FLOWERS: Why can’t specific flowers colours be guaranteed for my ceremony?

Flowers are a product of nature, and so are subject to variation that might be influenced by seasons, the element when growing and condition after being cut. Many are now grown in greenhouses on the South American continent and have no scent, and are flown overnight to all parts of the world. Your florist will try but cannot guarantee. Discuss it with them or go to the flowers markets in your city.

For more answers, go to : 300 Wedding Questions Answered

Donating a body to science

Who can donate a body to medical science or research?

Under the Anatomy Act 1977, a person who wishes to donate their body must provide consent for the donation in writing before their death. Alternatively, the senior available next of kin is able to provide consent in writing after death, provided that they are not aware that the person would have objected. The executor of a will cannot give consent unless they are also the senior available next of kin.

If the body is at a hospital or forensic institution, a designated officer at that facility must authorise use of the body for anatomical examination.

The Coroner’s consent is needed where the death has been reported to the Coroner.

It is important that you discuss your wishes regarding body donation with your family.

Ref: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/humantissue/Pages/anatomy-public.aspx

You will find this and many other detailed questions answer on my web page but be warned that reader discretion is advised so stick to your specific question and only look at more sensitivity subject matters if you are of ready. My Web page link is Funeral Questions

NAME CHANGE: What is the history of How & Why would I change my name after marriage?


Historically in Australia, where a marriage was between a man and a woman, it was common for the woman to assume the man’s last name upon marriage.

That dates back even further to a time when women were regarded as the ‘property’ of their father and then upon marriage, of their spouse, hence the ‘giving away’ the Bride, by the father and anything they owned became the property of their husband.

Mistress  or Miss Jones marrying Mister or Mr Brown, became the ‘Mistress of Mr Brown’. The title ‘mistress of’. …  was abbreviated to ‘Mrs’ and so upon marriage, she became Mrs Brown.

Though women are no longer ‘property’ the tradition of the Bride taking on the Grooms name remains common.

Jumping to current and more enlightened times, if married in Australia a formal Change of Name is not required if you wish to take your spouse’s name and so Miss Jones and Mr Brown, can be Mrs & Mr Brown or Mrs & Mr Jones, but you will need to update the name change anywhere your original name is registered.

Usually this would include personal documentation, such as your driver’s license and passport, which can be changed to your married surname when you provide a Standard Marriage Certificate (i.e. Registration of Marriage Certificate) to the relevant authority.

for more information and more questions answered go to
200 Wedding Questions Answered

ENGAGEMENT RING: What are the 4Cs when it comes to diamonds on an engagement ring?

Diamonds are graded by the 4 Cs which are:

  1. Carat:    or weight, determines the size of the diamond.
  2. Clarity: The fewer flaws, the greater the value. If you cannot see flaws with the naked eye, it’s called an eye-clean diamond.
  3. Colour: A clear diamond is the rarest and has the highest grade of D. A yellow diamond will have the lowest grade of Z.
  4. Cut:        The cut creates the sparkle and so impacts on the beauty of the diamond.

Another consideration is Shape: Not to be confused with ‘cut’ the shape identifies the overall appearance of the diamond, e.g. round, oval, teardrop etc. Round stones are the most common.

ENGAGEMENT RING: How can I buy the perfect engagement ring?

The three major considerations should be:

  1. Your partner’s expectations
  2. Your Budget or ability to meet those expectations
  3. Your partners taste in style and jewellery

The goal is to find a balance between the three.

An interesting side consideration is that statistically, those who pay $thousands or even $millions have shorter marriages, so the higher the ring price, the shorter the marriage whereas marriages where under $5000 was spent on the ring, tend to be long lasting.

According to Credit Donkey, there are 10 steps to buying the perfect engagement ring:

  1. Set a Budget
  2. Create a Savings Plan
  3. Avoid Common Mistakes
  4. Select a Diamond
  5. Select a Setting
  6. Select a Jeweller
  7. Research Online
  8. Determine the Ring Size
  9. Determine the Style
  10. Buy the Ring

Love this poem, which was originally written as a song

Stop All The Clocks (cut off the telephone)/Funeral Blues

By Wystan Hugh Auden

Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,
Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,
Silence the pianos and with muffled drum
Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come. 

Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead
Scribbling on the sky the message He Is Dead,
Put crepe bows round the white necks of the public doves,
Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves. 

He was my North, my South, my East and West,
My working week and my Sunday rest,
My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song;
I thought that love would last for ever: I was wrong.

The stars are not wanted now: put out every one;
Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun;
Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood.
For nothing now can ever come to any good. 

(See it recited beautifully in the scene from  Four Wedding & A Funeral)

Laminating Certificates

Why isn’t my laminated birth certificate accepted as an original ID?

The Guidelines on the Marriage Act 1961 for Marriage Celebrants are very specific that the authorised celebrant must see all the original documents prior to the marriage ceremony.

Many authorities now use imbedded heat sensitive security in documents (e.g. NSW Birth certificates) A laminated copy renders the security in effective and so invalidates the document and there is often now a warning in fine print on the document, to that effect.

A laminated copy therefor may not be accepted as an original and it may be necessary to obtain a new original.

A Poem I wrote

A Love Poem

(Lou Szymkow 14/2/2000)

Though the years have gone by, it must seem but a second
since you had that first kiss and your love began to beckon,
His smile attracted you,
Her beauty inspired you,

Just a glance warmed your heart,
and the mere thought of each other
kept you swooning even when apart,

You still yearn for a sweet caress,
a gentle kiss of finesse
those tender lips to thine,
your souls forever entwined
heart and soul and mind,

and when the world is full of plight
there is still a gentle kiss goodnight,
and all those worries turn to solutions
and you know,
all will be all right.

