I was home at Kingy (Kingscliff) this weekend working with couples planning their ceremonies for the second half of 2024 and it got me thinking that I need to show off a few pics of what lovers can choose from in this seasdie playground!
If you are thinking these vibes for your ceremony, then you will be spoilt for choice from Tweed River, Kingscliff, Casuarina, Cabarita Beach and into the hinterland. Get in quick to book your venue and vendors for your ceremony of choice here – this is a popular region to get hitched.
Happy to chat, look forward to you contacting me.
Are you newly engaged?
Are you newly engaged? Wondering how on earth you start this wedding planning business? 💍
Here’s how I tell me couples to get started…
1. Put an afternoon aside and pour a drink
2. Grab a pen and paper (or you young kids might just use your notes app I guess!) and write down your top 5 wishes for your day. Think about how you want to remember your day, what will you make you still smile in 50 + years time...these could look like where you get married, the number of guests, type of music etc etc.
3. Share your list with each other! Talk through why each one is important to you and how it looks in your head.
4. What matches? What can you compromise on? Can you create a shared list of 5 priorities?
5. Once you have your top 5 priorities for your day this is where you should be focusing your attention (and your budget!).
What do you think? Would you take this approach?
Things you should expect from your celebrant
Things you should expect from your celebrant – according to your friendly Groovy Kind of Love Celebrant! 🩷
Here is a list of what your celebrant should do for you, which in turn will make your ceremony one that you and your guests will remember for a very long time!
💚Meet with you, shout you a coffee/tea/wine or beer to listen and learn about your ideas for your celebration
💚Get to know you and ask all sorts of fun and serious questions
💚Learn about what your guests mean to you and how you want them to remember your day
💚Help you complete all the required legal documentation – first up is the NOIM (Notice of Intended Marriage form)
💚Sight relevant ID, witness legal documentation and make all are filled out correctly
💚Work with you on getting your ceremony just the way you want it ~ providing loads of ideas based on experience
💚Suggest a plan B ~ just in case for those outdoor venues!
💚Meet with you, email with you and have as many phone conversations with you as needed
💚Recommend other local (and fantastic) vendors
💚Do a little rehearsal with you before the ceremony date (but only if you want to!).
Follow along for part 2 - what you should expect from your celebrant on the day of your ceremony!
Planning your dream wedding?
👰✨ Planning your dream wedding? 🤔
Here's my guide on which vendors you need to be locking in ASAP!
1️⃣ Ceremony & Reception Venue: Secure your dream location pronto!
2️⃣ Wedding Planner: They're the ultimate multitaskers, and early booking means expert recommendations.
3️⃣ Caterer: Don't forget to check if your venue provides this; if not, call your favourite caterer.
4️⃣ Photographer/Videographer: Capture every moment by locking in these gems well in advance.
5️⃣ Celebrant: Like photographers, we book up fast! Find your vibe and secure your date early.
And don't forget about these other fabulous vendors to complete your dream team: 🌸 Florist 🎤 Entertainment 💄 Hair & Makeup 💌 Stationery 💡 Lighting 🚗 Transportation
Tag a bride-to-be who needs this advice!
Personal vows written by couples is one of my favourite parts of a ceremony 💕 It sets the mood for the rest of the celebration. Good vows can make you laugh, make you cry, feel enlightened, encouraged and in awe.
Here are my 5 Groovy tips to writing personal vows:
💚 Keep your word limit to 300 – 1 to 3 minutes is good
💚 Decide on the ‘tone’ of your vows together before you write them – making this similar is less awkward for you and your guests
💚 Think of your vows as the promises you both make to each other
💚 Speak from the heart and don’t be afraid to be emotional
💚 Stay away from inside jokes and anything too personal, these things exclude your guests rather than include them.
Once you have written your vows and you’re happy with them, give yourself time to practice reading them out loud – become familiar with them so you are comfortable sharing them on the day.
Always reach out for support of your Celebrant. We are already invested in your love story, and we’ve had the opportunity (and experience) to hear what’s good and what’s not so good!
My Wedding Story
My love story 😍
J-Boy and I met when we were young and at the same school. I was born and raised in the town where we met, he arrived in his early teens, and apparently, I told one of his friends that I was going to marry him one day! We got married in my small home town. Huge Easter weekend wedding in a local church and outdoor reception at the local shire hall – could not have been more cliché!
I was rocking the 80s Madonna drop waisted dress and J Boy was looking super schmick in his white dinner jacket!
Mum and her friends cooked for days for our wedding feast and my grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, and friends travelled from all parts of Australia to join in the celebration. Everyone had a blast including my boarding school girlfriends who were definitely a hit with all of J-Boys mates (wink) - they did light up the town (literally!).
38 years of wedded bliss this year and not a day goes by that he doesn’t make me laugh - despite my daily mantra ‘today I will not laugh at J-Boys corny stories’!
My advice to all my couples after nearly 40 years of marriage is to always communicate openly and honestly, hold hands at home and down the street, and that you will never be too old for date nights!
Our song 🎶 To Love Somebody 🎶 by the Bee Gees.
Cheers to 2023
I started Groovy Kind of Love Celebrant this year out of a desire to start my transition to retirement years early and by filling my happy cup up by doing something I truly love!
Each week I get to meet loved up couples and share their stories, songs and one of the most special day of their lives 😊
Highlights for the year for me was getting my celebrant registration, meeting couples and families, and getting to know our amazing local vendors in both the Darling Downs and the Tweed Coast/Northern NSW.
I’m looking forward to working with the fabulous couples and families I have booked in already for 2024, and those I’m yet to meet!
Cheers 2023 🥂
If this applies to you… I recommend booking in your vendors now!
Traditionally, a high number of engagements happen over the Christmas and New Year period meaning you’ll be competing for dates with even more couples come January!
I recommend locking in your dream venue first, followed by your celebrant and photographer.
If you’re ready to chat 2024 dates, the drinks are on me!
Love was in the air at Crows Nest today 💛 #toowoombacelebrant #groovykindoflove #darlingdownscelebrant #tweedcoastcelebrant #crowsnestqueenslandwedding #celebrant