Throughout people’s lives, there are many good times as well as challenges and hardships, and it is how we react, how and what we feel and think, and the choices we make that can impact our journey.
The Celebrants Network Inc - BLOG
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More Blog posts can be found in the Blog Categories to the right.
More Blog posts can be found in the Blog Categories to the right.
Apr
29
Jan
10
You've just proposed marriage or been propsed to, you're wearing an incredible ring and you've announced your engagment to your loved ones..... now what? Well, here begins a very exciting time of planning for you you both!
For some of you this proposal might have come as complete surprise and for others it might be the final stage to what could have been months of discussion and planning. Now that you’ve made the biggest decision - to get married, there are just a few more smaller decisions that need to be discussed and decided upon before your wedding day can be realised.
Jan
09
Are you new to the celebrancy world? Trying to become more organised? or just wondering what a celebrant does? Check out guest blogger, Susie Roberts' list of everything a celebrant needs to plan to help keep you on track....
Dec
19
This time of year can be chaotic! It's the end of the year, school is nearly finished, if it hasn't already; there are end of year work parties, Christmas parties, birthday parties for those people born in December who always have to compete for a free Saturday night. You're buying presents - desparately trying to think of the right gift and battling with thousands of other people in the same boat. There's more cars on the road and less parking spaces. Some people will be having family members to stay which might mean higher levels of anxiety.
If only we could think of ways to reduce all that stress....
If only we could think of ways to reduce all that stress....
Dec
11
We have a guest blogger today - Robyn Foster "Celebrations by Robyn". Robyn gave support, along with countless others, to the Australian Marriage Equality campaign and its leaders. Here is her story...
Sep
28
When you're planning a lovely outdoor ceremony, you would generally think of how beautiful the scenery is, how the area matches your theme or perhaps there is a sentimental reason you've picked this spot, but rarely do you think about whether or not your guests will be eaten alive by mosquitos.
Here are 7 fabulous outdoor ceremony ideas to make sure that your ceremony it's too hot, too cold or overrun by mozzies.....
Sep
18
Mindfulness is a practice that helps to bring your attention to the present moment and enables you to be aware of your senses and feelings at that point in time. You can be mindful by paying attention to your body and/or breath. This means not thinking about the past and not worrying about the future. Rather, just being in the ‘now’. Find out how being mindful can help you...
Jul
04
We kiss people every day, and we generally know what's appropriate for each situation... but you know, the first kiss after the celebrant declares you married? The one with everyone watching as you lip lock in public with the cameras and videos working overtime. Yes, that kiss. That's not an everyday kiss that you will automatically know what to do. Today we're looking at what type of kiss is appropriate...
Jul
24
We have birthdays, mother's day and father's day... but what about everybody else in our family? When do we celebrate them?
Dec
02
Surviving an Australian Summer
Australia is a pretty big place - 7.692 million km² to be exact. We cross 25 degrees of longitude and 35 degrees of latitude as well as three timezones - so we're spread pretty wide - which means that we have a number of different climates.
In our south and mountainous areas, it can get super chilly in the winter, whereas in our north the same months see temperatures around the 30s. In the summer months, all over the country can see dehydratingly high temperatures, whilst the far north experiences tropical monsoonal rains.
In more recent years we've noticed that the hotter months seem to be happening a bit later and typically dry times of the year are seeing lots of rain - which means that we can no longer plan our ceremonies with any certainty that we're going to get what we hoped for.
Just this week - a December weekend in Victoria - historically a dry time of the year, has seen devastating rain and flash flooding - possibly not what most people thought would happen when they planned their ceremony 12-18 months ago.
In our south and mountainous areas, it can get super chilly in the winter, whereas in our north the same months see temperatures around the 30s. In the summer months, all over the country can see dehydratingly high temperatures, whilst the far north experiences tropical monsoonal rains.
In more recent years we've noticed that the hotter months seem to be happening a bit later and typically dry times of the year are seeing lots of rain - which means that we can no longer plan our ceremonies with any certainty that we're going to get what we hoped for.
Just this week - a December weekend in Victoria - historically a dry time of the year, has seen devastating rain and flash flooding - possibly not what most people thought would happen when they planned their ceremony 12-18 months ago.
Here are some ideas to help you survive a summer ceremony in Australia
(and strangely enough, they won't all be about the sun!)
(and strangely enough, they won't all be about the sun!)
1. Provide shelter.
Most adult guests will be able to make up their own mind as to what to wear to your ceremony - however, not everyone will want to put a hat on over their new 'do' and carrying an umbrella might be a hindrance - so to make sure your guests are comfortable from the time that they arrive and are waiting for you to arrive all the way through to when they can head to your reception - offer shelter. It might be an inside ceremony, under a marquee, umbrellas, hats, sunnies or even hiring palm leaf swishers. Offering shelter will be much appreciated..... nobody wants to sit in the sun sweating or indeed stand in the rain, especially if they've made an effort to look fabulous for your special day.
2. Offer refreshments
Iced mint water, a lemonade stand, mimosas.... it will be very much appreciated.
3. Have a Plan B
Even if you don't to use it, it's peace of mind to have it at the ready should the meteorologists deliver unwanted news on the weekend of your ceremony. A big percentage of couples state, "It's going to be a beautiful day. We won't need a Plan B." To those couples, I say, "Please listen to your celebrant/wedding planner/friends/venue manager when we suggest to you that you need to have a Plan B." We promise not to say "I told you so" when the sky opens up.
4. Consider how far you are asking your guests to walk
Your dream ceremony location may not suit the guests you've invited. Can Nana walk all that way down the sand dune? Do you think Pop can climb up the side of that mountain? Will the people wearing high heels appreciate having to walk across that field? Does anybody want to walk 2kms in the heat/rain?
5. Consider the time of day
The majority of ceremonies are held in the afternoon and this is understandable - people want to use the morning to get ready or travel and they'd like their ceremony to flow straight into their evening reception, whilst taking advantage of dusk for great photo light..... but you don't have to do it this way - consider making your ceremony later in the day when it's cooler, just before the sun goes down... great light, cooler, happier guests.
5. Offer your guests sunscreen & mozzie repellent
..... and burn some citronella or spray some essential oil magic to keep the bugs away.
6. Wear appropriate outfits
If you have had your heart set on a large, puffy, lots of material wedding dress, and 3 piece suits.... then perhaps the beach isn't the ideal setting for you. Sand is not designed to be walked on in shoes (especially heels) and heavy, layered outfits are not designed to be worn in the blazing sun. Always think "Comfort! Comfort! Comfort!" This goes for your guests as well - set an appropriate dress code for your guests so they know it's ok to kick off the heels for the ceremony.
7. Check the weather
There are a number of Apps where you can easily check the weather the week before giving you plenty of time to be prepared. Willy Weather gives you information on the temperature, rainfall, wind, sunrise/sunset, UV index and tides - all essential things to know about when planning an outdoor (beach) ceremony.
8. Know the weather in your area
Being able to check the weather is great, but having a bit of knowledge about the weather (especially the wind) in your area can be crucial to the planning process. And if you're holding your ceremony in a different location from where you live - ask your celebrant - they'll know.
Studies have shown that the ideal temperature for people to be able to focus and take in what is being said is 22 degrees, so if you want your guests to be mentally present at your ceremony, then strive for the ideal climate, anyway you can.
???
Thank you for joining us....
?? We would love it if you would let us know what you think ?.
There is a comment section ? at the bottom ⬇ of the blog for you to do just that.
?Click on the word "Comment" and go for it!
? Don't forget to subscribe ? to this blog - the "subscribe" button is up the top of the page ⇞⇞⇞ and the blog will magically ?? appear in your email inbox ?.
Also please feel free to share ? our blog on your social media ? so we can spread the love ?!
Please use this ? link: https://www.celebrations.org.au/blog when you share. ?
Find us on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter
Most adult guests will be able to make up their own mind as to what to wear to your ceremony - however, not everyone will want to put a hat on over their new 'do' and carrying an umbrella might be a hindrance - so to make sure your guests are comfortable from the time that they arrive and are waiting for you to arrive all the way through to when they can head to your reception - offer shelter. It might be an inside ceremony, under a marquee, umbrellas, hats, sunnies or even hiring palm leaf swishers. Offering shelter will be much appreciated..... nobody wants to sit in the sun sweating or indeed stand in the rain, especially if they've made an effort to look fabulous for your special day.
