Have worked with a guy who is really nice so I asked him to contribute to the blog about celebrants - what are they and what to look for.  His name is Brad Whitelock.  His link is www.perthcelebrant.com.au and here are his tips:

Now that you are getting married you can now go about organising your wedding ceremony and choose your Marriage Celebrant.

Getting married is an exciting time and it is important that you are able to get the Wedding Ceremony that both you and your partner want.  Most Marriage Celebrants are very interested in working closely with you to create a ceremony that will be remembered but most importantly reflect you as a couple.

What are the legal parts to getting married?

A Civil Marriage Celebrant will be authorised by the Attorney-Generals Department in Canberra and will be able to perform your Marriage anywhere in Australia or Australian Waters.  They will have an appropriate A number and you can check that they are Authorised on the Attorney-Generals Website.

Anyone can marry in Australia as long as they are over 18, and have lodged the wedding at least one month and one day before the wedding date and no more than 18 months prior to the wedding date.   This is done by filling out the NOIM form and getting it signed in front of an authorised person (Marriage Celebrant) and getting the NOIM to the celebrant at least one month and one day before the wedding day.  Usually the NOiM would be completed with the Celebrant at the first meeting. If you are not near your celebrant as you are interstate for example or live overseas you can get an another Authorized person who is listed on the Noim (for example JP, Police Officer, etc..) to witness your signature and then send to the Celebrant within the time period by fax or Post.

It is usual that both parties sign the NOiM before the One month and One day period but sometimes it is acceptable for the celebrant to accept only one signature.  These times would include if one party is unable to sign as they are intestate or overseas.  A Shortening of time is also sometimes given for couples wanting to be married within the One month and one day period but this permission must be given under specific reasons in the Marriage Act by a Prescribed person such as the Registrar for Birth, Deaths and Marriages.

Required documentation can be produced at the first meeting but can be shown at any time leading up to the wedding date. You will need to prove to the celebrant who you are, where you where born and your birth date by using your Original Birth Certificates or if born outside Australia, an overseas passport. Unfortunately you cannot use your Australian Birth certificate. If you have been married before, the Celebrant will need to see a divorce/death certificate.  Before the wedding the Celebrant will get you to sign a Commonwealth Statutory Declaration stating you believe there is not legal impediment to you and your partner to be married.

The Ceremony will be witnessed by 2 people preferably known to you, are over 18 and understand and speak English and of course are sober.  During the ceremony the Celebrant will say the Authority and you both will say your vows to one another. Then the documents will be signed in front of the witnesses and the Celebrant.  The Celebrant will straight away send the Marriage Certificate with the NOiM form to the Registrar of Birth, Deaths and Marriages for registration of Marriage.  It will take the Registrar about 5 days to register the Marriage.  Then from this point you can request your official Marriage Certificate (Your Celebrant will give you this application form if needed).

What should a Good Professional Celebrant offer?

A Good Celebrant will offer more than doing your paperwork, registering your marriage and writing and performing the Ceremony.

A Professional and Experienced Marriage Celebrant will take a Holistic approach that will begin with you being confident with their approach from your very first contact.

You will be given a lot of choices and ideas for your wedding Ceremony.  This may take the form of a booklet or catalog with ideas, verses, poems, readings and vows.  The Celebrant will guide you in putting a ceremony together that best reflects you. The ceremony can be relaxed, informal, funny or a little bit more serious.  The Celebrant can also suggest other aspects you may want to adopt such as rituals. For example combining coloured sands, a candle lighting, hand fasting, sharing of the wine, giving a rose as your first gift or even a beautiful Butterfly release.

You and the Celebrant will put the ceremony together up to the wedding date and then at the final meeting a few weeks before you can have a run through of the ceremony to a iron out any issues but more importantly it will give you confidence the ceremony will be how you envisage it.

The Celebrant will also be interested in a number of other aspects of the ceremony to promote smoothness at the actual event.  By asking and being interested in many parts of your ceremony such as who is in the bridal party, introducing themselves to family members, talking to photographer and musicians, etc.. the Celebrant will be able to liaise with these important people to create a friendly and relaxed feel to the ceremony to make sure the ceremony flows with precision. 

