Relationship counselling

Relationships counselling is something that people don’t really associate with a wedding. People are getting married so they are in love, right? Things in their relationship must be going great, right? Yes, the majority of the time this is the case. Most couples don’t need ‘counselling’ as such, but as a celebrant I am obliged to inform people intending to get married about the relationship counselling that is available, and offer them the names of somewhere they can get this service. Counselling is not something that Celebrants offer. It is all together separate.

If a couple are getting married in a church, more often than not, they will have to complete some sort of relationship counselling when they are preparing to marry. Most of the time it is done by the priest, or pastor or by whomever is going to conduct the ceremony, and as far as I am aware it is over a few sessions.

This is not the case with a Celebrant conducted wedding. This is not compulsory at all, but it is something that is well worth thinking about. When I was completing my studies to become a celebrant we had some people come and speak to us from relationship counselling, telling us about the different services that they offer. It isn’t just counselling as the name may lead you to think.  More interestingly, it was about creating a dialogue  and finding out about core values. This is something that I think should be talked about before people get married.
Most of the time couples do cover these topics. Do you want children? Who will stay home with them? What are your core values? What is important in your relationship? These are things that most people have spoken about when they have been in a relationship for a while. However if these thing haven’t been discussed, this is a great time to do it. It is great to speak about these things and make sure that people are on the same page about topics that are vitally important to them. It helps start these conversations if some people don’t know how to do so them themselves.
If you are interested in looking into this further check out Relationships Australia’s website or LifeWorks, or google Relationship counselling in your area.

Thanks to Vision House Photography for the photos on this weeks blog, check out their other work on their website or like them on facebook.

2014 Weddings

2014 is already gearing up to be a busy year. I have already had some really wonderful people contact me and book me for their weddings this year. I have always thought that as a celebrant, I am really lucky to meet wonderful people, but some of the couples I have met recently are truly amazing people. I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know them.

I am really excited about what some of them have in store and can’t wait to share these special days here with you. One of the couples I am yet to meet in person, we have only had a chance to skype! It’s a lot harder to see people and their reactions to what you are saying, when they are on your computer screen and a little pixelated.

I am looking forward to numerous weddings, but some that I’m really excited about are a beach wedding, a lovely chapel wedding, a wildlife park, even a Country Property with a Hamburger Truck! Totally awesome and personal weddings. Stay tuned to hear about these exciting weddings.

There are still plenty of dates free, if you are having a wedding in 2014, feel free to get it touch, I’d love to hear from you.

Stacey and Reece

I met Stacey and Reece about 4 months before their wedding and the first time I met this lovely couple, I instantly liked them. They had their little girl Audrey with them, who is just super adorable. We chatted about their special day, I could tell just how in love they were and I hoped that they would choose me to be the celebrant for their wedding.

Reece and Stacey met when Stacey was working in retail, Reece kept going through her register at work and asked her out to lunch, Reece later proposed to her on the 12th of the 12 month in 2012, 10 years to the date since their first lunch together. Can you believe he made  Stacey wait 10 whole years? The proposal took place at one of their first holiday locations, where they went for a romantic picnic dinner.

When I asked Reece and Stacey about some of the stand out qualities they saw in the each other, it was obvious just how in love they are. Reece mentioned that Stacey is caring, thoughtful, never selfish, and she makes him laugh when she pronounces some words funnily. Reece loves seeing Stacey interacting and happy with their daughter Audrey. Reece feels that Stacey is the only one who truly gets him. Stacey said that she loves how Reece is funny, caring and loving, and that he is always willing to help others at the drop of a hat. Reece makes her laugh when he sings and dances around the house. She loves him even with the excessive amounts of milk that he drinks, and she listens and supports his ideas even if sometimes they seem far fetched, she also loves that he is affectionate, and that the birth of Audrey has brought them closer as a couple.

Stacey and Reece were married on the last day of winter, at Killara Estate Winery. Their wedding was stunning, the view of the vineyard was breathtaking with the mountains in the background.  Stacey decorated the room that the reception was to be held in.  Stacey looked absolutely amazing in her vintage themed gown and hairstyle. (It’s always so exciting getting to see the bride, I know everyone loves that moment, when we get to see the bride for the first time.)  She was accompanied by her sister and friend, one of her bridesmaids ended up not being able to be there, as her waters broke the night before the wedding. But we had talked about the possibility of this happening at the rehearsal, and there isn’t a better excuse to not be in a wedding, than bringing a little person into the world. The girls all entered the beautiful ceremony area via a stunning wooden door and came down a red carpet. Little Audrey was the first to come through the doors. One of my favourite parts of the ceremony was after Reece and Stacey exchanged rings, they also presented Audrey with a necklace, to represent the promises that they made to her on the day, and to let her know that whatever life puts in Audrey’s way, that they will always be there for her, ready to catch her should she fall, need reassurance or just to know that she is loved.

Again I feel really privileged to get to be a part of peoples special day and lucky to get to know such fun and loving people. It was so lovely getting to know Stacey, Reece and fantastic little Audrey.  It is really amazing for me to watch people that I have just gotten to know, become husband a wife, what a joy!

They had a lovely old truck and cars that they used in their photos, along with the stunning location, they got lots of  stunning photos. Thanks to Ramy from Ateia Photography for letting me use photos from Stacey and Reece’s perfect day. Check out Ateia Photography’s website here and like them on facebook, click here to go to the facebook page.  Also if you are out in the Seville area you should go and see Killara Estate, click here to see their website too.