Here are 8 Tips for a Stress Free Wedding. Follow these to maximise the enjoyment and reduce possible stress. Your wedding day should be one of enjoying one of the most important days of your life… not stress!
1. Keep yourself hydrated and nourished
Sometimes couples get so wrapped up in making the day perfect, they forget to eat and drink. They become de-hydrated and their blood sugar levels can drop, making them dizzy and feeling faint. Mix that with a hot day and nerves, and you could end up with a wedding ceremony that is aired on Funniest Home Videos (but won’t be so funny to you).
2.Hair and makeup tips for a stress free wedding
When arranging your appointments with hairdressers and makeup artists, ensure that you as the bride get done first. Have your own transport in case you have to leave before the bridesmaids are finished. This will ensure that you will be dressed and ready when the photographer and/or videographer arrive.
If you are having makeup professionally done, ask them for a sample of the product you are using. Most places have samples and are happy to give them to you. They are a convenient size to put in a small bag to re-apply as needed after the ceremony and throughout the reception.
3. Flower tips for a stress free wedding
Only put the flowers in the fridge if you are getting married in winter or where the outside temperature is quite cool. Flowers don’t take kindly to be thrust into a furnace after they have sat undisturbed for some hours.
Queensland brides should leave the flowers wrapped in wet paper towels (around the stalk end) at room temperature. This prevents the flowers go into ‘shock’ when they go outside.
4.Groom’s arrival tips for a stress free wedding
Both the groom and his attendants should be on site at least a half hour before the ceremony start time to be able to greet the guests, and to be ready for the photographer.
5. Bride’s arrival tips for a stress free wedding
Contrary to popular belief, it is no longer fashionable for the bride to be late. This may have been the case in a time when churches or venues only booked one wedding per day. These days sites can be booked for another wedding, and you don’t want to be hurried along by the arrival of the next bride and groom.
Also, late arrival of the bride can cause undue stress for the groom and his attendants, and your guests; especially the elderly and young children. These people have already been ‘standing around’ for some time, and tend to become tired and unsettled. In the interests of all concerned, you should aim to be on time.
6. Transport to the wedding venue tips for a stress free wedding
Close to your wedding date and at approximately the same time and day as the wedding, have a practice run from where you are getting dressed to the venue. This will cater for about the same type of traffic conditions. Obeying all traffic lights, directions, speed limits etc, note the time it took to get there, then add 15 minutes to it. Use this practice run to calculate the time the bride should be in the car and on her way, taking into account that you may need to allow an extra 10-15 minutes on arrival at the venue for the photographer. This extra time ensures that she will be able to be taken around any traffic diversions, accidents, RBTs and so on, so that you arrive cool, calm and collected.
If using limousines or hire vehicles, contact the company a few days before the wedding date and go over all transport requirements, particularly timings of arrival at the bride’s home, departure from there and arrival time at the wedding venue, allowing for the photographer who may take up to 15 minutes to take shots of your arrival. Ensure that the driver will know the location and directions to the wedding venue.
In the event of any accident, flat tyre or vehicle breakdown, it is a good idea for the bride (or father of the bride, if in the same car) has at least $40-50 so that if worst case scenario means that you have to call a cab, you have the money to pay for the fare. Do not wait for help.
7. During the ceremony
While you are standing for the ceremony, you should never stand continuously on the balls of your feet, as this can close off part of the circulation and result in an eventual faint. Equally, never stand entirely on the front of your feet. This may be a little hard for brides with high heels, but the best way to avoid cutting off circulation is to discretely rock back and forwards, or wiggle your toes. No-one will see!
8. More tips for a stress free wedding
Tips for grooms
- Buttonhole flowers are worn on the left lapel, with the flower facing up. Flowers are usually worn by the groom and his attendants, plus the fathers of the bride and groom.
- The pleats in cummerbunds are worn facing up.
- For best photographic results, shave 2-3 days before the wedding and then wait until the morning of the wedding to shave again.
Tips for brides
- Pack an ‘emergency kit’. Ask a friend to look after it until needed. Include things like lipstick, make up touch ups, nail varnish (to fix a run in stockings). Also include safety pins and/or needle and thread, aspirin, spare hanky or tissues, band aids.
- Consider packing some comfy shoes that you can change into after the photos and formalities are over.
- If you are spray tanning for your wedding, trial the product or professional service first. Be certain you are going to like the end result. A bad spray tan can look tragic, whereas a good one looks fabulous.
- Do not apply any hair removal creams or waxes within a day or two of your wedding unless you are certain that you won’t have a reaction to it.
- Clean your engagement ring so that it will match your shiny new wedding ring.