Today’s question is about IMMIGRATION LETTERS: Do you provide letters and a copy of the NOIM, for immigration?

I am happy to provide a letter for your Immigration Agent or a local or international Department of Immigration after I have received the NOIM and payment.

My immigration letter is on my own letterhead showing that I am an Authorised Marriage Celebrant , includes the following:

the date NOIM lodged,

full names

date and place of planned marriage

confirmation of payment

I do not however issue a letter until payment is made as this offers a small guarantee that the matter is genuine and reassures the departments of same.

A copy of the NOIM is not required for the Australian immigration but if one is issued,, it is stamped as a copy and certain parts may be redacted for privacy and security.

BESPOKE??

BESPOKE: What does Bespoke mean?

Bespoke is an English word used in the clothing industry when referring to tailored clothing; e.g. a bespoke suit made especially for one person, and is an adjective.

It is a word that was adopted by shoe makers and exclusive furniture manufactures, and more recently has been adopted by Celebrants who are trying to say that tailor Ceremonies to the individual.

BESPOKE: What a bespoke ceremony?

Bespoke is an English word used in the clothing industry when referring to tailoring especially for one person.

So a Bespoke ceremony is one that is tailored or written/designed uniquely for a couple.

BESPOKE CEREMONIES: Do you perform bespoke ceremonies?

All my Ceremonies are unique and tailored to the couple.

There may be some similarities between Ceremonies as legal aspects must be addressed, and there are some things that I do differently to other Celebrants which couples like to include but I meet with you to design your dream Ceremony and to make certain it is one that you will enjoy and want to be a part of (so not boring but definitely fun).

There are lots of Ideas and Suggestions on my webpage but don’t let that limit your imagination. It is your Ceremony, and so let’s design it together.

TYING THE KNOT

Handfasting & Tying the Knot? What is it and how is it used in a marriage Ceremony?

Before rings, in many cultures, the hands of the bride and groom were tied together, to celebrate the marriage.The Celtic ritual also involves a blessing of hands and the  binding of the couple with a secure knot, hence the term ‘tying of the knot’.

Similar rituals are also found in other cultures including Chinese (see Red String), American Indian,  and some Islander cultures but significantly in Hinduism where it is part of an ancient prayerful ritual and so  should only be performed by a Prasad, hence for Civil Ceremonies, we follow a form of the Celtic tradition.

The couples’ hands are joined together, usually holding hands so the wrists and pulses are touching, with a ribbon or symbolic material looped over the couples wrists and tied by the celebrant or a friend.

The couple express their love and commitment for one another and like the cord or ribbon, which has two individual ends, they are two individuals, and so they become one by the tying.

A handfasting ritual performed during a wedding ceremony, can take place instead of a ring exchange or following it.

For more information and samples, go to Tie the Knot on my Wedding Ideas & Ceremonies tab.

See also The Red String Of Fate & Red Goblet Ceremony. 

Guest Blogger today – Melbourne based Celebrant, Bronte Price, – ideas for Marriage of partners who are of the same sex

7 Romantic Gay Wedding Venues ideas on a budget.

Have the ever-rising expenses taken a toll on your wedding venue budget? Are you looking for a gay wedding venue that is both romantic and affordable? While there are limited options to choose for your special date, only a few of them are cost-efficient. One has to scout low-budget places and then pick the best as per their individual preference. And there are still high chances of losing out on the experience while saving money. So how do you find a wedding venue that suffices your purpose? Here’s a list of 7 such budget-friendly and romantic venue ideas that can help:

1. Woods:

If there’s any place as intimate and stunning as your gay relationship, it is definitely the woods. The woods call for a somewhat private affair with your closed ones. They are a highly budget-friendly venue because there is nothing much for you to add to the beauty. I’ve attended many such weddings in the woods that only set up chairs for their closed ones. There’s hardly any need for unusual arrangements that go heavy on your budget. The most you can do is sprinkle a few petals to mark the aisle or hang some lights between the trees. And even if you don’t, the privacy that the woods offer is astoundingly beautiful enough.

2. Beach:

Most of the weddings today revolve around the bliss of stunning beaches. People travel across countries to include the rolling waves in their celebration. So if you happen to live near the beach already, consider yourself the luckiest. After all, you do not have to spend hefty amounts to travel to one. At the beach, you can create a stunning wedding by merely arranging a canopy and a few chairs. You can even hold a casual beach wedding like one of my LGBT clients with smaller refreshments. The decor again does not have to be hefty. After all, where else would you find a view as breathtakingly romantic as the sun along the ocean waves? 

3. Backyard:

The more comfortable you are, the more passionate you’ll feel. The reason why the best place to celebrate your partner’s love is out of the comfort of your own home. No venue cost and design restrictions add to the perfect intimate affair on your special date. There are many ways in which you can host a backyard wedding. You can include a small stage, and seating arrangements under a canopy for a standard setting. You can use rainbow lights and greenery to save on the decoration expense. You can also use handmade and recycled items to make the venue more idyllic.

4. Vineyard:

What is better than toasting to your happy married life on your wedding day? Well, doing it at a vineyard! Vineyards make for a beautiful wedding destination for the mystery that they carry. A beautiful sprawling vineyard is, in fact, one of the best summer wedding venues across the globe. While the refreshments are an obvious choice here, the decoration depends on you. Although the charm of the place is always enough to put anyone into a romantic mood, one can always add to it! For a budgeted gay wedding, I advise you to use only flowers, preferably different colors. This will enhance the romantic setting. You can even use a few charming lights if you feel so. Also, if you didn’t know already, booking a vineyard is cheaper and fancier too!

