Thursday, April 4, 2013

The ceremony


Choosing a celebrant for your wedding may not be as straightforward as you once imagined; there is actually a lot to consider in terms of legalities and paperwork formalities.
During the past months, the Australian government has been working very hard to change some aspects round the celebrant's status, responsibilities and legal standing. If you are planning a wedding, it is vital that you visit their web page and read about all the changes and proposed changes as it will affect you.

Pay particular attention to the one month notice period policy. In Australia you need to give one calendar month notice to a celebrant about your marriage. The new law changed the day count by re calculating the thirty day notice. Have a look and be sure to discuss it with your celebrant way in advance of the month notice period so that you know when to give your notice.

Keep in mind that celebrants deliver a vital service as they act as legal officers and apart from the service, they also help you fill in and sign very important legal papers. Where there are legal documents involved, it is advisable that you remove those 'in love spectacles' and read all documents you are going to sign at least twice. Once you sign those wedding documents, they become a legal contract between you and your partner and to change it will cost you time and money.

Points to look out for on the paperwork include the correct spelling of all names and that the correct addresses are listed. Weddings do bring about quite a few changes and sometimes it is difficult to put down an address, so use the address where you live permanently on the day of your wedding. Also keep a tight eye on birth dates.

Some couples have quite a lot of paperwork to complete prior to a wedding as they deal with complex arrangements that deal with possessions before the marriage, first wife, children and other complicating factors. Best thing to do is to get your lawyers to set up a meeting and get all of this sorted at once. Do it long before the wedding to avoid any emotional problems that may arise.

If you do run into emotional objections to paperwork and legal matters, you need to sort them out to the satisfaction of both parties. This is one of those nigglers that sit in the back of the minds of people and come out when you least expect it, so deal with it now.

Brides that want to marry non Australian citizens will be glad to hear that the celebrants and government are working at present to see what can be done to make this process less stressful. If this affects you, have your say and read what was proposed during March 2012. The government website has all the information you will need to make the best choices, so do consult it regularly in the build-up to your wedding.

The engagement party


Not all marriages start with and engagement party and considering the immense cost of the wedding, and the effort of organising a party, many people think this through carefully. So should you have one?

pros:

  • A way of announcing your engagement to your friends and family in a fun way
  • If you are budget restricted, the engagement party is an opportunity to invite people who you would not invite to the wedding reception
  • If you are planning a destination wedding, the engagement party may be the only opportunity for your friends to celebrate with you.

cons

  • You will have to get organised with your guest lists
  • There is a lot of work and expense involved in the organisation of the party
  • Depending on the length of the engagement, it may be awkward to have an engagement party close to the wedding

when should you hold your engagement party?

This depends mainly on two things; the date of the wedding and the seasonal opportunity. Some people have their party within one to two months of the announcement of their engagement; others who are having a more formal engagement party may leave it for much later. Usually, there is at least 6 months between the engagement party and the wedding

what sort of event should it be?

There are no rules or norms for engagement parties. It can be as formal or informal as you choose, and at any time of the day.

who should you invite?

The engagement party is a great opportunity for members of the bride and groom’s respective families to meet and get to know each other. Don’t leave anyone who you intend to invite to the wedding, off the list, but you can invite people to theengagement party that won’t be invited to the wedding. Apart from family, often there are work and sport colleagues that you may want to invite.

should we send out invitations?

Obviously the guests will need to be invited one way or another. If you are organised enough, you could includeengagement party invitations with your stationery order and save a few dollars and be consistent with the other wedding events. Some people use email invitations and rsvp’s and others make telephonic invitations.

what about gifts?

For the guests, this is always an awkward question. Some will feel obligated to bring a gift, others who perhaps expect to be invited to the wedding, may decide to give a gift at the wedding. You have some options. You can specify on the invitation “No gifts please”. If you don’t do this, you can set up your registry early with some moderate gifts so guests thinking of buying a gift won’t feel too much pressure.

