Wedding vows to children

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Wedding promises to your children.

Allow me to give you a glimpse of the story of Shireen and Aaron who wed at the beautiful and elegant Spicers Clovely Estate. Their wedding was a very classy occasion.

However it was also clearly a family affair, including promises to the kids.

A family affair

When I met Shireen and Aaron, it was evident that love for their kids was paramount. In fact the kids came with them to their wedding appointment with me; gorgeous kids, with a sweet attitude, and calm demeanour. They played on the veranda daybed while we arranged the wedding ceremony for Aaron and Shireen.

More than wedding vows

This wedding had to be about family as much as it was about two people. Their kids are darlings. It was clear how much love and care they have in their family surroundings. The family unit is the most important part of Aaron and Shireen’s lives. Part of the aim of this wedding was to unite the family in name as well as heart. Designing their wedding ceremony had to include the kids as a really important part of the day.

Of course they were part of the bridal party, as page boy and flower girl. They walked down the aisle hand in hand, dressed to perfection, and stole the show… at least from the photographers point of view. They stole our hearts.

When designing the ceremony, we needed to include something more poignant than appearances as well.

Creating Wedding Vows

In the meeting we discussed the meaning and reasons behind wedding vows. Wedding vows are said from one partner to the other. These wedding vows are often humble and generous promises for future, for commitment and personal endeavour. They reflect an endeavour to strive for a positive outcome no matter what. In the case of Shireen and Aaron, it was clear there were other marriage promises in the air. Their promises to each other seemed to include an unspoken promise to their children.

Vows to children

The more we talked about it, the more it seemed appropriate to make this unspoken promise an outward and public promise. As a symbol of family unity and a commitment to the nurturing of these children, they chose to make a public wedding vow to their son and daughter.

Darlings, we just want you to know that we love you dearly.

Part of this ceremony today is a promise to you,

that we will always love you,

always care for you,

and always be willing to listen and be present for you.

Together we will go forward, united in same name as the “Amour” family.

A family story

Their wedding was truly sublime. A family affair from morning to night.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Thanks to Taylah of Tay and Francis for the stunning images of this wedding at Spicers Clovelly Estate.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

With this ring I thee wed

“With this ring I thee wed…..”

a wedding ring is considered to be a circle with no end, a symbol of the wedding vows.

Many a wedding is not complete without an exchange of wedding rings.

“With this ring I thee wed.”

Do we recall this phrase from old movies? Many a wedding is not complete without an exchange of wedding rings. A ring is not technically part of the legal aspect of a wedding ceremony. However, in my celebrant experience 98% of couples choose to enact this traditional ritual, and place a ring on each other’s fingers. Although, I have had one Bridegroom who chose an earring in his left ear rather than a wedding band on his left hand! And one couple made their rings from woven fibres.

BUT none that I know, have elected for a ring on the nose like the one chosen from the Piggy-wig by The Owl and the Pussycat. You can look up that famous poem.

diamond ring by John Bexon

a circle with no end…

A ring, as we know is a circle with no end, symbolic of a completeness, or a union with no end, a marriage to last forever; the unbroken circle of love between a husband and wife. Worn as a reminder of wedding vows made by one to the other, the wedding band holds great importance to most wedded couples.

It can be said at a wedding, “A circle is the symbol of the sun and the earth and the universe. In these rings it is the symbol of unity, in which your lives are now joined in one unbroken circle. Wherever you go, you will always return to one another and to your togetherness.”

The ring may or may not have enormous resale value but becomes absolutely precious to the wearer, an enduring and valuable symbol of promises made on their wedding day. It takes but a moment to say I love you, it takes a second to place a ring on the finger, but marriage is the promise of forever, and that is why most couples choose a precious metal – gold or platinum, reflective of the preciousness of their rings in their married lives.

ring by Bold in Gold

I know of many women of my mother’s generation who have never taken their rings off. Their husband first placed them on their third finger of the left hand at the marriage altar.

Some modern women may take their ring off now and again whilst doing jobs that may scratch of damage their wedding ring. But always it is a ring that one would wear constantly. Other jewellery may come and go. Some is worn for special occasions. However, the wedding ring endures as a timeless treasure.

So given it is something to cherish for many many years, most couples will take their time to choose the perfect ring. Some even have them custom made.

design by Loretta Bexon

finding the perfect wedding ring…

I’d like to introduce some ideas of where to go to find your perfect wedding ring.

a local jeweller…

Shop local, it is the thing to do. Embrace the idea of the personal touch. Here on the Sunshine Coast we have several fine jewellers who make bespoke products to fulfil your design wishes.

