Wedding Ceremonies
The Ceremony
The Ceremony is important in many ways. Firstly, it provides the opportunity for you both to declare your love & commitment publicly and legally to each other. Secondly, it allows a chance for your family & friends to acknowledge & witness your special unity & pay respects to the promises you both are making. Lastly these time-honoured ceremonies help to guide our emotional, physical and spiritual journey by marking these important milestones in our lives.
Weddings are slightly different to other types of ceremonies in that they have serious legal implication. Only qualified & registered Celebrants can officiate Wedding Ceremonies.
There are certain elements of the Ceremony that are non-negotiable. The following is a basic outline of the elements you may (or may not) wish to consider for your Ceremony.
The items in red are the non-negotiable items that the Australian Government declare must be included for your Marriage to be Solemnised in the eyes of the law.
What's Included?
2022:- Your investment $1,100
2023:- Your investment $1,200
INCLUDES:-
- Your personal “couples” story featured in your special ceremony.
- A beautiful, printed copy of the ceremony for you to keep.
- Your personalized vow printed on special cards for you to keep.
- A memento presentation certificate presented in a complimentary Frame
- A traditional ritual of your choice (all items are included in your investment)
- An excellent wireless & Bluetooth PA system (convenient access for your music!)
- Rehearsal usually the day before.
- All Legal paperwork lodged into BDM.
- The Official Marriage Certificate from the BDM (usually an extra $60) sent to you after your ceremony
- May be a small contribution required for travel outside Sydney Metro (discussed with each couple)
The Typical Wedding Ceremony
As a bit of a guide, here is a standard outline for your typical ceremony. Only the “Montium” and “Legal Vows” are essential for a legal marriage (indicated in red). The other parts are regularly added or modified as you feel suitable for your ceremony.
House Keeping
A good pre-ceremony opportunity to remind guests about mobile phones, any instructions in regard to photos and mobile phones and social media. Also any other important announcements about the days schedule or venue amenities.
Processional
In a more traditional Wedding, this is where the bridesmaids and bride (or partner) enter the ceremony, usually accompanied by music.
Suggested songs:
- “Here comes the Bride” by Wagner, “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran/Beyonce
- “I will always love you” by Whitney Houston
Giving Away
This is where one or both parents or the bride (or partner) can release their ceremonial custody of their child over to their new life partner.
Introduction
The Celebrant will speak about your commitment to one another, what marriage means to you both. Also, usually a little anecdotal accounts of how you both met.
Reading
Couples often use a reading or poem that is special to them. It is a lovely way to include a relative or friend who may not otherwise be in the wedding party.
Monitum (required)
For the marriage to be legal, your Celebrant MUST read the Government issued Monitum.
The Asking
One of the most Traditional elements of a Wedding Ceremony… this is the “I Do” bit!
Legal Vows (required)
These are the words you MUST say in the presence of your witnesses to solemnise your marriage.
Personal Vows
Often couples will choose to write their own vows that more concisely represent their relationship. They are usually spoken before or after the Legal Vows.
The Ring Exchange
The exchange of rings is a classic tradition!
Personal Vows
This is the part where your Celebrant will say “I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss your bride!” This is an important moment of the ceremony - one which seems to delight both the couple and the guests, who are eager to see your first kiss as a married couple.
Signing of the Register (required)
The paperwork must be completed by the married couple, plus two of their chosen witnesses and their Celebrant to finalise their marriage. This is a great time to provide some music, as it often takes 5-10 minutes to finalise everything and get some special photos.
Suggested songs:
- “I’m yours” by Jason Maraz,
- “Somewhere over the rainbow” by Israel Kamakawiwo
- ’ole, “Blue Moon” by The Marcels.)
Rituals
- A sand ceremony is a fabulous way to seal your union, You can choose an amazing type of glass jar, vase or bottle and blessings are poured over you from your guests as you affirm your joining with symbolic sand, which becomes a lifelong memento. There are many different ways of celebrating with a sand ceremony ritual, this can be designed just for the couple or perhaps extended family of children of the couple may also choose to be involved.
- Unity Candle Ceremony - Lighting a Unity Candle during your wedding ceremony is a special way to symbolise your two lives joining together as one. The couple can choose to light one candle together from the individual ones they hold. There are so many different candle shapes and types. They do provide a beautiful “keepsake” for the couple that they can light every anniversary.
Conclusion
The conclusion is just a set of short messages that will help bring everyone is focus back to the task at hand. Any household announcements or instructions about photos or post- ceremony activities would be announced here.
Blessing
A final blessing for the couple as we all wish you the very best for the future.
Presentation
Traditionally a couple would be announced before they leave the venue … “It now gives me great pleasure to announce…Mr & Mrs…(or however you would like to be announced).
Recessional
Often some music is played as the newly-weds exit the space as you walk, dance, stroll down past your excited guests.
Suggested songs:
- “Your Song” by Elton John
- “ Marry you” by Bruno Mars
- “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran.)
Creative & original ceremonies, personally designed to reflect your love & your life's journey
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Thanks to the amazing photographer Thia for supplying some of the photos in this website - check her out on www.talethief.com