Licenced to Wed

After a couple of years of retirement, I began to think about part-time work.

Soon after, I attended a civil wedding in a magical looking garden. The bride and groom exchanged vows under the green, rustling, foliage of a beautiful age old tree. The feeling was so intimate, charming and utterly romantic. The vows were personally created by the bride and groom and as they promised to commit themselves to one another for life, feelings of love and emotion flowed through me. Some of the guests had tears of joy (I hope) tricking down their faces and the bride and groom looked at each other in total adoration. It was a scene from a fairytale. (I hope they live happily ever after).

I pondered, what an interesting job... a marriage celebrant. Work your own hours, deal with happy customers, work in beautiful and picturesque environments, share in the couple’s most wonderful and life changing moments....sounds fascinating! - I’ll become a Celebrant.

It took me about 6 months to graduate from the International College of Celebrants. I took my time to complete the correspondence course as I wasn’t in any particular hurry, I was still enjoying all the freedom and pleasures of retirement.

The course covered many aspects of rituals, ceremonies and Rites of Passage, encompassing many cultures. I  also learned the importance of relationship counselling and how it benefits the “soon to be” wedded.

I was also required to witness other wedding ceremonies officated by various celebrants and clergy. I received priceless advice from very helpful and encouraging celebrants. Each wedding ceremony was unique and I picked up some valuable techniques.

One of my evaluations was held at the home of a prominent teacher from NIDA (National Institute of Dramatic Art), where I was required to perform a couple of mock, self-composed ceremonies (even though I was a little distracted by the fat, fluffy cat jumping around the room and on me). It was a bit daunting to say the least, however, my evaluator gave me invaluable feedback and politely corrected my pronunciation of the word ‘ceremony’.

After graduation I applied to the Attorneys General’s Department where I was assessed, accepted and added to a waiting list until the next intake of celebrants.

After a short 3 month waiting period, I was given the news that I was now a registered celebrant. Well, how about that! I thought – I’m licensed to wed!

Within a couple of weeks I  booked my first wedding ceremony!

The couple were both teachers and they were actually getting married in a Greek Orthodox Church  (to please their parents), even though they had their hearts set on a romantic garden wedding. So, they decided to have both on the same day!

Considering the couple were getting married first in a church, I legally could not marry them again, so I was obliged to perform a ‘recommitment of marriage’ ceremony.

In the lead up to the big day, I was feeling very nervous (of course I didn't divulge this to the bride and groom) even though I had been a public speaker in my past career and had also previously been interviewed on television and radio. I think I was so nervous  because it is such a monumental occassion for the bride and groom and I didn’t want to mess it up for them... you can’t just do a ‘take 2’. The memory of this day will stay with them for a life time.

Day of the Ceremony
I arrive at the ceremony site and set up my equipment in the designated area. The beautiful sounds of the quintet playing and the scent of the roses in the magnificent garden was captivating. The scene was set.

The guests started to arrive and my thighs began to perspire. I received word that the mother of the bride broke the heel of her shoe leaving the church, there would be a 45 minute delay while she travelled home to exchange footwear. Here I was with a 100   guests, no drinks and a 45 minute wait. I’m not much of a joke teller so I wondered how I would entertain the guests. Well, I had music and a PA system so I offered guests to join me in Karaoke...not surprisingly, not one person volunteered - bad idea Lana.

The bride and groom FINALLY arrives and by this time my knees are knocking together (audibly) and the perspiration from my thighs is now dripping down to my ankles...what are people thinking!

We had the full service, release of doves, the lighting of candles (must remember to bring a lighter next time), and the extra poem recitals. It was really a beautiful wedding (commitment ceremony) except for the extremely loud, low flying planes. I must say though, I think I was  more relieved than the groom when it was all over.

Two weeks later I received a beautiful card and a magnificent bouquet of flowers from the happy newlyweds. I felt really proud – I’d done good!

I will follow up with more wedding stories. If you have any wedding stories that you would like to share, please email them to us.