Elaine Searle Celebrant, B.A., Dip. Ed., J.P., C.M.C. - MY WEDDING BLOG

Marriage by Mark Twain

2012-01-28T06:37:00.003+11:00

Rumsey Rose Garden, photographer Jorges Imaging

A Marriage by Mark Twain

Will give a new gladness to the sunshine,

a new fragrance to the flowers,

a new beauty to the earth,

and a new mystery to life.

More Summer Weddings

2012-01-18T07:54:00.001+11:00

Roy and Sandra make their vows

Copes Lookout at Kirribilli was the lovely venue for Roy and Sandra's wedding in December

The happy couple about to exchange rings

Peter & Jinny signing the Register after their wedding ceremony on board the family yacht on Pittwater.

The bride and her father coming on board at Newport

Family members before Peter & Jinny's wedding ceremony

This elegantly themed wedding was held at Terrey Hills Golf Club.

The happy couple are about the sign the Marriage Register after their joyous wedding ceremony, surrounded by family members and close friends.

Summer Weddings

2011-12-28T16:37:00.003+11:00

Claire & Aaron married in a beautifully themed wedding ceremony at Palm Beach.

Many family members and friends were there to celebrate with the newlywed couple.

Sydney Harbour National Park, Gap Bluff Centre, Watson's Bay was the delightful venue for this joyous wedding day for Claire & David.

PreWedding Planning Mistakes

2011-11-30T10:46:00.000+11:00

Click on the link above for an article from The Knot, Australia (http://www.theknot.com.au/) about what to avoid when you are planning your wedding.

Christian ministers not compelled to marry same sex couples

2011-11-28T07:49:00.001+11:00

Click on the link above for an article about same sex marriage.

Cakes from Gay Cakes in Sydney.

An interesting article from the Sydney Morning Herald about designer Joanna Johnson

2011-11-24T08:19:00.003+11:00

Click on the link above for an article about wedding gown designer, Joanna Johnson, from The Sydney Morning Herald.

Chance of rain, month by month, in Sydney

2011-11-22T14:47:00.002+11:00

Click on the link above to go to the website of Hire an Umbrella who supplied this rain chart.

Chance of Rain (Month by Month)

January

38%

February

42%

March

41%

April

40%

May

35%

June

36%

July

32%

August

29%

September

33%

October

35%

November

36%

December

35%

Late Spring weddings

2011-11-22T09:38:00.002+11:00

Lindsay & Kevin on Warriewood Beach, photographs by Harwood Photography

Angela and Dave at Watson's Bay, photography by Mint Photography

Irol & Pete married at beautiful Narrabeen Lake

A different reading about that chance meeting that grows to love

2011-11-16T08:27:00.004+11:00

Phew! By Dannie Abse

Do you know that Sumerian proverb

'A man's wife is his destiny'?

But supposing you'd been here,

this most strange of meeting places,

5000 years too early? Or me,

a fraction of a century too late?

No angel with SF wings

would have beckoned,

'This way, madam, this way, sir.'

Have you ever, at a beach,

aimed one small pebble

at another, thrown high, higher?

And though what ends

happily

is never the end,

and though the secret is

there's another secret always,

because this, because that,

because on high the Blessèd

were playing ring-a-ring-o'-roses,

because millions of miles below,

during the Rasoumovsky,

the cellist, pizzicati,

played a comic, wrong note,

you looked to the right, luckily,

I looked to the left, luckily.

New Rules for planning a wedding from THE KNOT

2011-11-15T10:07:00.003+11:00

Click on the link above for an interesting article about the new rules for planning a wedding from The Knot online newsletter, for example, who pays for the wedding, do you have to wear white, etc.?

Rain Forecast for Sydney for November 2011 from Hire an Umbrella

2011-11-02T16:23:00.002+11:00

30 day Rain Forecast

November

Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
			2 mod	3 low	4 low	5
6 low	7 mod	8 low	9 mod	10 mod	11 low	12 low
13 mod	14 mod	15 mod	16 low	17	18	19
20	21	22	23 low	24 high	25 high	26 high
27 high	28 high	29 high	30 high

Pre-Marital Inventories

2011-10-31T06:42:00.000+11:00

Click on the link above for an article about the most widely used Pre-marital inventories.

The purpose of taking a premarital inventory before your wedding is to help the two of you receive an objective assessment of potential problems and issues in your relationship. (from About Com Guides)

Being best friends is a great place to start.

What Marriage will and wont change about your relationship

2011-10-28T06:34:00.001+11:00

Click on the link above for an article from the Huffington Post about how marriage changes your relationship

The Essential Groom a new small business aimed at grooms

2011-10-19T05:45:00.002+11:00

Click on the link above for an article from the Sydney Morning Herald small business section about "The Essential Groom"

More Spring Weddings

2011-10-13T08:36:00.005+11:00

Sarah and Nick married at the Village Hall in Mount Wilson moving from Windyridge Gardens http://www.windyridge.com.au/ due to the rain. It was a beautiful wedding with peacock colours for the bridesmaids and an exquisite gown for Sarah from Peter's Trends. http://www.petertrends.com.au/contact.asp

Top pictures are of Angela and Dave's wedding at Watson's Bay in the late afternoon sunlight and of Amy and Garry's wedding in the Rumsey Rose Garden in Parramatta Park.