5. Garden:

Maybe whoever designed the garden always have had a wedding running at the back of his/her mind. The reason why everything about it is intrinsically romantic. From the scent of the summer blossoms to the twinkling fireflies, everything about this place is on-point.  The fresh air and the greenery also add to the aesthetic value of this wedding venue option. The expense is too low as there is hardly a lot to spend on. You can either arrange chairs or put up tents for your guests. However, the best decor for a garden is to leave it at its green best and maybe add a few flowers to it.

6. Chapel:

If you’re someone straight out of a Victorian romance novel, chapels are the right venue for your dream wedding. The polished wood surfaces and glass windows of the chapel reflect the sun inside. The natural light reflected adds to the quintessential aura of the warmth. The whole feel is that of a princesses story. There’s not much decoration and liberty due to the venue restriction. Thus, you save a lot of money too. The place in general calls for one of the simplest and elegant ceremonies.

7. Historical locations:

The history of the monuments, museums and art galleries add glamour and romance to a wedding. Not just that, it is one of the unique experiences that you can gift yourself and your guests on your wedding day. The stunning architecture of such places even offers beautiful romantic photographs. These venues also make for a great experience in history and culture too. Choosing a public spot is the cheapest wedding venue investment due to the low-key affair. Not just that, it is also a charming way to celebrate gay romance from a different era.

The choice of your venue will depend on your definition of romance. The money you spend will always be a vital factor too. The reason why it is better to set your priorities straight and function accordingly. So that when you prioritise romance, your wedding will ultimately imbibe that. No matter what venue you choose, it will always be a stepping stone. But only the love you exhibit as an LGBT couple would make a major difference.

Author Bio-

Bronte Price is Australia’s First Certified Gay Celebrant Melbourne and the co-founder of The Equality Network that helps wedding suppliers create a better wedding experience for LGBTI couples. He is also a member of GLOBE (Gay and Lesbian Organization for Business and Enterprise) that empowers the LGBT community. His stand on ‘marriage equality’ and ‘love has no boundaries’ is unparalleled. Apart from that, he enjoys volunteering as a newsreader at Joy 94.9, spends time in his organic backyard vegetable garden and goes on walks with his fiancée Clint and their four-legged fur baby – Bingo.

Bronte Price
Certified Marriage Celebrant
Certified in Same-Sex Wedding
Co-founder of The Equality Network
Newsreader @Joy 94.9
Switchboard Victoria Volunteer
ABIA Finalist 2017

BESTMAN: How to choose a best man?

Having a Bestman or even two or more, at your wedding is not compulsory and even a gender is no longer a given, but having made a choice to have a Bestman, here is a process that may assist.

Step 1:    make a list of the duties (including expenses & interactions) to be undertaken

Step 2:    consider character, relationships (with yourself, bride and bridesmaids) and skills, make a list of contenders e.g. best friend, brother/sister, cousin, Dad, son, etc.

Step 3:    cross out anyone who could not reliably perform or undertake those duties but if you cannot narrow the list to less than two, maybe have two or more

Step 4:    talk to the remainder on the list to gauge:

  • their agreement to being on the list
  • availability to perform the role
  • enthusiasm

Step 5:    Review Steps 2 & 3, and by now you should have a choice

You will find this question and many others answered on my webpage:

#bestman; #ALifeCelebrant; #AustralianCelebrant; #AustralianWedding; #bestceremony; #bestwedding; #officiant; #weddingofficiant; #PenrithCelebrant; #relationship; #rings; #SydneyCelebrant; #TheVow; #TheWeddingExpert; #Wedding; #WeddingCelebrant; #weddingceremony; #WesternSydneyCelebrant; #WesternSydneyWedding

SCAM ALERT

It is nearing Christmas and sadly one of the annual occurrences is the scam phone calls.

I had one of those ATO scam phone calls from 02 6172 0554.

It was a recording claiming my family and I are being prosecuted by the ATO and requiring me to call a number which I didn’t catch.

It is of course a scam and will be reported.

When I websearched the number, I was astounded to find reports that people were still falling for the scam and handing over itunes, google and bunnings cards or similar.

Card sellers are now usually warning anyone who attempts to buy bulk cards and one shop assistant reported just last week that a distressed woman in hospital uniform rushed into the store while speaking on the phone and attempted to purchase over $1000 in Google cards. The shop assistant tried to tell her it was a scam but the woman would not listen as she was too engrossed in her phone conversation. The shop assistant then very responsibly refused to sell to her. The distressed woman, then rushed from the store looking for another outlet.

This is a list of numbers  listed on the net as those allegedly used by scammers:

02 6216 1111
02 6216 1112
02 6216 1113
02 6216 1114
02 6216 1115
02 6216 1116
02 6216 1117
02 6216 1118
02 6216 1119
02 6216 1113
02 6172 1219
02 6064 2061
02 6064 2097
08 9467 4183
03 9015 4046
061 3 5294 0418

You can also any communication that you aren’t sure about by phoning the ATO from 8.00am-6.00pm, Monday to Friday on:

– Individuals                        13 28 61

– Businesses                       13 28 66

– Tax Professionals           13 72 86

  • General                            1800 008 540

For examples of the latest scams, tips for staying safe online and a list of current communication activities the ATO are undertaking, you can visit ato.gov.au/onlinesecurity

If you have accidentally submitted personally identifiable information to a scammer then please contact the relevant institution (e.g. your bank) to deal with your personal situation.

 

 

 

 

 

Changes to the Marriage Act 1961 on 26 October 2018.

Civil Law and Justice Legislation Amendment Act 2018 made a number of minor changes to the Marriage Act 1961. These changes commenced on 26 October 2018.

The changes deal with technical amendments of minor policy significance, and remedied errors and defects in existing legislation, including removing outdated concepts and to ensure consistency with the Family Law Act 1975.

