Amber - Melbourne Wedding Celebrant
  • Celebrations
    • Easy Peasy Marriage
    • Weddings
    • Funerals
    • Master of Ceremonies
    • Naming Ceremonies
    • Other Ceremonies
  • Who is Amber?
  • Reviews
  • Useful Info
  • contact me
    • FAQ

Relaxed Wedding

17/5/2015

0 Comments

 
“Relaxed” is the most common word l hear from couples to describe their perfect wedding.
However, not many achieve this quite as well as Lauren and Lyall.
Keep Calm
When l first spoke to Lauren she was anything but relaxed. After some internet research she had discovered you needed to give one months notice to be married in Australia and she was already 2 days short. Overseas guests had flights booked and the wedding date could not be changed. To add to her stress, she was 6 months pregnant with twins and they desperately wanted to be married before the babies arrived.

Luckily, this was not the first time l had come across this predicament in my years as a Celebrant. I was able to explain the options for Lauren which were

  • apply to the court for a Shortening or
  • to perform a “Commitment Ceremony” for the family and complete the legal requirements once the one month had passed.
We met in person, they decided they were happy with the latter option so we got started planning their special day times 2!
Relaxed Wedding
What a Stunning Day
The day chosen for their commitment ceremony turned out to be a sunny 22 degrees  and their hopes for a beach wedding came to fruition. Lauren had bought a beautiful dress of the rack, Lyall was wearing his new ‘work’ suit and they travelled with their six guests to the location less than 5km from their home.
Relaxed Beach Wedding
Awesome shot by Erin and Friends
I had introduced Lauren to a local photographer, Erin and Friends, who was able to capture stunning photos of their day.

Everyone was calm and Lauren was the most stress-free bride l have seen in a long time.

The ceremony was personal and romantic, exactly what they had wanted and perfectly suited to them as a couple.
relaxed beach wedding
A Special Tribute to Lyall's Dad
After the ceremony Lauren and Lyall popped a bottle of Champagne (plus a bottle of non-alcoholic bubbles for the pregnant bride) and toasted their new union with the six most important people in their lives.
Relaxed Beach Wedding
A Toast to the Bride and Groom
This toast and the conversation that followed were the absolute highlights of the wedding for me. So often l see couples bombarded with hundreds of guests congratulating them and then they rush off leaving their own party for hours to capture photos of their day. Lauren and Lyall were able to stay and just enjoy the moment.

Days later l caught up with them again to officially make them husband and wife. What could be more relaxed than signing your marriage certificate at your dining room table.
relaxed beach wedding
Did you have or are you planning a RELAXED wedding?

Comment below with your tips on how to be Stress-Free on your Big Day

Contact me to organise Your Relaxed Wedding
0 Comments

Point Cook Homestead Wedding with Te-Ata and Jay

30/3/2015

0 Comments

 
It was important for Te-Ata and Jay to be married by the water so this local couple chose the gorgeous Point Cook Homestead as the location for their ceremony.
Picture
With views back across the bay to the city, they exchanged vows in front
of their close friends and family.
Picture

One of the highlights of their personalised ceremony was the playing of a song that Jay had pre-recorded in a studio for the occasion. I loved watching them enjoy that special moment and l was glad Jay reluctantly allowed me to tell the guests that it was in fact him singing.





A theme for their wedding was the Peacock and the Paua. Te-Ata and Jay included passages in their vows and asking about the virtues of these beautiful creatures.

Picture
Picture


It was lovely getting to know this fun and relaxed couple while we prepared for their wedding and a further blessing to stay in contact and watch their family grow.
If you are wanting a
fun & relaxed wedding ceremony
l would love to chat to you.

0408813661
Awesome photos by Tracie at TLC Photography - check out her facebook page here
0 Comments

It's My Wedding!!

