The Celebrants Network Inc - BLOG

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Jan
12

We got engaged over Christmas – what should we do next? 

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...

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844 Hits
Sep
09

When things go wrong - Help!

As a Celebrant, what would be your biggest nightmare? The mind boggles at the thought of something going wrong, yet alone something nightmarish.... Celebrants Leslie Ridgeway from Ocean Grove, Victoria and Susie Roberts from Grafton, NSW take us through a list of potential catastrophies that you should have a plan for...

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  851 Hits
851 Hits
Apr
28

The importance of celebrant buddies

Having celebrant buddies is really important for a number of reasons. Celebrant Susie Roberts takes us through just a few...

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  1104 Hits
Recent Comments
Guest — Trish Williams

Yes please!!!

Hi everyone, I'm Trish and a new celebrant as well. I live in Lavington NSW and moving to Wallan in Victoria soon. I would love ... Read More
Saturday, 02 October 2021 20:01
Guest — Paul Sonter

A Buddy

Hello everyone. My name is Paul I am located at the Sunshine coast, I am a new celebrant and would appreciate a buddy very much p... Read More
Monday, 02 August 2021 09:53
Tracey Kelly

A Buddy, now thats an idea!

I work mainly St. Kilda and Bayside, Victoria- Marriages and Funerals and although I'm not a New Celebrant, been officiating since... Read More
Tuesday, 13 July 2021 18:25
1104 Hits
Apr
15

Professional Development and Celebrants

How do celebrants keep their knowledge and skills up to date? How do a couple know that their celebrant has the knowledge to make sure their marriage is legal? 

The answer to both questions is “professional development”. This week celebrant Sonia Collins discusses the importance of professional development for celebrants.

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  1532 Hits
1532 Hits
Dec
31

Goodbye 2020!

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

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Recent comment in this post
Rhonda Allen

Happy New Year and huge thanks...

Hope all the members have a really good 2021. I really enjoy the daily blog and what a huge amount of commitment to be there every... Read More
Thursday, 31 December 2020 17:10
951 Hits
Sep
17

Reflecting on how Covid-19 has affected our industry

COVID-19 has knocked all of us for six and it doesn’t appear that the situation will change anytime soon.  Join celebrant Mel Lawson from Oberon in Victoria as she reflects on how Covid has affected our industry...

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  1306 Hits
1306 Hits
Aug
27

Are Memorials the new Funerals?

More people are opting for Memorials for their loved ones instead of a funeral service, so it begs the question - What is a Memorial Service and how does it differ from a traditional Funeral Ceremony? Celebrant Leslie Ridgeway from Ocean Grove in Victoria is going to take is through the details....

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  872 Hits
872 Hits
Feb
27

Your Day to Propose – 29 February 2020

proposal

Christmas, New Year and Valentine’s Day have come and gone but he didn’t propose. All is not lost!

Once every four years it is not only OK, it is actually expected that women will ask their partner to marry them.  So what’s the story here? What makes this year and particularly Saturday 29 February 2020 so special?  The Celebrants Network's Celebrant - Sonia Collins from Batemans Bay is going to tell us...

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  1114 Hits
1114 Hits
Feb
05

Contingency Plans - How to handle unforeseen events during a ceremony

So, there you are smack bang in the middle of a ceremony and something goes wrong….what do you do.  I'm sure that there are many, many more, but let’s look at just a few things that could go wrong.

Today's Blog is written by Celebrant Susie Roberts from Grafton

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  2700 Hits
2700 Hits
Nov
11

Remembrance Day 11 November 2019

On November 11 Australia, along with all Commonwealth countries will honour Remembrance Day in recognition of the day the guns fell silent at the end of World War One. After four years of warfare and the loss of millions of lives, an armistice was signed to take effect on the 11th hour of the 11th day of November, 1918.

Today we have our regular guest blogger Melanie Lawson from Oberon, NSW, recognising Remembrance Day. 

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  1066 Hits
Recent comment in this post
Trevor Hayley

Thank you Michelle

Great sentiments. Yes what is it about ceremony? It just feels like we need to 'do' something.
Monday, 11 November 2019 20:43
1066 Hits
May
27

Writing your own vows - Part 2

Today's blog is the Part 2 of Writing your own vows - the final instalment written by TCN Celebrant, author and guest blogger, Susanna Jose from Canberra, ACT. 
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  1294 Hits
1294 Hits
Apr
29

The Seriousness of Underage Marriages & Forced Marriages

Underage marriage is a sensitive and complex issue that affects communities around the world.  This issue impacts on women and girls who marry at a young age and often without giving consent.  Our guest blogger, TCN Celebrant Melanie Lawson - takes us through the stats and legalities of underage and forced marriage...

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  1897 Hits
Recent comment in this post
Guest — Jenny Grierson

how things change!

It's hard to believe, but when I was a Social Worker in the Welfare system in Victoria a lifetime ago (in the 1960s) there was a c... Read More
Friday, 03 May 2019 17:19
1897 Hits
Oct
23

A behind the scenes look at being a civil celebrant

A behind the scenes look at being a civil celebrant



Have you ever wondered "What exactly does a celebrant do?"

Have you ever thought "Gee, that looks like an easy job - just talking for 20 minutes on a weekend!"


Well, you can be half forgiven for thinking those things because you might only see the celebrant for 20 minutes on a weekend, but the majority of a celebrant's work is done way before they turn up at the ceremony.



Before your ceremony they will have:

Attended meetings and rehearsals, researched, writen a unique ceremony that suits each individual couple or family, assisted couples and families with writing their own personal wedding vows or poems to their children or loved ones, organised paperwork, including accepting the legal Notice of Intended Marriage form, answered questions, given opinions and made suggestions.  

Then your ceremony day arrives and they will arrive at least 45 minutes before your guests to make sure everything is perfect, greet your guests, calm people's nerves and then perform your ceremony, coordinating the music and the bridal party and the flower girls and page boys and whoever is holding the rings.  They will also be kind and compassionate and have an very good understanding of what you're going through when you are saying goodbye to your loved one.

After your marriage ceremony your celebrant will lodge your marriage certificate with the BDM and securely keep all of the necessary legal documents.



And that's just for your ceremony.

They've also kept their office running with invoices, receipts, notes, creating, printing, filing, purchasing legal stationery, financials, taxation, websites, social media, advertising...



Before any of that can happen though, each celebrant must successfully complete a Certificate IV in Celebrancy and then once the certificate has been awarded, the candidate then must apply to the Attorney General to become registered.  This is a fairly costly exercise - $600 for the applicaiton alone and that must be paid whether the AG registers them or not.

Each year every registered civil celebrant is required to attend an OPD - (Professional Development) at their own cost.



So, whilst you might only see the Celebrant for 20 minutes whilst the ceremony is happening, please be assured that they have worked very hard before the ceremony even starts.

If you'd like to meet one of our hard working TCN Celebrants, click HERE for find a celebrant in your area.

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2686 Hits