An important aspect of the ceremony is getting great photos.  A Good Celebrant will liaise with the Photographer and also take their time in parts such as the Giving Away, Vows, Ring Ceremony and The Kiss.  This will be invaluable for an enjoyable ceremony and importantly for some great photos in these key areas.

On the Wedding day the Celebrant will arrive no less than 30 minutes before to set up their equipment, play some wedding music and to begin to mingle with the guests so you and your guests are ready for the ceremony.

They will have a top of the line PA system (Mipro 707 is the current equipment of choice) with portable microphones so they can move around freely during the ceremony and also for readings by your guests and the vows for the bride and groom.  The PA system will also have facilities for CD or ipod/MP3 or flash drives so you can play your wedding music through the system.  A lot of couples like to have a special song to walk down the aisle to and also a few songs for the signing of the documents and also when the bride and groom walk out at the end of the ceremony.  The Celebrant will be happy to play this music through their system for you and may even be able to recommend some songs for you.

An important part of the ceremony is signing the documents at the end.  This part can be co-ordinated with the photographer for perfect light and comfort so the best photos can be taken.  Most Wedding Venues have a nice table with chairs for the documents but a Good Celebrant will always have these items as back up.

When should I book the Celebrant?

 As soon as you can.  Like Wedding Venues and Photographers, Celebrants book out up to 18 months in advance.  When you decide on a day and time have a look around on the internet or ask your photographer to recommend a good Celebrant.  Once you have decided on your Celebrant they can then begin the process of making a booking with you.

 How much should a Celebrant Charge?

 Celebrants can charge anywhere from $350 to up to $800 and beyond.  Price won't necessarily describe how good a celebrant is.  When you contact the Celebrant ask for a guide of their prices and what they offer.  You will then know in your mind if that price suits you and offers value for money.

How do I choose my Celebrant?

The most important aspect of your wedding day is that you are comfortable that all wedding suppliers will portray the image you are looking for.  Therefore the best way to answer the above questions is firstly choosing a Celebrant you feel comfortable with and you are confident they will give you the best wedding ceremony.

• To feel comfortable with your celebrant you will get an overall feel by looking at their website.  They will have lots of photos, Testimonials and even Postings of weddings they have performed.  You will then speak to them on the phone and have a meeting with them. At the meeting have a look around their office for photos of couples with them and also a Great Celebrant will have lots of Thank you letters around their room. Ask them lots of questions about any aspect of the wedding ceremony.  The Good Celebrants will have a lot of information and be a fountain of knowledge. This will give you a feeling about their style and if they are suited to you.  Do they have a nice sense of humour or are they a bit serious…

• Secondly you will need to be confident the Celebrant will give you a wedding Ceremony that will best reflect you and your partner.  What level of experience do they have as a Celebrant, how many weddings have they performed and are they familiar with the venue you have booked and also have they experience delivering your style of Ceremony.  The Celebrant will be able to show you their Catalog of Ideas, Vows, Verses and Readings and more importantly show your exact examples of the Wedding Ceremonies they have performed recently.

In Summary your wedding day is your day and will be the one of the most important days in your life.  You are entitled to have something that you will be enjoy.  There are many good Celebrants out there that really want you to have the best day possible.  All the best in finding that person…

So you are finally at the reception and you and your guests are ready to kick back with some delicious food, a few drinks and hit the dance floor. There are a few important things to keep in mind when plotting out the time line for the reception;

The Bridal Waltz usually starts off the dance floor, so I always advise clients if they are looking to do the Bridal Waltz later in the night, it is always better after dessert. That way there is no food sitting on the tables while people are up dancing and all your formalities are done.

When it comes to speeches, it really is a personal preference. Many of our clients will split the speeches up and may be have some after entrée and some after main course. It is important that people have had something to eat so they are happy to sit and listen and not waiting for food to be served.

When it comes to the menu, trying to cater for large groups can be hard. We try to keep our menu options simple by using fresh local produce, thus show casing the best Western Australia has to offer. We are always happy to cater for any dietary requirements separately.  Canapes are always a nice touch to serve during pre dinner drinks as people tend to be quite hungry after the ceremony.

