Crafting Your Perfect Wedding Ceremony – Part 1

Crafting Your Perfect Wedding Ceremony – Part 1

Welcome to Your Wedding Journey

This post is the introduction to a series of posts designed as a compendium to help us plan out your wedding or elopement ceremony.  I believe the process is a collaboration.  We walk side by side in planning and preparing your ceremony.  My aim is to do the hard work, and listen to your plans, dreams and notions… teasing out your ideas into a reality.

Embracing Tradition and Individuality

Your wedding ceremony is a reflection of your unique love story. Whether you’re drawn to timeless traditions or seeking a more contemporary approach, the choice is yours. Let’s explore the myriad of possibilities and create a ceremony that honours your values, beliefs, and personalities as a couple.

I am committed to not only the idea of marriage but the qualities that legalising such a union in a public manner can contribute to a couples’ commitment to each other.  I believe in the determination to maintain the marriage as a quality relationship for both of you, for families and for your wider community.  I recognise the value of marriage on a societal level, in maintaining stability within a community and extending family connections beyond a nuclear family to extended families.  Marriage brings two extended families together, and encourages connections beyond the individual. 

For some people an elegantly simple ceremony is the only type that will do.  For others something much more laid back and casual, a little more modern.

You may like to include a myriad of other traditions or rituals from family heritage, culture or even invent their own. Or you may like to hark back to bygone times with a Pagan Ceremony, a Hand Fasting Ritual or a Medieval Ceremony. 

Crafting Your Love Story

Every love story is special, and yours deserves to be celebrated in a way that’s meaningful to you. As your wedding celebrant, I specialise in crafting individual ceremonies that capture the essence of your relationship. Together, we’ll weave together the moments, memories, and milestones that have brought you to this joyous occasion.  I offer to retell your love story as a light hearted addition to your ceremony.

Embracing the Beauty of the Sunshine Coast

On the stunning Sunshine Coast, your wedding ceremony is set against a backdrop of natural beauty and coastal charm. Whether you’re exchanging vows on a secluded beach, in a lush rainforest, or at a picturesque vineyard, the possibilities are endless. Let’s explore the unique venues and settings that make your wedding day truly unforgettable.

Your Stress-Free Wedding Experience

Planning a wedding can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. As your dedicated wedding celebrant, I’m here to alleviate the stress and ensure a seamless experience from start to finish. With my local expertise and network of trusted suppliers, you can relax and enjoy every moment of your special day.

It may help to think of a marriage ceremony as a transition, from your life as a single person to that of a partnership, as part of a married couple.  The Marriage ceremony assists you with this transition; it essentially ritualises your transition.

Get in Touch

Ready to start planning your perfect wedding ceremony on the Sunshine Coast? I specialise in writing individual ceremonies.  I begin with a fresh canvas, to tell your very own love story.  I walk beside you, as together we plan your own ceremony. 

Let’s connect and begin this exciting journey together. Whether you have questions, ideas, or simply want to say hello, I’m here to help make your wedding dreams a reality. 

Go to Part 2 ~ Ceremony Structure
Back to Index

Crafting Your Perfect Wedding Ceremony – Index

Welcome to Your Wedding Journey

Are you ready to embark on the journey of a lifetime? Your wedding day is a celebration of love, commitment, and the continuation of a beautiful partnership. As a wedding celebrant on the Sunshine Coast, I’m here to guide you through every step of the way, from envisioning your dream ceremony to bringing it to life.  I consider it a collaboration.  I do the hard part, and you, the easy part.

This series of posts is designed as a folio of ideas; a compendium to help us plan out your wedding or elopement ceremony.  I am here to assist you in writing and preparing all aspects of your ceremony.  You can read all of it, or dip inot the chapters when necessary. Or read none of it. It’s here as a reference guide.
Together let’s make your ceremony perfect for you.

Index

Crafting Your Perfect Ceremony – Part 1

Wedding Ceremony Structure Demystified- Part 2

Rituals, Traditions & Special Moments – Part  3

Sample Marriage Ceremonies – Part 4

Wedding Vows – Traditional – Part 5a

Wedding Vows – Samples – Part 5b

Exchanging Wedding Rings – Part 6

Changing to Your Married Name – Part 7

Poetry and Prose – Part 8

Marriage Certificates – Part 9

Feedback – Part 10

Go to Part 1 ~ An Introduction
Eco Funerals

Eco Funerals

More and more people have the words Eco Funerals and Eco Burials on their lips.  We have heard of eco cemeteries in England. We have heard of the Natural Death Centre in Byron Bay who champion eco funerals.  And we ask are green funeral solutions available on the Sunshine Coast?  The short answer is yes green funerals are available, eco options are around and natural burials will soon be an option.

Engaging your eco values in a funeral for your loved ones is a continuation of life values.

It begins with a holistic approach to the end of life, and continues into the way we say farewell.  Many options are available to families, to make rituals for the end of life more deeply personal and down to earth, and …. green.