2. Offer refreshments
Iced mint water, a lemonade stand, mimosas.... it will be very much appreciated.
3. Have a Plan B
Even if you don't to use it, it's peace of mind to have it at the ready should the meteorologists deliver unwanted news on the weekend of your ceremony. A big percentage of couples state, "It's going to be a beautiful day. We won't need a Plan B." To those couples, I say, "Please listen to your celebrant/wedding planner/friends/venue manager when we suggest to you that you need to have a Plan B." We promise not to say "I told you so" when the sky opens up.
4. Consider how far you are asking your guests to walk
Your dream ceremony location may not suit the guests you've invited. Can Nana walk all that way down the sand dune? Do you think Pop can climb up the side of that mountain? Will the people wearing high heels appreciate having to walk across that field? Does anybody want to walk 2kms in the heat/rain?
5. Consider the time of day
The majority of ceremonies are held in the afternoon and this is understandable - people want to use the morning to get ready or travel and they'd like their ceremony to flow straight into their evening reception, whilst taking advantage of dusk for great photo light..... but you don't have to do it this way - consider making your ceremony later in the day when it's cooler, just before the sun goes down... great light, cooler, happier guests.
5. Offer your guests sunscreen & mozzie repellent
..... and burn some citronella or spray some essential oil magic to keep the bugs away.
6. Wear appropriate outfits
If you have had your heart set on a large, puffy, lots of material wedding dress, and 3 piece suits.... then perhaps the beach isn't the ideal setting for you. Sand is not designed to be walked on in shoes (especially heels) and heavy, layered outfits are not designed to be worn in the blazing sun. Always think "Comfort! Comfort! Comfort!" This goes for your guests as well - set an appropriate dress code for your guests so they know it's ok to kick off the heels for the ceremony.
7. Check the weather
There are a number of Apps where you can easily check the weather the week before giving you plenty of time to be prepared. Willy Weather gives you information on the temperature, rainfall, wind, sunrise/sunset, UV index and tides - all essential things to know about when planning an outdoor (beach) ceremony.
8. Know the weather in your area
Being able to check the weather is great, but having a bit of knowledge about the weather (especially the wind) in your area can be crucial to the planning process. And if you're holding your ceremony in a different location from where you live - ask your celebrant - they'll know.
Studies have shown that the ideal temperature for people to be able to focus and take in what is being said is 22 degrees, so if you want your guests to be mentally present at your ceremony, then strive for the ideal climate, anyway you can.
???
Thank you for joining us....
?? We would love it if you would let us know what you think ?.
There is a comment section ? at the bottom ⬇ of the blog for you to do just that.
?Click on the word "Comment" and go for it!
? Don't forget to subscribe ? to this blog - the "subscribe" button is up the top of the page ⇞⇞⇞ and the blog will magically ?? appear in your email inbox ?.
Also please feel free to share ? our blog on your social media ? so we can spread the love ?!
Please use this ? link: https://www.celebrations.org.au/blog when you share. ?
Find us on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter
Nov
14
Marriage Equality – a statement from the National Committee of the The Celebrants Network Inc
Today people across Australia have clearly shown their support for marriage equality and celebrant members of The Celebrants Network Inc welcome the fact that we are one step closer to enabling all loving couples to marry if that’s their choice.
TCN was founded in 2008 on human rights principles. It follows that we support the rights of all couples to marry, a right that is enjoyed already in more than 20 countries around the world.
Parliamentarians now have the responsibility to review and debate the Bills and Amendments that will come before them in the coming weeks. TCN will be watching the parliamentary deliberations with great interest. We look forward to debate that is respectful and thoughtful resulting in changes to the Marriage Act 1961 and marriage equality for all.
Sonia Collins
Chairperson, The Celebrants Network Inc
On behalf of the National Committee
Today people across Australia have clearly shown their support for marriage equality and celebrant members of The Celebrants Network Inc welcome the fact that we are one step closer to enabling all loving couples to marry if that’s their choice.
TCN was founded in 2008 on human rights principles. It follows that we support the rights of all couples to marry, a right that is enjoyed already in more than 20 countries around the world.
Parliamentarians now have the responsibility to review and debate the Bills and Amendments that will come before them in the coming weeks. TCN will be watching the parliamentary deliberations with great interest. We look forward to debate that is respectful and thoughtful resulting in changes to the Marriage Act 1961 and marriage equality for all.
Sonia Collins
Chairperson, The Celebrants Network Inc
On behalf of the National Committee
Oct
31
Questions to ask other than... "How much do you charge?"
Yes, I agree - sticking to a budget is very important when planning a ceremony - of any kind, especially a wedding which can blow out very easily. However when you're choosing your celebrant, price should be the last question that you ask about. You are going to engage a person that you probably haven't met before to perform the ceremony at one of the most important events of your life, so wouldn't you like to know a bit about them? Wouldn't you like to know that they are a good fit and are able to provide the service that you have dreamed about?
Asking any wedding supplier if they available on your chosen date is probably the first question you would need to ask, but there are a few other questions that are more important than price that can help you to make sure you are a good fit for each other.
When you book your caterer, you would probably first ask if they can provide the food that you want served
When you book your band or DJ, you would first ask if they can play the music that you want for your reception
When you book your reception venue, you would probably first ask if they can accommodate the amount of people that you are inviting
So, why then, when people book their celebrant do they make their first question all about price?
Do they think that all celebrants are the same?
Do they think that all celebrants do is turn up for 20 minutes on a Saturday and say some words?
(See last week's blog for what celebrants really do)
Well, there are over 8,000 civil celebrants registered with the Attorney General's Department and with that comes over 8,000 different personalities, styles and ways of doing things. So here are a few more questions that you might want to ask to make sure that you are hiring the perfect person for the most important part of your wedding day.
Remember, without your celebrant, you're just throwing a really expensive party.
1. Are you available?
2. What services do you offer
3. What are your thoughts on marriage equality?
4. How many ceremonies have you performed?
5. What made you want to become a celebrant?
6. I would like to have my horse as my best man - do you like horses? (or other niche requests)
7. Do you provide a PA system?
8. Do you speak any other languages other than English?
9. Are you willing to travel?
10. Are you willing to dress up in a costume?
11. Would you like to perform our ceremony?
12. We'd like our dogs to carry the rings.... are you ok with dogs?
13. We're naturists and we'd like a nude ceremony - are you comfortable with that?
14. Do you have ideas for including our children/family in the ceremony?
Every couple and every ceremony is going to be different and not every celebrant is going to fit the wants and needs of every one. So meet with potential celebrants and ask questions and if you find a celebrant that ticks all of your boxes, that's when you'd ask about their price.....
Remember, the most expensive isn't always the best so it's important that you find the best fit. Celebrants will charge you what they think they and their services are worth, so if you've found somebody who is perfect for you and they're available, then my guess is that they're worth every cent!
To find a TCN Celebrant in your area - click HERE
???
Thank you for joining us....
?? We would love it if you would let us know what you think ?.
There is a comment section ? at the bottom ⬇ of the blog for you to do just that.
?Click on the word "Comment" and go for it!
? Don't forget to subscribe ? to this blog - the "subscribe" button is up the top of the page ⇞⇞⇞ and the blog will magically ?? appear in your email inbox ?.
Also please feel free to share ? our blog on your social media ? so we can spread the love ?!
Please use this ? link: https://www.celebrations.org.au/blog when you share. ?
Find us on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter
Yes, I agree - sticking to a budget is very important when planning a ceremony - of any kind, especially a wedding which can blow out very easily. However when you're choosing your celebrant, price should be the last question that you ask about. You are going to engage a person that you probably haven't met before to perform the ceremony at one of the most important events of your life, so wouldn't you like to know a bit about them? Wouldn't you like to know that they are a good fit and are able to provide the service that you have dreamed about?
Asking any wedding supplier if they available on your chosen date is probably the first question you would need to ask, but there are a few other questions that are more important than price that can help you to make sure you are a good fit for each other.
When you book your caterer, you would probably first ask if they can provide the food that you want served
When you book your band or DJ, you would first ask if they can play the music that you want for your reception
When you book your reception venue, you would probably first ask if they can accommodate the amount of people that you are inviting
So, why then, when people book their celebrant do they make their first question all about price?
Do they think that all celebrants are the same?
Do they think that all celebrants do is turn up for 20 minutes on a Saturday and say some words?
