Rona Goold Blog

Fair Trading Minister Anthony Roberts is warning couples preparing to tie the knot to do their homework so their wedding day does not become a financial disaster.

As Ask A Celebrant - ACCN marriage celebrants, we are aware that having one's hopes and dreams for the special day destroyed, can be as equally distressing.

In an announcement posted on 2nd September 2011 on the NSW Department of Fair Trading website, Mr Roberts said Fair Trading regularly receives wedding related complaints and enquiries.

their marriage is still going strong.

Herbert Fisher and wife Zelmyra married on May 13, 1924, making them the world's longest married couple. Full story is on:

http://www.voice-online.co.uk/content.php?show=20162

According to The Stir they said that among their marriage secrets are remembering that :

• everyone, who plants a seed and harvests the crop, celebrates together;
• people are also individuals, but accomplish more together,
  and that
• marriage is not a contest so never keep a score!
  
  As the world's longest married couple, perhaps that's a clue to having a lasting relationship.

So this seems to me their tips are:

"As another Mother's Day rolls around, I wonder how many generations it will take to implement this massive cultural shift. I'm not too hopeful. My daughter Zoe, 8, told me that when she finishes university, ''I want to have babies, but I don't want to work in a building as well. That would be too much work.'' Reference.

Jodie Thomson in her article in yesterday's Sydney Morning Herald (Friday 6th May 2011) states that 'Mothers want to be seen as an asset rather than a management hassle".

Elizabeth Broderick, Sex Discrimination Commissioner, Jodie notes as saying that the key to change is getting more men involved.

" As long as it is framed as the concern of women only, men will continue to be seen as the secondary parent and women will continue to face discrimination in the workplace on the basis of their sex and family responsibilities"

Seems to me that three major things are needed to address these issues of sex discrimination.

So write Scott Pape, the "Bare-foot Investor", in the sun-Herald (30/10/2010).

Scott makes some great points. Though his header Don't get 'married' is rather tongue in cheek.

He states that "Relationships Australia tells us that 80 per cent of relationship breakdowns are caused by money problems (and monogamy). Many young couples about to get married have never sat down and talked about what money means to them."

As celebrants, many of us see this aspect more than we would like too, as regards the cost of weddings.

A celebrant friend recently did a talk on Rituals in Modern Society for a local club. As the session progressed, it became apparent that the group had little idea of the role of a civil celebrant.

"And how do you go about planning the reception?" was one question, indicating a confusion with wedding planners. My friend's response "Would you ask that question of a minister or priest?"