The following changes relate specifically to Commonwealth-registered marriage celebrants. The full Act which contains all of the changes to the Marriage Act is available here.

  • Disciplinary measures – Section 39G has been amended so that marriage celebrants must now comply with any disciplinary measures imposed under section 39I of the Marriage Act. The amendment is intended to ensure the Registrar has authority to take additional disciplinary action if a celebrant does not comply with a previously imposed disciplinary measure.
  • The register – the Act has been amended to clarify that the register of marriage celebrants is the publicly available list that is published on the department’s website, as opposed to the administrative database used by the department, which includes other personal information about celebrants’ registration.
  • Update to contact details – Section 39G has been updated so it is now a requirement for celebrants to advise the Registrar of any changes to the contact details previously provided to the Registrar. Previously, celebrants were only required to update the Registrar when there was a change to their contact details published on the register of marriage celebrants. Section 39G has also been amended so that celebrants can advise the Registrar of changes to their contact details via the self‑service portal. This amendment removes any doubt about how the Registrar can be advised of changes to contact details.

Who can perform a marriage ceremony in Australia?

Only people who are legally authorised under the Marriage Act in Australia, may solemnise marriages.

The three categories of ‘authorised celebrant’ under the Marriage Act are:

  1. Ministers of religion who are registered by the States and Territories to solemnise marriages for a recognised denomination. These are referred to as ‘category A’ authorised celebrants. This category of authorised celebrants have a registration number beginning with a letter that relates to the state or territory in which they were registered (such as ‘W’, ‘S’, ‘V’, ‘N’)
  2. State and Territory Officers—staff of Registries of Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM) or court officers—who are authorised to solemnise marriages as part of their employment. These are referred to as ‘category B’ authorised celebrants.
  3. Marriage celebrants (This is my category) registered by the Commonwealth under the Marriage Celebrants Programme. These are referred to as ‘category C’ authorised celebrants. This includes marriage celebrants who perform religious ceremonies (whether or not they are also designated as ‘religious marriage celebrants’) and marriage celebrants who perform civil marriage ceremonies (whether or not they are designated as ‘religious marriage celebrants’). Marriage celebrants in this category have a registration number beginning with the letter ‘A’.
  • Religious marriage celebrants are a subcategory of Commonwealth-registered marriage celebrants under Subdivision D of Division 1 of Part IV of the Marriage Act (category D celebrants). In order to become a religious marriage celebrant, a person must first be a marriage celebrant registered by the Commonwealth.

Chaplains of the Australian Defence Forces (ADF), and ADF marriage officers, who solemnise marriages overseas under Part V of the Marriage Act are also authorised celebrants under the Act.

 

#ALifeCelebrant; #AustralianCelebrant; #AustralianWedding; #bestceremony; #bestwedding; #officiant; #weddingofficiant; #PenrithCelebrant; #relationship; #rings; #SydneyCelebrant; #TheVow; #TheWeddingExpert; #Wedding; #WeddingCelebrant; #weddingceremony; #WesternSydneyCelebrant; #WesternSydneyWedding

What are the ‘Marriage Act Guidelines’ that celebrants talk about?

Simply put, a Guide prepared for Celebrants to help them understand the Marriage Act and Regulations.

So the purpose of the guidelines is to assist authorised celebrants understand the requirements for solemnising marriage under the Marriage Act.

The guidelines apply to all authorised celebrants who solemnise marriages in Australia, unless otherwise stated.

Following changes to the Marriage Act in 2017, and the creation of new Regulations in 2018, new Guidelines were issued in  2018.

 

#solemnisemarriages; #celebrant

New NOIM under review

People are at times confused by questions on the current Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) which must be lodged no earlier than 18 months before and no later than 1 month before a Marriage in Australia and so a new NOIM has been proposed.

It is still in the draft stage I have  but I applaud the simplicity of the draft and look forward to its approval. It may however make it difficult for future genealogists to follow a paper trail in family histories as names of parents and children will no longer be required.

You can see it for yourself at this site: https://www.ag.gov.au/Consultations/Documents/marriage-draft-noim.PDF

 

#simplicityeasesconfusion

Apology to followers – 268 Promoters of Pornography, Minecraft & Gambling blocked

My apologies to my followers for not posting recently.

I am about to resume regular posts.

Just had to postpone posts while security was being increased as there have been a influx of illicit sites trying to gain reach through my site.

268 Promoters of Pornography, Minecraft and Gambling sites & associated materials are now automatically blocked.

#websecurity

NOIM-Adoption: My mother remarried, and my stepfather adopted me. My birth certificate has my adopted name and a note at the bottom lists my birth name as my original name, alongside of my birth father’s name; so who do I put on the NOIM as my father?

Which father do you want to list?

If we look at the Guidelines on the Marriage Act, ‘section 4.5.2 Parents’ names’ and at the NOIM, we find that the NOIM requires that the parties to the marriage list their parents but the NOIM does not differentiate between birth and adoptive parents as it simply asks for the father’s name and the mother’s maiden name

In most cases people will list their parents as per their birth certificates or as per adoption papers but not all parents are listed on birth certificates and in your specific example there are two fathers’, being the birth and the adoptive.

The Guidelines tell us that:

“it is up to the parties to list their parents using the names as they know them by”

The Guidelines also tell us that there is no requirement for the Celebrant to sight evidence of the parents’ names irrespective of whether a birth certificate is produced and further, that a statutory declaration is not required for this item.

This indicates that whilst the birth certificate is required as a proof of date & place of birth, it is not required for the purposes of completion of the NOIM, as proof of the identification of parents.

In your circumstances then, the mother is unchanged but in regard to the father, I would contend that there is a choice as to who you would list.