Imagine wrapping your dear one in an eco shroud, or an eco coffin.  Imagine using a family car or horse and cart for transport.  Imagine farewelling your loved one in your own garden, on a beach, in the forest.

Imagine a burial ground near forest, that is allowed to return to nature once the graves are buried.  Imagine visiting the site of your dear one, in a leafy forest, and sitting on real ground amongst bird song and breeze.  A place full of natural life and vigour.

What is possible?

When someone dies, it’s natural to be unsure whether you feel shocked, sad, angry, depressed, relieved, guilty, fearful, or all of these at once.  Coping with these feelings while preparing a farewell can be challenging, especially when you think there is a way it all “has to be done”.  You can do things differently. Do things your family way and truly reflect the life you are commemorating.  Sometimes doing something different and taking charge can help.  Sometimes being able to act according to your or their values helps.
Conventional funeral practices work well for many people but may not provide the scope to be as deeply and personally involved as you may need to be. Fortunately, there are other options available with end of life care.  Most people simply aren’t aware that ceremonies, budgets, caring for the dead or even ways of transportation and burial are not set in stone.

Then when it comes to planning a ritual of farewell, you can be involved at every step of the way. AND you can engage your values.

a celebrant for natural funerals and green funerals

A Green Funeral?

Did you know that:

  • A dying wish can be a chance to leave the legacy of a cleaner environment.
  • Green funerals actually do exist.
  • There are a range of eco options for caskets and coffins
  • In Australia we all have the right to be buried in a shroud, a cardboard coffin, a simple wood box or a kaftan if that’s what we want.
  • You can take charge of many of the aspects of a funeral, and not have to pay a business to do everything for you.
  • How do I find out more about Eco Funeral options?

Contact Kari to find out more

Or

Check out what others say about my celebrant services

How to Choose a Celebrant

How to Choose a Celebrant

How do you choose a marriage celebrant?  With so many around, how do you decide how to choose?

What qualities would you look for in a five star celebrant?

Here is a guide to help you choose your marriage celebrant.

On a scale of 1 to 5 Diamonds, how will your Celebrant rate?

There are no published standards of performance criteria for Celebrants.

However, Dally Messenger, one of Australia’s first celebrants and author of several valuable celebrant texts, wrote the following as a guideline when considering your choice of celebrant:

The No diamond celebrant.

They only have a legal view of marriage. The ceremony is not very important. Ceremonies are very short (2-3 minutes). Talks about the law and the forms they have to fill in. — very cheap. Not worth anything really. You’d have to be desperate to book one of these, but, unfortunately, there are plenty of these around.

The One diamond celebrant.

A little bit more humane. Has been known to smile. Does not give clients a real choice (pretends to). Dismisses rehearsals as unnecessary – “waste of your time and mine”. May have one small verse of poetry in a ceremony. Really loves people who say they want something “short and informal” or who start off by saying – “How much do you charge for a wedding?” Many of these are good salesmen and have enough personality to convince you that being one of six weddings in a weekend is fine. When they arrive late and dash out in a mad hurry once the ceremony is over, you become sorry that you hired a cheapie, but then it is too late. There is only one bite at this cherry.

The Two Diamond Celebrant.

Some of my best friends are two diamond celebrants and in certain suburbs they are very popular. They give people a choice (limited). They give a rehearsal of sorts in their lounge room in a quick sort of way. Often they are full of jokes and reassuring banter. They are reasonably interested in the job, but think in terms of numbers i.e how many marriages can they get through in a weekend. If you are not very interested in your wedding ceremony, they are probably good value.

The Three Diamond Celebrant.

They basically have the same mentality as the Two Diamond but provide a better service because they have a PA System. This means that guests hear all the words of the ceremony – a big plus even if the readers are too fast. Music is given some attention but these celebrants do not consider the music to be their responsibility. But you are given a fair choice of ceremony, and a reasonable amount of attention. This celebrant does two or three each weekend.

The Four Diamond Celebrant.

You are now among the professionals. This person has gained qualifications. They take responsibility for all aspects of the ceremony. You have a full choice of ceremony. You get resources and suggestions. There is a productive dialogue about all aspects of your ceremony. They have the attitude that they don’t know it all, and learn something new every ceremony. The onsite rehearsal (unhurried) is a must. Attention is given to readers and slowing them down and making sure they practise. Liaises with musicians and photographers. Musicians are organised close to the wedding party. If CD music is the go, they make sure that a decent CD player with good sound quality is organised. The personal story and the introductions to the readings are well written and personal. You get the full eleven point standard wedding done well. The celebrant is well equipped with good quality PA system. They are impeccably and appropriately dressed. Would never dream of doing more than two weddings in a weekend – but usually one. They make you feel (and can make you feel) that yours is the most important wedding ever.

The Five Diamond Celebrant.

