Nathan Russo - Civil Celebrant

12/01/2023

Happy New Year! I hope you've all had a restful break.

In 2023, I have decided to hang up my microphone (which is tricky with wireless mics) and close the books on this celebrant caper, as it's all just getting a little bit too much to manage alongside full time teaching, full time uni, a little side business (Garbage Guts Education, go check it out!), 4 young kids, a puppy and a whole lot more. I keep myself busy because it's what works best for my head, but I also need to recognise when I've got too much on my plate.

I'd like to say a HUGE thank you to all the amazing couples who I've had the privilege of working with over the past 12+ years. It's truly been an honour to be part of these special moments in your lives. Also, a thank you to everyone who has passed on recommendations. It's allowed me to do what I do without ever having to promote myself. It's also meant that the I've been able to work with such incredible couples, because you're all so incredible. I'm so grateful for that. And to all the amazing venues, photographers and vendors that I've been lucky to work with, thank you.

So, for now, there's a couple of weddings left on my books, which I'm looking forward to, but I won't be taking on any new bookings. If you're on the lookout for a celebrant, I strongly recommend getting in touch with:

Paul Bonadio - a Stand-up Celebrant
Josh Connelly - Civil Celebrant
Two Sisters Celebrants
Laura Lehmann Civil Celebrant

I will be keeping my registration active for at least the next year or two, so if there are any last minute celebrant emergencies, get in touch and I'll do what I can to save your wedding. Who knows, I may even open up for more weddings in a few years once things settle down, but for now, this seems like the right thing for me and my family.

Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Nathan
x

24/04/2022

Big drive down to Gippsland today, but well worth it when you get to visit incredible venues such as this!

Congratulations Gadi and Holly!

04/04/2020

27/10/2019

18/01/2019

In hindsight, I wish I’d done this at my wedding.

18/11/2018

❤️

Quynh and Yennie have been together for nearly 10 years, but a large chunk of that was in secret. Not only were they a same s*x couple in a country not quite prepared to grant same s*x couples the same rights as the rest of us, they were a same s*x couple from migrant families. Coming from Vietnamese and Chinese-Vietnamese backgrounds, they had additional cultural barriers to breakdown - I haven't had the same experiences around my s*xuality but I understand what those barriers feel like.

A few years ago, Quynh sat her brother down and told her that she loved Yennie. Her brother said that he was so proud of her for sharing her truth and for being able to live authentically. But of course, life is always more complicated than that and Yennie and Quynh navigated their own struggles.

But Yennie's now passed grandfather said it best. He was 85 years of age, an old school guy from a conservative culture in a far away land and a generation not used to these kinds of modern ideas around love. Despite this, he felt that life was better to be shared with someone you loved, regardless of whether they be the same or different s*x as you.

I never wanted to be the guy that spoke about marriage equality whenever I posted a wedding for a same-s*x couple - but the truth is, this honestly means so much to so many people that it feels disrespectful to NOT talk about it. But it won't be forever, soon enough, the next generation of Yennies and Quynhs will be out in the world and seeing them together, loving and marrying will be normalised and accepted, just as they should be.

18/09/2018

Paul Bonadio - a Stand-up Celebrant

What a guy!!

On Friday 19 April 2019 (aka Good Friday) I’m offering free ceremonies for those couples caring for sick kids.

It will take place over 12 hours (just like that movie, The Purge) and will be heaps of fun (unlike that movie, The Purge).

If you know of anyone feel free to get them to check out the page below. Oh and feel free to share this post around :)

Cheers
Paul

p.s. if you’re a supplier and want to lend your talents feel free to get in touch.

18/08/2018

Twoset Violin

Ceremony music = sorted.

Pachelbel's Chicken
Who else playing this at their wedding?

06/04/2018

For those of you who struggle writing your vows, take the easy road and let predictive text do the heavy lifting.

“With this ring I was thinking of it and it would hurt me too bad for you to come home to my car I just got off the phone.”

25/03/2018

Erin and Sam’s wedding yesterday saw the end of another wedding season for me.

I finally managed to fill up my first Marriage Register that I’ve been carting around for 7 years. A giant thank you to everyone whose names fill up this book.

This summer I had the privilege of performing my first legal same-s*x marriage, which was definitely a highlight.

No more weddings until October (at this stage), but I still have a few dates available for summer 18/19, so hit me up quick if you want to lock me in!

x

11/01/2018

It's been a really long time since I posted anything on here. I've been busy trying to squeeze in as many weddings as I can between my full time teaching job, being the best dad I can be (I've got two kids now... what??) and finding time for my hobbies that contribute to my overall wellbeing, namely gardening and music.

I've still been doing a few weddings when I can, getting back to enquiries as best I can (apologies if my replies are late... I'm doing my best)

Last night, I performed a wedding for a friend of mine. A friend who I've worked with for years, who is one of the most kind and caring people you could hope to meet. I officiated their wedding, although she and her wife had already been married for 3 years to the day.

It was an absolute privilege to be part of this significant event for them both as they finally had their marriage legally recognised. These new laws were long overdue, and seeing how happy these two are to finally be treated as equals makes me wonder how anyone could be so cruel as to deny another the freedom to marry who they choose.

Kylie and Tracey. Thank you.

Here's a little bit I wrote for their ceremony....

"Change is never easy. Progress can, at times, be slow and painful. And the changes we all wanted to see for Kylie and Tracey, did not fail to deliver this. It was ugly and mean and a sad time for Australia as those who fought for equality argued with those who didn’t understand. Those of you who know me will know that I never shy away from an argument, and this was no exception. And every time I put my opinions forward, I was not only thinking of Kylie and Tracey, but I was using what I know of their love, their strength as a couple and as a family, to give me all the evidence I needed to support my stance. Thankfully, love finally won and it has drowned out all those horrible noises. Tracey and Kylie have been dragged through the mud and come out the other side squeaky clean and shining bright."

