NSW Port Stephens Lorraine Stokes

Many thanks to Loraine for providing her profile.

Lorraine Stokes - Appointed September 2005

I am happily married with 2 married children, one granddaughter and another grandchild on the way. I worked in the finance industry for over 30 years and during that time often did public speaking at conferences, seminars and staff nights so was reasonably comfortable standing out the front and speaking to groups of people. I left that industry 12 months ago and also moved from the Blue Mountains to the Port Stephens area so I have really had a sea change.

What made me become a Celebrant was my attendance at 2 weddings within 2 months of each other both conducted by Celebrants. The first was beautiful well written and very personal the second one was over in what seemed a flash with no feeling. I felt sorry for the Groom (who was my nephew) and Bride and thought everyone deserves a beautiful wedding day, I had a number of friends and family come up to me after the second wedding and say they felt I would have done a better job of it.

So I found out what was entailed and set about doing a course and getting my registration. I was registered by the Attorney General on 3rd September 2005 and so began. I remember travelling to my first wedding thinking “Lorraine what have you done? Then saying to myself I can do this” and I did on the trip home I was on such a high and must say that I still get a buzz out of each and every ceremony. I think there is no greater compliment than when the parents of the Bride or Groom or both thank me after the ceremony for doing their son / daughter’s wedding. I really enjoy helping them design the Ceremony they have always dreamed of giving them suggestion for readings, vows etc. Getting them to use their own creative powers which often lie hidden, seeing the Grooms face when he sees his Bride for the first time on their wedding day, knowing I have given them a day they will always remember.

My treasured memory was from a very small wedding 7 people counting my husband, who often helps me set up, and the couple. I received a phone call asking my fee and when could I do the wedding. I explained they needed to give notice of 1 calendar month and 1 day so he said " Ok just the legal part. I don’t want any fancy bits". I was a bit apprehensive but made a time and went to see them. They had both been married before with painful divorce’s .Insisted again just the legal’s, the day came around and we gathered at a friends home when he saw his bride he cried so as well as Just the Legals. I added some extras with a bit of adlibbing, at the end of the ceremony, he kept thanking me, shaking my hand and she just kept saying it was what she always wanted. Although it was my smallest wedding’s it is one of my treasured memories.

In 5 years time I hope not to have to do so much advertising but rely on word of mouth. Then I know I am doing a good job.

Lorraine Stokes
Marriage and Civil Celebrant
Port Stephens NSW

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