(See last week's blog for what celebrants really do)
Well, there are over 8,000 civil celebrants registered with the Attorney General's Department and with that comes over 8,000 different personalities, styles and ways of doing things. So here are a few more questions that you might want to ask to make sure that you are hiring the perfect person for the most important part of your wedding day.
Remember, without your celebrant, you're just throwing a really expensive party.
1. Are you available?
2. What services do you offer
3. What are your thoughts on marriage equality?
4. How many ceremonies have you performed?
5. What made you want to become a celebrant?
6. I would like to have my horse as my best man - do you like horses? (or other niche requests)
7. Do you provide a PA system?
8. Do you speak any other languages other than English?
9. Are you willing to travel?
10. Are you willing to dress up in a costume?
11. Would you like to perform our ceremony?
12. We'd like our dogs to carry the rings.... are you ok with dogs?
13. We're naturists and we'd like a nude ceremony - are you comfortable with that?
14. Do you have ideas for including our children/family in the ceremony?
Every couple and every ceremony is going to be different and not every celebrant is going to fit the wants and needs of every one. So meet with potential celebrants and ask questions and if you find a celebrant that ticks all of your boxes, that's when you'd ask about their price.....
Remember, the most expensive isn't always the best so it's important that you find the best fit. Celebrants will charge you what they think they and their services are worth, so if you've found somebody who is perfect for you and they're available, then my guess is that they're worth every cent!
To find a TCN Celebrant in your area - click HERE
???
Thank you for joining us....
?? We would love it if you would let us know what you think ?.
There is a comment section ? at the bottom ⬇ of the blog for you to do just that.
?Click on the word "Comment" and go for it!
? Don't forget to subscribe ? to this blog - the "subscribe" button is up the top of the page ⇞⇞⇞ and the blog will magically ?? appear in your email inbox ?.
Also please feel free to share ? our blog on your social media ? so we can spread the love ?!
Please use this ? link: https://www.celebrations.org.au/blog when you share. ?
Find us on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter
Oct
23
A behind the scenes look at being a civil celebrant
Have you ever wondered "What exactly does a celebrant do?"
Have you ever thought "Gee, that looks like an easy job - just talking for 20 minutes on a weekend!"
Well, you can be half forgiven for thinking those things because you might only see the celebrant for 20 minutes on a weekend, but the majority of a celebrant's work is done way before they turn up at the ceremony.
Before your ceremony they will have:
Attended meetings and rehearsals, researched, writen a unique ceremony that suits each individual couple or family, assisted couples and families with writing their own personal wedding vows or poems to their children or loved ones, organised paperwork, including accepting the legal Notice of Intended Marriage form, answered questions, given opinions and made suggestions.
Have you ever wondered "What exactly does a celebrant do?"
Have you ever thought "Gee, that looks like an easy job - just talking for 20 minutes on a weekend!"
Well, you can be half forgiven for thinking those things because you might only see the celebrant for 20 minutes on a weekend, but the majority of a celebrant's work is done way before they turn up at the ceremony.
Before your ceremony they will have:
Attended meetings and rehearsals, researched, writen a unique ceremony that suits each individual couple or family, assisted couples and families with writing their own personal wedding vows or poems to their children or loved ones, organised paperwork, including accepting the legal Notice of Intended Marriage form, answered questions, given opinions and made suggestions.
Then your ceremony day arrives and they will arrive at least 45 minutes before your guests to make sure everything is perfect, greet your guests, calm people's nerves and then perform your ceremony, coordinating the music and the bridal party and the flower girls and page boys and whoever is holding the rings. They will also be kind and compassionate and have an very good understanding of what you're going through when you are saying goodbye to your loved one.
After your marriage ceremony your celebrant will lodge your marriage certificate with the BDM and securely keep all of the necessary legal documents.
And that's just for your ceremony.
They've also kept their office running with invoices, receipts, notes, creating, printing, filing, purchasing legal stationery, financials, taxation, websites, social media, advertising...
Before any of that can happen though, each celebrant must successfully complete a Certificate IV in Celebrancy and then once the certificate has been awarded, the candidate then must apply to the Attorney General to become registered. This is a fairly costly exercise - $600 for the applicaiton alone and that must be paid whether the AG registers them or not.
Each year every registered civil celebrant is required to attend an OPD - (Professional Development) at their own cost.
So, whilst you might only see the Celebrant for 20 minutes whilst the ceremony is happening, please be assured that they have worked very hard before the ceremony even starts.
If you'd like to meet one of our hard working TCN Celebrants, click HERE for find a celebrant in your area.
???
Thank you for joining us....
?? We would love it if you would let us know what you think ?.
There is a comment section ? at the bottom ⬇ of the blog for you to do just that.
?Click on the word "Comment" and go for it!
? Don't forget to subscribe ? to this blog - the "subscribe" button is up the top of the page ⇞⇞⇞ and the blog will magically ?? appear in your email inbox ?.
Also please feel free to share ? our blog on your social media ? so we can spread the love ?!
Please use this ? link: https://www.celebrations.org.au/blog when you share. ?
Find us on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter
And that's just for your ceremony.
They've also kept their office running with invoices, receipts, notes, creating, printing, filing, purchasing legal stationery, financials, taxation, websites, social media, advertising...
Before any of that can happen though, each celebrant must successfully complete a Certificate IV in Celebrancy and then once the certificate has been awarded, the candidate then must apply to the Attorney General to become registered. This is a fairly costly exercise - $600 for the applicaiton alone and that must be paid whether the AG registers them or not.
Each year every registered civil celebrant is required to attend an OPD - (Professional Development) at their own cost.
So, whilst you might only see the Celebrant for 20 minutes whilst the ceremony is happening, please be assured that they have worked very hard before the ceremony even starts.
If you'd like to meet one of our hard working TCN Celebrants, click HERE for find a celebrant in your area.
???
Thank you for joining us....
?? We would love it if you would let us know what you think ?.
There is a comment section ? at the bottom ⬇ of the blog for you to do just that.
?Click on the word "Comment" and go for it!
? Don't forget to subscribe ? to this blog - the "subscribe" button is up the top of the page ⇞⇞⇞ and the blog will magically ?? appear in your email inbox ?.
Also please feel free to share ? our blog on your social media ? so we can spread the love ?!
Please use this ? link: https://www.celebrations.org.au/blog when you share. ?
Find us on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter
Oct
03
Why would I want to know about
relationship education?
Today’s blog starts off with a legal note about the rules that are set out in the Marriage Act (and the Guidelines to the Act) for all Commonwealth Registered Civil Celebrants. 
To quote “As soon as practicable after receiving the NOIM, an authorised celebrant must give the parties a document outlining the obligations and consequences of marriage (subsection 42(5A) of the Marriage Act). This document has been approved by the Attorney‑General in the form of a brochure entitled Happily Ever Before and After, and indicates the availability of marriage education and counselling and other important legal matters concerning marriage.
A notation of the giving of the document should be made by the authorised celebrant in the appropriate space on the reverse side of the NOIM. If the space is left blank it will indicate that the authorised celebrant has not fulfilled their obligations.” 
And, yes there is more with the Code of Practice stating “ Item 6 requires Commonwealth-registered marriage celebrants to maintain up-to-date knowledge about the range of information and services designed to enhance and sustain marrying couples throughout their relationship, not just in the period immediately preceding the marriage ceremony. Commonwealth-registered marriage celebrants must also inform marrying couples about this range of services. Meeting this obligation requires ongoing action by Commonwealth-registered marriage celebrants. The family relationship services available in their area should be reviewed by them annually at least to ensure the information they provide to marrying couples is up-to-date.” So, what do all of these legal words mean? 
Your Commonwealth Registered Marriage Celebrant is legally required to give a copy of “Happily Ever Before and After” to both the bride and groom as soon as practicable after receiving your Notice of Intended Marriage.
This handy brochure outlines some points that you might need to consider:
- Health and welfare benefits
- Changing your name
- Citizenship
- Making a Will
- Taxation after Marriage
- Before Marriage : Marriage Education
- During Marriage : Family Counselling
- Marriage Breakdown : Dispute Resolution.
This brochure has also been translated into a variety of different languages if English is not your first language. Your celebrant can obtain a copy for you very quickly as they are also available in PDF format. The brochure also provides information about the Family Relationships Online Website and Advice Line.
The other important part of the legal requirements for all Commonwealth Registered Marriage Celebrants, is that your celebrant must keep up to date with information about the local Family And Marriage Counsellors in your area, and should provide you with a list of these practitioners at the time that they give you your copies of “Happily Ever Before and After”.