Take in your inherited jewellery and have it remodelled for your own wedding. You could have Great Grandmas rings remodelled in a modern style. Something old, something new? Perhaps you’d prefer order a set of wedding rings to a custom design. Bring your local craftsperson an idea or a picture and they can make it a reality for you. Watch them work your piece for you and bask in the warmth of something made locally AND professionally.

rings by Bexon Jewellers

finding the perfect wedding ring…

A meaningful alternative to mass production, is to have your wedding rings made for you by a local craftsman. These artisans are practising a craft centuries old. They dedicate their lives to a particular craft, and the skills required to keep their craft up to date. In an age where we are often disconnected to how our daily things are made, having your wedding ring designed for you especially is a memorable gift, a lasting reminder of your wedding day. You can even visit your rings and watch their progress.

There are so many wedding venues in and around Montville on the Hinterland Range above the Sunshine Coast. If this area is your dream wedding location, you may like to visit Bold In Gold in Montville, while you’re planning your wedding day.

Bold in Gold offer you the chance to have your wedding rings individually designed and handcrafted by a team of highly skilled designer-goldsmiths. Their designers ensure your finished wedding rings represent your individuality in beautifully finished rings in the materials of your choice.

If you have no firm idea on your wedding rings, don’t be too concerned, you can first view many different designs to get the feel for your likes and dislikes and then use the ideas this generates to design your very own unique wedding rings, even unusual, yet always exquisitely hand-crafted.

The work of Bold in Gold is often different to classic styles, featuring unusual shapes and settings, or a mix of precious metals. Get a matching pair made.

rings by Bold in Gold

Awwwwhhh it makes want to get married again, just to rediscover the joy of choosing my wedding ring.

Check out some local suppliers that I have worked with.

But wait there’s more.

If you want to do something really unusual, you can take it a step further and even make your own Wedding Rings! There are a few artisans who run make your own wedding ring workshops. These come and go, so search in your locality for a specialist jeweller. Now that would be a truly romantic experience, spending a day in a goldsmiths workshop making your rings together.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column]

Now what to say?

Here’s 8 things to say when exchanging wedding rings

Fields of Love

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Fields of love

Congratulations to newly weds, Anna and Jon, wed on a stunning day at the Maroochy Bushland Botanic Gardens. Their wedding was a true love story, simply full of love and care. Anna and Jon chose to wed, almost exactly five years from their first date. Five years and one day to be precise! The photos by Luke Going tell the tale of their wedding day.

Today’s story is about married names. Anna and Jon came up with a new solution to the traditional bride’s change of name…. they considered how much love abounded in their family union; bucket loads, fields in fact… fields of love.

But allow me to first set the scene for a wedding….[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”40160″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]

The Wedding location

The Maroochy Bushland Botanic Gardens are one of the most delightful natural places for a wedding on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland. It’s not quite a set of fields…. However, natural bush is all around, yet there are sculpted gardens for ceremony locations. A glade of stone sculptures is divine for a wedding backdrop. The grassy areas are perfect for a wedding picnic or for wedding photos. During the wedding ceremony there is no traffic or humdrum noise, but simply the sounds of the bush surrounding you. It is an exquisite retreat from life for a special occasion. On a more practical level, there is plenty of car parking, amenities and access to a pavilion for wet weather options.

[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”36113″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]

Focus on Love

A great deal of thought and love and attention to detail goes into every wedding day. Anna and Jon focused on love, as the defining theme around which all the details were designed. It was a joy to witness their attention to the details of how each special guest would feel, and how their role in the day could be made perfect. Every family member was considered, thought was given to each child or friend and what to do to make them feel comfortable with the wedding day and the combining of two people’s lives in marriage. Extra special consideration was given to Jon’s daughter; how to make sure she felt comfortable with the marriage of her Dad to Anna. Standing beside her Dad, she was proud to be the official “groomsmaid”. Bless these two for their deep thought and care for others on their wedding day.

Weddings are often about more than two people; bringing two or more families together, a community of friends and a wider circle of acquaintances and colleagues. The way these two negotiated the path towards their wedding day was a delight to behold. For example, hanging in the trees, a string of bunting created from photos of loved ones who could not be there. Consider the role of a daughter, the groomsmaid, who strolled with the gals, then stood by her Dad’s side.

Fields of love

It is a western tradition for a bride to celebrate her marriage, by taking a new name, the surname of her husband. And the law gives modern brides a few options for how she can negotiate this tradition. Ask me how.

In fact, it is a tradition of many cultures to celebrate many of life’s milestones with a new name, not just in marriage.

On their wedding day both Anna and Jon, chose to celebrate their union by both taking a new surname, in a kind of acknowledgement of equality and indeed in celebration of a new beginning together, and a new future to plan.

The name they chose? Fields; fields of love, fields of natural beauty, fields of possibilities stretching out before them. Congratulations Mr and Mrs Fields, you are a great example to us all.

As a marriage celebrant I can guide you through the minefield of name changes and give you the options… plus an extra something to make it even easier. To follow in Anna and Jon’s footsteps, there is an easy way, if you organise for it early in the wedding planning. Ask me how.

And they said:

Thank you Kari, for the most beautiful ceremony! You were there for us every step of the way – providing guidance with a warmth, depth and spirituality that fit with us perfectly. We could not have asked for more … Jon & Anna Fields xo

Thank you to photographer Luke Going for the story in pictures. He manages to capture the details of the wedding story, in a natural non intrusive fashion.