You have two fathers identified:

  1. Birth Parent (as a previous parent) and
  2. Adoptive Parent (current)

and so I would simply abide by the advice that:

“it is up to the parties to list the parents using the names as they know them by”,

or put simply, list whomever you regard as the parent.

That is most likely to be the adoptive father who is of course the current parent and listed as such on the Birth Certificate.

In regard to the birth father, at the time of your adoption, it must be presumed that the birth father was either not available because of death or had willingly relinquished his role.

Given the complexities of life, you might nonetheless have a strong connection to the birth father and/or his family name.

In either scenario, it would appear that the Guidelines will allow the option of listing the either the current and legal father, or the birth father, whichever is preferred.

When we signed the NOIM, both of my parents were alive, but one of my parents has since died and our wedding has not yet occurred. Do we have to change/update the information on the NOIM ?

Firstly, given the circumstances, you may wish to include a memorial ritual or activity, into your Ceremony, to honour the deceased and to recognise the absence of a loved one.

The answer to the questions though is Yes.

The update to the form is required prior to the Ceremony.

As the NOIM is an approved form and item 11 and 12 on the form must be answered.

These are the questions relating to father and mothers (maiden) name in full and whether or not one or both parents are deceased.

If the status changes to hand prior to the wedding, the Celebrant, is able to add “deceased” next to parent’s name in either section 11 or 12, depending on the parent.

The alteration should be initialed by the party correcting the error and by the celebrant.

The corrected NOIM may then be treated as having been given in its corrected form.

The Code of Practice for Celebrants requires accuracy in the preparation of marriage paperwork and a failure to update the NOIM as appropriate may result in disciplinary action against the Celebrant, and cause delay in the registration of the marriage.

#ALifeCelebrant; #Anniversary; #AustralianCelebrant; #AustralianWedding; #BabiesatWeddings; #beautiful; #bestceremony; #bestwedding; #Birthday; #BlacktownCelebrant; #bride; #BrideandBride; #Burial; #Celebrant; #celebrant; #CelebrantinStMarys; #celebrantlife; #celebrants; #CelebrantStClair; #celebrate; #celebration; #Ceremonies4U; #ceremony; #CivilCelebrant; #Colyton; #ColytonCelebrant; #Commitment; #congrats; #Congratulations; #congratulations; #Cremation; #dating; #ErskineParkCelebrant; #Eulogy; #FamilyCelebrant; #forever; #Funeral; #FuneralCelebrant; #FuneralCelebrant; #FuneralHomes; #FuneralNotices; #GlenmoreParkCelebrant; #Grief; #GroomandGroom; #IDo; #instawed; #instawedding; #KempsCreekWedding; #lifecelebrations; #lifeevents; #Lifeunion; #LiverpoolCelebrant; #Loss; #LouSzymkow; #LouTheCelebrant; #love; #LudwigSzymkow; #LudwigTheCelebrant; #marriage; #marriagecelebrant; #marriagecelebrant; #marriagecelebrants; #marriageceremony; #MarriageEquality; #married; #MinchinburyCelebrant; #MusicforFunerals; #Naming; #NamingCeremony; #Naptuals; #Nepean; #NepeanCelebrant; #NepeanCelebrants; #PenrithCelebrant; #relationship; #rings; #samesexmarriage; #sayingvows; #StClairCelebrant; #StMarys Celebrant; #SydneyCelebrant; #TheVow; #TheWeddingExpert; #Tietheknot; #Venues; #Vow; #Vows; #vows; #wedding; #Wedding; #WeddingCelebrant; #weddingceremony; #WeddingPlanner; #weddingQuestions,; #WeddingSongs; #WesternSydney; #WesternSydneyCelebrant; #WesternSydneyWedding

Will my Australian Marriage be recognised overseas?

Generally, Marriage in Australia is recognised by all 113 countries that are signatories to the Apostille Convention but an Apostille Seal from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), may be required.

The countries (states) are listed here

There may however be a complication in respect to recognition of your Marriages if you are of the same sex as marriage equality is currently (2018) only legal in 26 countries and so you should check with your country of residence as to legal status & recognition.

As of January 2018, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) fee for an Apostille and Authentication $81 but for up-to-date information on DFAT fees for an Apostille Seal, see the external link to DFAT: How much does it cost?

For more information, see:

What is an Apostille Seal?

An Apostille is simply the name for a specialised certificate, issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs that recognizes & authenticates documents such as birth, marriages, marital status, deaths certificates and other documents.

The word Apostille (pronounced “ah-po-steel”) derives from the Latin post illa and then French: a marginal note).

When obtained, the Apostille is attached to your original document to verify it is legitimate and authentic so it will be accepted in one of the other countries who are members of the Hague Apostille Convention.

It is an international certification under the international Apostille Convention, (Apostille) drafted by the Hague Conference on Private International Law. It is comparable to a notarisation or certification under domestic law. If the convention applies between two countries, an apostille is sufficient to certify a document’s validity, and removes the need for double-certification, by the originating country and then by the receiving country.

There are four types of documents mentioned in the convention:

  • court documents
  • administrative documents (e.g. civil status documents which will include Birth death & Marriage certificates)
  • notarial acts
  • official certificates which are placed on documents signed by persons in their private capacity, such as official certificates recording the registration of a document or the fact that it was in existence on a certain date and official and notarial authentications of signatures.

For more information, see:

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How can I include my babies in my wedding Ceremony?

You can include very young children in your Ceremony?

There are many ways children can be included in your Ceremony.

You will find this same, or an updated general version, of this information in Wedding Ideas on my web page, or click the link to go directly to the section on Childrenbut the following is about the very young.

Go to Children, if you are looking for ideas for more so for teenage children.

Read on if you are looking for ideas for including babies.