Relationship Education and Counselling has gotten a bad rap over the years, with people thinking it is only for couples who are heading for the divorce court.
However, Relationship Education prior to your wedding can highlight all the good parts of your relationship where you are really compatible, and tease out the areas that you might need to work on, and let’s be truthful, every married couple has a handful of these.
Most counseling is done in a relaxed setting, with lots of talking, lots of laughter, lots of agreement, lots of ah-ha moments and lots to take home to discuss.
Counseling Services in your area can support you before getting married and throughout your marriage if tricky issues become sticking points, and they offer a safe space to discuss the myriad of concerns that every married couple has over the years, especially in this fast paced, high stress society.
Counseling is no guarantee, but it can provide a solid framework of understanding for your marriage to grow.
Click here if you'd like to speak to a TCN Celebrant about getting married or obtaining more information about Relationship services in your area.
???
Thank you for joining us....
?? We would love it if you would let us know what you think ?.
There is a comment section ? at the bottom ⬇ of the blog for you to do just that.
?Click on the word "Comment" and go for it!
? Don't forget to subscribe ? to this blog - the "subscribe" button is up the top of the page ⇞⇞⇞ and the blog will magically ?? appear in your email inbox ?.
Also please feel free to share ? our blog on your social media ? so we can spread the love ?!
Please use this ? link: https://www.celebrations.org.au/blog when you share. ?
Find us on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter
Sep
06
Simple ways to donate to charity
Charity doesn't have to be a huge grand gesture, costing you hundreds of dollars that you may not be able to spare.
Charity can come in many different forms...
Charity doesn't have to be a huge grand gesture, costing you hundreds of dollars that you may not be able to spare.
Charity can come in many different forms...
* Monetry donations
* Donations of your time
* Donations of goods or services
* Lending an ear
* Being able to feel empathy for people who are in a less fortunate situation to yourself
Here are some ways that you could help that you might not have thought of before.
If you're a celebrant or someone who offers wedding/celebration services you could donate a percentage of each ceremony to a nominated charity. Either choose a charity that is important to you or you could work with each individual client and decide together where that particular contribution will go.
If you're someone who is having a ceremony/event you could...
- Have one, two or three tip jars - each labelled with a different charity... let people either donate money directly, or give each person a token to put into the preferred jar and you donate that amount to each charity at the end.
- Ask your guests for donations to a chosen charity in lui of gifts
- Make it a themed event where your guests pay a gold coin to join in - all proceeds go to the charity of your choice.
This is how you "Party with a Purpose"
For more information about partying with a purpose - check out our website
And if you'd like to speak to a celebrant to help you with your next celebration - simply click HERE
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Sep
01
"I hope you don't mind
that I put down in words
How wonderful this life is
while you're in the world"
Elton John
Each of these celebrants is offering you a credit for any ceremony if you call today to make a booking.
So, check out these amazing celebrants and get on the phone and start booking .... #sharethelove
Sonia Collins - Batemans Bay, NSW
Fiona Hall - Central Coast, NSW
You can find all our other fabulous celebrants HERE
Thank you for being a part of TCN's Day of Love
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Thank you for being a part of TCN's Day of Love
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Jul
11
Show me the Stats
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics dated November 2016, there were 113,595 marriages registered Australia wide in 2015.
The number of marriages decreased in 2015 by 7,602 - down 6.3%
81.1% of brides and 79.1% of grooms were marrying for the first time.
16.3% of the marriages included one partner who had been married before.
Marriages where both partners had been married before were at 11.7%
The median age for men getting married was 31.8 years and for women it was 29.8 years - both ages increased from previous years.
Couples who lived together prior to marriage accounted for 81%
54.2% of couples married in 2015 were both born in Australia.
Out of the couples married in 2015 31.9% were born in different countries.
13.9% were born in the same overseas country.
Civil Celebrants have overseen the majority of marriage ceremonies (since 1999) at an average across the country of 74.9%
If you would like to engage a civil celebrant for your marriage ceremony, commitment ceremony, vow renewal, baby naming ceremony or any other event that you'd like to celebrate - including memorials and life celebrations - then please contact one our fabulous TCN Celebrants
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Jun
29
Should we get Married in Summer or Winter?
Summer Weddings versus Winter weddings
When and where to hold your wedding are probably two of the biggest choices you will make and they go hand in hand.
Do you want a balmy summer day so that you can get married outdoors?
or
Do you prefer a cosy intimate celebration centred around a roaring fire?
When and where to hold your wedding are probably two of the biggest choices you will make and they go hand in hand.
Do you want a balmy summer day so that you can get married outdoors?
or
Do you prefer a cosy intimate celebration centred around a roaring fire?
In Australia the majority of weddings take place in Spring and Summer with only 5% of marriages taking place in June and July.
However both have their positives and negatives so let's look at some of the factors that may influence your decision:
Weather:
How do you picture your dream wedding... exchanging vows with a beautiful sunset in the background or a roaring fire? Points to consider about the weather:
Weather:
How do you picture your dream wedding... exchanging vows with a beautiful sunset in the background or a roaring fire? Points to consider about the weather:
* In summer you need to plan for excessive weather changes such as rain or extreme heat.
* In winter you know it is going to be cold so you and your guests can dress accordingly.
* In summer you may have daylight saving so longer hours to enjoy the sunshine.
* In winter the shorter days may dictate the time of your wedding.
The Wedding Dress:
How have you pictured your wedding dress… sleeveless, backless, light and summery, long sleeved? Although the time of year may not influence your choice of wedding dress you will need to consider some extras for a winter wedding such a shawl or jacket and it is not always easy getting it to match your dream wedding dress. And don’t forget your bridesmaids who will feel the cold a lot more than you as they don’t have the same amount of adrenalin to keep them warm, so will need extra clothes. The amount of clothing is much less for a summer wedding.
How have you pictured your wedding dress… sleeveless, backless, light and summery, long sleeved? Although the time of year may not influence your choice of wedding dress you will need to consider some extras for a winter wedding such a shawl or jacket and it is not always easy getting it to match your dream wedding dress. And don’t forget your bridesmaids who will feel the cold a lot more than you as they don’t have the same amount of adrenalin to keep them warm, so will need extra clothes. The amount of clothing is much less for a summer wedding.
How Quickly do you want to get Married?:
How quickly you want to get married after your engagement may determine the season in which you marry.
How quickly you want to get married after your engagement may determine the season in which you marry.
* It is far easier to book many of the wedding vendors at short notice in winter. Popular venues and photographers are booked well in advance for a summer wedding. There is greater availability and choice in winter.
* It is often cheaper to book popular vendors in winter because prices become negotiable as they are less busy. In summer you may need to pay a premium for the more popular vendors.
Flowers:
Do you want your favourite flowers for your bouquet? Flowers are seasonal so the prices will vary a lot depending whether they are in season or need to be imported. If you are happy to use only seasonal flowers you have a greater choice in summer than in winter.
Do you want your favourite flowers for your bouquet? Flowers are seasonal so the prices will vary a lot depending whether they are in season or need to be imported. If you are happy to use only seasonal flowers you have a greater choice in summer than in winter.
Practicalities:
Practicalities include all the extra little things that need to be considered for a wedding.
Practicalities include all the extra little things that need to be considered for a wedding.
* In summer that would include providing shade for your guests for the ceremony, lots of cool drinks, umbrellas on hand for sun or rain and an indoor alternative venue for rain or sun.
* In winter that would include hats, gloves, shawls, warm drinks and an outdoor alternative if its a nice sunny winter day.
Whether you choose summer or winter there will always be a TCN Celebrant free to perform your ceremony so contact your local TCN Celebrant now.
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Apr
08
Getting Married in Australia - The Legals
The Marriage Act of 1961 says that you must comply with these six things below in order to get married in Australia:
1. your relationship must be between a man and a woman
2. you must be 18 years of age or over
The Marriage Act of 1961 says that you must comply with these six things below in order to get married in Australia:
1. your relationship must be between a man and a woman
2. you must be 18 years of age or over
(Under rare circumstances, a person between the age of 16 and 18 can marry, provided their prospective marriage partner is 18 years or over, and the couple have been granted permission by a Court)
3. you must not be married to anyone else
4. you cannot marry a person who is your antecedent or descendant by marriage or adoption
5. you must both be capable of and give free consent to marry the other
3. you must not be married to anyone else
4. you cannot marry a person who is your antecedent or descendant by marriage or adoption
5. you must both be capable of and give free consent to marry the other
6. you must lodge a Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) form with your celebrant no earlier than 18 months and no later than 1 month before your ceremony
(A prescribed authority may authorise a marriage where a NOIM form is lodged within one month of the date of the ceremony - ask your celebrant for details)
So, if you can say yes to all six of the Marriage Act rules, or you have been granted the necessary permissions, then you are clear to start planning with your celebrant.
