1,000+ Answers to your Wedding Questions

        Want to create the wedding of your dreams but don’t know where to start?

Know what you want but you don’t have the expertise to make it happen?

Want a memorable wedding but you’re running out of time to find the information?

Here is the one book that has it all.

Want to know how to select the right wedding date for you? It's here.

Want to know how to select the right venue for you? It's here.

Want to know how to set up your ceremonial site? It's here.

Want to know how to create a memorable ceremony? It's here.

Want to know how to conduct a rehearsal which won't waste your time? It's here.

Thinking small wedding, or a large one?

Beach wedding, or a chapel wedding?

Simple ceremony or a ceremony with your children, family members, friends?

Traditional wedding vows, or the drama of contemporary rituals?

It's all here in this one book.

As an introductory offer, for a short period only, you can have this E-book (PDF format) for only $6.95.

It’s a limited offer.

To order '1,000+ Answers to your Wedding Questions'

simply email me at vlady_celebrant@yahoo.com.au

or

Phone me on (07) 3283 8567

Wedding Ceremony - Gift to a Child

Here's a complete Wedding ceremony I conducted recetly for a couple who wanted to include the giving of a necklace to the bride's child, as part of their wedding vows, lighting a candle in memory of the bride's father, and using the engagement ring as part of the ritual.

Giving away the bride
Celebrant:	Who brings Bride to stand with Groom?
Bride’s Mother:	I do.
Celebrant:	Do you promise, now and always, to support this union?
Bride’s Mother:	I do.
Memorial Candle
Celebrant:	Before we begin this ceremony, Bride would like to have a candle lit in memory of her father by Friend.
	While the candle is being lit. Although we can't see you We know you are here Smiling down, watching over us As we say "I do" Forever in our hearts Forever in our lives And so we say our vows In loving memory of you
Introduction Family and friends of Bride, Groom and Child, we meet here today to share in Bride and Groom's wedding ceremony. We have come here not only to witness their commitment to each other, but also to wish them well and share their joy as they continue their life together. Bride and Groom's decision to publicly exchange vows today confirms their commitment to marriage that has already taken place in their hearts and in their minds. Bride and Groom understand the importance of friendship, family, loyalty and of sharing their lives as equals in a loving partnership. It is in this spirit they stand before us.
Vows to Child
Celebrant:	Groom, in joining your life with Bride, you are accepting the added responsibility for Child, Bride’s daughter. Groom here before Bride and your relatives and friends, do you promise to care for Child,  make for her a home where she can grow in peace and love, and at all times have her best interest at heart?
Groom:	I do.
Wedding Vows Affirmation of Intent
Celebrant:	Groom, do you take Bride, to be your lawfully, wedded wife? Do you promise to love her, comfort her, honour and keep her, in sickness and in health, so long as you both shall live?
Groom:	I do.
Celebrant:	Bride, do you take Groom, to be your lawfully, wedded husband? Do you promise to love him, comfort him, honour and keep him, in sickness and in health, so long as you both shall live?
Bride:	I do.
Exchanging Vows
Groom:	Standing here among our friends, I Groom, take you, Bride , to be my lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forth, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, so long as we both shall live.
Bride :	Standing here among our friends, I Bride, take you, Groom, to be my lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forth, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, so long as we both shall live.
Exchanging Wedding Rings
Celebrant:	This ring is the symbol of the promises you have made to each other. It is the link which forges the present to the future. The promises made today must be lived tomorrow. Let this ring be a constant reminder.
Groom:	I give you this ring as a symbol of the love that binds us together.
Bride:	I give you this ring as a symbol of the love that binds us together.
Gift to the child
Celebrant:	Today not only marks the marriage of Bride and Groom, but is also a formal acknowledgement and blessing of the family bond they are creating with Child, Bride’s daughter.
Bride & Groom:	Child, today, on our wedding day, we give you this necklace to show our commitment to you, and as an outward symbol of the uniting of our family.
Blessing
Celebrant:	We will now hear a wish for the couple, expressed on behalf of us all, by Groom’s friend.
Friend:	May you have enough happiness to keep you sweet, Enough trials to keep you strong, Enough sorrow to keep you human, Enough hope to keep you happy. Enough failure to keep you humble, Enough success to keep you eager, Enough friends to give you comfort, Enough wealth to meet your needs, Enough enthusiasm to look forward, Enough faith to banish depression, Enough determination to make each day better than yesterday.
engagement ring
Celebrant:	Groom, you and Bride pledged your commitment to each other  when you first placed the engagement ring on Bride’s hand. Today, that commitment has become a lifetime promise of your life together. It is, therefore, fitting that the engagement ring which promised your commitment, is now placed next to the wedding ring as a fulfilment of your promise. Groom, please remove the engagement ring from Bride’s right hand and place it on the left hand next to the wedding ring.
Conclusion
Ladies and gentlemen, since Groom and Bride have declared before us all their willingness to live together as husband and wife, and have symbolised their intentions by joining of hands, making of vows and exchanging of rings, by the power vested in me, I now pronounce them husband and wife.
Exchanging a Kiss
Signing of the Register
Since Groom and Bride have vowed to be loyal and loving toward each other, formalising in our presence the existence of the bond between them, we bear witness to the ceremony they have performed…the ceremony that has made them husband and wife. May these two people, now married, keep the promises which they have made. May they be a blessing and a comfort to each other, sharers of each other’s joys, consolers in each other’s sorrows, and helpers to each other in all the problems they may have to face. May they encourage each other in whatever they set out to achieve. May they trusting each other, trust life and not be afraid. Yet may they not only accept and give affection between themselves, but also together have affection and consideration for others.
Introduction of couple as husband & wife
Ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to introduce to you, Groom and Bride, husband and wife.