- If you are wearing a strapless gown, take your bra off at least three hours before the photographer’s arrival on your wedding day. Bra strap marks stay embedded in the skin for a long time.
For more wedding tips and ideas, check out :https://www.michaeljanzcelebrant.com.au/faqs/
Wedding Suppliers … when should I book them?
in MarriageWhen to book wedding suppliers is an important question for engaged couples. As a Sydney based Marriage Celebrant, I speak to many couples who disappointed their preferred wedding venue is booked out years in advance. 63 percent of weddings are held on Saturdays. Consequently, Saturdays book out quickly.
My best advice is once you are engaged, book your key wedding suppliers. Decide your preferred date/s. Then book your wedding venue, Marriage Celebrant and wedding photographer.
When should the rest of your wedding suppliers be booked? To help, my Ultimate Wedding Planning Checklist can be downloaded free. This Wedding Checklist gives you a great idea of what suppliers you may need so you can book them in a timely manner. I am a full-time Brisbane based Marriage Celebrant and have developed this checklist based on feedback from couples I have married.
If you are looking for an electronic To Do List or App Easy Weddings offers some great free tools. A broad range of wedding professionals’ profiles can be found on their site.
When looking for your wedding suppliers it is wise to seek suppliers who focus on weddings. Be aware that many wedding suppliers are casual or part-time. This is certainly the case with Marriage Celebrants. A small proportion of the thousands of Celebrants are full time. Here are so useful tip when choosing a Marriage Celebrant.
Looking for a wedding venue in Sydney, NSW? Sydney wedding venues offer an amazing selection of beautiful places for ceremonies and wedding receptions. From fine-dining restaurants to 5 star hotels, waterfront cafe’s, function centres & parks, Sydney takes the gong for best choice of urban wedding venues in New South Wales.
Most professional wedding photographers work can be readily viewed on their websites, Facebook and Instagram pages. Looking for a wedding photographer in Sydney? The diversity of wedding photography Sydney has to offer is exceptionally rich, ranging from award winning wedding photographers with coveted international accolades to artists who capture beautiful wedding images in budget friendly packages.
How to Choose a Celebrant
in Ceremony, Marriage8 Helpful Tips for a Stress Free Wedding
in UncategorizedHere are 8 Tips for a Stress Free Wedding. Follow these to maximise the enjoyment and reduce possible stress. Your wedding day should be one of enjoying one of the most important days of your life… not stress!
1. Keep yourself hydrated and nourished
Sometimes couples get so wrapped up in making the day perfect, they forget to eat and drink. They become de-hydrated and their blood sugar levels can drop, making them dizzy and feeling faint. Mix that with a hot day and nerves, and you could end up with a wedding ceremony that is aired on Funniest Home Videos (but won’t be so funny to you).
2.Hair and makeup tips for a stress free wedding
When arranging your appointments with hairdressers and makeup artists, ensure that you as the bride get done first. Have your own transport in case you have to leave before the bridesmaids are finished. This will ensure that you will be dressed and ready when the photographer and/or videographer arrive.
If you are having makeup professionally done, ask them for a sample of the product you are using. Most places have samples and are happy to give them to you. They are a convenient size to put in a small bag to re-apply as needed after the ceremony and throughout the reception.
3. Flower tips for a stress free wedding
Only put the flowers in the fridge if you are getting married in winter or where the outside temperature is quite cool. Flowers don’t take kindly to be thrust into a furnace after they have sat undisturbed for some hours.
Queensland brides should leave the flowers wrapped in wet paper towels (around the stalk end) at room temperature. This prevents the flowers go into ‘shock’ when they go outside.
4.Groom’s arrival tips for a stress free wedding
Both the groom and his attendants should be on site at least a half hour before the ceremony start time to be able to greet the guests, and to be ready for the photographer.
5. Bride’s arrival tips for a stress free wedding
Contrary to popular belief, it is no longer fashionable for the bride to be late. This may have been the case in a time when churches or venues only booked one wedding per day. These days sites can be booked for another wedding, and you don’t want to be hurried along by the arrival of the next bride and groom.
Also, late arrival of the bride can cause undue stress for the groom and his attendants, and your guests; especially the elderly and young children. These people have already been ‘standing around’ for some time, and tend to become tired and unsettled. In the interests of all concerned, you should aim to be on time.
6. Transport to the wedding venue tips for a stress free wedding
Close to your wedding date and at approximately the same time and day as the wedding, have a practice run from where you are getting dressed to the venue. This will cater for about the same type of traffic conditions. Obeying all traffic lights, directions, speed limits etc, note the time it took to get there, then add 15 minutes to it. Use this practice run to calculate the time the bride should be in the car and on her way, taking into account that you may need to allow an extra 10-15 minutes on arrival at the venue for the photographer. This extra time ensures that she will be able to be taken around any traffic diversions, accidents, RBTs and so on, so that you arrive cool, calm and collected.