Making the union legal between you and your partner can sometimes be a confusing business which is why it's a great idea to #AskaCelebrant and they will explain all the requirements to ensure your marriage is legally valid.
You can find a TCN Celebrant in your area through the TCN website.
Your celebrant must also sight original forms of your ID and divorce/death certificates (not photocopies) before the ceremony can take place.
Some legal things that you might not know:
It is an offence, punishable with fines and/or jail time:
* for a person to go ahead with their marriage when the haven't complied with the 6 rules stated above and for a celebrant if they knew and solomnised the marriage anyway
* for a couple or a celebrant to falsify documents, by giving false information or backdating forms and certificates
* for a person who is not an authorised celebrant to solemnise a marriage
* for an interpreter to give false information
During the ceremony
The celebrant must state that they are authorised to solemnise marriages according to the law, and recite the monitum - which literally means "warning" that informs a wedding couple of the legal expectation of the binding nature of marriage within Australia, then the couple states that they want to become legally married to each other.
This all has to be done in front of your celebrant and 2 witnesses who are over 18.
This all has to be done in front of your celebrant and 2 witnesses who are over 18.
To conclude the ceremony, you, your celebrant and your witnesses sign three certificates and then your paperwork is sent off to the BDM in the state your ceremony took place to be registered.
And that's it! It's that simple!
FAQ:
What about if I want to surprise my fiance and organise the wedding without them knowing?
I'm sorry, but this just can't happen.
You can surprise your guests, but both people who are getting married must have full knowledge and be in agreement at least one full month before the ceremony date.
Can I marry my first cousin?
Yes, you can.
You can surprise your guests, but both people who are getting married must have full knowledge and be in agreement at least one full month before the ceremony date.
Can I marry my first cousin?
Yes, you can.
Will my name be changed after the ceremony?
No, If you choose to change your name after you are married, you can automatically take your partner's surname without doing anything. You can officially change your name, by going into government departments - Passport Office, Department of Transport, your bank, Medicare, etc, however.... you will first need to obtain an official marriage certificate from the BDM in the state you were married in.
The pretty certificate you get on the day is a legal document that shows you are married but is not accepted by government departments and others for changing your name.
Read More Information Here
If you have any questions relating to legally getting married in Australia, you can find one right here: Find a TCN Celebrant
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If you have any questions relating to legally getting married in Australia, you can find one right here: Find a TCN Celebrant
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Jan
13
Yesterday the latest edition of our TCN National Celebrant e-news was emailed to more than 7500 celebrants on our mailing list.
Key points from the latest newsletter are:
Apr
22
Anzac Day this week has really made me think about our history and in particular, the history of TCN, and who better to chat to about it than the founder and now life member of The Celebrants Network Inc - Rona Goold.
What is your background in celebrancy?
I was appointed a Commonwealth Civil Marriage Celebrant at the age of 42, after working in schools and the health department in a range of roles. I was looking for a career that used my skills and talents, as well as give me the flexibility to work when I chose.
The goal was probably achievable given that a substantial number of celebrants were making a wage from the work - the statistics in 1995 indicated that celebrants averaged 64 weddings per celebrant per year, nothing like the 10-11 average now.
Although I had extensive experience from my previous careers, I had no training in business knowledge and skills. Also, as a government appointee, one could not ‘tout for business’. One could not advertise in any way that made you stand out from another celebrant, a simple White or Yellow pages line was permissible as was a single line in the Public Notices of a local paper, Nothing more.
Feb
22
Celebrating who you are gives you an opportunity to thank family and friends for their love and support.
Be the reason to enable loved ones to come together to build stronger relationships. Not one of us would be who we are today without "a little help" along the way.
There are plenty of times in our lives that should be celebrated, but we generally only acknowledge a few...
Our birthdays every year; a major anniversary, getting married and having a baby - they're the staples that most people celebrate, but what about all those other life transitions and accomplishments that are forgotten about?
Here's a few for you to contemplate....
Graduating:
Pre-school, primary school, high school and university. Some people celebrate these monumental academic accomplishments with a ceremonial graduation along with their classmates, but there's nothing to stop you from also celebrating with your nearest and dearest loved ones too.
Feb
04
First of all, what is the role of the celebrant?
The role of a civil celebrant is to:
- work with couples and families to create a beautiful, meaningful ceremony that suits their style.
- witness two consenting adults entering into a legal and binding relationship.
- complete all the legal paperwork and make sure that it is all done within the strict legal rules set in the Marriage Act of 1961.
Here are some questions that you might consider when engaging a civil celebrant.
1. Are you available on the date I’ve chosen for my wedding/anniversary party/baby naming/funeral?
This is probably the most important of questions because if the celebrant is not available on your preferred day, then the rest of the questions are irrelevant.
2. What paperwork is required before we can get married?
2. What paperwork is required before we can get married?
This is a great question because there is a strict time-frame as to when you need to have initial paperwork lodged with your celebrant.
3. Can we meet and get to know each other before we decide?
Of course! It’s always a good idea to meet with your celebrant and make sure you feel comfortable with them and that you get a feeling of trust - after all, they will be taking care of a very important event for you and your loved ones.
Of course! It’s always a good idea to meet with your celebrant and make sure you feel comfortable with them and that you get a feeling of trust - after all, they will be taking care of a very important event for you and your loved ones.
Image source: https://trulymarvellousweddings.co.uk
3. What services do you offer?
This can be used as a good comparison between celebrants, but it also gives you reassurance that you will be receiving everything that you want/need for your ceremony.
4. What happens during the ceremony?
If you’ve not been to too many ceremonies - weddings, namings or funerals, you may not be aware of how a ceremony works. Asking this question will help to give you a visual of how the ceremony will flow.
3. What services do you offer?
This can be used as a good comparison between celebrants, but it also gives you reassurance that you will be receiving everything that you want/need for your ceremony.
4. What happens during the ceremony?
If you’ve not been to too many ceremonies - weddings, namings or funerals, you may not be aware of how a ceremony works. Asking this question will help to give you a visual of how the ceremony will flow.
For example in a marriage ceremony where everyone will stand or when you’ll be able to kiss your new husband.
Photo credit: Shell Brown
5. Are you willing to travel?
Fairly important if you’re planning to have your ceremony 500kms away from where the celebrant lives!
6. Do you provide a PA system?
As part of the Celebrant Code of Practice, celebrants must make sure that the ceremony can be heard. So if you’re having your ceremony on the beach or in a field, it’s important that your celebrant is able to provide a good quality PA system.
5. Are you willing to travel?
Fairly important if you’re planning to have your ceremony 500kms away from where the celebrant lives!
6. Do you provide a PA system?
As part of the Celebrant Code of Practice, celebrants must make sure that the ceremony can be heard. So if you’re having your ceremony on the beach or in a field, it’s important that your celebrant is able to provide a good quality PA system.
Image source: Pixabay
7. Do you have or will you take any other bookings on the same day?
Some celebrants will book more than one ceremony on a day, which is completely fine – however a professional celebrant will make sure there is enough time to get between venues without rushing and missing anything.
7. Do you have or will you take any other bookings on the same day?
Some celebrants will book more than one ceremony on a day, which is completely fine – however a professional celebrant will make sure there is enough time to get between venues without rushing and missing anything.
Image source: wixsite.com
8. Why did you become a celebrant and what do you enjoy about being a celebrant?
Getting to know your celebrant a little and finding out what they love about being a celebrant should help you to decide whether they are a good fit for your style, your personality and your ceremony.
Photo: TCN Celebrant Scott Broadbridge-Brown - Beyond Celebrancy
9. Are you a member of a professional celebrant association like TCN?
Professional celebrant associations like TCN - (The Celebrants Network) offer their members support, assistance and ongoing professional development. Celebrants who are a part of an association are able to network with colleagues and share their knowledge and experience whilst having access to a vast amount of information to help improve their skills.
Professional celebrant associations like TCN - (The Celebrants Network) offer their members support, assistance and ongoing professional development. Celebrants who are a part of an association are able to network with colleagues and share their knowledge and experience whilst having access to a vast amount of information to help improve their skills.
