V2 My First Wedding, Celebration of Civil Union

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So with ten bridesmaids and ten groomsmen I set about instructing them as to where they needed to be standing etc. I had asked the bride and groom if they wanted to have a rehearsal only a few days before, and they said “No we will be okay it can’t be that hard”. My biggest concern was fitting all these people around a very small space that surrounded the swimming pool and not having anyone fall in during the ceremony.

Having sorted that out, with guests starting to arrive, I set up my gear for the ceremony which was to start in 15 minutes. I went inside the house to speak with the parents and see how the bride was. Suddenly I noticed out of the corner of my eye a flash racing past in the hallway then disappearing behind a door. The flash happened to be the bride wearing nothing but a towel wrapped around her.

I was confused by this and asked the parents what was going on, to which they replied “Oh she’ll be right won’t be long now”. All I could do was go outside and wait. Finally the bride was ready and we started the ceremony half an hour late. Needless to say just as we got to the signing, when the heavens open up those big black clouds that were threatening us during the afternoon. We had to finish there and then and go inside to sign the certificates. Had we started on time we would have been able to have a dry ceremony.

I congratulated all concerned, packed up my gear and drove home with a big smile on my face, feeling rather pleased that I survived my first ceremony.

Our thanks to Juliet for sharing her first wedding with us

My First Wedding

My first wedding ceremony was held in the gardens at the beautiful Werribee Mansion.

It was scheduled to begin at 11am. I was early, (about 10 am ) to set up and to calm down. All was going to plan, the groom finally arrived at 10.50, by this stage  I was starting to worry!

The guests started to arrive from 11 until approx 11.25am. The groom rang the bride and told her to wait a bit as people were not there! She arrived in a magnificent horse and carriage at 11.30 and we began.

I was not nervous and the ceremony went surprisingly well, until we went over to the table to sign the certificates. There I found a large hole burning into the cover of the Marriage Register. I was trying to be smart by bringing a beautiful paperweight from home to stop the wind from blowing the paperwork around, and I nearly burnt down the mansion!

The groom said he thought he could smell something during the service but did not want to interrupt me needlessly!

They signed the papers, I finished the ceremony and off they went. I checked out the damage, (not too bad) gathered up my bits and pieces and went home to collapse.

My next wedding is at Woodend early in the New Year. I wonder if I can cause any mayhem there?

Leeanne Jenkins
Werribee Victoria

Celebration of Civil Union

The section I wrote on "Legalities" in included here in case other celebrants may like to use it in their Resource materials and in Memento copies for their couples. Permission is not granted for any other purpose without my written permission ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ).
Rona Goold
ACCN Director

Legalities

Many people understand our road to becoming more civilised has many twists and turns. Much gets lost in the mists of time.

For example, in western Christian tradition, it was not until about one thousand years ago that commoners were married, and a century later before priests were present at those ceremonies. Previously marriage was primarily reserved for those with wealth. This common law history is reflected in Australian Law.

So whilst I am required by my Commonwealth appointment to ensure that we all understand that the ceremony is not a marriage as defined by Australian law, I would like to also ensure that more people understand that ministers, priests and civil celebrants do not marry couples.

Couples are married by the vows or promises they make to live in a life long relationship, and their commitment to honour those promises as best they are able.

That life-long commitment between men and women, called marriage, is witnessed then recorded on the behalf of the federal government.

To me this arrangement also reflects psychological or spiritual truths.

• That love bonds us to one another, not law.

• That we need to be willing to submit to the call of love in our lives and to the power of our inner truths and needs, provided they do not harm or wound the life force we have all received as a gift

• That our inner and outer worlds are powerfully inter-related, so that making a public declaration of an inner intent serves to strengthen and empower our spirits to live that more completely on every level.

To me, that is why the commitment Caroline and Lynne have made and affirm today, being witnessed by your love and support for them, is so very important. This public declaration grants them wholeness and freedom to live their truth.

We traditionally symbolise wholeness with a circle or a square. We symbolise eternity as an unending loop. Precious metals that last unchanged not only also symbolise infinity, they symbolise the pricelessness or worth of that wholeness.

Rings exchanged symbolise all those aspects. Today Lynne and Caroline also wish their rings to symbolise their love for their family and friends, and the love and care you have for them which upholds them both as individuals and as a couple.

I am going to ask that we circulate their rings, so that may all be held by each of us – to grant them our warmth and our best wishes for them now and for their future.

(Y & A to hand rings to each side of the room and make sure everyone, row by row gets to hold the ring to make their wish)