If using limousines or hire vehicles, contact the company a few days before the wedding date and go over all transport requirements, particularly timings of arrival at the bride’s home, departure from there and arrival time at the wedding venue, allowing for the photographer who may take up to 15 minutes to take shots of your arrival. Ensure that the driver will know the location and directions to the wedding venue.
In the event of any accident, flat tyre or vehicle breakdown, it is a good idea for the bride (or father of the bride, if in the same car) has at least $40-50 so that if worst case scenario means that you have to call a cab, you have the money to pay for the fare. Do not wait for help.
7. During the ceremony
While you are standing for the ceremony, you should never stand continuously on the balls of your feet, as this can close off part of the circulation and result in an eventual faint. Equally, never stand entirely on the front of your feet. This may be a little hard for brides with high heels, but the best way to avoid cutting off circulation is to discretely rock back and forwards, or wiggle your toes. No-one will see!
8. More tips for a stress free wedding
Tips for grooms
Tips for brides
For more wedding tips and ideas, check out :https://www.michaeljanzcelebrant.com.au/faqs/
Changing your name through marriage in Australia
in UncategorizedSo, you are now married, and you would like to change your last name … what do you do?
Many people choose to use their spouse’s family name once they are married—it’s a custom and not the law.
If you were married in Australia, you don’t need to apply formally for a change of name with Births, Deaths or Marriages in your local State.
Usually personal documentation, such as your driver licence and passport, can be changed to your married name when you provide a standard marriage certificate. This is not the Certificate provided at your wedding. A standard marriage certificate must be applied for through Births, Deaths or Marriages in the State where you were married.
When I marry a couple, I ask if they would like me to request a standard marriage certificate when I register the wedding.
How to change your name through marriage
If you choose to change your name when you get married, you’ll need to tell various government agencies, banks, utility suppliers and other businesses your new married name.
You may be asked to:
Organisations will also have different requirements on what proof they need, some may want:
For more information go to: https://www.qld.gov.au/law/births-deaths-marriages-and-divorces/changing-your-name/changing-your-name-through-marriage or Births, Deaths or Marriages in the State where you were married.
Wedding Venues favourites
in UncategorizedAre you planning a video of your wedding?
in Ceremony, MarriageRemember your special day with a wedding video. Have a look at some wedding video examples https://www.michaeljanzcelebrant.com.au/video-gallery/
What Makes a Good Wedding Video
A wedding video immortalizes the emotions, moments, and memories of one of the most significant days in a couple’s life. It’s not merely a recording, but a cinematic storytelling that captures the essence of the union and celebration. Creating an exceptional wedding video requires a blend of technical skill, artistry, and heartfelt storytelling. Here are the key ingredients that contribute to making a good wedding video.
Authentic Storytelling
Narrative Arc: A quality wedding video should tell a story. It’s not just about capturing events as they happen, but crafting a narrative that reflects the couple’s relationship, personalities, and the significance of their wedding day.
Personal Touches: Highlight personal details – the handwritten vows, the nervous smiles, the tears of joy, the particular decor that the couple chose, and the candid laughter. These moments, often overlooked, weave depth into the wedding story.
Artistic Cinematography
Composition and Framing: Like any cinematic work, the composition of each shot is critical. Good framings tell a story by themselves, capturing the setting, emotions, and interactions in a visually appealing manner.
Lighting: Good lighting is paramount – it sets the mood and adds a touch of magic to the visuals. Whether it’s the soft backlight of a sunset ceremony or the vibrant colors of the dance floor, good wedding videos use light to enhance the storytelling.
Camera Movement: Smooth, purposeful movement of the camera, whether through gliding steadicam shots or dynamic drone footage, adds interest and a professional polish to your wedding video.
High-Quality Editing
Pacing: A well-edited wedding video has a rhythm that matches the energy of the day, oscillating between fast-paced sequences to slower, more intimate moments.
Music Selection: The right music can underscore emotions and accentuate key moments. A good wedding video uses a soundtrack that complements the visual content and reflects the couple’s tastes.
Transitions: Clean and creative transitions smooth the flow from one scene to the next, maintaining the viewer’s attention and enhancing the story’s coherence.
Emotional Resonance
Capturing Key Moments: Certain parts of the day – the first look, the exchange of rings, the first kiss as a married couple, the first dance – are essential and expected in any wedding video.