Rain Forecast for October, 2011 courtesy of HIRE AN UMBRELLA

2011-10-12T07:50:00.000+11:00

30 day Rain Forecast

October

Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
		11	12	13 *mod*	14 *high*	15
16 *low*	17 *mod*	18 *low*	19 *low*	20 *high*	21 *high*	22 *high*
23 *high*	24 *high*	25 *high*	26 *high*	27 *high*	28 *high*	29 *low*
30	31

A light-hearted, whimsical reading for a wedding for dog lovers

2011-10-04T08:51:00.003+11:00

Falling in Love is Like Owning a Dog by Taylor Mali
Falling in love is like owning a dog
On cold winter nights, love is warm.
It lies between you and lives and breathesand makes funny noises.
Love can wake you up all hours of the night with its needs.
Love can give you a sense of security:
When you're walking down the street late at night
and you have a leash on love,
ain't no one gonna mess with you.
Love needs to be fed so it will grow and stay healthy.
Love does not like being left alone for long.
But come home and love is always happy to see you.
Love may break a few things accidentally in its passion for life,
but you can never be mad at love for long.
Love leaves you little surprises here and there
Love makes messes.
Sometimes you just want to get love fixed.
Sometimes you want to roll up a piece of newspaper
and swat love on the nose
But then love gives you big kisses,
And you laugh at the little things.
Sometimes love just wants to play.
Running you around the block, leaving you panting.
It pulls you in several different directions at once,
or winds around and around you,
until you're all wound up and can't move.
And love brings you together
People who have nothing in common but love
stop and talk and greet each other on the street.
Most importantly, love needs love, and lots of it
And in return, love loves you and loves you and never stops.

Spring Weddings

2011-09-25T07:13:00.003+10:00

Kerry & Sally had a very pretty garden wedding and Llewellyn and Man Wah chose Manly Pavilion restaurant for their ceremony and reception.

Jessy and Aili married at Mount Tomah Botanic Gardens in the beautiful Blue Mountains on a misty day with the sun breaking through from time to time. They included the crossed cups ceremony, an ancient Chinese marriage ritual.

Public Holidays in NSW 2011 to 2013

2011-09-20T10:33:00.003+10:00

NSW Public Holidays 2011-2013

	2011	2012	2013
New Year's Day	Saturday, 1 January	Sunday, 1 January	Tuesday, 1 January
Additional Day	Monday, 3 January	Monday, 2 January
Australia Day	Wednesday, 26 January	Thursday, 26 January	Saturday, 26 January
Good Friday	Friday, 22 April	Friday, 6 April	Friday, 29 March
Easter Saturday	Saturday, 23 April	Saturday, 7 April	Saturday, 30 March
Easter Sunday	Sunday, 24 April	Sunday, 8 April	Sunday, 31 March
Easter Monday	#Tuesday, 26 April	Monday, 9 April	Monday, 1 April
Anzac Day	Monday, 25 April	Wednesday, 25 April	Thursday, 25 April
Queen's Birthday	Monday, 13 June	Monday, 11 June	Monday, 10 June
**Bank Holiday	Monday, 1 August	Monday, 6 August	Monday, 5 August
Labour Day	Monday, 3 October	Monday, 1 October	Monday, 7 October
Christmas Day public holiday	*Sunday, 25 December ##Monday, 26 December	Tuesday, 25 December	Wednesday, 25 December
Boxing Day	Tuesday, 27 December	Wednesday, 26 December	Thursday, 26 December

** Applies to banks and certain financial institutions
# Substituted public holiday for Easter Monday.
* Additional public holiday for Sunday, 25 December 2011. Published LW 18 February 2011.
## Transferred public holiday for Christmas Day.

Daylight Saving in New South Wales

2011-09-17T07:30:00.001+10:00

Daylight Saving begins in New South Wales on Sunday 2nd October, this year (2011) when we have to put our clocks FORWARD one hour. So, weddings from then on will have an extra hour of daylight! The link below gives you all the information you need about daylight saving.
http://www.nsw.gov.au/daylight-saving

A thoughtful reading about love

2011-09-12T06:52:00.000+10:00

THE KEY TO LOVE The key to love is understanding… the ability to comprehend not only the spoken word, but those unspoken gestures, the little things that say so much by themselves. The key to love is forgiveness… to accept each other’s faults and pardon mistakes, without forgetting, but with remembering what you learn from them. The key to love is sharing… facing your good fortunes as well as the bad, together, both conquering problems, forever searching for ways to intensify your happiness. The key to love is giving… without thought of return, but with the hope of just a simple smile, and by giving in but never giving up. The key to love is respect… realizing that you are two separate people, with different ideas; that you don’t belong to each other, that you belong with each other, and share a mutual bond. The key to love is inside us all… It takes time and patience to unlock all the ingredients that will take you to its threshold, it is the continual learning process that demands a lot of work, but the rewards are more than worth the effort – and that is the key to love. author unknown

World Champion Axeman and former NSW Premier backing gay marriage

2011-09-09T18:15:00.005+10:00

Click on the links above for an article from the Sydney Morning Herald about the Tasmanian Axe Champion, David Foster, and why he is in favour of marriage equality for same sex couples, and the link below for Kristina Keneally's view on Christianity and marriage equality.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMLjdllgJzY

A Library Marriage Proposal

2011-08-10T07:55:00.002+10:00

Click on the link above for a story on a library marriage proposal.

