Monday, July 12, 2010 My sister in law, Viv and her husband Jonathan, went to a wedding just north east of Paris the day I arrived. It was the son and his fiance of one of their friends from the theatre. The young couple had opted for a civil ceremony in the Mairie's (Mayor's) office only and then a fabulous reception at one of the wedding venues nearby. Viv said it was great fun with the couple arriving to the reception on the groom's motorbike... there was lots of entertainment and partying late into the night. The French are notorious for their late dinners... the first course didn't arrive until 10pm! Everyone had a great night... check out their fun invite!

Tuesday, July 06, 2010 When I was searching 'celebrants in France' to see how the celebrancy field was faring in this part of the world I came across a simple, yet very elegant and appealing site 'Celebrants in France', a group of four celebrants who have joined together in the south east of the country to form quite a dynamic team. I emailed them to say how much I loved their website and saying that I was in the SW of France.

I received a lovely email back from Colin Ward, one of the celebrants on the team. He wrote, 'The celebrancy market in France (for English speaking couples) is a fairly new idea, and while I was looking at what sort of approach may be suitable in France I did take inspiration from some sites in the US and Australia and in particular yours (and another Australian site).

So thanks to you.

We work with wedding planners and venues for larger weddings but for smaller ceremonies up to ten people we try to offer an affordable and simple package. We also offer bi-lingual (English/French) ceremonies which are always a challenge.'

It is a small world after all!

I don't think my French is good enough for a bi-lingual ceremony yet!! I did go out shopping today on my own and managed to convey my needs in the phone shop and also the grocery store... ie i came back with exactly what i wanted!!

Wednesday, June 30, 2010 Getting married in France is a different legal process from how we do it in Australia. Every couple must contact their local mayor's office and organise to register their wedding with the government office first. Then, if  the couple wish, they can then proceed to have a church wedding or a civil ceremony. As we were walking through the beautiful alpine town of Sallanche on Saturday we saw a large wedding taking place at the Mairie's office.

There is more bureaucracy to manage over here than in Australia... all couples are required to have the necessary birth certificates (and divorce or death certificates if necessary) but they also need a pre-nuptal medical certificate, a certifice of law (I couldn't quite determine what that was for) and also a certificate of capacity to marry.

The few websites which I read about getting married here in France all concur that is quite difficult for couples who are not French nationals to get married legally here. They highly recommended that overseas couples have a registry wedding in their country of origin and then have the 'wedding' (even though it is not a legal ceremony) over here. The possible venues are absolutely stunning... check out this site, Go Marry in France, if you are interested!

I took this photo from just down the street where the wedding was happening at the Mayor's office in Sallanche ... a great view of Mont Blanc ... a spectacular backdrop for the wedding photos. In truth, any direction had great views!

Tuesday, June 29, 2010 Where we are staying in the French Alps is stunning. The couple who own the gorgeous apartment we are staying in are both adventurers of the top kind. We were talking with our host, Louise Robertson today and she has climbed Mont Blanc in 12 hours there and back from her front door. This is serious climbing! Her husband Neil Ward has climbed Mt Everest and many other high peaks around the world. They are both quiet and unassuming people with amazing courage, strength and a sense of wanting to climb!

This story about their wedding is based upon information from an article in the Hello magazine.

Neil, the groom to be, was participating in a challenge to row across the Atlantic from the Canary Islands to the Carribean and he joked to his fiance, Louise, that he would row across the Atlantic to marry her. She thought it was a great idea to make it an actuality and organised the wedding to happen on his arrival in the Caribbean. She organised the arrangements through travel operators, Tropical Sky, and planned a simple wedding on the beach with a few family members. Only a few challenges on the way for him ... 2,500 miles rowing, bad weather, arrived nearly a week after the scheduled date, the small boat and hot torture chamber of a sleeping cabin, the crew could hardly stand when they arrived... but they recovered quickly enough for the ceremony on the beach...For Louise she had to cancel her plane tickets three times (as they thought they would have to change the venue to Antigua when bad weather took the boat off course), wait patiently on the beach for ten days looking out for his boat and finally when they were in mobile range had ten minutes to get ready and down to the beach to greet him...

