Sharon Walker is a local Hunter Valley celebrant, who is an experienced and lovely celebrant who prides herself on her listening ability and her passion to make your day perfect, her details will be shared below.
Changing Your Name After the Wedding Day
This applies to either spouse, as there is no rule to which of your surnames you take. Or if you will change your name at all.
Or you may simply keep your last name as it is, even if you are married.
If you decide to use your spouse’s last name after marriage, you’ll need to inform all businesses, institutions and companies that you deal with and provide them with a copy of your official marriage certificate from Births, Deaths and Marriages. Please note this is different to the certificate you receive on your wedding day, that is a commemorative certificate only.
Your celebrant can apply for this legal certificate on your behalf for up to 2 months from the date of your ceremony.
Or if your wish you can do it yourself using this link www.bdm.nsw.gov.au
There is no time limit as to when you change your name, you can do it once you receive the BDM certificate or years later the choice is yours.
Your Wedding Day Vows
It is not uncommon for some couples to have a fear or anxiety about speaking in front of others.
And these feelings are only amplified on their wedding day.
It is not legally binding that a spouse needs to profess their love in front of a crowd.
I have some couple who say the 10 second legal wording required for their vows during the ceremony.
Then when it is just the two of them and they are away from the crowds with perhaps just the photographer there, they say all that is in their hearts to the one it matters most.
Personalising Your Wedding Ceremony
Personalising a ceremony can often create a relaxed and personal feel to one of the most important days of your life. Be it:
· The venue location; beach, bush, chapel, family home
· Involving family to do readings, usherette, give out petals
· Include your pet
· Sand Ceremony
· Candle Lighting
· Handfasting
And my current favourite the wine box ritual which is just for the couple. They pick a bottle of wine, a wine box and write a letter to one another the night before their wedding as to why they fell in love. And the celebrant incorporates this as part of the ceremony.
How To Minimise Stress
Be organised!
Create lists and tick them off as you go.
Ask your celebrant what do I need to think about when planning the ceremony, they will have done this many times before.
Trust your photographer, videographer, venue, you have chosen them for a reason.
Delegate all the little jobs on the day to those who you know are reliable and then forget about it, focus on yourself and having the best day of your life.
Do’s and Don’ts
· Hold your bouquet at belly button height not at chest height and be mindful of choosing flowers that can stain your clothes.
· Stay hydrated and both witnesses and bride and groom must be sober at the ceremony
· Bride signs her current maiden name on certificates on the day.
· Bride wears her engagement ring on the right had when walking down the aisle. Then when signing documents she changes it from the left hand putting it on in front of the wedding ring.
· It is the role of the bridal party to look after the bride and always make sure her dress is perfectly in place every time she moves.
· Groomsmen don’t wear sunglasses and they don’t have phones and glasses in their pockets, give them to another for safe keeping.
· Don’t sweat the small stuff and remember to smile the day belongs to you and it’s your party and everyone there is
Sharon’s contact details are below:
Mobile: 0422 040 487
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