Here is a glimpse:

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Wedding Garden Games

Garden games for after the Wedding ceremony

So the ceremony is complete, you are feeling radiant, on a cloud of joy. How did it go so quickly? Now the photographer wants to whisk you and the bridal party away for a photo shoot.

Meanwhile your guests are wandering, mingling and perhaps looking for a little something to do. As a celebrant I often get to see the post ceremony fun organised by a thoughtful couple, and have had the chance to take a few snaps in order to inspire you today.

So, you’ve made your guests comfortable with hats, shade, and other little delights to amuse.

Consider wedding garden games to get the party laughing.

Garden games are such fun during the post wedding ceremony time. Not competitive, fun, yet can be played with a glass in one hand, and a ready giggle when someone misses the mark. A game of two while sipping a cocktail is very relaxing, and makes for some great candid photographs. Wedding games using the giant game sets are perfect for a garden wedding.

With vintage themes still a great way to DIY your wedding decor, then vintage games are de rigueur. Try some of these for the wedding guests on your wedding day:

Quoits

A stick and a hand full of rope rings is all you need. Beer in one hand ring in the other, the game gets more fun as the beer lowers. Some people think that the game originated from tossing horse shoes.

Croquet

The red queen may have used upended flamingos as her croquet mallet, but wooden ones are more the go these days! Originating in France and brought to England as Paille Maille (the latin words for ball & mallet), and possibly played as early as the 1600’s, croquet is not just the dominion of the Queen of Hearts in Alice in Wonderland. A vintage set of mallets hoops and balls is available at several wedding venues these days, especially the French inspired Clovelly Estate, and the vintage farm Kenilworth Homestead.

Giant Jenga

Now here’s one the crafty family member can whip up. Simply cut equal lengths of pine framing boards. Stack them up on the grass. Then each player has to extract one block and place it on top without upsetting the whole stack. After a while the entire stack is teetering and one person has to be responsible for tumbling the lot over….to many cheers from onlookers.

Badminton

An oldie but goodie, badminton can look lovely in your garden wedding. Take two tent poles and peg them out. String a set of bunting flags between the poles for your “net”. Cute!

Skittles/ Kubb /Finska

Another ball and tumbling game. Who can bowl the skittles over on grass?

And for games hire… contact the lovely Nathan at Sunshine Coast Games Hire for a no fuss delivery option.

Photobooth

And finally, you could make your own Photobooth. Provide a basket of silly costume pieces, hats, glasses and a picture frame. Set up a camera on a tripod. Guests take turns in photographing each other. They won’t want to leave for the reception!!! And you will have a camera full of great memories of your guests, and an insight into what they got up to in your absence!!!

Hope there’s something there to inspire your post ceremony wedding fun and games.

See you at a wedding soon. xx Kari – the celebrant.

Flaxton Gardens wedding

A Flaxton Gardens Wedding

This is the story of a fun wedding at Flaxton Gardens, dedicated wedding and events venue on the Sunshine Coast Hinterland.

Gosh I loved the spirit of this couple. We laughed. They danced. We high fived. Bec and Mitch had the most fun they could at their wedding. So, congratulations to Bec and Mitch on their stunning Flaxton Gardens Wedding. It was a picture perfect day with celebrant – Kari.

How did their wedding begin?

Of course it began a long time ago. These two were set up by a friend who, after spending weeks trying to convince Bec to meet him, decided the only way it was going to happen was by tricking her into it. Mitch on the other hand took no convincing, as he knew she was blond and that was all he needed to know!

After spending just one evening together, where they both brought out their competitive sides; playing pool and discussing the merits of the “bunny suicides”, they were both smitten.

I loved working with these two. They simply have fun together… all of the time. Best friends and companions in many, many ways. Mitch says, “Iggy has been my whole world for over 7 years.” Bec adores that they have the same sense of humour, and make each other laugh so much.

A large wedding in the garden

Flaxton Gardens is a stunning venue for a large gathering in beautiful gardens with the most amazing view of the Sunshine Coastline. And now that restrictions have lifted, large weddings are on again. Hoorah!

Fun ceremony

When planning their ceremony we decided that it was about fun. A bit of jiving down the aisle, a few high Fives, lots of laughs and not too serious. But loads of love and friendship. And who says only the bride gets to walk down the aisle?

Modern day couples are all about equality in their relationships, so why not reflect that in a marriage ceremony too. We discussed how we could even things up and make the ceremony all about two people, and fun of course. Mitch chose a theme song for the boys, so Mitch and his three groomsmen, Gab, Liam and Dylan had their moment in the limelight before the girls arrived. We admired the view while Bec arrived in the car, and readied herself for the big arrival.

Arrival of the Bride

Before we glimpsed Bec coming out from the magnificent winery building doors, the girls had their moments before Kasia and Tiana walked down the aisle. Then she arrived on the arms of Dad. It was hard to stop the tears of joy.