I spoke to her today about it and she said it was a fabulous time and next year he plans to join the crew for another challenge (as they didn't beat the world record of 33 days ... it took them 39 days) She says they are planning another rendezvous again... all in all a great tale to tell the children!

Friday, May 07, 2010 Celebrant, Cath Hogan, sent me this link for 'The Wedding Vows'.

Instead of saying to his bride, 'I take you to be my lawfully wedded wife', the groom in his nervousness declares his love to his 'waffley wife (and then adds in his embarrassment ... pancakey wife.. she in turn falls into bouts of laughter...) I couldn't help but laugh when I watched it...

It really does happen... at one of the weddings I conducted the groom declared, 'I will wear this wing...' to his bride...much to the delight of his friends who teased him all night about his 'wings'!

Friday, March 12, 2010 My friend, Sarah, works with a deaf student signing and she was talking today about her work. It reminded me of a beautiful wedding I was privileged to conduct in Coffs Harbour for a deaf couple. When the thirty guests arrived it was silent... yet not without communication. Everyone was signing to each other... it was beautiful to see their expressive communication and joy without words.

The interpreter for the wedding ceremony was a real gem and we took it in turns to communicate the ceremony to the family and friends... as most of the guests needed to  look at the interpreter and could not look at the couple at the same time. It was a beautiful 'dance' between us all. The depth of silence present during the ceremony was uplifting... and highlighted by the applause and calls of congratulations as I presented the couple as husband and wife - it was absolutely joyous!

Friday, November 27, 2009
Yesterday I met Justin and Kelly at Pacific Bay on Charlies Deck where the ceremony was to be held. It was really hot!

I discussed with them the back up option which also overlooked the lagoon but was under a canopy and they agreed it was much cooler. Today I was so grateful to be under shade - it was 39 degrees and humid. It didn't stop us from having lots of fun though.

Justin's two daughters, Mykala and Larni, walked in first to the ceremonial area scattering their petals ... with big radiant smiles. They sat at the front with the grandparents and then Kelly's bridesmaids came in escorted by Justin's groomsmen. That was a lovely touch.

Kelly's chief bridesmaid was Natalie whose marriage I conducted over a year ago to Ben. They now have a beautiful little boy, Oliver! I fell in love with him - such a cute smile!

Kelly had written a beautiful poem for her wedding that her sister, Janelle, read out before Justin and Kelly shared their vows:

Justin, will you build with Kelly a lifelong partnership of love, trust, loyalty, friendship and respect?  Will you stand by her side and give comfort and support through all the challenges and joys of your shared life together? Justin, will you take Kelly as your wife?

Justin: I will

Kelly, will you build with Justin a lifelong partnership of love, trust, loyalty, friendship and respect?  Will you stand by his side and give comfort and support through all the challenges and joys of your shared life together? Kelly, will you take Justin as your husband?

Kelly: I will

It was my great pleasure to pronounce Justin and Kelly husband and wife!!!

Justin and Kelly's wedding is my last for a while as I head home now to share the rest of the day with my family before leaving tomorrow on our big adventure.  We have had a pre Christmas get together sharing a magnificent lunch! I will miss my family!

Thursday, November 26, 2009
Peter and Lauren had a beautiful afternoon yesterday for their rehearsal - blue skies and a cool breeze. Today was also blue but there was a dark bank of clouding brewing up in the west and heading our way. It was quite a relief to be standing in the shade out on the beach side lawns and I just prayed that the clouds would skirt around us... they did!

Lauren's bridal car broke down after they had picked her up which stressed her out a little ... but all was well. I had received word she was running late so while the sun was out I let guests know what was happening and invited them to stay in the shade.

She looked radiant as her dad walked her down the aisle and they were both so excited when I pronounced them to be husband and wife.

They had their aunty Natalie share a lovely reading by an anonymous author:

When two people decide to join their lives in marriage, it is because,

They are certain they have something special that will last forever.