For your own children who are articulate and over 6 in particular, your including them in the ceremony can remove anxiety about the Ceremony, as they are of course, a very important part of your marriage and of the ‘new’ family it creates, so it is always preferable to include them in some way in the wedding ceremony.

Sp this section is about the very young and of course about the recognition of the partner in marriage as that partner will now also  be a partner in parenting.

Where a child is old enough to recognise his/her own name, inclusion for them  can be as simple as mentioning their names during key parts of the ceremony such as the vows, or including them in a unifying ritual.

The Celebrant can also mention and introduce them early in the Ceremony.

A child of that age will of course require:

  • a carer/minder a
  • a change of clothes
  • nappies
  • rest
  • food/drink
  • reassurance
  • a retreat when needed
  • lots of practice to provide confidence

The minder is very important as you will be busy with the Ceremony and so it is best you are not distracted.

The minder can have the change of clothes and other needs on hand and can offer reassurance and guidance.

Depending on ages and ability of a the young child, you can assign set tasks and responsibilities such as:

  • Bridal escort (with minder)
  • Junior Bridesmaid/Groomsman (with minder)
  • Page boy (with minder)
  • Flower girl/boy (with minder)
  • Ring bearer/s (rings can be pinned to baby’s garment)
  • Announcer (if of speaking age)
  • and lots more….

It is really up to the imagination, but many choose ‘unity’ rituals which create inclusiveness.

With a baby though, it is also about parental inclusion, ie setting the base for family bonding and future parenting

Follow the links to find out more.

If you are choosing to take on a new name, you may even wish to include a Naming Ceremony for your children (though an official Change of Name, would still have to be lodged with the Registry of Births Deaths and marriages – for more information on changing names, see NAME CHANGE IN NSW: How do I change my name in NSW after marriage?. )

You might enjoy this You Tube video:

 

#ALifeCelebrant; #Anniversary; #AustralianCelebrant; #AustralianWedding; #BabiesatWeddings; #Birthday; #BlacktownCelebrant; #bride; #BrideandBride; #Burial; #Celebrant; #CelebrantinStMarys; #CelebrantStClair; Ceremonies4U; #CivilCelebrant; #Colyton; #ColytonCelebrant; #Commitment; #Congratulations; #Cremation; #dating; #ErskineParkCelebrant; #Eulogy #FamilyCelebrant; #Funeral; #FuneralCelebrant;  #FuneralCelebrant; #FuneralHomes; #FuneralNotices; #GlenmoreParkCelebrant; #Grief; #IDo; #Groomand Groom;#Kemps Creek Wedding; #lifecelebrations; #lifeevents; #Lifeunion; #LiverpoolCelebrant; #Loss; #LouSzymkow; #LouTheCelebrant; #love; #LudwigSzymkow; #LudwigTheCelebrant; #marriagecelebrant; #MarriageEquality; #MinchinburyCelebrant; #MusicforFunerals; #Naming; #NamingCeremony; #Naptuals; #Nepean; #NepeanCelebrant; #NepeanCelebrants; #PenrithCelebrant; #relationship; #rings; #samesexmarriage; #StClairCelebrant; #StMarys Celebrant; #SydneyCelebrant; #TheVow; #TheWeddingExpert; #Tietheknot; #Venues; #Vow; #Vows; #Vows; #wedding; #Wedding; #WeddingCelebrant; #WeddingPlanner; #weddingQuestions, #WeddingSongs; #WesternSydney; #WesternSydneyCelebrant; #WesternSydneyWedding;

Question for today: We are the same sex, and so can we both be brides/grooms?

A recently released fact sheet issued by the Attorney General’s department makes life much easier for couples who don’t wish to be restricted by gender.

It is now up to each party to decide which option they want to use to describe themselves.

See: Marriage equality: Questions and answers on sex and gender – May 2018 [PDF 858KB]

 

#ALifeCelebrant; #Anniversary; #AustralianCelebrant; #AustralianWedding; #Birthday; #BlacktownCelebrant; #bride; #BrideandBride; #Burial; #Celebrant; #CelebrantinStMarys; #CelebrantStClair; Ceremonies4U; #CivilCelebrant; #Colyton; #ColytonCelebrant; #Commitment; #Congratulations; #Cremation; #dating; #ErskineParkCelebrant; #Eulogy #FamilyCelebrant; #Funeral; #FuneralCelebrant;  #FuneralCelebrant; #FuneralHomes; #FuneralNotices; #GlenmoreParkCelebrant; #Grief; #IDo; #Groomand Groom;#Kemps Creek Wedding; #lifecelebrations; #lifeevents; #Lifeunion; #LiverpoolCelebrant; #Loss; #LouSzymkow; #LouTheCelebrant; #love; #LudwigSzymkow; #LudwigTheCelebrant; #marriagecelebrant; #MarriageEquality; #MinchinburyCelebrant; #MusicforFunerals; #Naming; #NamingCeremony; #Naptuals; #Nepean; #NepeanCelebrant; #NepeanCelebrants; #PenrithCelebrant; #relationship; #rings; #samesexmarriage; #StClairCelebrant; #StMarys Celebrant; #SydneyCelebrant; #TheVow; #TheWeddingExpert; #Tietheknot; #Venues; #Vow; #Vows; #Vows; #wedding; #Wedding; #WeddingCelebrant; #WeddingPlanner; #weddingQuestions, #WeddingSongs; #WesternSydney; #WesternSydneyCelebrant; #WesternSydneyWedding;

A new Fact Sheet on Marriage Equality was issued today 

A new Fact Sheet on Marriage Equality was issued today

This coincides with a Draft Revised Guidelines on the Marriage Act 1961 for Authorised Celebrants.  You can review the Draft Revised Guidelines here.