Windy Day Wedding

2011-07-25T16:28:00.000+10:00

It was a cool and windy day but nothing could detract from the romantic and elegance of this wedding. Click on the link above to view the YouTube video.

The beach wedding where so many things went wrong

2011-07-24T13:26:00.002+10:00

Your wedding day should be fun, but perhaps not this much fun! This is a video from Youtube about a couple in California who planned the perfect beach wedding. However, the weather turned bad, and.....well, have a look.
Lots of laughs from a couple with a great sense of humour and loving hearts.

Popular Months for Weddings in Australia

2011-07-20T11:56:00.001+10:00

SPRING AND LATE SUMMER ARE THE PEAK WEDDING MONTHS

JAN 9,504

FEB 10,297

MAR 13,136

APRIL 10,886

MAY 9,150

JUNE 5,501

JULY 5,246
AUG 7,061

SEPT 11,172

OCT 15,569

NOV 13,224

DEC 9,372

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2009 Figures

Winter weddings

2011-07-12T15:34:00.003+10:00

Link to "Compass" program video on Same Sex Marriage

2011-07-12T15:24:00.001+10:00

ABC Australia report on New York Gay Marriage legislation

2011-06-25T19:33:00.001+10:00

New York approves Same Sex Marriage

2011-06-25T19:21:00.002+10:00

Australians and Same Sex Marriage

2011-06-08T19:19:00.001+10:00

Most Australians see gay marriage future: poll

(AFP) – 5 hours ago

SYDNEY — Three out of four Australians believe the law will eventually be changed to allow same-sex marriage, a poll showed Wednesday, prompting activists to renew their call for gay weddings.
The Galaxy poll, commissioned by lobby group Australian Marriage Equality and Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, questioned 1,052 adults on whether gay marriage was just a matter of time.
"Three in four of Australians say that it is inevitable that eventually the law will change in Australia to allow same-sex couples to marry," it found.
Australian Marriage Equality national convener Alex Greenwich said most Australians already supported gay marriage, and the latest survey confirmed the public's growing acceptance of reform.
"Australians have had the discussion, they have had the conversation, and they are either supportive of it or have accepted that it will happen," he told AFP.
Greenwich said support for gay marriage had soared over the past decade, reaching about 62 percent according to a 2010 Galaxy poll, compared with a 30 percent support level six years earlier.
Gay marriage is currently banned under Australian law and opposed by both major political parties, but in November lawmakers agreed to canvass public opinion on the issue, which was repeatedly raised during the 2010 election.
The left-wing Greens, a key partner in Prime Minister Julia Gillard's minority coalition government, want a conscience vote on the issue, arguing there is widespread public support for a change to marriage laws.
Gillard, who is herself unmarried, has repeatedly said that she believes marriage should be between a man and a woman.

A Strong Commitment is the Key to a Happy Marriage

2011-05-27T17:44:00.002+10:00

Click on the link above to read an articel by Val Farmer on what makes a happy marriage.

Tie the Knot on Excess

2011-05-16T11:37:00.000+10:00

Click on link above to read an article from the Daily Telegraph on reducing costs on weddings.

Autumn Weddings

2011-05-08T15:52:00.002+10:00

Genna on the way to her wedding in Kurrajong

Amanda and; Carl chose Clareville beach for their wedding ceremony with many family and friends

Nancy & Robert had an intimate family wedding at Blues Point

And one more!

Mina and Mat had a very elegant wedding ceremony on a windy afternoon in Chowder Bay, Mosman

The Royal Wedding - enjoy the links below

2011-05-03T06:49:00.009+10:00

Enjoy browsing the links below. What a beautiful wedding it was and possibly and inspiration for weddings to come. Does this see the end of the dominance of the strapless dress? the practice of bridesmaids preceding the bride?

http://www.life.com/gallery/59751/kate-and-william-inside-the-church#index/6

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-13247503

http://royalwedding.yahoo.com/blogs/watch-royal-wedding-live-on-yahoo-5843

http://royalwedding.aol.com/

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/royal-wedding

Trusting Your Own Wisdom and Inner Knowing

2011-04-26T07:24:00.001+10:00

by LisaAnn Donegan - Monday, April 25, 2011
I have been reminded lately that while others offer me wonderful "counsel" and "guidance", the conscious act of making a decision when difficulty arises falls on only one person..."me". Ralph Waldo Emerson once wrote:

"Whatever you do, you need courage. Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are difficulties arising that tempt you to believe your critics are right."

I have learned over the course of my life that none of my decisions are ultimately "right" or "wrong", they are part of a process of growth and development that challenges the very concept of who I think I may be. If I believe someone's assessment of my life, if I allow their opinions to make me "wrong" then I negate my innate wisdom.

