With Celebrant Cara Hodge of Brisbane City Celebrants
Wedding Tips – If you’re newly engaged here’s some things you need to know
Wedding Vows – You don’t need to memorise your vows, yes really! Leave the memorising of wedding vows to the movies!
We suggest asking your Celebrant to print up each of your vows, and have them beautifully presented on vow cards, ready to pass to you during your ceremony
Benefits:
- One less thing to worry about having to remember to bring along on the day
- Your Celebrant can stand to the side out of camera shot while your photographer captures the memorable moments as you read your vows to each other.
Image: Twig and Fawn Photography
I’m petrified at just the thought of saying my own vows? Well the good news is you don’t have to write/ share your own vows if you don’t want to. There is 1 simple sentence that is mandatory to say (e.g. I ask everyone here to witness that I full name take you full name to be my wedded wife/husband)
If the thought of sharing your heartfelt promises, in front of everyone you know is giving you a pang of nerves and anxiety every time you think about it, consider sharing your beautiful words to each other via letter earlier in the day while you are getting ready (your photographer/ videographer will love capturing this moment)
Or if you’re the type that prefers to keep things simple, you could stick with just the simple mandatory wording.
Wedding Time – There was once a time that every wedding took place at 3pm on a Saturday afternoon.
Then couples began to realise that this didn’t always work for them, their guests, and what they envisioned for their day.
Not everyone wants to go from the blissful high of becoming husband and wife, to soon being separated from their nearest and dearest to head off for photos.
So couples are increasingly adopting what is known as the ‘First Look’ idea, where they meet before the wedding and the photographer captures the grooms reaction seeing his bride for the first time, followed by their bridal photo shoot.
This usually involves in a slightly later ceremony time – view our tips on sunset ceremonies, and one of the main benefits to both the couple and the guests is get they get to go from the ceremony, straight in to the celebrations – together!
Sunset Wedding Photo by Leah Cruikshank Photography
We also find couples with young children, often opt for mid-morning ceremonies followed by a lunch time reception.
In summary, don’t be afraid to think outside of tradition and choose a ceremony time that works best for the kind of wedding you have planned.
Signing the marriage documents – Brides, your name doesn’t automatically change when you marry, and thus the marriage certificates must be signed in your maiden name.
Image by Jonas C Photography
Book your honeymoon in your maiden name – I know, this doesn’t feel as romantic as you imagined, but unless you have allowed plenty of time between your wedding and honeymoon, for your marriage to be registered, for your official marriage certificate to be issued, and then for your new passport to be issued, it’s a much safer bet to book your flights in your maiden name.
Airlines won’t allow you on a flight if the name on your passport is different to that on your ticket.
While we’re speaking of honeymoons, some resorts offer newlyweds honeymoon upgrades or inclusions, they occasionally ask for evidence of your marriage to ensure you are a genuine honeymooner. We suggest taking a phone pic or photo copy of your marriage certificate along with you so you don’t miss out.
If you enjoyed hearing these newly engaged wedding ceremony tips and are looking for a Celebrant for your Brisbane wedding, Cara would love to hear from you. Contact Brisbane City Celebrants for more information and to confirm availability for your special day.