#ALifeCelebrant; #Anniversary; #AustralianCelebrant; #AustralianWedding; #Birthday; #BlacktownCelebrant; #bride; #Burial; #Celebrant; #CelebrantinStMarys; #CelebrantStClair; Ceremonies4U; #CivilCelebrant; #Colyton; #ColytonCelebrant; #Commitment; #Congratulations; #Cremation; #dating; #ErskineParkCelebrant; #Eulogy #FamilyCelebrant; #Funeral; #FuneralCelebrant;  #FuneralCelebrant; #FuneralHomes; #FuneralNotices; #GlenmoreParkCelebrant; #Grief; #IDo; #Kemps Creek Wedding; #lifecelebrations; #lifeevents; #Lifeunion; #LiverpoolCelebrant; #Loss; #LouSzymkow; #LouTheCelebrant; #love; #LudwigSzymkow; #LudwigTheCelebrant; #marriagecelebrant; #MarriageEquality; #MinchinburyCelebrant; #MusicforFunerals; #Naming; #NamingCeremony; #Naptuals; #Nepean; #NepeanCelebrant; #NepeanCelebrants; #PenrithCelebrant; #relationship; #rings; #samesexmarriage; #StClairCelebrant; #StMarys Celebrant; #SydneyCelebrant; #TheVow; #TheWeddingExpert; #Tietheknot; #Venues; #Vow; #Vows; #Vows; #wedding; #Wedding; #WeddingCelebrant; #WeddingPlanner; #weddingQuestions, #WeddingSongs; #WesternSydney; #WesternSydneyCelebrant; #WesternSydneyWedding;

What music should I play at my wedding?

Music choices are often difficult and so I have tried to make it easier with lots of info on Wedding Songs tab.

You will even find a list of talented, unique musicians at Helpful People

When choosing a song or music for the most exciting walk toward your future, be sure the tempo is just right for your procession, skip or dance, down the aisle; and that the lyrics suit both your dreams and the occasion.

You might want something very traditional by like a Bridal Chorus, or something different like You Shook Me All Night Long, by AC-DC.

It is entirely your choice, your day.

  • TIP: Check the length of the song to make certain it will not be too long or too short.

Some other bits of useful info at these links

#ALifeCelebrant; #Anniversary; #AustralianCelebrant; #AustralianWedding; #Birthday; #BlacktownCelebrant; #bride; #Burial; #Celebrant; #CelebrantinStMarys; #CelebrantStClair; Ceremonies4U; #CivilCelebrant; #Colyton; #ColytonCelebrant; #Commitment; #Congratulations; #Cremation; #dating; #ErskineParkCelebrant; #Eulogy #FamilyCelebrant; #Funeral; #FuneralCelebrant;  #FuneralCelebrant; #FuneralHomes; #FuneralNotices; #GlenmoreParkCelebrant; #Grief; #IDo; #Kemps Creek Wedding; #lifecelebrations; #lifeevents; #Lifeunion; #LiverpoolCelebrant; #Loss; #LouSzymkow; #LouTheCelebrant; #love; #LudwigSzymkow; #LudwigTheCelebrant; #marriagecelebrant; #MarriageEquality; #MinchinburyCelebrant; #MusicforFunerals; #Naming; #NamingCeremony; #Naptuals; #Nepean; #NepeanCelebrant; #NepeanCelebrants; #PenrithCelebrant; #relationship; #rings; #samesexmarriage; #StClairCelebrant; #StMarys Celebrant; #SydneyCelebrant; #TheVow; #TheWeddingExpert; #Tietheknot; #Venues; #Vow; #Vows; #Vows; #wedding; #Wedding; #WeddingCelebrant; #WeddingPlanner; #weddingQuestions, #WeddingSongs; #WesternSydney; #WesternSydneyCelebrant; #WesternSydneyWedding;

A little fun today – difference between Dogs and cats

The Dog’s Diary

8:00 am – Dog food! My favourite thing!
9:30 am – A car ride! My favourite thing!
9:40 am – A walk in the park! My favourite thing!
10:30 am – Got rubbed and petted! My favourite thing!
12:00 pm – Milk bones! My favourite thing!
1:00 pm – Played in the yard! My favourite thing!
3:00 pm – Wagged my tail! My favourite thing!
5:00 pm – Dinner! My favourite thing!
7:00 pm – Got to play ball! My favourite thing!
8:00 pm – Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favourite thing!
11:00 pm – Sleeping on the bed! My favourite thing!

The Cat’s Diary

Day 983 of My Captivity

My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength.

The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet. Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates my capabilities. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a “good little hunter” I am.

There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of “allergies.” I must learn what this means, and how to use it to my advantage.

Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow, but at the top of the stairs.

I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released, and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously a moron. The bird must be an informant. I observe him communicate with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe. For now…

How do I know what to do next during my Ceremony?

You will approve the Ceremony script beforehand, but I will also guide you through the entire ceremony.

If you like we can have a full rehearsal on-site which might be important & helpful for larger ceremonies at a venue but usually a run through is sufficient for small ceronies.

If you are using a Ceremony Planner, the planner will coordinate activities outside and around the ceremony.

More questions answered on my webpage where you will find lots more interesting and useful information including:

 

 

ENGAGEMENT RING: What are the 4Cs when it comes to diamonds  on an engagement ring?

Diamonds are graded by the 4 Cs which are:

  1. Carat:    or weight, determines the size of the diamond.
  2. Clarity: The fewer flaws, the greater the value. If you cannot see flaws with the naked eye, it’s called an eye-clean diamond.
  3. Colour: A clear diamond is the rarest and has the highest grade of D. A yellow diamond will have the lowest grade of Z.
  4. Cut:        The cut creates the sparkle and so impacts on the beauty of the diamond.

