Remembering Loved Ones

Cheryl Warry • August 8, 2018

How to Honour Our Loved Ones At A Wedding

It is always difficult if someone has died in the family, and even more so, when it is just days, weeks or even months before a wedding ceremony. Chat with your celebrant about how the memory of your loved one can be included whether it be in a subtle manner through a candle being lit or a photograph near the signing table or at the entry point of the aisle or even placed on a chair where they may have taken up position had they been there. It’s also worth considering discussing this with other members of the family because it is important so that no-one gets a real shock when they hear the deceased's name.

If it is someone really close like a parent or grandparent, then maybe there is a lovely quote they may have used, or offered some advice, or you can just choose to mention them during the speeches when most people are a little more relaxed and the sadness won’t cast a shadow over the ceremony.

On one occasion my bride lost her father just a day earlier, she was amazingly stoic and decided to continue on as there were people coming from overseas and interstate – I personally don’t think the shock had really set in – we opted for a candle to be lit as she walked down the aisle and it remained lit for the ceremony and throughout the reception.

What was important in this instance was to find the balance of being able to enjoy the day without the bride feeling guilty about being happy yet still mourning the loss of her father.:

There are many ways to remember those important people in our lives who cannot be with us in person; my own daughter-in-law attached thumbnail sized pictures to her bouquet of grandparents that had been lost to us.

There is a time and a place for dedication and finding the balance can go either way. Weddings are a time for happiness, time for reflection and a time for sharing so providing the memories of loved ones is respected with delicacy and respect, then it doesn’t have to overshadow the celebration of two people’s commitments to each other.

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Covid-19 Wedding Restrictions In Victoria

By Cheryl Warry • April 17, 2020

COVID-19 has thrown many couples in to a spin and with all the months and sometimes years of planning, it has come down to making the choice to postpone or to go with the restrictions of just five people for what is most likely to be a legals-only style of ceremony. It is clear to see that the Corona Virus is not going away any time soon and I am mindful not to add to the potential risk, stress and harm that the virus may cause. It’s important that as an Australian marriage celebrant, I comply with the rules set down by our government and that they are adhered to, to the best of my ability. The Covid-19 restrictions that now apply to weddings, have been put in place to protect our nearest and dearest. If a couple still wish to get married, of course this is still possible, providing there are no more than five people present. This includes the marriage celebrant, the couple and their two legal witnesses over the age of 18. If the couple still wish to have a photographer and/or videographer then they must act as a witness. As laid out by the Australian Government, social distancing of at least 1.5 metres must be applied and the four square metre rule must be observed, this includes the signing of the legal documents. In the face of Corona Virus, one of the biggest challenges couples are faced with currently is to decide when to pull the trigger on their date and move it to a date further into 2020 or even move to 2021. Many of my couples have already made the decision to move weddings that are booked from now through to September and October until earlier in to 2021. Not an easy decision to make and there are many variables to consider; guests travel plans and accommodation to just begin with. If you are unsure of what to do, I would suggest that you engage with your suppliers and enquire about future dates and their availability. Yours won’t be the first call they have taken to discuss this very topic. I'm available to chat about your options either by email, zoom or over the phone. As many have said, we are living in such uncertain times and Covid-19 / Corona Virus is testing even the most resilient of us. Let's put the welfare of you, your families and your guests first.