It is always nice to check with your suppliers (photographers, DJ’s and videographers) if they require a meal during the night.

Example #1 - We like water.  

OK - I would be looking at places like: Matilda Bay Restaurant - holds comfortably 120 in the top room and has a great view over the water.  Nice intimate area downstairs holds about 50 seated. Works well in both summer and winter and has a great view of the city.  Mosmans - (The old Meads in Mosman Bay)  Nice venue - some limited vision for guests and parking is a bit of a hike down the hill.  You book the whole venue for yourself.  Food is great I believe.  Aqua Viva - In Nedlands on a jetty - really nice feel and the owner is the legendary Umberto Tinelli who dotes on his guests.  Venues in Fremantle like the Maritime Museum which has a gorgeous balcony - room itself is a little plain but can be dressed up very nicely with some imagination.  I believe your guests can view the museum beforehand as well which is an interesting touch.  A unique venue I haven't been to for a while is the Rowing club at Barrack st jetty.  Literally an old hall which an almost country feel about it.  Boat Shed cafe in South Perth - Have found it to be a little cramped when shot there and visibility is a bit average for some guests.  Great location though.  Black Toms in South Perth - really elegant feel - back and silver styling - parking quite tough for guests though.    

Yacht clubs - Royal Perth Yacht Club, Freshwater Bay Yacht club etc.  Some of the Fremantle clubs as well - East Fremantle, Swan etc   All have a similar feel - nautical with the river close by. Some have restrictions on when you can start and finish the reception due to commitments to yacht club members.

Example #2 - we have a large guest list - 200 plus.  

This will restrict your choice in Perth to the larger hotels - Burswood, Sheraton, Hyatt, Perth Convention Centre etc.  These venues do big well.  Each have their own differences that make them unique.  

Another option is a marquee wedding - Don't turn off - I have seen some sensational ones - shot one several years ago which was lined in jarrah panelling with huge flower arrangements on entry.  A mammoth chandelier topped off the look.  Another one I did recently was on the lawn of the Cottesloe Civic Centre which held several hundred.  Personally this is a summer choice of venue as the heating in marquees do struggle a little if it is cold.

Example #3 - we love the "country" feel.

A popular spot for this feel of course is the Swan Valley.  The winery's out in this area are legendary for weddings and some of them do weddings really well.  Probably top of the list would be Sandalfords - 4 rooms to choose from - the "Oak" room is the most popular as the walls are made up of actual oak barrels with the wine fermenting (Is that the right word?!) .  Other venues up that way are the Vines resort, Joondalup (more a country club than a winery), Elmars in the Valley and one which I shot at and was really surprised at it's beauty was Lily of the Valley - Henley Brook - a small turn of the century cottage with a sun room in the back for the reception - max of around 60 people though.  One thing to think about with the Swan Valley wedding is the transport of you, your bridesmaids, groomsmen etc from where you are getting ready.  Many people get ready at the Vines resort even if not having the wedding there.  Also how are your guests going to get home - should you organise a bus for them?  

Example #4 - we love the beach

Popular with many people is a location close to the beach.   Cottesloe Civic Centre is a popular spot with views of the ocean and a classic garden and stone feel.  Take note though that you will not have the place to yourself.  The public are allowed to walk through and run the dog or kick the football around if they wish.  Also there are separate sections which need to be booked as there may be more than one wedding on at a time.  I feel the most private spot is the lower lawn but it can be stiflingly hot in summer.

Other beach places are AqWA in Hillarys marina - lovely reception spot and you can look at the shark tank as part of the deal with them. In City Beach you have   

Fremantle - multiple locations down that way for a service and reception near the beach.  Esplanade hotel is a great reception venue as well.  

Hang on - just remembered, a good time to do the pre wedding shoot is when you do your hair and makeup trial - May as well put the hair spray and foundation to good use !!

Don't be too concerned about the age of your house and whether the 1970's arches look out of date! What I am looking when I shoot is good light and a relaxed bride !! Here are some things that can help you make the job easier for your photographer.

My assistant and I often spend time cleaning up which we don't mind but it slows down the main reason to be there and that's to take pictures!

