The Wedding Celebration
A Wedding is a universal time for celebration and festivity, when friends and family come together to commemorate the union and love of a bride and groom. A wedding celebration is a global tradition, with each culture throughout the world drawing from its own historical customs, beliefs and traditions.
Your Celebrant can offer practical advice on how to make this joyous occasion as happy and memorable as possible. She can provide hints for a variety of ceremonies, music, readings, rituals, etiquette and a wealth of ideas for everyone involved in planning the big day. Make use of your celebrant by requesting advice, practical suggestions and those special details that ensure your Wedding is remembered long after its over.
Planning your special day is important. The personal touches included in the service makes the ceremony memorable and perfect for all those involved. It is your moment in time – make the most of every minute.
Make your Wedding day live on forever in your hearts and its memory bring a smile and a tear when you turn back the pages of time.
The Role of a Civil Marriage Celebrant
A Registered Civil Celebrant is appointed by the Commonwealth of Australia – Attorney General’s Department, authorized to solemnize marriages anywhere in Australia in accordance with the Marriage Act 1961. A high standard of practice is expected in professionally officiating marriages or other ceremonies, whilst adhering to the recognized Code of Practice for Marriage Celebrants.
Civil Marriage Celebrants are usually members of the Australian Federation of Civil Celebrants and/or the Association of Civil Marriage Celebrants of Victoria, or other recognized body, conscious of maintaining professional standards. Your celebrant will therefore ensure that your special day is one to be remembered long after it has taken place. It is recommended that you base your decision on professionalism – not price! It does not mean that the most expensive is the best, neither does it indicate that the cheapest is the wisest alternative! Visit the celebrant and assess presentation and suitability. Most of all, do you feel comfortable with the person? You need to decide what is offered by a celebrant for their quoted fee and consider worth! Feel confident, feel comfortable and feel assured that your day is going to be perfect if handled by the celebrant you select. Choosing the right celebrant should be a happy decision!!
A ceremony can be simple, classy and elegant. A specially selected Reading can provide additional impact and is often included for its significant wording. If necessary, other symbols or rites that offer Spiritual/Religious impact according to an individual’s beliefs or traditions may also be skilfully and sensitively incorporated to add balance, warmth and sincerity. However, from the wide range of other symbolic components offered such as Warming of Rings, Binding of Hands, Lighting of Marriage Candle, Gift of Roses, Wine Sharing, etc. be cautious and select wisely, to delight and enhance the main structure. Of course, a selection should be made taking into consideration - where it is held, what you wish to portray and how comfortable you feel. Importantly, be happy and excited in creating your special ceremony!
Traditions And What They Mean
SOMETHING OLD SOMETHING NEW SOMETHING BORROWED SOMETHING BLUE
This good-luck saying dates back to Victorian times and many brides try to arrange their wedding attire accordingly.
Something old – represents the link with the bride’s family and the past.
Something new – represents good fortune and success in the bride’s new life.
Something borrowed – is to remind the bride that friends and family will be there for her when help is needed.
Something blue is the symbol of faithfulness and loyalty.
GIVING AWAY THE BRIDE….
The father who `gives away’ his daughter at her wedding ceremony is following an ancient tradition that has evolved over hundreds of years. The custom dates back to the time when a daughter was considered property, and the groom had to pay a price to her family before he could be permitted to marry his intended. Another theory is that it symbolized the transition of authority from the bride’s father to her husband as she moved from the parental home to the conjugal home. Today, many brides follow this custom, but its meaning has emerged as an outward approval of the groom by the parents or family of the bride. Today, the act of giving the bride away is symbolic of her parents’ blessing of the marriage to the chosen groom.
THE WEDDING RING…
The circle is the symbol of the sun, the earth and the universe, of wholeness and perfection, continuity and love. It is worn on the third finger because of an ancient Greek belief that a vein from that finger leads directly to the heart. A Ring is an unbroken circle, a symbol of love and unity, representing the greater circle of life, which we are all spiritually a part of. Having neither beginning nor end, but a continuous cycle of which you are an element.
RINGING OF THE WEDDING BELLS (CHURCH BELLS)…..
This was meant to scare away the evil spirits that could destroy the couple’s happiness.
THROWING RICE AS THE COUPLE DEPARTS….
Seed was thrown to promote fertility.
WHITE BRIDAL GOWN….
In ancient times, the traditional colour of bridal gowns was red, or other bright colours. The wife of Napoleon III, broke the tradition and wore a white gown. Then brides soon followed wearing white gowns (that were only worn once) as a symbol of their wealth, happiness and of being a princess for a day!
BRIDE AND GROOM’S ATTENDANTS.
In ancient times, the attendants would wear clothing similar to the bride and groom so that evil spirits would be unable to recognize the couple and cast any evil spells.
BRIDAL BOUQUETS…
In ancient times, the first bridal bouquets were made of not only flowers but also special herbs and spices. This was done to ward off evil spirits. They also used particular herbs to symbolize fertility.
BRIDE’S FAMILY ON LEFT, GROOM’S ON THE RIGHT….??
The bride walks down on the left arm of the father and the groom accepts her hand with his right hand. In church weddings - the bride’s family and guests sit on the left side as they face the altar. In medieval times, the men wore their swords on their right side and protected their ladies/betrothed with their left arms, thus keeping the right sword arm free in case they needed to draw their swords against enemies. This tradition remains and the bride is always on the left of the groom. In civil ceremonies however, unlike in a Church - the Bride & Groom face the guests/witnesses during the ceremony. It is therefore expected that the Bride's family sit on the right side and the groom's family on the left facing the couple - thus showing support and approval. Some may prefer the old custom and is therefore a personal choice.
THE RECEIVING LINE…..
In ancient times, it was believed that the bride and groom were blessed. Those who touched them would have good luck, hence they all stood in line to touch the couple and thus gain good luck for their own future.
BRIDE AND GROOM CUT THE CAKE AND FEED EACH OTHER…
Feeding each other cake symbolizes how the couple will feed and nourish the relationship for the rest of their lives. Now, it is meant to show how they will love and care for each other, sharing their food, wealth and interests. |
