A Handfasting Ceremony

A handfasting ceremony can be quite beautiful. Originally used in the middle ages where couples would join hand and ribbons were placed over the hands, each representing a different aspect of their relationship. The ceremony can be adapted to meet the needs of couples and, over the years, I have had many versions.

Last Friday, February 10^th, Amanda and Nathan were married in the Broadway Chapel, a lovely, intimate chapel at Woolloongabba. They used 6 different coloured ribbons in total. The first, a green one, and representing family, was draped over by their daughter Chloe. Following were a purple one, representing friendship, red for passion, yellow indicating fun, white spoke of honesty and finally a blue one symbolising their dreams and goals together.

After the ribbon was tied together, as though these qualities were bound within their hands. It is something, no doubt, that will be a wonderful reminder of their wedding and those values they hold dear.

Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward's Wonderful Wedding Words

Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward were married in Las Vegas, Nevada on January 29, 1958. It was one of the most enduring Hollywood marriages, lasting until Paul’s death on September 26^th, 2008.

These beautiful words (written by Wilferd A Peterson in his essay “The Art of Marriage”) were used at their ceremony as part of their vows.

Happiness in marriage is not something that just happens. A good marriage must be created.

In the ‘Art of Marriage’:

The little things are the big things. It is never being too old to hold hands. It is remembering to say 'I love you' at least once a day. It is never going to sleep angry. It is at no time taking the other for granted; the courtship should not end with the honeymoon, it should continue through all the years. It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives. It is standing together facing the world. It is forming a circle of love that gathers in the whole family. It is doing things for each other, not in the attitude of duty or sacrifice, but in the spirit of joy. It is speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways. It is not expecting the husband to wear a halo or the wife to have wings of an angel. It is not looking for perfection in each other. It is cultivating flexibility, patience, understanding and a sense of humor. It is having the capacity to forgive and forget. It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow. It is finding room for the things of the spirit. It is a common search for the good and the beautiful. It is establishing a relationship in which the independence is equal, dependence is mutual and the obligation is reciprocal. It is not only marrying the right partner, it is being the right partner. 

Many couples use these words as part of their ceremony – mostly as a reading. On one occasion a young man had memorised the words. I said to him after “I have heard that reading so many times before and that’s the best I’ve ever heard it recited.” He told me he had practiced it about 40 times. He delivered it in such a heartfelt manner and with such effective eye contact that I think everyone felt it was being delivered to them individually. What a wonderful gift that was to the couple. I’m sure all those at the wedding will remember that as a highlight of the ceremony.

A Cruise Ship Wedding – A Great Idea

 Claude and Christine didn’t want a big family and friends wedding – to which they would have to invite 200 people.  Instead decided to just to invite immediate family – their parents, Christine’s three brothers and partners and a nephew and niece - on a cruise ship wedding. As I am located in Brisbane, where the ship departed, and they are from Melbourne they decided on me as their celebrant (saw me in a site “australiaworstcelebrants.com”). Although I dealt with them over many months, I never met them until 3 hours before the wedding.  Going through customs with people over a period of 2 hours you really get to know folk and I discovered what a brilliant family they are. P & O handled the complicated fact that Claude and Christine didn’t wish to see each other before the wedding with aplomb, forward scouts reporting back that Christine was now out of sight so we could all move through.

The P & O staff were very welcoming on board the Pacific Dawn.  Trish and I scored a free cup of coffee and we chatted with Claude, his Dad and a few other guests in “Charlie’s Bar” while Christine and attendants prepared themselves in their cabin. Finally we were escorted to the Captain’s Lounge - how spectacular was that room - a small, intimate room near the top of the ship, chairs set up , red carpet, wedding arch, a view of the beautiful Brisbane River from windows, about eight crew in attendance (2 videographers, a photographer, someone to handle the music, a cake monitor, champagne pourer, and Nick and Nick two delightfully happy crew members who grooved with the music during the ceremony and were designated to look after us). It was a magical ceremony, during which occurred lots of laughter as well as tears from both sets of parents (tears of joy no doubt). A crew lady handed around the champagne before the ceremony had concluded and we toasted Christine and Claude with a giant family hug ensuring that no champagne was poured down dresses or on suits, after which they cut the cake.

Trish and I were then politely escorted from the ship, while the wedding party were due to attend, in 30 minutes, a safety briefing with thousands of passengers who boarded after us.  For the next seven wonderful days they will sail north cruising the Queensland Coastline – to Cairns, Port Douglas and other such places. What a great idea for a wedding. For Claude and Christine, the new Mr and Mrs Sandor, a very engaging and talented couple -  it was the dawn of a new era, specifically the Pacific Dawn.

Happy New Year to All

Taken at New Year's Eve wedding of Karlie and Adam at Brisbane Polo Club - wonderful hisroric building. Wishing all a double dose of happiness in the coming year

Between the stately staircases

Savage and Deelighful Wedding

The wedding of Dee and Nick was held in an amazing chapel at the Hyatt Regency, Sanctuary Cove, Queensland, Australia. To see the wedding in full go to my vimeo site (link below)
http://vimeo.com/34211987
It was a wedding with a difference! Enjoy viewing

Wedding Welcomes

The welcome is an important part of a wedding ceremony.  It sets the tone/theme  and a good welcome makes all those present feel part of the ceremony. After chatting to the groom I then, at the designated time, gather the guests, introduce myself (usually using a bit of humour) and then go to meet the bride. One thing I usually say to the bride that leads to a bit of laughter is “oh by the way , the groom’s here.” I then return to tell the groom the good news of his bride’s arrival.

These questions that I ask the couple help me to organise an appropriate welcome:

-          What tone would you like for your wedding? I asked this of a couple, Christine and Claude, yesterday and they said “cruisey” – they are being married on the Dawn Princess in January.

-          What values are important to you as a couple?

-          Anything significant you like me to say in the welcome?

Some things that I may speak about in the welcome include:

-          Mention of those who have come a long way

-          Remembering those unable to b e attend

-          Honoring the parents

-          Community approval

-          Introduction of a ring warming

-          Some thoughts on the nature of marriage/love

-          The couples’ values and the importance of those in a relationship/marriage

-          A short reading

A Beautiful New Babe Chanelle

Naming ceremonies are thruly wonderful. I had the privilege of performing one recently at Forest Lakes. A theme involving a candle shining a bright light to the world permeated the ceremony and was a focus utilsed by Chanelle's parents, godparents and grandparents. (Picture above - presenting certificate to one set of grandparents). Garth and Catherine, Chanelle's parents, had organised a brilliant day at the lake - the ceremony was followed by a cooked lunch for over forty guests. Below is Chanelle's poem I wrote for her special day.

Chanelle

Born on 6^th August in the year of 2011

A babe who is to all a little touch of heaven

Chanelle Sophia Krumins – just a beautiful name

To mother Catherine and father Garth she sets their pride aflame

Long in size, so active and energetic

A fast grower, a smile that’s just magnetic

Entertains herself in her bouncer, bobbing on the spot

Trying so to talk, letting all know her lot

Good at making animal noises, like a peacock on the track

Bum scoots up till the end of the crib – nothing holds her back

What of the future for this special baby do we see?

A beautiful child and then adult, filled with constancy

Catherine would like her to be happy, Garth reckons fulfilled

On whatever path she chooses her loving parents will be thrilled

I see joy and excitement, times to make the heart swell

May you be a bringer of peace and love to all, dearest Chanelle

Peter Waterman