They will build a life and as long as their determination stays with them,

Their love will always be their inspiration, their truth, and their strength.

They will encourage each other’s dreams and forgive each other’s faults.

Together, they will experience all of life’s up and downs.

Together, they will learn and grow through trial and error.

These lessons will show them the meaning of true commitment.

Through love and friendship, these two will unite as one.

Then their friend Mel came forward and shared a reading written by Roy Croft

I love you not only for what you are

but for what I am when I am with you

I love you not only for what you have made of yourself

but for what you are making of me

I love you because you have done

more than any creed could have done to make me good

and more than any fate could have done to  make me happy

You have done it without a touch, without a word, without a sign.

You have done it by being yourself

Perhaps that is what being a friend means, after all.

We had just enough time for the signing when the first big drops of rain fell... and then just as everyone got under cover it bucketed it down!!! It rained and rained and then the sun popped out again making it very hot!

Wishing them both the very best for a blessed marriage!
Congratulations.

Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Sarah and Nick's wedding was on the Pacific Bay Resort Betting Tee which has a beautiful backdrop overlooking the lagoon and mountains. Sarah and Nick were both very nervous about saying the vows but they had nothing to worry about.They were both so relaxed by the time the vows came and Sarah beamed to me after the wedding how perfect she said them! 

Nick has chosen to take Sarah's surname - Congratulations Mr and Mrs Van Baal!

(If the groom changes his surname he is required to request a change of name certificate from the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages unlike the bride who can use a Registry copy of the Marriage Certificate. Both of these can be ordered in NSW from the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages.

Saturday, November 21, 2009
I had only met Rachel and Mick on the Tuesday after they travelled from up from Sydney for their wedding. We had a lovely meeting and rehearsal and Mick said he felt more relaxed afterward. It is amazing what a rehearsal can do for nerves. It takes away all the unknown elements - where do I stand? When do I say my vows and how? Where do we go when we sign? When do we kiss? How will I know? Are my vows too long? ... too short?

Quite often a couple may not even be able to verbalise their questions or concerns but by doing a full rehearsal it brings a sense of confidence and calm that is precious.

Today was a glorious day, warm and blue skies. Rach and Mick were getting married in Aanuka Chapel. I arrived 40 minutes before the start time and made sure the airconditioning was on and nobody was inside. The groomsmen came in after a little while but all the guests remained in the shade in the courtyard happily chatting and catching up with friends and family.

The temperature soars once there are 110 guests inside the small space so I tend to wait until I know the bride is at the entrance (where we cannot see her) before inviting everyone in.

Rachel was running a bit late - the photographers had already advised me she would be at least 15 minutes behind schedule so I was not concerned and it meant that Mick could also relax knowing she was OK.

When Rachel's mum came forward and gave the word that she had arrived I opened the doors of the chapel and made sure everyone was seated and their mobile phones were off. (I am always amazed at how many guests haven't considered to do so beforehand - including the bridal party!)

Rachel was looking calm and collected as her dad walked her across the courtyard and up into the chapel.

Standing next to Mick, Rachel handed her bouquet to her sister who was chief bridesmaid.

Their vows unfolded beautifully until Mick, in his nervousness, said ...'I will love you today, tomorrow... and whenever.' instead of saying ... forever.

Everyone laughed thinking he had made a joke, however he assured me later that it wasn't planned and indeed not intended.

I supported him and said, 'we all knew that whenever was forever, and his heart was definitely in the right place', to which everyone laughed again. I asked him to repeat the words. 'Rachel I will love you forever'. When I congratulated them later he said he had already been paid out by some of his mates ...

There are some things that make a wedding memorable, slip ups are one of them, however they are overshadowed by the many other precious moments - like when Rachel and Mick, having signed the wedding certificates and register, stood looking out at their family and friends, and I invited them to really soak up the love and friendship that was beaming out to them from all the guests.

We don't often get to see all our closest family and friends, honouring us in this way. It is a magical moment.

Congratulations Rachel and Mick - may you have a fabulous life together!