Insider's honeymoon checklist


Before you go on your honeymoon to that tropical island getaway, pay a quick visit to your pharmacy. You will need to shop very carefully to get all the things you will need. Brides that will fly to their honeymoon destination have quite a struggle with airline limitations, so let’s have a look at your shopping list.

a few pointers and ideas:

  1. You will be restricted when flying to 100ml of any product and in total to one litre of product. This sounds like a lot, but when you combine all that you need to take with you, you will quickly see that you need to leave essentials at home.
  2. Buy combination products to take with you like shampoo and conditioner in one and body cream with 30+ sun screen already mixed in. This way you save two bottles.
  3. Most shops have 'ready to fly' product lines especially packed to pass inspection. You can buy these with confidence or simply decant some of your normal product into 100ml clear plastic bottles. That way you know and trust what you have with you.
  4. Liquid soap and hand cleaners are essential when travelling so find a product that you simply rub on your hands. You will find that you need a few drops, so a 100ml will get you far.
  5. Make up combination packs are fantastic and if you can do your base, lips and eyes from one compact you are styling. Take with it your best brush and you are set.
  6. Any chronic medication you may be on must be accompanied by a prescription from your doctor. This include birth control pills. Some countries will not allow certain medicines in and you may be left without it. Also make sure you have at least a thirty day supply with you.
  7. Pain tablets should be left in their original package. Always bring something for headaches that you know works well as in foreign countries you may end up struggling to find medication.
  8. Intimate products are essential as well. You may end up with a rash or irritation from a lot of sex and left untreated you will suffer pain and distress. Talk to your pharmacist – they know from experience what you need and will send you off with the best prevention and cure for that nasty honeymoon rash.
  9. Lubrication is your responsibility as well. To save yourself some space, this is one of those items your groom gets to carry in his bathroom bag. You choose it though before he arrives with some exotic product loaded with perfume.
  10. Talking about that bathroom bag – for quick inspection at airports, these must be resealable and clear.
Have fun on your honeymoon and relax, you packed everything you know you may need.

Interfaith marriages


In today’s multicultural society it is becoming increasingly common for couples from different religions to get married. The faith and religious beliefs shared by the engaged couple is likely to be the biggest factor in determining what kind of wedding it will be. Incorporating the two different faiths may seem daunting at first, but here are a few ideas that may help relieve some of the stress.

establish clear communication with your partner

It is important that both you and your fiancé discuss how many and what religious traditions, if any, will be incorporated in the ceremony. Be clear on what you both feel comfortable and uncomfortable with and understand that compromises will need to be made.

involve both families

It is likely that the most opinionated views and disappointments will come from family members, particular parents and older family members who may not like the idea that you are straying away from tradition. Perhaps it may be practical to use a celebrant for each faith or even two weddings to make everyone feel included. However if this is not possible the most sensible way to help them understand your decision is to include and involve both families in the planning process. Be firm about what you want and don’t want, but again be willing to compromise and be flexible.

consider your guests

When combining two faiths in a wedding ceremony it would be naïve to expect the guests to follow and understand the rituals that may take place. It is possible that some of your guests may not have attended a ritual outside of their own faith. It is therefore a good idea to create a program for them that explains why certain rituals take place and the significance and meaning behind them.

combine both faiths

If you both want to incorporate both rituals into your ceremony, combine readings and music from both religions. You might also want to have 2 officiants present, one for each religion.

a universal wedding on neutral ground

Alternatively you may choose a wedding that is not based on any religious ground. Have reading and music that is not religious. Ask the celebrant to use inclusive language and not terms that are specific to any certain religion. Instead have the celebrant focus on universal themes and the marital themes of love and unity.

It may also be a good idea to avoid having the ceremony in a place of worship unless it is very important for either the bride or groom.

