Ceremonies by Melanie

09/01/2025

How much time goes into preparing a marriage ceremony? I generally spend 10-15 hours on a full ceremony, including meetings and communication with the couple, drafting personalised wording, researching readings and rituals and preparing the paperwork. This doesn’t include travel or attendance on the day!

01/01/2025

Happy NewYear! I’m looking forward to another year of celebrating love and life 😊

27/12/2024

A gorgeous photo from a special place! Wishing everyone a safe and happy Christmas and New Year 😊

Wildlife Wednesday! Happy Holidays and a Merry Christmas to all 🥰! We're celebrating with one of our most beloved residents, a Gang-gang Cockatoo, this gorgeous male all dressed up in his holiday best (males are the ones with the feathery red crests and head) 😍. Gang-gangs (Callocephalon fimbriatum), an endangered species, are a delight to have around, with their quirky croaky call and devotion to their mate (Gang-gangs mate for life). Conservation for this species includes protection of old growth forests with the tree hollows that Gang-gangs nest in, bushfire and forestry management, collaborations between government and landowners and increased understanding of this iconic species and its needs, so that we continue to be enchanted by this charismatic and beautiful species into the future.

📷 Anne/Jenolan

04/12/2024

My year as a celebrant began with a funeral in January and finished with some November weddings. Such a privilege to share brief but intense moments in the lives of others. Now for some R&R!

21/11/2024

The birth of a baby is a very special occasion, often celebrated with a naming ceremony. For some people however, having a new baby can be challenging and even registering the birth can be difficult. UNICEF has highlighted the issues and solutions in this article:

UNICEF Australia is helping to break down barriers to health care, education and child protection with access to birth certificates.

11/11/2024

I’ve carted my gear across paddocks, through the bush and up to lookouts but this was my first beach outing! A bit of a trek but worth every minute ❤️.

31/10/2024

Wedding myth-busting….
Myth: You can accidentally get married on a drunken night out.
Busted: In Australia, you need at least one month’s notice to marry, and a celebrant cannot perform the marriage if you appear to be drunk or otherwise incapable of giving free and informed consent.

16/10/2024

A new law says I must meet with each party separately before their wedding to make sure they are both comfortable and not being pressured into marriage. It’s been so heartwarming to hear each person privately express their happiness and echo each other’s hopes and dreams ❤️.

04/10/2024

Bereavement is a sad but inevitable part of the circle of life. This week I’ve been reflecting on the importance of families and communities coming together to share in the grieving process 💜

18/09/2024

Oberon has many fabulous country style venues!

Spring has well and truly sprung and The Celebrants Network is here with tips to make your day even more special 💐

CLICK on the below link to find a professional celebrant from The Celebrant Network

https://www.celebrants.org.au/find/celebrant-directory

07/09/2024

Something different last night- I was honoured to act as MC for my beautiful friend’s 50th birthday. It was an explosion of pink and full of joy 😊

01/09/2024

It’s Spring! Which means we’re heading into peak wedding season. Looking forward to joining some beautiful souls together in marriage over the next few months ❤️

(photo credit R King - thanks mum x)

20/08/2024

Funeral trends are broadening out from the traditional chapel service. A celebrant can facilitate a unique, personalised ceremony anywhere - think private home, favourite pub or secluded bush location. A funeral, memorial or celebration of life should be as unique as the person was ❤️

06/08/2024

I've had the joy of seeing new babies come into my circle recently and it has led me to reflect on the significance of naming a new human. Choosing a name involves making a joint decision, drawing on culture, modern trends and tradition. It is something to celebrate!

30/07/2024

Celebrants must inform couples about local relationship services as part of marriage preparation. These services are optional, however my advice is to at least share your views with your partner about stuff like: managing money, children, careers, values and beliefs ❤️.

24/07/2024

Recently someone was looking for ideas for a gift a marrying couple could give to their in-laws. Traditional gift ideas include small items of jewellery, monogrammed handkerchiefs or personalised wine. Or how about a tree in a pot, a photo frame or matching tattoos! 💡 Choose your gift to fit the style of your wedding (formal, casual, fun) and the personality of your in-laws.

06/07/2024

Signing the marriage documents seals the deal! There’s lots of options but wine barrels and rustic timber tables are popular signing table choices.