10. What are your fees?
Once you’ve decided that you'd like this celebrant to be a part of your ceremony, that is the time that you’d ask them about their fees. Obviously each element of your ceremony needs to fit into a budget, but try not to make your decision based on fees alone. The ceremony is often the part that makes the event different to other family gatherings or parties, and remembered most when beautifully designed and delivered.
In regard to weddings, an article was written recently about the costs of weddings and the break down listed the celebrant as the lowest cost item on people’s budgets, which is surprising when you think of the amount of work that is done to personalise a ceremony and the fact that your marriage can’t actually begin without a celebrant.
Image source: ASIC - Money Smart
11. Would you like to be our celebrant?
What a wonderful offer. I’d be honoured!
What a wonderful offer. I’d be honoured!
* ________________________________________________ *
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Jul
14
When you hear somebody talking about how meaningful the ceremony was, what does that actually mean?
Where does the meaning come from?
Does everybody who participates take away the same meaningful message?
Your ceremony might be more community centered, bringing the people of your town or city together to celebrate or to mourn or to remember. The meaning comes from the shared emotion felt amongst your community.
Perhaps your ceremony is about welcoming a new child into your family. The meaning of which will be intensely personal to you and your family members.
You might be holding a ceremony to celebrate the end of an educational pursuit - the meaning in your graduation culminates from all the hard work that you've put in. There are feelings of pride and acommplishment for what you've achieved.
When I started thinking about how we, as celebrants create meaningful ceremonies I wondered where we get our inspiration from and the answer is - from the very people we are performing the ceremony for.
The meaning comes from you; your story, your love, your loss, your dreams, your past and your future.
The meaning in a ceremony is different for every person, every couple and every family. No two ceremonies are alike, which is why your celebrant takes the time to get to know you and to learn your story. Creating a ceremony that is both unique and meaningful to the couple or family is not a simple task and takes empathy, knowledge, experience, care and time.
Here are some suggestions to how you could add meaning to your ceremony:
Add music
a favourite piece of the family member who has passed away; or a song that you and your partner love and feel tells your love story.
Add poetry
writing your own piece of poetry adds extra meaning becuase you have dedicated time and thought into how you feel. Although, sometimes you find just the right words, that explain exactly how you feel have already been written by somebody else - which is fine as long as you credit their work.
Add a ritual
for some people, participating in a ritual makes what you are celebrating or mourning much deeper and heartfelt; It can help you to feel more connected.
Add a cultural element
the meaning will come from the pride you feel about your home and the traditions that you can share.
Stay true to who you are
your wedding doesn't become more meaningful based on how much money you spend on your reception.
Meaningful ceremonies take place when you are together, sharing a moment with the most important people in your life.
Why not contact one of our fabulous TCN Celebrants and let us create meaning ceremonies for you.
* __________________________________________________________ *
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Nov
15
tolerance
ˈtɒl(ə)r(ə)ns/
noun
noun: tolerance; plural noun: tolerances
1. the ability or willingness to tolerate the existence of opinions or behaviour that one dislikes or disagrees with.
This week on the 16th November is the International Day of Tolerance.
The lovely thing about civil celebrants and civil celebrations is that they are all inclusive. They promote respect for people’s differences in religion, gender, sexual preference, race, cultural background, economic status, football team, icecream flavour and whether or not they want a traditional wedding or an elopement. Civil celebrants don't judge.
The most important thing to us is that there are two consenting adults:
Who are both 18 years old
Who are not married to other people
Who are not directly related to each other
Who have been able to provide required ID
Who have given the required one month notice
Anything beyond that is simply not our business to judge.
Civil marriage ceremonies aim to focus on the couple's love and life together, rather than on their religious beliefs or cultural traditions or that of their families. Civil celebrantions are all about tolerance and respect and acceptance - the clue is right there in the name - 'civil'. Having said that, if couples would like to include their religion or their cultural traditions into the ceremony, then that can be catered for as well. There are no rules on what you can add to your legal ceremony - that's the beauty of a civil ceremony!
When one partner belongs to one religion and the other to another or to none at all, a civil ceremony is the perfect solution to declaring their love and becoming married in a ceremony that welcomes everybody without discrimination. Even if your guests don’t agree with your choices, they can still enjoy the meaningful ceremony created by a civil celebrant.
Civil funerals allow a person’s family and friends to mourn their loss in a respectful ceremony, where those who do not understand
the deceased person’s specific religion are able to fully engage with the meaning and intent of that ceremony of transition.
Supporting Marriage Equality
Acknowledging your support for marriage equality during your own marriage ceremony is becoming quite popular for those couples who believe that everybody should have the same rights - click HERE for suggestions as to how you could include a statement into your ceremony.
If you are thinking that you’d like be more tolerant of others, but are not sure how to put it into practise, click HERE for some simple and effective ideas.
If you'd like to speak with a civil celebrant who you can be sure is tolerant and accepting of people of all walks of life, then please head to our directory and find a TCN Celebrant in your area.
* __________________________________________________________ *
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Nov
05
Next week is National Adoption Awareness Week (NAAW), which exists to raise awareness of adoption and the importance of permanency for children, along with providing education on the support needs of children and families - www.adoptchange.org.au
With this fabulous cause in mind, we wanted to share with you a couple of ways that you could welcome a new family member into your home.
As babies are too little to really understand that they have a new home, the welcoming is more aimed at the parents, siblings and close family.
Naming Ceremony - A lot of children who are adopted already have names given to them by their biological parents, so this ceremony can celebrate the child’s first name, a new family surname or can simply act as a welcoming ceremony, introducing the child to their new family.
When the kiddies are older, it becomes more about them and welcoming them into their new family and their new home. Making them feel loved and safe and helping them to build personal relationships.
Welcoming Party/Ceremony - For older children, one way to show them that they play an important role in their new family is by having a welcoming party in their honour.
Some adoption experts say…
Find out about your child’s life before they were adopted - If they come from a different country, perhaps you could incorporate something they are familiar with. Music, food or games.
Introduce family members slowly - Bombarding your child with all their new aunties, uncles and cousins at one BBQ could be quite overwhelming.
Preparing other children - If you have other children at home, preparing them for the arrival of the new addition is just as vital as welcoming a new child.
Speak to one of our TCN Celebrants who can help you to arrange the perfect welcoming ceremony for your family.
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Oct
21
The earliest recorded wedding ceremony was held in Mesopotamia around 4,300 years ago but did not have legal binding until the Middle Ages.
Since then culture, family and religious beliefs have shaped a range of traditions and rituals.
Many come under the heading of Unity Ceremonies. They are chosen by couples and families as a great way to symbolize a coming together as one. Below are some examples but any activity that “unites” or is shared by the couple or family can be used.
Rose Ceremony - where the bride and groom exchange roses as their first gifts to one another.
Since then culture, family and religious beliefs have shaped a range of traditions and rituals.
Many come under the heading of Unity Ceremonies. They are chosen by couples and families as a great way to symbolize a coming together as one. Below are some examples but any activity that “unites” or is shared by the couple or family can be used.
Rose Ceremony - where the bride and groom exchange roses as their first gifts to one another.
Sand Ceremony - a symbolic blending of different-coloured sands into a single vessel.
Candles – A candle is lit to symbolize two lives becoming one.
Wine - The bride and groom each take a carafe of wine and pour it into a single glass, which they both drink from.
Hand Blessing Ceremony – where the couple hold each other’s hands and are blessed.
Handfasting - This ceremony dates back to the medieval and renaissance period in Ireland, Scotland and Wales, but is gaining popularity amongst couples all around the world today. It involves the tying of hands together to symbolize the coming together.
Tree planting - Plant a tree together to symbolize the growing of a family together, putting down roots, longevity, and strength within the marriage.
Remember our TCN celebrants will work with you to find a ritual that fits your dream ceremony
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Jul
14
Humans have used ceremonies and celebrations for thousands of years to:
- affirm or encourage people at special events e.g. Olympic Games, Presentation nights, graduations
- celebrate milestones in our individual life journey e.g. birthdays, anniversaries, retirement
- acknowledge significant life-changing occasions e.g. namings/ christenings, engagements, marriages, funerals
- honour individuals or celebrate community values, e.g. memorials, Australia Day, Citizenship Day, Harmony Day
The pros and cons of a private ceremony
TCN celebrants have noticed a recent trend towards couples choosing to elope and having a small ceremony with just the celebrant and witnesses.