Two Ceremonies – Twice the Fun

Whether you’re getting married, given birth to a son or daughter, have reached the age of legal maturity, moving into a new house, having a significant birthday or anniversary, there’s a ceremony that makes that moment something special.

Even better, so many people feel, if you can make the moment last by joining two ceremonies together.

For many couples this might include having their wedding or their engagement party followed by a naming ceremony of their new son or daughter.

Those couples, not yet ready for marriage, but looking for a commitment, will follow their commitment ceremony with a blessing of the new house they’ve just bought together or moving into as a couple or a family.

And I’ve just discussed a renewal of wedding vows ceremony which will be joined with a ceremony dedicating the premises of the new business that they’re about to open.

Wedding Rehearsal- 5 Easy Steps

1. Bring to the rehearsal text of the complete wedding ceremony, and any accessories which are part of the ceremony, for example

a)      candles for candle lighting

b)     containers for sand blending ceremony

c)      paper roses for the rose ceremony

d)     glasses for the wine ceremony

e)      cords or ribbons for the handfasting ceremony

2. To begin the rehearsal place the whole bridal party at the ceremonial site as if the ceremony is to begin – this includes the bride and groom, the celebrant, and all the bridal attendants.

3. From that position, acting as if the ceremony has just finished, begin the recessional.

4. Having practiced the recessional several times, practice the wedding march.

5. When you’re happy with both the recessional and the processional, practice the actions of the wedding ceremony itself –

a)      father handing over the bride

b)     couple facing each other to begin their vows

c)      readers walking to and from the speaker’s stand

d)     best man handing over the rings

e)      bride and groom exchanging the rings

f)       using any of the above accessories

g)     walking to and from the signing of the register

h)     bride handing over her bouquet to the bridesmaid, and then having it returned to her towards the end of the ceremony

While the text of the ceremony doesn’t need to be practiced, the celebrant should talk the couple through the various steps.

Memorable Commitment, Unforgettable Wedding

People all over Australia celebrated the end of one year and the beginning of another with parties big and small.

One party, however, had a bit of surprise for the invited guests. No sooner did the clock strike twelve, when another celebration was announced. The host and the hostess had decided to celebrate their togetherness with a commitment ceremony just as the New Year began.

Having exchanged their commitment vows, and with an engagement ring on the lady’s finger, the celebrant was asked to make another announcement.

It was the couple’s wish, that in twelve month’s time, and at the exact venue, the guests would gather again to help them celebrate their wedding day.

Choosing a Wedding Date

Couples choose wedding dates for a variety of different reasons.

It could be a matter of convenience. School holidays makes it easier for school children from former relationships or marriages to attend the wedding.

Then there are sentimental reasons. The date chosen might be the one when the parents of one of the partners exchanged their own wedding vows.

Some dates are those associated with something significant like St. Valentine's Day, last day of the year, first day of the new year, or easily remembered days such as the 11th of the 11th of the 2011.

In different cultures there are also lucky days on which to get married, which could be any day of the week.

Recently I had a couple who chose to be married on a Monday.

No, it's not their lucky day. It just happens that he was born on 11th of February, she was born on the 12th of February, 14th is St. Valentine's Day, so they chose the 13th to keep it symmetrical.

Each year they will have four consecutive days to celebrate both their personal days and their together days.

Wedding Ceremony at Home – 10 Planning Tips

As a wedding venue, the home continues to be a popular option. Whether the wedding ceremony is held in your own  home or in the home of a friend, guests are automatically at ease at a home wedding.

If you’re planning a home wedding, here are some things you might like to consider.

1.      Decide whether this will be an indoor or outdoor wedding.

2.      For an outdoor wedding check the long term weather report.

3.      Have an alternative plan just in case the sunny weather promised doesn’t materialise.

4.      Find a focal point for your wedding party where all the guests can see and hear you.

5.     If you have a verandah your guests could stand there while the wedding party is     arranged in the garden below. Alternatively, arrange your wedding party on the verandah while the guests look up at you.

6.    If you have one, outline the aisle with chairs, carpet, potted plants, sprinkling of petals, seas shells or glitter.

7.    Place the table and two chairs for the signing of the documents where everyone can see them.

8.     If you have pets place them at a friend’s home as even the most placid of animals can become stressed when faced with a houseful of strangers.

9.     Let your neighbours know that your wedding will be taking place and there might be some noise and an influx of cars in the street.

10. Let someone take a video of your ceremony and watch it with your guests while you have your celebratory drinks.

Based on the book Wedding Ceremony Checklist by Vlady Peters