Focus on People: The best wedding videos focus on the people, from the happy couple to the tearful parents, the playful flower girls, and the best man’s hearty laugh. It’s these human elements that elicit emotional responses.
Genuine Reactions: Catching genuine reactions, like the faces of the guests during the vows or the eruption of cheers after the “I do’s,” add depth and a sense of being present.
Technical Excellence
Sound Quality: Clear audio is crucial, especially for vows, speeches, and interviews.
Professional Equipment: High-definition cameras, stabilization equipment, and professional editing software contribute towards a crisp and aesthetically pleasing end product.
Backup Plans: Having contingencies for unexpected weather, lighting issues, or technical failures ensure the final video is uninterrupted in its quality.
Conclusion
In summary, a good wedding video melds professional quality with personal expression. It respects the day’s spontaneity while telling a structured, emotional story. It emphasizes people, emotions, and those irreplaceable, fleeting moments that uniquely belong to the couple’s special day. It’s an art form where the final piece serves as a timeless treasure for couples to cherish throughout their married life.
Remember, the essence of what makes a good wedding video lies beyond the equipment and technique; it resides in the ability to capture love, in all its moving beauty, on film
Live Music Helps Create a Wonderful Background to a Wedding Ceremony
in Ceremony, Wedding MusicSeventeen gems of advice on marriage
in MarriageHere are seventeen gems of advice on marriage
1. Manage your Expectations
“My parents always say relationships are all about communication and expectations.”
2. Never Assume, Ask
“My dad told me, ‘never assume.’ You will never really know what your partner wants unless you communicate”
3. Remember To Always Say “I Love You” and “Thank You”
“I’ve been married 21 years and we got married young — at 19 and 20. A couple things I think have helped us. Anytime we say goodbye, we always say, ‘I love you’; and we make sure to thank the other for all the things we do. Like if he takes out the trash, I say ‘thank you.’ If I wash the dishes, he says ‘thank you.’ It just makes sure you never take the other for granted and they know it.”
4. Continually fall in love with your partner.
“Marriage is falling in and out of love with someone over a lifetime. You can’t expect to be head over heels in love with someone all the time. You learn and grow with each other and find new things to love.”
5. Don’t be so quick to judge.
“If I had to whittle it down to one piece of advice, it’s never to accuse, but to inquire. Gain your partner’s perspective before rushing to anger. Judging too quickly or too harshly is an avoidable cause for many, many fights.”
6. Don’t give 50 percent, give 100 percent.
“[A relationship] isn’t 50/50, it’s 100/100. Otherwise it won’t work. It also takes a lot of trust and respect. People get angry, but then you make up. Remember that your relationship is YOURS. Not anyone else’s, so don’t compare it to your friends’ relationships. And if something is bothering you, say so. Don’t sit on it, that only fosters resentment and makes things worse.”
Seventeen gems of advice on marriage read more …
Wedding Music Ideas
in CeremonyThere are so things to consider when planning a wedding! As a Marriage Celebrant, I find most couples like to have music at the beginning, when the signing is taking place and at the end (recessional). I provide recorded music and a separate sound system with copyright protection as part of my service. Here are a wide range of ideas.
General
All of Me by John Legend
Amazed by Lonestar
Annie’s Song by John Denver
At Last by Etta James
A Thousand Years by Christina Perri
Best Part of Me by Busby Marou
Better Together by Jack Johnson
Can’t Help Falling In Love by Elvis Presley
Come Away with Me by Norah Jones
Dog Days are Over by Florence and the Machine
Everything by Michael Buble
Everything is Awesome by Tegan and Sarah
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Wedding Ceremony Readings
in CeremonyIncluding readings in your wedding Ceremony is a great way to help tell a story about you as a couple or to illustrate things you value. It’s also a great way to enable family members or friends to be engaged. Of course the choice of whether or not to have readings is entirely up to you. Here are some special examples:
A beautiful wedding ceremony reading that can be tailored to you….
Maybe – Author Unknown
Maybe…We are supposed to meet the wrong people before meeting the right one so that, when we finally meet the right person, we will know how to be grateful for that gift
Maybe…it is true that we don’t know what we have got until we lose it, but it is also true that we don’t know what we have been missing until it arrives
Maybe…the happiest of people don’t necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way
Maybe…the best kind of love is the kind you can sit on a sofa together and never say a word, and then walk away feeling like it was the best conversation you’ve ever had
Maybe…you shouldn’t go for looks; they can deceive. Don’t go for wealth; even that fades away. Go for someone who makes you smile, because it takes only a smile to make a dark day seem bright.
Maybe…you should hope for enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human, and enough hope to make you happy
Maybe… Love is not about finding the perfect person, it’s about learning to see an imperfect person perfectly.’
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