Susan Campbell
- Civil Celebrant -
LET ME HELP YOU FIND THE RIGHT WAY TO CELEBRATE LOVE, LIFE OR LOSS
Location, location, location ...
The location you choose for your wedding will dictate a lot of other elements, so probably will be the first decision you need to make.
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Beach weddings
Beach weddings are a popular choice in WA, particularly in regional, coastal areas where there are likely to be fewer beach goers to crash your party.
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You still need to choose your location carefully though, particularly with regard to vehicle access and dog beaches - the last thing you want is a four-wheel drive club motoring through your ceremony, or wet, hairy hounds bounding across to say hello and shaking themselves all over you or your guests.
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Once you have found your perfect beach location, make sure to get permission from the local authority or landowner, whether that is the local shire, parks and wildlife or private landowner.
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Other things to think about - footwear (high heels will be tricky); ease of access (soft sand can sometimes be tricky for the elderly and those using walkers or wheel chairs); tide information (if your ceremony coincides with high tide, will there still be sufficient beach space?); prevailing winds (is your chosen location sufficiently sheltered if there are strong winds on the day?); potential lack of privacy (there may be others on the beach or in the water, fishing, swimming or boating); and the weather - you will need to have a plan B to fall back on, not just for rainy days but also for very high or low temperatures, storms or even cyclones!
Garden weddings
Garden weddings are another popular choice for wedding ceremonies, whether it is a private garden, public garden, national park or public open space.
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It is amazing how special a garden can look when it is decorated for a wedding ceremony and this can be a very budget-friendly option if you are able to use your own garden, or one belonging to family or friends.
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If you want to hold your ceremony in a public garden or national park, you will need permission from the local authority or landowner, whether that is the local shire, parks and wildlife or private landowner. Many reception venues have beautiful garden areas either within their grounds or nearby that you can hold your ceremony in, avoiding the need for the marrying couple and their guests to travel from one location to the other.
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Other things to think about - footwear (high heels might be tricky if the ground is soft); ease of access (is there sufficient parking?); sunrise and sunset times (will there be enough natural light or will you need artificial lighting?); prevailing winds (is your chosen location sufficiently sheltered if there are strong winds on the day?); potential lack of privacy (are there any other weddings scheduled on the same day at this location?); and the weather - you will need to have a plan B to fall back on!
Destination weddings
Destination weddings involve travelling to a holiday or distant location to get married, with guests typically having to make their own travel and accommodation arrangements, in order to attend.
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A couple might choose a destination wedding if there is a location that is particularly important to them, or because they love the area, the ambience or the scenery. A destination wedding may also be easier to organise, as there are typically packages available that they only need to tailor to their wedding size and theme.
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Destination weddings can be problematic for guests who may not be willing to travel, can't take extended time away from work or home, or who are not willing or able to afford the cost of accommodation.
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It is your wedding though, and you might choose to encourage attendance by making it clear that their presence at your wedding is in lieu of wedding presents. (Please don't bring a gift, having you attend our special day is more important!)
How many will there be in the wedding party?
For elopements:
If you are eloping, will there just be the two of you (the celebrant can arrange witnesses)? The two of you plus your children? The two of you plus your two closest friends as your witnesses?
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For weddings:
Will you have bridesmaids and/or groomsmen? Best men or women? Flower girls or boys? Ring bearers? Fur-babies as ring-bearers?
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Modern wedding ceremonies can be as traditional or individual as you want them to be, so if you want your ceremony to be totally out of the ordinary, go for it!
How will you arrive, and how will you make your entrance?
Once you have agreed on the location and the size of the wedding party, it's time to think about the ceremony itself.
How will you arrive at your chosen location? By car, in a chauffer-driven limousine, on foot, riding a bicycle, on horse-back, in a horse-drawn carriage, on foot, by parachute?
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How will you arrive at the ceremony location? Will you walk or dance down the aisle together? Will one of you be waiting at the 'altar' for the other to arrive? Will either or both of you be 'given away'?
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Will there be a processional, with your respective wedding parties walking down the aisle, before you make your entrances?
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So many decisions to make, but take your time and talk it through. You will get there!
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