Wedding Celebrant for Bundaberg, Bargara, Childers, Elliott and Burnett Heads, Woodgate & Gayndah.

The use of rituals in wedding ceremonies may add a new dimension to your ceremony and provide a lasting memory for the bride and groom and all those attending the ceremony.

There many types of suitable rituals all aimed at enhancing your special day, bonding families and couples together. 

There is much conjecture about where the Sand Ceremony originated and dated from. Some believe it is a twentieth century phenomenon, while others claim it has been around for hundreds and perhaps even thousands of years.

Its probable that the exact origins of the sand ceremony will never be known, however history shows us how universal its symbolism is to the human spirit.

The concept of mixing different colours of sand to keep as a momento of the ceremony is found in cultures all over the world including Tibet, England, Japan and Aboriginal Australia, with the common denominator reflecting the bonding of life.

The coloured sand is housed in glass containers separately which in itself is significant since glass is made of sand. The 'sands of time' are melted together to form a vessel and are a reminder to the couple of their eternal love.

The contemporary wedding sand ceremony usually takes place just after the couple have been pronounced husband and wife and represents their first task together as a married couple.

An example of a simple sand ceremony

1. A clear glass vial or vase is displayed beside or near the ceremony location which is labelled or engraved with the couple's names, initials or wedding date.
2. Smaller glass vials which contain different colours of sand are placed beside the larger empty container. The colours might be chosen to suit the wedding theme colours if any, or to represent special meanings for the couple.
3. The couple and/or family members take turns to pour the sand from their representative vials into the larger receptacle which creates a layered effect.
4. Finally, the couple pour their sands together so that the colours combine and can't be separated which symbolises their unity.
5. The main vial can then be sealed and will make a lovely keepsake of your special day.

Wedding sand ceremonies are perfect for beach weddings where sand from the location can be used and combined with other sand colours.

I often get asked this very question by couples who wish to have a wedding ceremony in a foreign country where only a few friends and family can afford to go and wish to get married here again to share the moment with others.
I had one couple say to me it was ok to marry twice because she saw it on the internet. Unfortunately we can not believe every thing we find on the internet.

Marriage Act 1961 issued by the Australian Government . Guidelines for Marriage Celebrants
Section 9 Foreign Marriages.

LEGAL RECOGNITION OF FOREIGN MARRIAGES IN AUSTRALIA.
Part VA of the Marriage Act deals with the recognition in Australia of marriages entered into outside Australia under foreign laws. In general, if the marriage is recognised as VALID UNDER THE LAW of the country in which it was entered into, at the time when it was entered into, the marriage WILL BE RECOGNISED IN AUSTRALIA as a VALID marriage. This is the case whether or not the marriage involves Australian or non – Australian citizens.

The Marriage Act does not provide for overseas marriages to be registered in Australia. Whether an overseas marriage is recognised as valid in Australia is determined by the Marriage Act.

Wow so much jargon. In simple terms if you marry in Fiji, Thailand, England etc ,you are married under Australian law.
On the Notice of Intended Marriage form ,Question 5 asks Conjugal Status. ( never validly married, divorced, widower.
The above will clarify the rules for the vast majority of people.

Yes there are exceptions to the recognition of foreign marriages. Being valid in Australia.

Its between you and your Wedding Celebrant

Your celebrant should offer an initial no obligation meeting with you both. This meeting allows you and the celebrant to see if your personalities blend, to make sure all parties understand the ceremony concept and the legal obligations and procedures. There should be no pressure to sign anything at this stage. The decision on whether to proceed is yours alone.

Once you have decided, the next meeting will be to discuss your ceremony needs in more detail and to fill out the legal paperwork.

Your wedding celebrant will give you a choice of the various ceremonies he or she offers, which can be tailored to suit your specific desires. It is the celebrant's job to offer ideas after listening to your thoughts. He may have some very good suggestions which you may not have considered, however you should at all times feel that the final decisions are only guided by your wedding celebrant, and not dictated by them.

The happy couple should feel entitled to have unlimited phone, email or in person consultations. Your agreement should include an on-site rehearsal. Depending on your choice of ceremony, this may be an additional charge. The rehearsal is meant to relax the bridal party, by going through the ceremony from start to finish. The processional music is played, giving away, rings exchanged, who stands where. Your celebrant should give you a draft of the ceremony, created between you, prior to the ceremony, for your approval.

If there is anything you are unhappy with, discuss this with your celebrant.

Celebrants are not mind readers and you should feel that all facets of your special day have been covered and understood. Remember - Your Wedding, Your Way.

Your wedding certificate needs to be prepared by a professional calligrapher or laser printed. Your celebrant can supply Appreciation Certificates if required.

Your celebrant should arrive approximately 45mins before the ceremony to set up equipment, but of course he will have explained this in advance and you will have ensured that someone is available to greet him and offer a hand should he need one. Again, you will have discussed this in advance and have been prepared. The celebrant will of course be dressed to suit the formal occasion.

The celebrant should not only arrive early, but should not rush through the ceremony because he has booked another ceremony too close. This is your day and your celebrant has a professional commitment to you both. He or she will be completely familiar with the ceremony script beforehand, and will officiate in a sincere, intelligent and fully audible manner. A good PA system is essential when 10 or more people are present.

Lastly, if your celebrant has performed according to your agreement and has perhaps gone above and beyond your expectations, be sure to express your thanks with a testimonial or a referral.

A civil marriage celebrant is able to offer a greater variety of ceremonies, from a wedding to a renewal of vows or a baby naming ceremony.

You are able to solemise your ceremony in whatever setting you desire.It could be on a beach, on an island, in a botanical garden, a restaurant, hall, or at home in the back yard.

As long as the ceremony is in Australia, the setting is only restricted by your imagination.

 You can choose a male or female celebrant.

 You can meet with your prospective celebrant to ensure he/she is able to meet your expectations.

A celebrant is able to offer many alternatives to the more traditional ceremony such as poems, readings, rituals, your choice of music or musicians can be incorporated into the ceremony.

It is the celebrant's role to offer you ideas, listen to your ideas or plans and then between you choreograph a ceremony you will enjoy, cherish, and remember for life.

I believe every couple should consider using a celebrant when deciding who will marry them.