1. Hide things like the remote for the TV.

2. Take off the walls any picture you would would not like in the background.

3. Have beds made.

4. If you have a junk room - put all the things you don't want to distract into that room.

Tenille and Nathan who I will be blogging about in the next few days chose the new stretch Chrysler that is in Perth now.  What an amazing looking car !!!  

Firstly - Old style or new?  Classic or Contemporary?  The upside of the classic older cars is the look of them as they swish down the road and arrive at a church.  Also the people who drive the cars more often than not own them and love them...so will be able to tell you all about them !!!  Downside of the classics are they can be a little slow.  That may not be an issue as on the day what's the rush ??  Also a potential down is the air conditioning - some of them struggle a bit.  Not a worry on a normal day but Perth can get pretty warm.  Hello to the English readers who are jealous...!!!

Secondly - the limousine.  Very funky with the stereo cranked up to 11 with the champagne is a great party truck for those who like their wedding less sedate !!  It is more common to find they are driven by a staff driver and tend to be a little less personal.  Not always though.  There are exceptions. 

Thirdly there are different options - The Kings Park Tram for the larger party - Lots of fun.  Horse and cart - a little slow but very romantic and now I have seen the wedding Hummers...

Please contact me if you want any advice on this.

Russell

Hair & Make-up For Weddings….

One thing’s for sure, your wedding day is the one day when you want to look absolutely stunning. The secret is choosing a great stylist and working with them to create the look you want.

Finding your stylist shouldn’t be too difficult, most of the good ones can be found in bridal magazines and even better, ask your photographer which stylist they like to work with. Recommendations from friends who have been married can be great too. The key is to have a trial and make sure you like the stylist and what they do. I agree with Russell, running late on a wedding day is the worst thing a professional stylist can do – so choose your stylists with care and make sure they’re experienced with styling wedding parties.

Here’s some tips on wedding make-up:

• To keep it looking good all day use blotting paper (I give my bridal parties blotting paper from The Body Shop). This keeps your make-up matte without using too much powder.
• A good pre-make-up cream also helps keep your foundation in place. My secret weapon? Shiseido Pre-Make-up Cream.
• Waterproof mascara is a must for weddings (need I say more!)
• Touch up your lipstick using a lip brush (ask your make-up artist to put the colour onto it)
• To keep your lipstick on better, use a lip fix/sealer (available from most chemists – I get Lip Fix from Fitch’s Chemist in the Hay St Mall)
• Use a matte foundation – it photographs better. Find one that lasts well, even on oily skin on a hot day (Kroyolan is great and available from Fitch’s)
• Have a trial – it’s the only way you’ll be sure you’re going to love what you’ll look like. I recommend you team it up with your pre-wedding photo shoot or a special occasion. It can be a great excuse for going out for dinner!

Tips for your hair

• Again, make sure to have a trial with your hair stylist to make sure you’re both on the same page and they’re capable of creating your perfect style.
• Be open to suggestions with your hair – take along examples of what you like by all means… but a great stylist will work with your features and tailor-make a style to suit you.
• What’s in? hmmm well almost anything is ‘in’ right now. However I’m finding more of a trend towards down styles – especially for longer hair. Be warned though, Perth is pretty windy. So a ‘down’ style may not stay perfect!
• Natural hair extensions are a quick and easy way of achieving extra length and volume. These are available from leading hair stylists and can be used after the wedding – they’re very easy to put in (once you know how!)
• Call me biaised, but I recommend using mobile stylists for weddings, getting ready in the one place saves time and stress - and most of the time they specialise in weddings.
• Have dry hair for an up do and in most cases for down styles as well.

General Tips:

• Drink LOTS of water leading up to the wedding and on the wedding day.
• Timing is everything…have all your bridal party ready for styling when they need to be.
• Get a massage leading up to the big day and RELAX. Enjoy every moment to shine and have fun looking gorgeous!
• Oh, I nearly forgot… if you want to treat your man… book him in for a professional close shave – check whether your local barbershop offers this service. I can recommend the barbershop in Dianella Plaza – he is a true specialist at close shaves and there’s no need to book (unless it’s for the groomsmen too – maybe give him a head’s up if there’s a few of you coming in!)