On the plus side, these ceremonies can be romantic, fun, stress free and far less expensive than the traditional family occasion. They are ideally suited to some couples.
The down side may be that family are genuinely hurt by being excluded from this important occasion.
This can be difficult to understand, especially for couples who are already living together and who decide they just want to "make it legal" with minimum fuss.
Sharing is Caring
However, if the couple think more deeply about the significance of the marriage ceremony they may see the value in a larger ceremony that involves family and friends.
The marriage ceremony results in changes of legal status and relationships. The marriage partners become legally responsible for each other and any children of their relationship. They also acquire new relationships with their in-laws - a new extended family and friendship group. For the parents of "first time marrieds" the marriage ceremony symbolically marks a "graduation" at which their work in raising a baby to adulthood formally ends.
So in many ways a marriage is not just a relationship between two individuals. It is a formal and social relationship between two networks of family and friends. Being part of the ceremony means a lot to those who love the couple.
"But big family weddings are too expensive - eloping cuts the cost!"
This can certainly be true. So how can we have a big celebration for a small cost?
This TCN article about having a big celebration on a low budget could assist your planning.
Share your ideas on how to involve family and friends in celebrations that are meaningful for everyone present …
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Jul
14
A key skill in creating a good ceremony is listening. As celebrants we should all try to develop the skill of listening through regular and frequent practice.
Hearing and listening are very different. Hearing is physically taking in the sound of somebody else's voice, but listening is more difficult.
Listening is when we not only hear what the other person is saying, but we also store and analyse that information.
It is easy to think you are listening when really you are just letting the other person talk while you are busy thinking of the next thing that you want to say - this is not really listening!
If you are always talking, or thinking about the next thing you want to say, you are only ever listening to the things that you already know, but if you listen to somebody else, there's a good chance that you might learn something new.
So how is this helpful for celebrants when working with clients?
Celebrants and their clients can often have pre-conceived ideas of the ceremony structure and content. By actively listening to each other the celebrant and client can share their ideas effectively.
Active listening means paying attention, showing that you are paying attention by your body language, giving feedback to check and show understanding, delaying judgement and responding appropriately.
The client can explain their requirements, concerns and preferences and the celebrant can advise on ways to meet those needs and give guidance on any ideas that might cause logistical or other difficulties.
Active listening on both sides creates a successful conversation. Only then can the celebrant and client co-create a beautiful ceremony that is perfect for the client.
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Aug
31
TCN Celebrates its Day of Love - 1 September 2016.
Why have we spent all day shouting about love all over our Social Media?
Why have we spent all day shouting about love all over our Social Media?
Because, as Celebrants, all of our work is about love.
When we marry a couple, they are deeply in love, and the wedding service more often than not reminds the couples attending about their love story.
When we perform a funeral there is a great deal of love in the room for the deceased and for the family members.
When we name a child everyone there is full of love for the child.
When we officiate at significant birthdays and other events, there is always lots of love woven into the ceremony.
As Celebrants, we make can your ceremony of LOVE the most memorable time of your life.
So, what are you waiting for?
Check out our amazing group of Celebrant.
You won’t be disappointed.
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Jul
14
How do we acknowledge the men in our lives?
The pace of change is enormous. Once upon a time, our men were the sole bread winners with careers in the one field and often spanning 40 years.
Our men were engaged in volunteer work in their communities with sporting clubs, service clubs, churches and the like.
There were many occasions in those more stable times, for men to receive affirmation for their contribution to their families, work and communities.
By this we mean, some words of acknowledgement for the skills they developed and or the services they performed, no matter how mundane.
Today with the increased pace of change, our men are facing huge challenges with their work skills needing constant review, and like women, trying to find that work/life balance.
So when and where do we give them that special acknowledgement they need?
Fathers Day is one of those occasions when we as family members can step back and have a fresh look at the men in our lives.
Let’s look at what they do to contribute to our families and plan to use Father’s Day as a reason to give those public acknowledgements.
To have a “Party with a Purpose” by engaging a TCN celebrant to create a special thank you to one or more “fathers” in our lives.
This can be a relaxed and fun occasion commenced by a well organised tribute to those who have fathered, or do fathering as step-parents, uncles and mentors.
Let’s do more than "put a shrimp on the barbie" and give a bottle of after-shave - if not for this year, then for 2017.
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Jul
14
We are all familiar with the trend in funerals for the family to request a donation to the deceased favourite charity or non-profit.
But what about other ceremonies?
A couple being first married in their fifties did this. Both had all the households goods they needed, and no prospect of having a family of their own. So instead of taking pot-luck with gifts, or having a Gift Registry, these lovely people chose to ask their guests to contribute to a group gift to their preferred charity. Their choice was to fund a year long literacy program for an under-privileged child, knowing this would make a huge difference to that child’s future. The celebrant coordinated the receipt of monies and announced the amount raised as part of the marriage ceremony.
But what about other ceremonies?
A couple being first married in their fifties did this. Both had all the households goods they needed, and no prospect of having a family of their own. So instead of taking pot-luck with gifts, or having a Gift Registry, these lovely people chose to ask their guests to contribute to a group gift to their preferred charity. Their choice was to fund a year long literacy program for an under-privileged child, knowing this would make a huge difference to that child’s future. The celebrant coordinated the receipt of monies and announced the amount raised as part of the marriage ceremony.
The community or group gift goes back a long way in our cultural history. Combining resources or recycling goods for the next generation was really important. The marrying couple were setting up home together for the first time so in great need of household goods. Not so these days.
Rather the reverse. In this lucky country, we need to consider whether materialism is creating more kind, respectful and compassionate people. Perhaps there are opportunities for various birthdays and wedding anniversaries for the guest/s of honour to nominate the charity or non-profit of choice to have the benefit of the get-together.
Rather the reverse. In this lucky country, we need to consider whether materialism is creating more kind, respectful and compassionate people. Perhaps there are opportunities for various birthdays and wedding anniversaries for the guest/s of honour to nominate the charity or non-profit of choice to have the benefit of the get-together.
With our youngsters, this could be way of allowing them to learn the benefits of giving by allowing them to nominate a birthday or perhaps simply organise a party where the aim is to fund-raise. The skills learned and the sense of achievement are wonderful gifts for our children and grandchildren - gifts for life. Rather than some toys that are soon forgotten.
TCN has a special project called “Party with a Purpose” to encourage families to emphasise the purpose of a ceremony or party by group giving as well as engaging a TCN celebrant to make the occasion extra special. Learn more about Party With A Purpose here.
Why not contact our TCN Celebrants to ensure a stress free ceremony.
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Jul
07
Congratulations, you are getting married and are busy working out where you want the ceremony and the reception, the wedding gown, the photographer, how many guests (and do you really have to invite all of the cousins?), who is in the bridal party, rings, cars, cakes, the list goes on.
And the costs escalate. Escalate very quickly.
And the costs escalate. Escalate very quickly.
So, where does the celebrant fit into your budget? Celebrant fees can range from $300 to over $1,000 depending on your location and the celebrant. A good tip is to check the fees for your state’s Registry Office, who provide a basic marriage ceremony and expect the fees of an independent celebrant, who comes to your venue of choice and provides a personalised service to charge more than that.
So, you are sitting there with your budget wondering why anyone could charge that much money for less than an hour’s work?
A celebrant will spend an average of between 10 and 20 hours working on your wedding. Holding meetings with you, making sure all of the legal paperwork is correct, and then making sure the correct paperwork is lodged with the Birth Death and Marriages Section in your state. They will also write a special ceremony for you, with all of your wishes included, they will organise rehearsals of your ceremony and then, on the big day, they will perform your wedding ceremony and make sure that your wedding is legal.
Without the celebrant, your wedding is just a great party. The celebrant ensures that your party is actually a wedding.
SO, how do you budget for your celebrant? First, you need to select your celebrant, and do that based on which one feels right for you, not based on their cost. And make sure that you book the date with them, and pay your deposit.
Then, you can work out the best way to budget for the celebrant, in the same way you would budget for your cake, your reception, the photographer, the hairdresser.
Some celebrants will happily work with you to organise a “lay by” scheme, whilst others have a scheduled three payment option. Talk with your celebrant about the best options for both of you.
Having your perfect celebrant perform your perfect wedding ceremony is something that you will remember for the rest of your life.
With your perfect celebrant you can create magic on your wedding day and you can find your perfect celebrant in the TCN directory by clicking here.
