The Celebrants Network Inc - BLOG

At this time of year we enjoy watching the news reports from the world famous Sydney Mardi Gras festivities particularly the Fair Day and the Parade as well as scenes from other Pride Events across the country.  Celebrant Sonia Collins reminds us that marriage equality did not end the struggles for the  LGTBIQA+ community.

Turning 21 and celebrating your 21st is seen as the big celebration and the year that you become an adult, but turning 18 is actually more of a big deal - especially here in Australia.  It not only marks your transition into adulthood, but there are quite a few responsibilities that go along with it. 

The 1st of February marks another Lunar New Year and it's many festivities - 2022, the Year of the Tiger.  Mike Perry gives us an insight in to what Chinese New Year is al about...

The Australia Day public holiday falls at the end of our busy holiday season.  As we think about getting back into the swing of work, school and the year ahead it is also a good day to reflect on how Australia Day means different things to different people,  In today’s blog celebrant Sonia Collins looks at some of the issues surrounding our national day.

Christmas can be a time for family togetherness, happiness and love.  Combined with good cheer and optimism about the year ahead, the festive season can prompt many loved-up couples to get engaged.  If this is you, congratulations!  Celebrant Melanie Lawson takes us through what to do next...

This time of year can bring about some awkward family dynamics... today Celebrant Susanna Jose shares some stories and tips about dealing with estraged family around your marriage ceremony.

The feelings that we experience when a loved one dies are never easy to deal with, but they can be even more difficult during the significant dates in your life and the holidays.  Celebrant Roslyn McFarlane walks us through dealing with grief at this time of the year...

5 years ago today Australia spoke out loud and proud about their want for Marriage Equality.  Celebrant, Leslie Ridgeway takes us through some stats since that historical day...

Each year, December 3 marks the International Day of People with Disability.  This day aims to raise awareness, understanding and acceptance of people with disability. Celebrant Melanie Lawson spoke with her friend, Carolyn about how we, as celebrants, can be more inclusive in our work.

It is very easy to get overwhelmed during your wedding planning, so the first thing you need to decide is are you having a wedding or are you gettng married?  Celebrant Melanie Lawson from Oberon, NSW explains why your wedding isn't a competition.

Remember back to when marriage equality was introduced, one of the stereotyped expectations within the general community was that everyone in the LGBTIQ⁺ community would rush out and have a big gay wedding.  Celebrant Bronte Price shares with us why this didn't happen...

Thinking about getting married at sea?  Today, on World Maritime Day, Celebrant Shell Brown from Geraldton, WA guides you through the ebbs and flows of doing so…

Should you write your own wedding vows?  For so many couples, this is not an easy question to answer... but never fear, Celebrant Melissa Jones from Goulburn, NSW is helping us to navigate through.

The human and animal relationship has existed for millennia and the way they have been regarded has varied greatly between cultures over time.  The ancient Egyptians and some Asian religions regard some animals as Gods, while in other societies they were simply food or beast of burden.

The keeping of animals as pets has been practiced for thousands of years.  In today’s society we celebrate our animals in many different ways... Celebrant Ros McFarlane is talking to us today about pet ceremones...

Well... Congratulations! You have just got engaged, you might be wearing shiny new rings, and you have a wedding to plan. Celebrant Leslie Ridgeway is going to take you through the basics of getting married.

When the time comes that you need to engage a Funeral Celebrant, you may not be in the mindset to think of all the questions you'd like to ask... in this blog Celebrant Melanie Lawson has tried to make that as easy as possible for you...

The Celebrants Network is a not-for-profit association for professional civil celebrants with a focus on promoting our celebrant members and also a range of ceremonies and celebrations to the public. 

Our members are marriage celebrants, religious celebrants, memorial and funeral celebrants, family and naming celebrants, student celebrants and celebrants for all occasions. 

In this post, Celebrant Susie Roberts takes us through 11 of the reasons why you should join us...

Not sure how to navigate choosing music for a funeral or memorial?  Celebrant Leslie Ridgeway has got you covered...

Who's up for an adventure?  In today's blog Celebrant Melanie Lawson takes us through a rollercoaster of  adventurous ideas for your ceremony...

In Australia, any two people over the age of 18 can marry provided they are not already married, not in a prohibited relationship and they give real consent.  They do not need to be citizens or residents of Australia and they can choose any time and place for their marriage ceremony.  Celebrant and member of The Celebrants Network Sonia Collins from Batemans Bay NSW discusses how celebrants are legally required to be sure that both parties consent to the marriage.

This week is National Families Week, coinciding with the International Day of Families on May 15.  These events are about highlighting and celebrating the vital role that families play in our communities. Celebrant Melanie Lawson from Oberon, NSW takes a look at the many different family groups that make up our society.

ANZAC Day holds a very special place in the psyche of Australians. 106 years after the initial landing of the ANZACS at Gallipoli, the significance of the event and the subsequent wars and conflicts around the world remain with us. Celebrant Mel Lawson shares her thoughts...

Along with all the excitement of planning a wedding, many couples like to consider the impact of their event on the environment as well as on their budget.

Recently, The Celebrants Network Inc received a copy of an article from 77 Diamonds, a London based jeweller, with a request to share their ideas about sustainable weddings with our readers.

It takes a very special type of person to work with grieving families; to show empathy and care at such a trying time; to be able to talk about a person, that they probably never met, in a way that shows respect, dignity and professionalism.  One such Funeral Celebrant is Sonia Collins from Batemans Bay in NSW and today shares with us the special skills that it takes to be a Funeral Celebrant.

So, you are wondering what to get for your special human for Valentines but you are not inspired by the usual offerings? Love red roses but you want to do something different this year.   What else could you do on Valentine’s Day…..especially as it is on a Sunday this year? Celebrant Susie Roberts from Grafton, NSW takes us through some quick, easy and relatively inexpensive ideas that could work for you both. 

If you had to guess... What do you think is most popular day and time for a wedding in Australia? If you said Saturday at 3pm, you'd be bang on, but did you know there are other great times to hold your ceremony?  Celebrant Mel Lawson from Oberon, NSW is taking us through some of the alternatives...

Ever wondered why a bride used to wear a veil or carries flowers to the marriage ceremony?  Celebrant Susie Roberts takes us through some well-known wedding traditions, and the history behind them...

2020 - What a year! Sonia Collins, Celebrant and Chairperson of The Celebrants Network Inc looks back on how celebrants were affected this year.

Robyn O'Connell is a Funeral Celebrant and the Founder of the Rebecca Jane Foundation - a volunteer run charity helping families who are experiencing financial hardship as well as going through the heartbreaking loss of a baby. The foundation is named after Robyn's own baby girl who passed away at almost 10 months of age.  In today's blog, Robyn is sharing her thoughts on what it's like to grieve through 'happy family occasions' such as Christmas...

Summer can be a lovely time of year for a ceremony – long warm days, balmy twilights, lush green gardens and a holiday feel.  However, in many parts of Australia summer can also be hot and insect ridden!  The beginning of 2020 also reminded us of the threat of bushfire and smoke.  Celebrant Mel Lawson from Oberon, NSW takes us through some ideas on how to have a fabulous summer ceremony.

The 3rd of December is the International Day of People with Disabilities and as a progressive association of celebrants, we aim to be inclusive not only with our members, but with the couples and families we serve in our communities as well.  Today we have a guest blog writer, Marriage and Funeral Celebrant Roslyn McFarlane from Pakenham in Victoria to talk about ways we can make sure everybody is included in our ceremonies...