15/2/2015

1 Comment

 
All this romance over the weekend led me to sit down and check out my wedding photos.
Picture
Do you know what l love about my wedding photos? They are of my husband, my friends, my family and me. There are no photos of the florist, though she did a great job. There are no photos of the venue manager; because he was a grumpy old bloke and there are none framed on my wall of my minister despite being a good friend; it was not his wedding.
Picture
Looking at the photos reminds me of the day and the special people who are still an important part of our lives.

I always tell couples who are getting married that l want to be as memorable as the table decorations at their wedding reception. As in, l should not be the ‘thing’ they or others remember about the ceremony. Instead they should remember that they laughed and cried, that the you laughed and cried and that it was a perfect reflection of you.
Picture
GET OUT OF THEIR PHOTO!!!!
I like to get to know my couples and often feel as much a friend as the Celebrant on the day. Never the less, l make sure l stay out of the middle of all of their photos. I prefer to not read aloud their vows before they do. I am not in the background as they kiss. I am not the first to congratulate them or request a selfie before their other guests. I don’t make a big deal as l leave. I am honoured to be a part of their day and that they chose me to help them celebrate but l know my place and have no disillusions whose day it is.
Because, you know what? I have had ‘my day’. I have my own wedding photos;
l don’t need to be the centre of yours!
Picture

If you are looking for a Celebrant for your Wedding or Event, contact me on

0408813661
ps. Here is me at a wedding last weekend staying OUT of the photos.
The photographer (in black middle left) would have no doubt captured an awesome group shot of the Bride, Groom and their closest friends.
1 Comment

Melbourne Beach Wedding with Lynda and Adam

28/12/2014

0 Comments

 
The colourful bathing boxes on Aspendale Beach, Melbourne Victoria were the backdrop for
Lynda and Adam’s beach wedding.
Picture
The relaxed couple celebrated their nuptials in front of a small gathering of friends and family. Flanked by their four sons, three flower girls and two best friends, Lynda and Adam laughed and joked throughout the morning.
It was a very hot day which took its toll on their 18 month old twins who weren’t really sure what all the fuss was about. In fact, as Adam was placing the ring on Lynda’s finger and declaring “let this ring be a symbol of the lifelong bond between us” he looked down at his sons clinging to his legs and added “l’m not sure we need the ring for that”.
Picture
Picture
It was that down-to-earth nature that endeared me to Adam and Lynda from the very first meeting
and made their wedding day such a personal occasion.
After their wedding, here is what the happy couple had to say:


" Amber provided us with a great
and unforgettable ceremony that had
our family and friends talking about
her long after the day was over.

Amber made our day special for all of us - including our children, which includes
step children too. She involved everybody.

We all had a ball during her visits to write our vows and get to know each other so she could personalise our ceremony.

All in all - Amber is the MOST AMAZING Celebrant we could ever have chosen."


Mr and Mrs Wilson
Picture
To read more of what this couple and others have to say, check out my Google Plus page or Facebook Page.

If you are looking for a fun celebrant for your beach wedding or celebration,
send an enquiry here or call

0408813661
0 Comments

Lakeside Wedding with Alicia and Aaron

12/12/2014

0 Comments

 
Alicia and Aaron met on the way to a Tupperware party and like the company motto goes, it was "For Life".
Picture
Their wedding was held at the  in Taylors Lakes and the ceremony near the rotunda on site.
It was a simple and relaxed ceremony made special by the inclusion of their children and dedication to their parents.
Picture
A bonus of this wedding was getting to work with the very professional Brenton Spiteri from
Extreme Exposure Photography. As you can see, his work is first class.
It was so great getting to know Alicia and Aaron and being part of their special day.
Call me to discuss your Wedding or Event
0408813661
0 Comments

Kerri and Ron are Famous!

11/12/2014

0 Comments

 
My gorgeous couple from the weekend made the local paper with their unique wedding. Check out the article here:
Star Weekly

Picture
0 Comments

A Golf Course Wedding with Jo & James

4/12/2014

0 Comments

 
Jo and James were married on the stunning greens of The Sands Torquay surrounded by family and friends.
Picture
My fondest memory of preparing for this wedding was that James wanted to write the ceremony himself. In true "School Teacher" style he sat down and wrote the words they wanted, picked the readings and personalised their vows. This is the only time l have ever had a groom make such a huge effort and l was honoured to read their ceremony.