Another consideration is Shape: Not to be confused with ‘cut’ the shape identifies the overall appearance of the diamond, e.g. round, oval, teardrop etc. Round stones are the most common.

***

More questions answered on my webpage where you will find lots more interesting and useful information including:

#WeddingQuestions

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Dad’s Prayer

Dad’s Prayer

by © Lou Szymkow, April 2018

I dreamed of you before you arrived in our lives
I learned what a miracle is, when you your born
I thank God every day that you are with us
And look forward to every moment we spend together
You are my flesh
You are my blood
You are my life
I will love you always as I do today
And I pray that God will always guide me as a parent and that
God will protect and guide as you grow from the wonderful child that you are
To the man that you will be

Amen

What makes a good speaker, trainer or educator; You know?.

There are many aspects of course but key among them all is communication, or rather the ability to transfer information by speech, written text, or other means in a manner that is at the ability of the listener to absorb and understand.

The message however can get lost when there are distractions.

When we speak, we sometimes punctuate sentences with distracting ‘punctuations’ or interjections such as ‘uhm’, ‘arh’, ‘aha’, ‘like’, ‘yeah’, ‘eh?’ and words or phrases such as ‘you know’, ‘You know what I mean’, or ‘yes, no’.

“This is the reason and explanation, like, yeah, you know.(?)”

These discourse markers, sounds, grunts or filler words, become an expression (by the speaker) of self-doubt, uncertainty, hesitation, deliberation, interest, disinterest etc. and though sometimes used as reaffirmations, can still be very distracting.

The recurrent use, removes confidence in the message.

The listener is given doubt as to the validity of the message because the speaker has demonstrated similar doubts.

To clarify, the interjection “You Know” is often used by people (including trainers) offering explanations.

“This is the reason and explanation, you know.(?)”

Simply put, if I knew, I would not need the lesson, or to listen.

When a raised intonation, is used, the statement “you know”, becomes a question: You know? Presumably the speaker means “Do you understand?”, but if the speaker, in answering a question, is compelled by thought or habit, to ask the question repeatedly, then it is apparent that the speaker is uncertain that a full and correct answer has yet been given and so goes on without waiting for an answer to repeat “You know?/Do you understand?”, and moments later will repeat again “You know? often with greater frequency.

Distracted by the frequent repetition of the interjection “you know” by a speaker, I resorted to simply marking a count in the margin of my notes. This actually enabled me to block out the extraneous words and just focus on the actual message rather than be distracted by the repetition of the phrase.

When reviewing my notes, I saw the count in my margins and was surprised to find that on every page of my notes there were 12-20 marks so that over a 1 hour period, the speaker used the phrase “You know” 20 times every 10 minutes (twice a minute) so over an hour period, on average, used the phrase up to 120 times.

If you are a public speaker or trainer, get rid of the phrase/interjection/question ‘You know”; discard the  discourse markers, and ensure the message is delivered confidently, so that the listener will actually know what you mean.…You know.

What documents do we need to show, to complete the Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM)?

To be married in Australia, You need to show to the Celebrant, the originals of:

  1. evidence of date and place of birth
  2. evidence to establish the identities of the parties to the marriage
  3. if previously married, evidence of divorce or death of previous spouse

4.4 Evidence Of Date And Place Of Birth

Each party to a marriage must give their authorised celebrant evidence of their date and place of birth before a marriage is solemnised. (see Paragraph 42(1)(b) of the Marriage Act).

The following documents only are acceptable as evidence of a party’s date and place of birth:

  • an official (original) certificate of birth, or an official extract of an entry in an official register showing the date and place of birth of the party, (Subparagraph 42(1)(b)(i) of the Marriage Act) or
  • a statutory declaration from the party or the party’s parent stating: (Subparagraph 42(1)(b)(ii) of the Marriage Act).
    • it is impracticable (this does not mean not practical or convenient; it means impossible) to obtain an official birth certificate or extract, and the reasons why, and
    • to the best of the declarant’s knowledge and belief and as accurately as the declarant has been able to ascertain, when and where the party was born, or
  • a passport issued by the Australian government or a government of an overseas country showing the date and place of birth of the party. (see Subparagraphs 42(1)(b)(iii)&(iv) of the Marriage Act).

4.6 Establishing The Identities Of The Parties To The Marriage

An authorised celebrant shall not solemnise a marriage unless satisfied that the parties are the parties referred to in the NOIM.(see Subsection 42(8) of the Marriage Act).

This requirement is separate from, and additional to, the requirement that each party to a marriage must give their authorised celebrant evidence of their date and place of birth before a marriage is solemnised.

An authorised celebrant should require each party to a marriage to provide at least one of the following documents with photo identification as evidence of their identity:

  • a driver’s licence
  • a proof of age/photo card
  • an Australian or overseas passport, or
  • a Certificate of Australian Citizenship along with another form of photographic evidence (such as a student card or other photo identification not listed above).

An expired passport is acceptable as evidence of date and place of birth. However, a cancelled passport is not acceptable.

This is because a cancelled passport is a passport that has been reported as lost or stolen and is permanently cancelled by border control authorities in Australia or abroad.

If an overseas passport does not show the place of birth of the party, then it cannot be used as evidence of the party’s place of birth and celebrants should request the party to produce either a birth certificate or statutory declaration as appropriate.

How your previous marriage was terminated

Item 17 of the NOIM requires the parties to state how their last marriage was terminated, if they have previously been married. The options that may be listed in item 17 of the NOIM are:

  • death
  • divorce, or
  • Nullity

If a party has indicated on the NOIM that they were previously married (item five), and this marriage was terminated through death, divorce or nullity (item 17), they must produce evidence of the termination of their previous marriage to the authorised celebrant. This evidence must be produced to the authorised celebrant prior to the marriage being solemnised.