Making Your Wedding Yours, and Other Little Tidbits of Advice

So you’re getting married, you’ve seen the stereotypical weddings and you’re just not that keen on doing things how they’ve always been done?

I get it, and the good news is, there is no singular way to get married in Australia. Legally, I (your celebrant) must say 73 words, and you (the couple) must say 21 words. These words need to be witnessed by 2 adults (willing and sober, mind you), some paperwork must be signed and then voila! You’re married! That’s literally it.

Knowing what you know now (the minimum legal requirements, that is), the real fun and party planning can begin. Your wedding can take place anyway within Australia. Coffee shop, backyard, wine bar, centre stage. You name it, we’ll make it happen. You can invite whoever you like. I know, often tricky family dynamics come into play, but really, it’s your wedding and also your money, so if you can, do it your way and try to ignore the well-meaning but sometimes annoying traditionalists that come out of the woodworks.

Not a slow walker, and more of a mover and a shaker? Dance your way down the aisle baby! Cue up your favourite disco track and have all of your friends and family up out of their seats dancing along with you. Not a fan of making an entrance at all? Be there (at the altar, flower arbour, or apple tree) as your guests arrive. Watch THEM walk in and make an entrance instead. Don’t want to share your beautiful vows in front of everyone? Have your ceremony at the dinner table, seated alongside your nearest and dearest, and then meet everyone else at the pub for a tipple and a cheers.

Personally, I danced my way down the aisle with my parents, cried my heart out all through our personal vows, did a lovely unchoreographed slow dance with my brand new husband, and spent the rest of the night hugging people and jumping on the dance floor. I was not interested in being given away, tossing the bouquet to the single women, wearing a garter, let alone having it be removed with teeth, or changing my name, so I simply didn't do any of those things, and loved my wedding even more for it.

There are so many ways to get married these days, so if you are planning your wedding, I hope you know you can make whatever choices and decisions you feel like! Your wedding should be a reflection of you and your partner, not someone else's idea of a wedding. Keep all the elements and traditions you love, and do away with the ones you don't. To put it simply, do whatever you want, angels!! It’s your wedding, and you (hopefully) only have one of them! Enjoy!!!

PS. If I can give you any advice, and this is not wedding related at all, but get yourselves a butter keeper. I spent the first 30 years of my life without one and honestly what was I thinking? Total game-changer. I have the Le Creuset one (ya, fancy I know) and it was worth every dollar.