So what really needs to happen to make two people legally married?

Opting for a civil wedding or partnership?

Then don't feel that you're stuck with the standard corporate packages that licensed venues offer.  Don't accept either, that you're only other option for the ceremony, is to do it all at a Register Office.  There is another way to celebrate one of the most important days of your life and for it to be designed all around you!

Go and register the marriage/partnership and do the bare minimum legal requirements to make your marriage/partnership legal - then come away and hold your ceremony absolutely anywhere.  And here's the big difference......write your own vows.......and exchange your rings using the words that matter most to you.

Let's answer a very simple question? - what really needs to happen to make two people legally married?

• Firstly, there are what we call, Declaratory Words,  that need to be said:

 "I do solemnly declare that I know not of any lawful impediment why I ..................................may not be joined in matrimony to ........................................"

• Secondly, there are what we call, Contracting Words, that need to be said:

"I call upon these persons here present, to witness that I.................................do take thee.......................to be my lawful wedded husband/wife.

• And finally thirdly, you will need two witnesses and the attending Registrar to then sign the Register.

And that's it!  The exchange of rings and vows are purely ceremonial - they have no legal standing whatsoever and can be performed anywhere.


So imagine it now!  

You go and register your marriage, taking those three legal steps.  You then come away and get ready for the ceremony either that day or on a later day.  You can have this where you want and at a time you want - at sunset even if that's a special time for you.  You write your own vows and exchange your rings in your own way.  That's what makes it so special - so unique - so memorable - so unlike any other wedding ceremony.


And to make all of this happen and guide you through? - You need a Civil Celebrant who:

• Can pull it all together for you and who knows the 'ins and outs' of the process.
• Will meet with you when and where is best for you, as you do the early design work.
• Can design and lead the most memorable day you can imagine.
• Will deliver a ceremony like no other - simply because the two of you are like no other!

So if you're getting married and want to do something different - think about separating the legal aspects of your marriage from the ceremonial activities. 

Then have a chat with a Celebrant - you'll be surprised at just how personal, creative and emotive your day really can be!

When the time comes.....what is it that really matters about life?

I'm at the end of a busy week...........taking ceremonies about new life, right through to our endings.  That's just the landscape of a Celebrant's diary!

So I'm in quite a reflective mood.  

For me, this funeral poem just sums up what life's all about and it's one that a family used in a service I led recently.  At the end of the day, what is it that really matters?

Not, how did he die, but how did he live?

Not, what did he gain, but what did he give?

These are the units to measure the worth

Of a man as a man, regardless of his birth.

Nor what what his church, nor what was his creed?

Was he ever ready, with word of good cheer?

To bring back a smile, to banish a tear?

Not what did the sketch in the newspaper say,

But how many were sorry when he passed away? 

The poem has no author - it's anonymous.  But it does get us to question the meaning of life and how people measure us for our worth?

I wonder how many would be sorry if I passed away?