It takes great courage to listen within, to trust that I really do know what course of action I should take...that the only "approval" I need is my own. I may not know or understand how my life will unfold...or the why's to what lies in front of me, but the inner landscape of my being is the place I need to return to in times of challenge. It is my sanctuary and where my "knowing" resides...and it is from this place of "knowing" and "being" that I can find peace in whatever pathway I choose.

The lotus flower is a favorite of mine for the simple fact that it starts as a small flower down in the mud and muck...it continues it's growth toward the light...moving upward until it bursts into the surface and opens into a magnificent flower. It is a symbol of awakening in both Hinduism and Buddhism, and for me it is a reminder to keep trusting my inner journey. So I leave you with a picture of it and yes...yet another Emerson quote:
"What lies behind you and what lies in front of you, pales in comparison to what lies inside of you."
Namaste

Some Recent Weddings

2011-03-29T14:38:00.002+11:00

Some information about changing your name after marriage

2011-03-29T14:30:00.000+11:00

CHANGING YOUR NAME AFTER MARRIAGE

Once you are married, you have a few options regarding your name.

It is traditional in our culture for a woman to change her surname to her husband’s surname after marriage but it is not legally compulsory. Some men decide that they want to adopt their new wife’s surname. This is possible also.

Your options are:
1. You can leave your surname as it is and take no action.

2. You can change your surname to your husband’s surname.

3. You can have a hyphenated name which is a combination of both surnames, eg Smith-Jones.

4. You can use both names in different settings, ie, you may wish to retain your previous name for work or professional use and adopt your spouse’s name for family and other uses.

5. If you wish to adopt a different surname altogether, you will need to go through the legal name change procedure. This is done through Births, Deaths & Marriages.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How soon should I change my name? There is no time limit and you may change to your married name at any time after your wedding.

• What documents do I need to change my name? Most importantly, your registered marriage certificate. Some places may need other proof of identity.

• Who do I have to notify and how do I do it? You will have about 20 to 30 companies & government departments to notify, eg, RTA, your employer, Tax Department, phone company, etc. etc.

• Is there any easy way to do this? There are a number of providers who will prepare all of your name change documents online for a small charge.

• Two that I know of are http://www.easynamechange.com.au/ and http://www.afterthewedding.com.au/

• There are other companies as well & you will be able to find them by searching on the web.

Unusual venues for wedding ceremonies

2011-03-14T07:56:00.000+11:00

An article from the Sydney Morning Herald of 11th March, 2011 about unusal weddings.

An Article on Same Sex Marriage

2011-02-04T18:45:00.001+11:00

http://www.smudailycampus.com/opinion/marriage-is-a-right-keep-religion-out-1.1962096

Just another opinion on this issue.

Top 10 Wedding Songs of All Time

2011-02-04T07:08:00.000+11:00

Marriage the key to a better life

2011-01-31T23:21:00.000+11:00

Click on the link above to read an article from The Mail online about the benefits of marriage.

Harbourside and riverside weddings

2011-01-30T10:46:00.000+11:00

The Washington Post article on Gay Marriage

2011-01-11T18:42:00.004+11:00

Yesterday's wedding at Watson's Bay click here to find out about this venue

2011-01-08T12:51:00.001+11:00

Just some preview pics of a beautiful ceremony for Natasha and Mark at the Gap Bluff Centre, Watson's Bay, Sydney Harbour National Park

Jenolan Caves what a magical place to make your wedding vows Click here to go to the Caves website

2011-01-08T12:46:00.003+11:00

The Christmas Song sung by the beautiful Kristina Mills

2010-12-17T07:19:00.001+11:00

Christmas Song
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8yfsiPtHi0&feature=related

Christmas wishes - enjoy the beautiful singing of Kristina Mills

A beautiful garden wedding with paper pom poms as a charming decoration

2010-12-16T08:14:00.000+11:00

Botanical Ethiopia

2010-12-07T16:55:00.000+11:00

Nothing to do with weddings in Australia, but an interesting site about a project to encourage the use and knowledge of traditional herbs for medicinal uses in Ethiopia. Please donate if possible.

Glorious Glengarry a bush chapel in national park in North Turramurra

2010-11-30T13:01:00.004+11:00

Barbara Wentworth Bush Chapel, Glengarry Centre, North Turramurra

The bush chapel is surrounded by lovely bushland

Power of Love drives gay marriage debate. ABC news story

2010-11-16T15:09:00.002+11:00

Mountains magic for Kate and James when they married in a garden at Wentworth Falls

2010-11-15T16:02:00.000+11:00

Watsons Bay on Sydney Harbour at the Gap Bluff Centre was where Abby married Charlie

2010-11-15T15:58:00.001+11:00

The Secret Garden in Clark Park, Lavender Bay, what a beautiful setting for a wedding

2010-10-29T12:40:00.000+11:00

A lovely reading about marriage by Bettie Meeks

2010-10-25T16:40:00.000+11:00

The Promises of Marriage by Bettie Meeks

Marriage is a promise of companionship, of having someone to share all of life's experiences.

Marriage does not promise that there will not be any rough times, just the assurance that there will always be someone who cares and will help you through to better times.

Marriage does not promise eternal romance, just eternal love and commitment.