This is getting hard now. This is about being everything the 4 Diamond status requires. But it is also about being an incurable romantic and loving the job. It is about extra attention to that level of detail, which makes all the difference. It is about the X factor, natural flair, ceremonial skills, sense of humour, sense of dramatic pause. It is about personality AND skill. It’s about beauty in creative writing for speaking, and yes, it is about education – a deep and wide knowledge of what to suggest to you about poetry, music, choreography, ritual and symbolism. Fee? This celebrant is priceless.

A Final note

PS. Some celebrants are good at friendly personality, some are good at marketing, the one you are after may have these qualities – but the one you want should be good at ceremony. A bit like choosing a doctor – the good bedside manner or the one who is expert at diagnosis and operating. It is good if you can find both.

Dally Messenger

International College of Celebrancy

Contact Kari for a 5 diamond celebrant service with care and attention to details, but more importantly for nurturing you towards the best possible ceremony for you.

Dance me to the end of love

Dance me to the end of love

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A Wedding dance like no other

This wedding put a smile on every face, and finished with spontaneous dancing, a special kind of wedding dance in the temple!  It was exhilarating and heartwarming, deep and loving,……….and so much fun!

Congratulations to Tracy and Oliver on your perfect wedding held at Awakening Centre in Maleny, on the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. And a huge thank you to Marion Jonkers Photography for the images.

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Wedding in the temple

It began outside the temple.  Tracy floated down the wooden steps in a sheer and softly falling wedding dress, with her Mum and her Dad, to the sounds of American Indian drumming.

 

Andy and Laurel, the owners of the Awakening Centre, greeted her at the foot of the stairs and the three passed through drummed music, a musical cleansing, on the journey to her groom, Oliver.  He waited patiently with all the guests on the sandstone paving…with an enormous grin on his face.

Bride and Groom had a moment to greet each other.  Celebrant, Kari welcomed the bride’s family reminiscent of village weddings in times gone by.  All the guests were invited to shed their shoes and enter the bright airy temple in the round with huge glass windows onto the rainforest backdrop.

Tracy and Oliver waited outside to enjoy a tiny moment’s space before their ceremony.  Gently the sounds of the crystal singing bowls lifted up, swam around the space and wafted out to call the bride and groom into the temple space.  They floated in on the strains of pure sound.

And thus a wedding ceremony began, in absolute pure happiness.  We did not imagine the wedding dance to come.

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Handfasting vows

Tracy and Oliver chose a handfasting to make their promises to each other. In a modern interpretation of a traditional ritual, we crafted promises into a series of questions.  It was so easy for them to simply respond “I will”.  At the finalé, they added their special messages to each other.  Oliver began, “You are my puzzle, my world, my best friend,”  referring to the pieces of a jigsaw, just like his interlocking puzzle wedding ring.  Tracy, in turn told him, ” You are my life partner, my soul mate, my lover, my best friend. ”

A song for the signing

As the papers were signed, Andy Copeman sang one of the most beautiful love songs I know, written by Ewan MacColl for his future wife Peggy Seeger.  Andy interspersed the verses with a Sufi poem.  It was simply divine

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The first time I ever saw your face

The first time ever I saw your face

I thought the sun rose in your eyes

And the moon and the stars were the gifts you gave

To the dark and the endless skies

 

…….And the first time ever I lay with you

I felt your heart so close to mine

And I knew our joy would fill the earth

And last till the end of time my love

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And a spontaneous wedding dance

At the completion of the ceremony and signing, Andy chimed in with “Lay lay, lay lay…” and Leonard Cohen’s endlessly evocative song, Dance Me to the End of Love.

The guests, on a true high spontaneously joined hands and danced in a circle…to the end of love!

Dance me to your beauty with a burning violin
Dance me through the panic ’til I’m gathered safely in
Lift me like an olive branch and be my homeward dove
Dance me to the end of love
…….
Dance me to the wedding now, dance me on and on
Dance me very tenderly and dance me very long
We’re both of us beneath our love, we’re both of us above
Dance me to the end of love
Dance me to the end of love
Dance me to the children who are asking to be born
Dance me through the curtains that our kisses have outworn
Raise a tent of shelter now, though every thread is torn
Dance me to the end of love

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In their words

This is what Tracy and Oliver said:

“We cannot recommend Kari highly enough. Her beautiful spirit and energy and complete professionalism, together with her attention to detail, made our wedding day perfect. We had a small wedding, and we wanted a ceremony that spoke to who we are, far from traditional. We were not very specific in our first meeting with Kari, we came up with very conceptual ideas and Kari turned them into reality, and made them more beautiful than we could have imagined. Kari is able to read and understand a couple extremely well and is a truly beautiful person, and we cannot thank her enough for her part in making our day stress free and truly magical.” Oliver & Tracy

And then there was drinks on the veranda accompanied by the most original platters of food decorations I have ever seen.  And of course these were made with love by Tracy’s food loving parents.  Yes lots of love was there that day.

So Dance me to the end of love, I say.  Just dance me.

Once again, thank you to Marion Jonkers Photography for the images. And to Andy and Laurel at Awakening Centre.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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