment. To have a cake tasting allows you to try samples of different types of cake. It allows you to experience the taste, texture and density, which are vital aspects. You want to be taken on a journey with your cake, if you are not taken on a journey with the taste and flavours then it might be an idea to try out another cake maker.

That being said, choosing a wedding cake can be a bit of an overwhelming task. From what I have previously seen at weddings the two choices amongst couples are buttercream or fondant. So, what’s the difference?

Buttercream Cakes: Buttercream is made by mixing butter, or shortening if cake makers are looking for a crisp white colour, and sugar. Because buttercream is soft, it is a great option for piping borders, patterns, flowers, and any writing you might like onto a cake and you can also flavour the buttercream. It is a popular option if you are going for that rustic wedding look and also if you want to use real flowers as decoration for your cake as the stems can be attached easily.

Fondant Cakes: Fondant is icing sugar and water cooked into a paste that ends up the consistency of play dough. Fondant icing is a favourite for cake makers as the fondant can be rolled out to any size and shape. Fondant creates a flawless and seamless finish and can be a blank canvas to create beautiful designs such as sugar frosting flowers or leaves or if you want to be a bit wild – patterns! Fondant is also really good to use if you have a tiered cake as it can be stronghold for your cake and is a safer option for transportation from the cake maker to your venue. That way you don’t need to worry about the cake falling apart!
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Have lots of fun with your cake tasting adventures and enjoy the journey! 

HOW TO ANNOUNCE... SURPRISE, WE’RE MARRIED!!!!

30/5/2021 

Elopements are such a wonderful and romantic way to express your love to your significant other without all the much ado and fuss of having a big wedding and not to mention the big expense. It is okay to not want the big wedding with lots of guests. Those closest to you that know you both as a couple will completely understand and still be happy and excited for you that you took that next step without them being present! Here are some great ways to celebrate your marriage after your elopement:

Social media: There are so many ways you can announce on social media about your elopement and most likely is one of the most popular way to announce to all your friends and family. It is also a quicker and perhaps are more efficient way to let your loved ones know the happy news of your marriage. It’s also a great way to compile some pictures on the one post so that people can get a glimpse of your special day.

Post only: People generally love getting mail in their letter box. Why not surprise your loved ones with a beautiful couple shot with a note from the heart about your elopement and if you are feeling up to it, you can always add an additional invite to a formal or very casual reception/party to celebrate.

Casual all the way: Want to do a small BBQ or pizza night to announce your elopement – go for it! It can still be an intimate and special affair with those closest to you. 

Remember, it is important to only announce when you are absolutely ready to do so. I would be happy to chat further with you if having an elopement is more your style.