On the day, you couldn't go past the amazing view and vivid blue sky. Another memorable moment was Jo's young neice, Mani, reciting the poem:
"There is no greater happiness than that of sharing life
With all its joy and all its cares, as a loving man and wife
For love gives life new meaning and has a special way
of growing stronger and deeper with each passing day.
Yes, life is so much happier and brighter when you're sharing
the very special joys that come with loving, giving and caring."


When asked what their favourite part of the day was,
Jo and James said "All of it – we couldn’t be happier"

Jo and James also said:
"Thank you for being a part of our wedding day, you helped make our day everything we could’ve asked for."
                                           Jo and James
Picture
Call me to discuss your Wedding or Event
0408813661
0 Comments

Melbourne Linley Estate Wedding        with Lisa and Simon

11/11/2014

2 Comments

 
With their home on the Gold Coast, l was expecting Lisa and Simon to have a casual beach wedding in the warm Queensland sun. Instead they chose a gorgeous Reception venue close to family and friends in the foothills of the Dandenong Ranges; Linley Estate.
Picture
With it's manicured English style gardens and stunning chapel it was the perfect location for their ceremony, photos, reception and accommodation for many guests.

Having known the bride for ten years, it was hard for me to hide my excitement (and tears) when Lisa arrived. She looked beautiful and they were both so happy to be surrounded by their friends and family.

The
words they had chosen throughout the ceremony were personal and unique. A good mix of their history, their present and their future together.

Picture




A highlight for me was a reading delivered perfectly
by Simon's young nephew, Lachlan.

Picture
It is an honour to be a part of every wedding and especially when it is two friends who's relationship you have watched from the beginning and who are such an important part of your life.
Picture
Thankfully, Lisa and Simon didn't mind that their Celebrant cried during the ceremony or that she enjoyed the dance floor at the reception.
Here is what they had to say:

"Gratefully we chose Amber as our Celebrant for our wedding  - WOW!
The whole day and journey getting there was amazing & we were so thankful we chose and had Amber with her experience, energy, guidance & support.
Our ceremony was nothing but beautiful, relaxed, fun and professional yet still personal (Amber even shed a tear for us!) Her time, dedication and professionalism is amazing! I would have absolutely no hesitation in ever recommending Amber as a celebrant for their special day to anyone, anywhere for their wedding (and I know she does travel!)
Thanks for everything Amber and making it such the special day it was
and life we now have."

Call me to discuss your Wedding or Event on 0408813661
2 Comments

Macedon Ranges Winery Wedding         with Kerrie and Andrew

7/11/2014

0 Comments

 
Kerrie and Andrew's wedding took place at the beautiful Grange Cleveland Winery, Lancefield in the Macedon Ranges.
Picture
Picture
From the moment l met Kerrie and Andrew, l knew they had found something special in each other
and that l was going to enjoy getting them married.
They met 6 years ago while they were both on holidays. Their relationship grew from a friendship until one day Andrew ran over the bins, Kerrie's camera took a dive (you had to be there) and they both realised this was it!

They decided on an intimate ceremony with their immediate family in a location where everyone could stay, relax and enjoy. The Cleveland Winery was a fantastic choice. The grounds were immaculate, the staff were lovely and there were so many different spots to have your ceremony and photos.

Picture
Picture
The highlight of the ceremony for me was the involvement of Andrew’s three children – the youngest of whom was more nervous than dad and also that their mum’s both signed as witnesses to the marriage. This was the perfect end to a relaxed and romantic afternoon.

Picture
Afterwards l received the most gorgeous note:



“Andrew and I just want to thank you for the great service you provided at our wedding. From what Andrew has told me he couldn't have done it without you and I definitely appreciated all of your preparation and the way you conducted yourself.
We had a fantastic day and it definitely helps when you have people like yourself contributing to the day.
All the best.