READ MORE about Civil Celebrants by clicking here.
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Mar
20
Firstly we would like to offer a massive thank you to the committee members for 2015-2016 for your participation, your enthusiasm and your dedication.
Some of the highlights from the past year include:
* The participation in the Mardi Gras Fair Day, which enhanced our standing in not only the LGBTI community, but the community at large, showing that TCN stands for equal and human rights for all people.
* The creation of our brand new and improved website - more user friendly and easier to navigate, while still housing all the resources, articles, directories and forums that you could ever need.
* Our wonderful two day conference at the Novotel in Darling Harbour Sydney where our members met with old and new friends, heard some fabulous inspiring speakers and completed their annual professional development obligations.
TCN is a national organisation that primarily communicates online, so it is possible for everyone to join in and participate in discussions and projects no matter where you are in Australia. We are also continuing to build up a strong presence on social media with pages on Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin and Instagram
Our TCN Committee is a group of volunteers committed to supporting our members as well as strengthening the professionalism and expertise of all civil celebrants through our active involvement in the peak body, CoCA.
TCN members elect a new committee each year at the AGM in March, and we are very happy to welcome our new Committee for 2016-2017.
We very much look forward to a year of community, harmony, OPD days and special projects throughout the year.
All celebrants and non-celebrant Affiliates are welcome to join TCN - Visit our webpage and see the fabulous resources and benefits we offer our Members.
Mar
13
How did you mark International Women's Day this year?
Every year on the 8th March women all over the world are celebrated.
In some countries it is observed as a national holiday; in some cultures it is tradition for the men to buy chocolates and flowers for all the female members of his family; in some countries there is no fan fare and women and girls are still suffering abuse and treated as second class citizens with no change in sight.
So there is still much more work to be done!
We, at TCN are all about the celebrations in life; and we are all for equality and human rights for everybody.
We want to fight against child and forced marriages.
We want to put an end to senseless violence against women.
We want to Celebrate the fabulous woman in our history, in our lives today and those who will succeed and prosper in the future.
Celebrating Women
Here are some ways you can celebrate the women you know this month (and every month - why stop there?)
Note: These tips are not just for men - women should be celebrating other women as well.
1. Tell your mother how precious she is to you and let her know you are thankful for everything she has done in her life
2. Show your sister that she is a very important person in your life
3. Encourage your daughter to be anything that she wants to be and let her know that her gender should never be a barrier
4. Visit your Grand Mother and use the annual Mothers Day to engage a celebrant for a special ceremony for all the mothers in your family
5. Start a support network for your girlfriends or women in your neighbourhood - it's nice to know you always have a backup person
These are all very simple and easy things to do, so if you want to stretch yourself further a field......
6. Volunteer at or donate to a women's refuge
7. Donate money or your time to women's charities
8. Be the voice in your company or organisation who stands up for those women not being paid or treated fairly
9. Join groups, sign petitions and be a part of the change that finally stops underaged girls and women being forced into marriages
10. Think about your views on the importance of women in our society and help to educate others.
Why not add a ceremony to the celebration of the women in your life?
Contact a TCN celebrant to find out how
Read more about all the ways celebrants can assist you in celebrating life
Feb
14
Presenting.....
The Celebrants Network Inc
"OPD Days with a Difference"
in partnership with International College of Celebrancy
All Celebrants Welcome
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TCN are holding 6 full day (8.45am - 5.00pm) Professional Development days in various locations around the country this year.
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The compulsory and elective topics for each session will be presented by:
Experienced celebrant and coordinator of the International College of Celebrancy's OPD Program
Yvonne Werner
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TCN has chosen this elective topic:
How Ceremony Promotes Health and Well Being
as this expresses TCN’s vision of civil celebrants' roles
and
in addition, TCN will present a session on:
How TCN can enhance your professional celebrancy practice
How Ceremony Promotes Health and Well Being
as this expresses TCN’s vision of civil celebrants' roles
and
in addition, TCN will present a session on:
How TCN can enhance your professional celebrancy practice
Each day will be fantastic and will build upon the importance of our roles as celebrants in our communities as well as exploring how you can use your TCN Membership to market yourself and the Civil Celebration Network.
What a great way to meet up with some of your fellow TCN members as well as some of the hard working members of the committee.
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Just to make things easier for you...
You can choose to pay your OPD fees in three installments.....
click HERE for part payments.
TCN is keen to make sure that OPD is not just another 'tick in the box' but a really valuable part of the services TCN offer to support it's members.
Nov
21
How are you going to celebrate your new baby and welcome her or him into your family and community? For some couples the answer is easy - baby will be welcomed into their Church family, probably with the same ceremony that was used for the parents years before, and there will often be a family party to celebrate the occasion.
There is an alternative available for couples who prefer not to have a religious ceremony - a Naming or Name-giving ceremony conducted by a Civil Celebrant. This personalised ceremony can be held in any location the parents choose - a park or garden, in a home, at a hall or restaurant - wherever suits your plans. Baby can be welcomed in to the family or the wider friendship group in a beautiful ceremony that reflects the beliefs and wishes of the parents. If you want to you can include some religious content such as a prayer or blessing. Older siblings can participate in various ways, the parents might choose friends or family members to be mentors/guardians/guide parents/godparents to the baby. Music and poetry or stories will probably be included.
There are more ideas here
Celebrants from the The Celebrants Network can help you by creating and delivering a beautiful and memorable ceremony to welcome your baby into the world.
Dec
10
As Christmas approaches, my heart goes out to the countless number of bereaved parents who maybe facing their first, second, third, 20th or even 50th Christmas without their precious child.
Some will have died as babies, children, teenagers or adults, their age is irrelevant, just as how long ago it was. Some would have died through illness, car accidents or may have even made a decision to take their own life. Whatever the reason or cause the result is the same, their parents face Christmas without them.
Those who have not had this experience are probably thinking, “30 years ago? You’re holding onto the past, you should be over it by now”. But the truth is, just as in life, your child is yours for all time, whether they are alive or not – they are still a part of the family you love.
Dec
13
From Rebecca Skinner
Celebrants & Celebrations Network Australia Celebrant Member
www.celebratinglifeschapters.com
Animals provide companionship, acceptance, emotional support and unconditional love.
They become part of our family, a much loved friend, and a large part of our lives. So when they’re no longer with us, it’s quite normal to feel an intense sorrow and the pain of loss and separation.
A memorial service embraces the grieving process, acknowledges a special relationship with a pet and offers comfort to those that have loved and lost. It is also a chance to celebrate their life and to remember all the happy times together. Anatole France, a French poet, journalist, and novelist famously remarked: “Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened.”
Nov
22
Have you ever thought of giving a loved one a ceremony as a gift? Perhaps this sounds a bit strange but think about it a bit more. How many people recognise this scenario:
Your sister from interstate rings - "It's Mum's 80th birthday in 3 months time - what are we going to do about it?" You talk a little more and decide that it would be a good time to get the family together and have a bit of a party to celebrate. So the message goes out - the family are all primed to be at Mum's favourite restaurant where you have booked a private room for lunch on the big day. A few of Mum's close friends are let in on the secret and invited and the plan is underway.
The next phone call is almost inevitable - "what shall we get Nan for a present? - it should be something special for her 80th" So you talk to a friend who happens to be a Celebrant. And this is what you come up with:
Let the celebration be the gift
Suggest to all attending that the very best gift for Mum will be the company and love of her family and friends. Agree that each will make a contribution to that gift by being a participant in the day. Engage a Civil Celebrant to coordinate the arrangements and conduct a short ceremony before the lunch. Decide to share the cost of the meal and Celebrant in whatever way is fair for your family and circumstances.
Your Celebrant will put a lot of work into the day as Coordinator and Presenter. She will work with you to design your ideal ceremony. Her suggestions might include - Let the children and grandchildren nominate a role they will take on the day - to sing, play, read a poem, make a DVD from Mum's photos, compile a CD of songs from different eras of your Mum's life, present flowers, make a speech, bake a cake, escort Nan to the venue and so on. Your celebrant will weave these contributions into a ceremony. She may invite everyone who is attending to write a letter or card that shares some special memory they have of your Mum and compile these into a gift book. She will probably record the highlights of Mum's life There are many possibilities and you will be able to discuss these and decide what suits your needs.
By the time the big day arrives you and your family will have created a unique gift for a special person.
To find a The Celebrants Network Celebrant to help you plan or to get more information and ideas for a special celebration have a look at our website