Marriage can't prevent disappointments, disillusionment or grief, but it can offer hope, acceptance, and comfort.

Marriage can't protect you from making individual choices or shelter you from the world, but it will help to reassure you that there is someone by your side who truly cares.

When the world hurts you and makes you feel vulnerable, marriage offers the promise that there will be someone waiting to listen, to console, to inspire.

Marriage is the joining of two people who share the promise that only marriage can make...to share the sunshine and the shadows, and to experience a richer, more fulfilling life because of it.

Parramatta Park has some lovely places for your wedding ceremony

2010-10-20T14:56:00.003+11:00

You can be married in the Rumsey Rose Garden, or near the Old Government House or in many other lovely places in the park. Click on the link above for information about Parramatta Park.

Nanaita and Alfio in the Rumsey Rose Garden.

Wet weather predicted until the end of 2010

2010-10-04T07:55:00.003+11:00

The Bureau of Meteorology http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/glossary/lanina.shtml has advised that Australia is experiencing a La Nina event, which means that rainfalls will be above average at least until the end of 2010, and possibly up to about April of 2011.

So, if you are planning your wedding in this time, be very sure to have a wet weather plan. I hope that your beach, park or garden wedding will be held in beautiful, sunny weather. But in case there is rain, have a good plan in place so that your ceremony can be held somewhere else with the minimum of fuss. If it does rain, just remember the Irish saying that "every drop of rain on your wedding day is a drop of happiness in your marriage". You really can't lose!

Many reception venues are happy for you to have your ceremony there if the day is wet. However, you will need to make the decision early in the day so that they can prepare for you.

Some parks have gazebos, or rotundas, or other forms of shelter. When choosing your venue, think about what you will do in the eventuality of heavy rain.

google-site-verification: googlebc6c2b5ebfa0d140.html

Ken & Alisa marry with a Buddhist ceremony

2010-09-13T07:30:00.001+10:00

Master Hong conducted the Buddhist ceremony

The parents' blessing

Just married at the Bible Garden, Palm Beach, Sydney

2010-09-04T19:09:00.001+10:00

Article from the Sydney Morning Herald about illegal marriage vows

2010-08-23T10:10:00.000+10:00

You can be assured that all marriages which I conduct contain the legally correct wording for the vows.

I am happy to discuss any aspect of the legal requirements for marriage in Australia.

Cost of Registry Office Weddings in New South Wales goes up

2010-08-22T10:44:00.000+10:00

The cost of getting married in the office at the Department of Births, Deaths & Marriages in New South Wales has gone up.

Monday to Friday, 8am - 4.30 pm it will cost you $375
Friday evening & weekends, it will cost you $465

So, why would you go and have an impersonal wedding ceremony in a small office with no choice of vows or other wording?

A beautiful venue for a beautiful wedding when Karlie and Anson wed at Chinese Gardens in Darling Harbour Sydney

2010-08-05T14:21:00.000+10:00

Date available in October

2010-08-05T14:15:00.000+10:00

I have had an avoidable cancellation of a wedding on 31st October 2010 so now have this popular date available.
Contact me on esearle@optusnet.com.au or 0402 810 062 if you would like to talk about having your wedding on Sunday 31st October 2010

An article from the Wall Street Journel on Pre-Nuptials

2010-07-08T17:45:00.001+10:00

Elizabeth Bay House was a beautiful, elegant venue when Michelle and Marcus made their wedding vows

2010-06-27T08:57:00.000+10:00

A warm-hearted home ceremony for Vanessa and Tim on a chilly winter's day 12th June 2010

2010-06-18T13:02:00.003+10:00

So, why get married?

2010-06-12T07:13:00.002+10:00

‘Why do we get married?

Because we need a witness to our lives. There are a billion people on this planet so what does any one life really mean?

But in a marriage you are promising to care about everything –

The good things, the bad things, the terrible things, the mundane things

All of it, all the time, every day.

You are saying –

Your life won’t go unnoticed because I will notice it.

Your life will not go unwitnessed because I will witness it.’

It was a pretty, misty day when Frank and Jerlyna married at Observatory Hill

2010-05-31T07:15:00.000+10:00

The Secret to a Happy Marriage

2010-05-31T07:11:00.002+10:00

An article with some opinions about marriage.

A note from a recently wed couple

2010-05-20T14:20:00.002+10:00

Dear Elaine,

We can’t THANK YOU enough for all your help, advice and finally the beautiful ceremony you gave us on our wedding day!

You were extremely helpful without being pushy, you were patient, happy and approachable when helping us write our ceremony. You are efficient and organized and (thank god) reminded us of all the things we needed to do!

I guess until the ceremony is in motion, it’s not easy to imagine what it will be like and how it should run. We are so glad we worked with you and felt so much meaning in our vows on the day. Your light and pleasant personality was something that most guests mention to us afterwards. They love your sense of humour.

Please use these words as a recommendation to others.

Thank you!

Allison and Beau

13^th March, 2010 “Dunes Restaurant” Palm Beach,

Japanese couple include a robot in their wedding ceremony

2010-05-18T07:04:00.003+10:00

An Article from The Guardian newspaper

The Science of a Good Marriage

2010-05-11T18:01:00.001+10:00

New book about the science of commitment in marriage.

