Susan Campbell
- Civil Celebrant -
LET ME HELP YOU FIND THE RIGHT WAY TO CELEBRATE LOVE, LIFE OR LOSS
The vows, and other things ...
The all-important vows, and other things to think about
The vows
I encourage you to write your own vows, individually, and can help you to do this. This is the where your ceremony becomes truly yours, truly unique and genuinely from the heart. If you really truly don't want to write your own vows, I can provide plenty of pre-written vows for you to choose from.
Whether you choose to write your own vows or use pre-written ones, you will not have to memorise them. I will provide written copies for you to read from on the day, although if you are not confident reading them on the day or find yourself overcome with emotion, I can read them for you.
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You might choose to have 'question and answer' vows - where your vows are read out, which you respond to at the appropriate time. "Kim, will you promise to always squeeze the toothpaste from the bottom of the tube rather than the middle, and to put the lid back on the tube when you have finished with it?" These can still be unique to you both, created from your input, and genuinely from the heart.
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There are some particular words that must be included in your vows for the marriage to be legal in Australia, which your celebrant will make sure are incorporated appropriately.
A moment of Zen
With all the planning that went in to your wedding, it might have seemed that the day would never arrive - but here you are, and while at times it might seem that time is standing still, the ceremony will soon be over.
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You might like to include an invitation for yourselves or everyone present to take a moment to close their eyes, hold hands, breath slowly and deeply, feel the sun on your skin or the breeze on your face, listen to the sounds around you, to truly be 'in the moment' so that the memory of the day stays with you through all your senses.
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A moment of Zen can be included at the beginning, middle or end of the ceremony, or not at all.
Signing the register
Then it will be time to sign the register - the last of the paperwork!
The marrying couple and their witnesses will sign three separate documents - the celebrant's official marriage register, the official certificate of marriage form that the celebrant will forward to the registrar of births, deaths and marriages, and the 'Form 15 Certificate of Marriage' that is presented to you at the conclusion of the ceremony.
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I now pronounce you ...
Once the paperwork has been completed (and most likely photographs taken), the celebrant will ask you to return to the ceremony area, where they will formally announce you as a married couple, present your Certificate of Marriage and traditionally, invite you to kiss.
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And that is it - you are married!
You might like to have your guests invited to come forward to congratulate you, you might choose to have more music playing while you walk or dance back down the aisle, you might be heading off to have photographs taken elsewhere, you might have shots or champagne ready to celebrate with .... whatever works for you.
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Congratulations, you made it!