This is an ancient Celtic ritual where your hands are bound by ribbons or cords whilst your vows are being made. The ribbons colour represents the different qualities being bought to the marriage. The ribbons are loosely entwining your wrists in a figure 8 which represents the eternity symbol. The ribbons are slipped off your wrists and placed in a silken bag, where they remain eternally entwined. There are many ways of doing this ritual and if you are interested, please contact me here for more details.

 The sharing of two people joined as one is signified by the pouring of different coloured sands into one vessel … the different colours can never be separated. The colours are also symbolic of the qualities that each of you bring to your marriage.  A nice touch if you are getting married on the beach as you can add some in.

 Two tapered candles, representing you as individuals, are used to light a single central candle as a visible symbol of your commitment to one another

Two roses are exchanged, which symbolises the giving and receiving of your love. Roses may also be presented to your mothers.

You are invited to drink from the cup of life and share your first drink together as husband and wife.

Two engraved padlocks (one with your name and one with your fiance’s plus the date of the wedding) are locked together. The key may be caste into the water, let adrift in a helium balloon or given to a family member for safe keeping.

You both cast a stone into a nearby river or ocean thus symbolising that you are remaining together forever while the tides of time ebb and flow over your lives

 Your rings are passed around the guests during the ceremony and the guests wish upon the rings for your health,  happiness  and any other blessings they have for you. This really only works if you have a small number of guests and it is a lovely touch to add a lovely song as the rings are passed around

This could be something like lighting a memorial candle, having framed photos on the signing table or carrying something special in your bouquet to honour anyone that has passed that you would have liked to have been with you on your special day

• BUTTERFLY

By making a wish and giving the butterfly its freedom, the wish will be taken to the heavens and granted

• DOVE

Doves are a symbol of Love, Peace and Hope

• BALLOON

Your names are inserted into a helium balloon and carried to the heavens

It is always advisable to have a Plan B if you are considering having your wedding outside in a park or on the beach. There are some things to consider that I have gained insight about in my experience as a marriage celebrant.Learn about these here.

There are some wonderful locations on the Central Coast. There are things that you need to do in order to conduct a wedding ceremony on a beach or in a park. Have a look at the requirements here

You will receive a certificate of marriage on the day of your wedding, but it is not your official certificate that you can use for change of name purposes.  After your wedding day, I can attach the paperwork for application of the official certificate along with the documents that I need to supply to the NSW Births Deaths and Marriages, which then allows you to not have to deal with obtaining certified copies of your other documents to prove your identity. As from February 2012, official marriage certificates attract a fee of $48. Click here for information about obtaining your official certificate and  changing your name.

Here is the one thing you do not need to worry about, ladies. I have heard of brides up late the night before their wedding, practising their married name signature. It is not necessary as you need to sign all the paperwork in your maiden name. So strike that off your lists of things to do