Article from the New York Times, 11 May 2010

Blue Mountains wedding cancelled due to Icelandic volcano

2010-04-29T05:24:00.000+10:00

The wedding has been rescheduled for later this year.

Marriage is not just about religion

2010-04-26T17:49:00.001+10:00

An interesting article which examines secular marriage & same sex marriage.

A Proper Wedding

2010-04-19T15:04:00.000+10:00

An interesting article about the changing place of civil ceremonies in our society.

Two different but beautiful weddings

2010-04-18T16:08:00.004+10:00

Tasneem and Michael had a lovely home wedding ceremony which honoured Tasneem's cultural heritage.

Amy and Mick made their vows with family and friends present at Evans Lookout, at Blackheath in the beautiful Blue Mountains.

Beautiful Autumn brides

2010-04-14T17:42:00.001+10:00

Manly & The Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney

Federation Pavilion at Cabarita Park was the venue when Caroline married Daniel

2010-04-09T12:20:00.002+10:00

MCA The Museum of Contemporary Art

2010-03-29T12:01:00.003+11:00

A stunning, elegant venue. Helen and Simon's recent wedding there.

Cakes especially for Same Sex unions

2010-03-27T06:49:00.000+11:00

I came across this cake artist, Dean at Gay Cakes just recently. I was most impressed by the flair & humour & fun in his designs.

At Gay Cakes they make & decorate cakes for all occasions but specialise in the gay & lesbian section. Here's a few of his creations.

Of course we haven't legalised marriage for same sex couples in Australia yet, but many choose to have a commitment ceremony which is similar to a wedding.
www.gaycakes.com.au

Two home weddings, a small wedding for an Indonesian couple and an intimate wedding for a couple from Hong Kong

2010-03-25T09:03:00.005+11:00

Top Ten Wedding Makeup Tips

2010-03-23T07:31:00.003+11:00

Make your relationship even better - article from EducoPark

2010-03-23T06:20:00.004+11:00

Relationship Advice: 7 Ways to Make Good Relationships Even Better
In a long term love relationship, you are either drifting apart or getting closer. You really do not get to stand still.
Here are 7 tips for how to get closer and make your relationship better and better.

1. Make a list of "little things" you know your partner likes and enjoys - Keep it with you, in your wallet, purse, briefcase or bathroom mirror to remind you.

2. Ask your partner "What can I do today, this week, month, year, lifetime, that will help you feel loved by me?" Once you find out the answers to these questions, my suggestion is to take the radical step of doing them.

3. Catch your partner doing something you appreciate - Then tell them. Every single one of us likes to be appreciated. Being appreciated is a great way to draw one close.

4. With your partner fill in the blanks for the following statement:

"I feel closest to you when.............."

This is another working list to help keep your income on track.

5. Think back over the history of your relationship - What were the things you did that brought the biggest smile to your partner's face? What touched their heart the most?

Then, if at all possible, do these things again!

6. Ask your partner "What would a perfect day look like for you?" And then create together as much of that perfect day as you can.

7. Consider together the times you have felt the closest. This is so simple yet so profound. Make a list of the things you were doing that contributed to the feeling of closeness, and take the time to do them again.

Good strong lasting relationships don't just happen - they are created by putting hands and feet on love and acting and living it out.

Some Fun weddings last weekend

2010-03-15T09:53:00.001+11:00

Nielsen Park, what a lovely venue for Catharina & Adrian's wedding

The groom & his men had very special transport for this Palm Beach wedding

Second Marriages and Children

2010-03-15T09:47:00.001+11:00

Remarrying after divorce when there are children involved can require some negotiating not only for the couple but also for the children. Children from previous relationships have to make real adjustments in order to have a happy family life which includes a new step-mother or step-father, and often, new step-siblings.

Children's needs must be taken into account. Younger children may show regressive behaviour & teens may show acting out behaviours. It's important to take the changes that they are dealing with into account so that they can feel that they are part of the decisions.

Children and teenagers function best when there is routine and may resist change. Whether their parents have separated amicably or not, they still have to cope with a big change in their life.

Parents can help to avoid conflicts if they discuss what is happening, in an age appropriate way, and involve them in the decision making process. They need to have time to adjust to the new routines and new people in their life.

Adjusting to a new family will always come with a few issues. Each person will need to readjust to new routines and expectations and to need to learn to communicate with new family members. It's important that parents ensure that their child feels listened to, and provided with opportunities to express their concerns.

Most children are resilient and can adapt to change well, as long as that change occurs within a supportive environment.

Harmony Hills Gardens

2010-03-10T07:35:00.002+11:00

A blog with lots of information about flowers.

Marriage - The Frontal Cortex

2010-03-09T19:36:00.002+11:00

A scientific look at lasting attraction.

Stacey and Kevin chose Shark Island in Sydney Harbour for their very special, happy wedding day.

A cathedral of nature

2010-03-09T16:26:00.000+11:00

Jenny & Andrew had a romantic ceremony in the beautiful Temple of Baal cave at Jenolan Caves.