The first dance songs


Your First Dance should be one of the many beautiful memories of your wedding day. By preparing in advance you will be able to relax and have fun with each other, enjoying your moment.
Bride Online is pleased to offer you some suggestions for the First Dance on your wedding day.
SONG TITLEARTIST
A Whole New WorldSoundtrack "Aladdin"
Against All OddsPhil Collins
All I ask of YouMichael Crawford
Always and ForeverLuther Vandross
All The WayFrank Sinatra
AlwaysSarah Vaughan/Billy Eckstine
Beautiful in My EyesJoshua Kadison
Because You Loved MeCeline Dion
Can You Feel The Love TonightElton John (Lion King)
Can't Help Falling in LoveElvis Presley
Chances AreJohnny Mathis
CrazyPatsy Cline
Don't Know MuchLinda Ronstadt/Aaron Neville
Endless LoveLuther Vandross & Mariah Carey
Every Woman In The WorldAir Supply
Everything I DoBryan Adams
For Once In My LifeThe Four Tops
Glory of LovePeter Cetera
Groovy Kind Of LovePhil Collins
Grow Old With MeMary Chapin Carpenter
Have I Told You LatelyVan Morrison
HeavenBryan Adams
Here and NowLuther Vandross
Here We AreGloria Estefan
HeroMariah Carey
I Believe in You and MeThe Four Tops
I Got You BabeSonny and Cher
I SwearAll 4 One
I Finally Found SomeoneBarbara Streisand/Bryan Adams
I Was Made To Love HerStevie Wonder
I Will Always Love YouWhitney Houston
It Had To Be YouHarry Connick, Jr.
Just The Way You AreBilly Joel
Love Will Keep Us AliveEagles
More Than WordsExtreme
My GirlTemptations
Never Gonna Let You GoSergio Mendes
Nothing's Gonna Change My Love For YouGlenn Medeiros
Now And ForeverRichard Marx
Nothing's Gonna Stop Us NowStarship
On Bended KneeBoys II Men
Only YouThe Platters
Power Of LoveCeline Dion
Take My Breath AwayBerlin
To Be With YouMr. Big
Tonight I Celebrate My LovePeabo Bryson/Roberta Flack
Unchained MelodyRighteous Brothers
UnforgettableNat King Cole
We've Only Just BegunCarpenters
When A Man Loves A WomanPercy Sledge
When I Fall In LoveNat King Cole
Wind Beneath My WingsBette Midler
You Are So BeautifulJoe Cocker
You Are The Sunshine Of My LifeStevie Wonder

Royal wedding: William and Kate wed

Prince William and Kate Middleton have been pronounced husband and wife at Westminister Abbey in London. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, as they will now be known, made their vows in front of 1,900 guests and the eyes of the world.

All eyes were on the bride as she made her way towards the abbey. She showed few signs of nerves, smiling and waving at the crowds from her limousine and sat next to her father, Michael. The bride opted for a simple creation by Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen with lace sleeves, a swagged train and a fine veil of chantilly lace. According to Buckingham Palace the dress "epitomises timeless British craftsmanship by drawing together talented and skilled workmanship from across the United Kingdom".

Flanked by her sister and maid of honour, Pippa Middleton, who was wearing a long, cream silk gown, the bride was also accompanied by young bridesmaids Eliza Lopes, Grace van Cutsem, Louise Mountbatten-Windsor, and Margarita Armstrong-Jones, and pageboys Tom Pettifer and William Lowther-Pinkerton.

Prince William stood next to his brother, Prince Harry, and as his girlfriend of 10 years joined him at the altar the heir to the throne broke into a smile. Kate's mother, Carole Middleton, wearing a fitted blue-grey Catherine Walker outfit, looked on with pride.

The wedding ceremony passed without hitch, with the only moment of tension provided as Prince William struggled to put the ring, fashioned from Welsh gold given to Prince William by the Queen, on his bride's finger.

After the vows Rowan Williams, the archbishop of Canterbury, declared: "I pronounce that they be man and wife together, in the name of the father, and of the son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen."

In a prayer, written by the couple for the occasion, they said: "God our father, we thank you for our families; for the love that we share and for the joy of our marriage."

As the couple left Westminster Abbey the crowds, some of whom had been camping for days for the moment, erupted into a fresh wave of cheers as they climbed into state landau carriages for the horse-drawn procession to Buckingham Palace. The married couple waved at crowds as they passed the crowds via Parliament Square, Whitehall, Horse Guards and the Mall. Despite fears of thundery showers, threatening grey skies produced no rain.

The couple joined the Queen who is giving a lunchtime reception at Buckingham Palace for 650 guests, described by the palace as "a private gathering for guests drawn from the congregation who will represent the couple's official and private lives".

At just before 1.30pm William and Kate kissed for the first time in public on the balcony of Buckingham Palace. The fleeting embrace sent the already ecstatic crowds wild, and was repeated during a flypast.

After more than five minutes of waving to the crowds, the couple walked hand in hand back through the doors of the palace. Earlier, stepping on to the balcony, Kate appeared to gasp "Oh my" as the royal couple saw the thousands of well-wishers lining the Mall before being joined by members of their family.

The Prince of Wales will give a private dinner, followed by dancing, for close friends and family.