Kerrie and Andrew
Picture

If you are looking for a fantastic venue where everyone can stay and enjoy good food and wine,
then l highly recommend Cleveland Winery.

Call me about your wedding or celebration on

0408813661
0 Comments

How Short Can Our Wedding Be?

11/8/2014

4 Comments

 
How short can our wedding ceremony be?

The answer is 121 words, ok 123 if you both have a middle name.

Seriously, this is the legal requirement for a wedding and this week l performed a wedding for Amy and Ken that didn’t go for much longer than that.

Together for a few years and looking for a small intimate ceremony to prelude a holiday;  Amy and Ken got dressed up, hired a photographer and headed to a picturesque local spot to tie the knot. Despite the low key, relaxed attitude, l can guarantee it was equally as lovely as any other wedding l have officiated.
Picture
When they had first started talking weddings, everyone had shared their opinion of what Amy and Ken should do, where they should go and who they should invite.

It made sense to them to do it this way and it was their wedding – so why not! In fact, they chose to keep it a secret until they were at the airport ready to leave.

In Amy’s words “so everyone could have 9 days to get over not being invited”.

What did their family and friends miss and what must be included in a civil marriage ceremony?
  1. The Celebrant must explain the nature of the marriage relationship. We call this the Monitum (a Latin word meaning 'warning'). It basically explains who the Celebrant is, what they are authorised to do and ensures the parties are aware of the legal implications of marriage.
  2. The bride and groom must then say the vows; “I call upon the persons here present to witness that I, John Smith, take thee, Jane Doe to be my lawful wedded wife”. It sounds fairly 1500s but some words can be substituted to make it more modern and obviously if your name is not John Smith then ... you get the idea.
  3. The full legal names of the bride and groom need to be said at some stage during the ceremony for the purpose of legally identifying both parties. This can be included in the vows or at any time during the ceremony.
That is it!
SO where are the ‘I do’s, rings, readings, songs, stories, candles and all the other things you see at a wedding?

Those bits are completely up to the couple to include if they choose.

Some people might say that 123 words is not enough to get all dressed up for, however given that they are the same 123 words that everyone getting married in a civil ceremony in Australia says, l think it is kind of cool that the rest is up to you.
Picture
How many words were in your ceremony?
How many words will you have?
I'd love to hear about it. Please comment below


4 Comments

    Call Me

    Picture
    0408813661

      Never Hired a Celebrant?
      Ask for my tips here

    Send Me Tips

    Ask Me

    What do you need to know about weddings and getting married? Ask The Celebrant

    Categories

    All
    All Things Wedding
    Choosing A Celebrant
    Real Weddings
    Wedding Ceremony

    RSS Feed

I would like to acknowledge the traditional custodians and storytellers of the lands on which l live and work.
I pay my respects to all Elders, past and present. I pray my words and actions honour their legacy.
Picture
FOLLOW AMBER 
​
0408813661
MENU
Home    
Email Amber 
Call Amber
Who is Amber?

Blog + FAQ 
Testimonials       
SERVICE AREAS
​
Eynesbury
Bacchus Marsh
Melton       
​
Tarneit + 
Truganina     
Werribee + Hoppers Crossing
Point Cook + Altona​

SERVICE AREAS
​
Melbourne
Geelong
Bellarine
​
Surf Coast
Country Victoria  
​Australia Wide
​
 CELEBRATIONS  
Weddings
Easy Marriage
Funeral
Naming Days 
​
Master of Ceremonies ​
 ©Amber the Celebrant  Castlemaine walk, Eynesbury Melbourne Victoria 2009-2022
  • Celebrations
    • Easy Peasy Marriage
    • Weddings
    • Funerals
    • Master of Ceremonies
    • Naming Ceremonies
    • Other Ceremonies
  • Who is Amber?
  • Reviews
  • Useful Info
  • contact me
    • FAQ