An elegant ceremony venue

2010-03-09T16:23:00.000+11:00

Miki & Yuki chose the Royal Automobile Club at Circular Quay, Sydney for their wedding ceremony.

The right time to marry...A light hearted look at the statistics

2010-03-01T07:54:00.000+11:00

Falling in love, statistically speaking

by Jessica Irvine, Sydney Morning Herald, February 24, 2010

I realise I am too late for Valentine’s Day but I’ve discovered the formula for long-lasting love and the perfect marriage.
I’m thinking of getting billboards made up. But meanwhile, here it is.
Deep down I always suspected that the secret to true love would be unlocked by a university mathematics professor. Turns out Australia’s very own statistical Cupid works right here in Sydney, at the University of NSW.
Professor Bruce Brown, a statistician, has figured out a formula to help men and women decide the perfect time to get married. How long should you wait to pop the question?
Brown’s formula draws on the mathematical theory of ''optimal stopping'', which helps people decide when to take a particular action to maximise rewards. It is a formula that has applications in a wide field of endeavours, including medicine and clinical trials.
So for those of you who spent Valentine’s Day agonising about when would be the best time to propose, or be proposed to, here is the formula.
First, decide the earliest age at which you would consider getting married, say 25. Then decide the latest age, say 35. Figure out the difference between the two, in this case 10 years.
Then multiply this result by the magical number 0.368, which in this example gives you roughly three years and eight months. Add this number to your lowest marriage age, 25, and this will give you your optimal proposal age, 28 years and eight months in this case.
What then? According to Brown: ''Ideally, you should not propose to anyone before you hit this age but afterwards you should prepare to pop the question to the very next girl you date – as long as she’s the best of the bunch so far.''
It’s up to you to figure out the probability that he or she will say yes.

The Irvine Index

1477
Year in which Archduke Maximilian of Austria gave a diamond ring to Mary of Burgundy, starting the tradition of diamond engagement rings.
118,756
Number of men who cursed his name in 2008. This is also the number of marriages in 2008.
2.1
Percentage rise in couples getting married in 2008, compared with 2007. The number has been rising relatively steadily since 2001.
1.6
Percentage drop in divorces in 2008, compared with 2007.
4000
The melting point, in degrees Celsius, of diamonds.
2002
Year in which the UN introduced the Kimberley Process to stop the trade in ''blood'' diamonds.
26.3
The median age of men marrying for the first time in 1989.
29.6
The median age of men marrying for the first time in 2008.
24.2
The median age of women marrying for the first time in 1989.
27.7
The median age of women marrying for the first time in 2008.
65
Percentage of couples married by a civil celebrant in 2008.
77.7
Percentage of couples who lived together before marriage in 2008.
12.3
The median length, in years, of marriage to divorce in 2008.
48.8
Percentage of divorces granted in 2008 which involved children under the age of 18.
17
In a disclosure I hope will help harness the power of public scrutiny, the number of times I have been to the gym this year.
21
Number of times I should have been, to keep on course with my new year’s resolution to go three time a week, averaged over the year. Plenty of time.
Sources:www.kimberleydiamonds.com.au, Australian Bureau of Statistics, my calendar at home.

RUFFLED a wedding blog full of creative ideas for weddings

2010-02-20T07:31:00.004+11:00

Secret Formula for Love and Marriage Revealed

2010-02-17T18:47:00.004+11:00

Secret formula for love and marriage revealed

Submitted by goodnews on martedì, 16 febbraio 2010
The maths formula that predicts your Optimal Proposal Age. If your boyfriend hasn’t got round to proposing and seems more interested in his calculator, don’t despair. He might just be working out his Optimal Proposal Age before popping the question. Boffins in Australia have come up with a quirky equation they say will predict the best age to get engaged with the promise of a long and happy marriage. For most people, it seems, that’s 27. The ‘Fiancée Formula’ works on the basis of how old a man is when he starts looking for a life partner – combined with the oldest he’s prepared to be when he ties the knot. Using romance by numbers, he can calculate the optimum age to propose. ‘Applying maths to matters of the heart is always a dangerous prospect,’ said Professor Tony Dooley from the University of New South Wales School of Mathematics and Statistics. ‘But if you want to work out the right moment to start getting serious, then this actually gives you a mathematical framework to think about it. ‘The result is your Optimal Proposal Age. ‘Ideally you should not propose to anyone before you hit this age, but afterwards you should prepare to pop the question to the very next girl you date – as long as she’s the best of the bunch so far!’ The formula is based on a similar equation used in the finance and medical sectors to pinpoint when to take action to maximise rewards and minimise costs. And if you think a mathematical equation takes all the romance out of Valentine’ sDay, you may be right. The researchers claim a 37 per cent success rate, which doesn’t sound very impressive. But they say traditional ways of picking a bride don’t guarantee a successful marriage, either. ‘Although probability isn’t the most romantic basis for a marriage, the formula does seem to fit a lot of couples, whether through accident or design,’ Prof Dooley said.’One could argue that the current, less structured approach to picking a marriage partner hasn’t been 100 per cent successful, so perhaps it’s time for men to consider following a stricter set of rules when it comes to marriage planning.’First the mathematicians worked out a fiendishly complex equation:

∑ (n-k) (n-k-1) (n-k-2) … (n-k-r+2) x k x (1)

n (n-1) (n-2) (n-r+2) (n-r+1) (r-1)

The answer they came up with was 0.368 and thankfully that can be fed into a much simpler ready reckoner – set out in our step-by-step guide – that men can use to work out the right age for them. So, ladies, get your boyfriend number crunching, and hope he comes up with the right answer on February 14th. Maybe, as the researchers say, ‘Any advice is good advice when itcomes to courtship calculations.’ STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE: Choose the oldest age by which you want to get married, for example 39. Call this number ‘n.’ Decide the earliest age at which you’ll start to consider women as potential wives, for example, from 20 onwards. This number becomes ‘p’. Subtract ‘p’ from ‘n’ (20 from 39) then multiply the result by 0.368. This gives you 6.992, which you should add to your minimum age (20). The result of 27 (more or less) is your Optimal Proposal Age. news from dailymail.co.uk - Marriage is a social union or legal contract between individuals that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found. Such a union may also be called matrimony, while the ceremony that marks its beginning is usually called a wedding. People marry for many reasons, most often including one or more of the following: legal, social, emotional, economical, spiritual, and religious. These might include arranged marriages, family obligations, the legal establishment of a nuclear family unit, the legal protection of children and public declaration of love.Selection of a partner. The selection of a marriage partner may involve either the couple going through a selection process of courtship or the marriage may be arranged by the couple’s parents or an outside party, a matchmaker.
A pragmatic (or ‘arranged’) marriage is made easier by formal procedures of family or group politics. A responsible authority sets up or encourages the marriage; they may, indeed, engage a professional matchmaker to find a suitable spouse for an unmarried person. The authority figure could be parents, family, a religious official, or a group consensus. In some cases, the authority figure may choose a match for purposes other than marital harmony. In rural Indian villages, child marriage is also practiced, with parents at times arranging the wedding, sometimes even before the child is born. This practice is now illegal under the Child Marriage Restraint Act. In some societies ranging from Central Asia to the Caucasus to Africa, the custom of bride kidnapping still exists, in which a woman is captured by a man and his friends. Sometimes this covers an elopement, but sometimes it depends on sexual violence. In previous times, raptio was a larger-scale version of this, with groups of women captured by groups of men, sometimes in war; the most famous example is The Rape of the Sabine Women, which provided the first citizens of Rome with their wives.Other marriage partners are more or less imposed on an individual. For example, widow inheritance provides a widow with another man from her late husband’s brothers.

The Bible Garden, Palm Beach

2010-02-15T16:47:00.000+11:00

Brooke & Adrian chose the Bible Garden at Palm Beach for their wedding ceremony

Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney

2010-02-15T16:33:00.003+11:00

Linda & Stan married at the Royal Botanic Gardens

A Beach Wedding & a Home Wedding

2010-02-02T06:05:00.000+11:00

Couples who refer to themselves as we are happier than those who say I, me, or you

2010-01-30T19:04:00.001+11:00

BY Sherryl Connelly
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER Friday, January 29th 2010, 12:50 PM
If you think of yourself and your partner as a unit, you're more likely to weather the tough times, a new study suggests. If you want a happier marriage, use the magic word: We.
“We-ness” is a language that spouses who are better able to resolve conflicts speak, according to new study from the University of California, Berkeley.
The other good words are “our” and “us.” Pronouns such as “I,” “me” and “you” are a problem, according to the study.
Researchers analyzed 154 middle-aged and older married couples talking about disagreements. The conversations between those who used the “we” words went more smoothly and were less physically stressful on both sides.
The “I” couples were shown to be less satisfied with each other, according to the study.
The study linked the separateness pronouns to unhappy marriages, particularly in older couples.
But more older couples identified as “we” than the middle-aged ones did. It’s likely that facing life’s tough stuff over time and raising families may give a couple a greater sense of shared identity.
“Individuality is a deeply ingrained value in American society, but, at least in the realm of marriage, being part of a ‘we’ is well worth giving up a bit of ‘me,’” said Robert Levenson, professor of psychology and co-author of the study published in the journal of Psychology and Aging.
Earlier studies have shown that “we-ness” versus “me-ness” is a strong indicator of how happy younger couples are. This study shows how the pronoun/identity factor plays out over time as couples either team up or become polarized over disagreements.
“The use of ‘we’ language is a natural outgrowth of a sense of partnership, of being on the same team, and confidence in being able to face problems together,” said co-author Benjamin Seider
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/2010/01/29/2010-01-

Mike & Trini tie the knot

2010-01-23T10:19:00.004+11:00

Click on title for YouTube presentation on the ceremony for a beautiful couple - long time companions Trini & Michael who decided to seal their commitment to each other with this lovely wedding.

A Mariachi Band for Fiona and Diego's wedding on Delwood Beach, Manly

2010-01-18T07:25:00.001+11:00

Australian Bureau of Statistics on relationships

2010-01-18T07:18:00.000+11:00

Portugal to be the sixth country in Europe to allow gay marriage

2010-01-10T19:30:00.001+11:00