11/01/2015

edward kwan on Instagram: “Mr Nathan Russo rocking his Edward Kwan Orange Rose tie ”

I also want to thank Zara at Edward Kwan for the awesome tie she made me. I absolutely love it. You should all take a look at what this talented Melbourne designer creates.

https://www.facebook.com/edwardkwanclothing

And here's me from yesterday....
http://instagram.com/p/xsv6sYovpT/

_edwardkwan's photo on Instagram

11/01/2015

I always get a little more nervous before doing a friends wedding.

Yesterday I helped two amazing couples get hitched. Both madly in love, high school sweethearts. Both incredible weddings.

Massive congratulations to Daniel and Brook and Si and Staci. Love you guys and wish you all the best!

I'll be sure to post some photos soon.
X

14/12/2014

Dutchman tries to pop question, destroys house

To those of you thinking about popping the question this festive season, be careful.
x

http://abc.net.au/news/596579

Dutchman tries to propose to his girlfriend from a crane and ends up destroying the neighbour's roof.

13/09/2014

I love filling out forms when I get to write "Stuntman" as an occupation for one of my clients.

07/06/2014

Huge congratulations to Sam and Judith!!

22/02/2014

Today the adorable flower girl tried to take the microphone in the middle of the ceremony. Very funny. Massive congratulations to Sorrel and Jeremy! Great couple, wish you both all the best!

25/01/2014

Early start this morning after a whirlwind trip to Sydney's northern beaches for Jess and Dave's awesome surprise wedding. Heading back to Melbourne for Colette and Djuliano's wedding this afternoon. I need coffee.

16/01/2014

Nathan & Paris || Melbourne wedding - Loop the Loop Photography

Cannot recommend this photographer highly enough. Here's her blog post from my wedding last month.

http://cassandrasutton.com.au/?p=2353

When my good friend Laskshal Perera contacted me about this wedding he said "This one is going to be epic". Lucky (Lakshal) is pretty much the Russo family photographer, having shot so many of the family's weddings! He was disappointed when he was already ...

05/11/2013

"Brides Throwing Cats", because bouquets are sooo yesterday

and on a less serious note...

http://m.9gag.com/gag/apqGqzD

Click to see the pic and write a comment...

05/11/2013

Marriage Isn't For You

Nice little article worth a read...

http://sethadamsmith.com/2013/11/02/marriage-isnt-for-you/

Having been married only a year and a half, I've recently come to the conclusion that marriage isn't for me. Now before you start making assumptions, keep reading. I met my wife in high school when...

30/05/2013

The unplugged wedding: couples tell guests to put down their devices

Interesting read, definitely worth thinking about...

http://offbeatbride.com/2011/06/unplugged-wedding

Welcome to the era of the over-documented wedding, where even though you've hired someone to take photos, every guest has a camera and is live-tweeting the whole event. They're there with you, but ...

21/05/2013

Julia's Celebrant Agency

Julia's Celebrant Agency

Time to SHARE this post and spread the word!!
I have been OH so grateful for everyone's support this year and my business is just going wonderfully, so I would like to give back and do a FREE wedding for a couple in need of a bit of love!
Do you know a couple who are engaged and have had a really tough year? and would love nothing more than a relaxed backyard wedding free of charge? I would LOVE to help them out! So please email me and nominate someone who you think would really appreciate this gift. My email is [email protected] and I will choose the lucky couple within the next few weeks! (p.s they can even take their pick of the 4 fridays I still have free this spring!) Please share and let's make someone's year a very special one! xx

24/04/2013

France! We're falling further behind.

18/04/2013

Well done, New Zealand.

12/04/2013

Congratulations to André and Mia!!!

28/02/2013

I love my job when I get feedback like this....

"Mick and I would like to take this opportunity to thank Nathan for being the celebrant for our big day on the 16th of February 2013. From the moment we met Nathan, we knew he would be the perfect match for us and the type of wedding we were planning. Agreeing to be involved in a ‘surprise’ wedding is not something to be taken lightly. There was so much planning involved, which included back-up stories and plenty of white lies, all of which Nathan carried out discreetly with the utmost professionalism. Nathan exceeded our expectations and went above and beyond to make our day possible (which included sneaking him in the front door and hiding him from our guests, in a 40 degree room with no air-conditioning!) It was important to Mick & I that the day reflected us and when it came to the ceremony, Nathan allowed us to tailor it exactly how we wanted to. He made the entire process so easy and stress-free! Mick & I felt so comfortable having Nathan there by our side during the ceremony. Whilst Mick & I laughed and stuffed-up a few times, the entire time Nathan was so smooth and charming. Most of all, when we read our vows, it was so reassuring having Nathan there with us. Nathan was always so professional and friendly and as I said, he made the entire process so easy! Nathan’s young and vibrant approach to weddings I’m sure will have many couples knocking at his door and we will be recommending him to many others!

Hailey & Mick Penny"

Thanks Hailey and Mick! It was a pleasure working with you both!!

12/01/2013

Congratulations Kim and Troy (and little Mia!), and well done to their mate, Josh, on conducting his first wedding ceremony (with my legal assistance, of course).

12/01/2013

Getting ready for my first wedding of 2013. Exciting times for Kim and Troy!

27/12/2012

“We are all a little weird and life’s a little weird, and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love.”
Dr. Seuss