Sunrise Creations Blog

Recently I was lucky enough to interview Fiona Roberts, a Civil Marriage Celebrant based in Caloundra, Queensland.  She tells us about her work and why she loves it so much.

How long have you been a celebrant?

I was registered by the Attorney Generals’ Department in 2009, having completed my training whilst on leave with the birth of my son.

What made you become a celebrant?

It’s something that had been on my “to-do” list for a LONG time, so when I had a brief window of opportunity (Maternity leave), I decided to stop talking about it, and get trained and registered.  I can honestly say I’ve not looked back.  I am now a full time Celebrant, conducting in excess of 100 weddings a year – and very, very happy!

What is the hardest part of your role?

Breaking the news to a Bride and Groom that the weather is just not going to be kind to their outdoor wedding, and we need to go to their “back up” plan.  No-one likes to hear that their dream day has to be altered at the last minute.  Fortunately, most couples are fine, and end up still being thrilled with the outcome!

What do you love most about your role?

The joy of the occasion cannot be surpassed in terms of an occupation!  When you truly connect with your couples, you feel such a sense of happiness for them as they embark on the new adventure of married life.  It’s an absolute honour to be able to share such an intimate moment.

Is there one occasion (wedding, christening) you remember more than others?

As a “group” of ceremonies, I tend to remember the surprise weddings and the elopements.  As a Celebrant, you are so caught up in making sure that these moments are exactly as the couple imagined, so you can’t help but become emotionally involved.

My favourite ceremony to date, was for a couple who had invited their guests to their Daughters’ Naming Day, only for the Bride to arrive fully decked out in her white dress!  Even her Dad was in the dark, until the Groom said the Bride needed him out the front, and when he went out, she was arriving in the Limousine.  Dad was over the moon, and walked her down the “aisle” with happy tears streaming down his face.

My other favourite, was also a surprise wedding, where the guests had been invited to the couples’ engagement party in a Resort Penthouse.  When the time came, they were ushered onto the roof for a “group photo” to find it all set up for the wedding ceremony.  The Grooms’ band provided the music, and at the very last minute, the Groom (also the lead singer), turned the microphone around and sung his Bride down the aisle to “There she goes” by the LA’s – a truly touching moment!

What advice do you give to couples planning their wedding?

Whatever you decide you would like your ceremony to be – an intimate affair, a family gathering or a magnificent production, your Celebrant is there to help you. Your ceremony should reflect you as a couple, and even more importantly, your vows should be promises that you are happy to base your marriage on.

So consider what being married means to you, and then consider how your ceremony can reflect that. The beauty of choosing a Civil Marriage Celebrant, is that your ceremony truly is all about you!!

(Wedding photos by Mills Photography, Sunshine Coast, Qld.)

Everyone wants their Wedding Day to be individual and special, a reflection of the unique love that they share with their special someone.

Just how do you start to plan an entire day that will symbolize your love for and commitment to each other? You may opt for a Wedding Planner to take care of all of the logistics for you, but you still need to have some idea of what kind of wedding you would like them to plan for you.

Having a look at some Wedding Blogs is one of the best ways to browse through literally thousands of different wedding ideas all in one place. This doesn’t mean you have to copy someone else’s wedding from start to finish, but it can be a nice way to trigger your own imagination and creativity and adapt other people’s ideas to suit the two of you.

There are an impressive amount of Wedding Blog sites on the internet but it makes sense to browse through one from your own country or region, otherwise you may get thrown into confusion over terms and traditions that you are unfamiliar with, and there may be links and references to products and services that are unavailable to you.

Don’t be put off by blogs about fantasy weddings either, not everyone can afford to spend millions of dollars on their wedding and it’s unlikely that your guests will have unreasonable expectations about your wedding budget either, most will simply be honoured to share in your celebration.

If you are looking for a wedding blog that is easy to read, with wonderful photos and full of great tips, links and wisdom have a look at these excellent Australian blog sites.  They are designed for everyday people who are planning a wedding.

Daily Wedding Blog
Polka Dot Bride
Swoon
Sugarlove Weddings
Wedding Style Guide
Amour Amour

There will be times in your life when you have TV dinners without any need for setting a table but there are also going to be times when you are invited to formal dinners with elaborately set tables.  You may even wish to host your own formal dinner party or reception. Whatever the case, here is a quick guide on how to set a table. 

Source: Wikipedia


FORMAL SETTING
Utensils are lined up carefully about one inch from the edge of the table. Utensils are used starting from the outside and working your way towards the middle with the blade of the knife turned towards the plate.

INFORMAL SETTING
This requires fewer utensils, serving dishes and glasses. Often the napkin and/or utensils are held in one bundle by a napkin ring.

 

Source: Dinner Party Menu Ideas

If you would like more step-by-step instructions visit www.marthastewart.com. You can also watch this short You Tube video How to Set a Formal Table.

If you are unsure how to match your serving dishes, glasses and utensils with what courses you plan on serving have a look at this nifty website where you can check the boxes on what you plan on serving and the May I Serve You? waiter will help you set the table.

 

If you are thinking about which flowers to use in your bouquet or as decoration on your tables, it is worth knowing what flowers are in season and readily available.  While many popular bouquet flowers are available all year round such as roses, carnations, alstromeria and chrysanthemums, others are limited to their seasonal availability.

Spring allows for some beautiful bouquets with the arrival of tulips, lilies, daffodils and gerberas.  Lilacs are a stunning flower, however, they are only available for a brief period in the spring.  Lily of the Valley also has a limited growth period however this delicate flower can really bring out the beauty in a bouquet.

Think summer - David Austin roses are available from November through to February and these English roses are as elegant as they are beautiful.  Another flower, available in pink or white, is the November Lily (or Christmas Lily), and as the name suggests, it is available throughout the summer months. 

In Autumn, we see the availability of poppies.  While generally associated with Remembrance Day, they can make a stunning appearance in a bouquet.  Rhododendrons are also available during these months and come in a wide variety of shades and sizes.

Don’t discount winter for beautiful bouquets.  If you are looking for something blue, winter brings with it the availability of the cornflower.  And you can’t go past the beauty of the phalaenopsis orchid which flowers generally from February to October.

Market fresh flowers has an interesting application which allows you to search for seasonal coloured flowers.  They state that while the list is not comprehensive, if you are looking for a flower which is particularly rare, then it is best to consult with your local florist.

No matter what the time of year, there will be a flower that looks fabulous in your bouquet or centrepiece.  A little research might give you a whole lot of new ideas.

Anthony proposed to me on the 2nd September.  I will never forget it.

I was late getting home from work that day.  Anthony had been sick so he was already at home waiting for me.

When I walked through the door I found a mess of cotton buds that ran throughout the house.  Anthony told me that his niece and nephew had been to visit and made the mess and that he was too ill to clean up.   I hate the feel of cotton buds but seeing he was unwell I had to do it.

Barely hiding a groan, I started collecting them – all 400 of them – following the trail through the house as I went.  They had certainly made quite a mess.  The trail led into our lounge room and there I found a huge bundle of cotton buds together with a gorgeous ring.  Written in cotton buds beside it were the words “Marry Me Loser”.  The words might have shown more humour than poetry but what a lovely way to propose.

I had always wanted a low key wedding without the traditional sit down meal and that is what I had.  It looked fabulous and for that I have to thank mainly online retailers. We live in a small country town and there wasn’t a lot to choose from locally.  I found some excellent suppliers and I have listed them here in case they can help someone else have the perfect wedding, too.

(see list below these lovely photos of the day)

• Slushie Machine – Cocktail Slushies – Hired from Forbes Jumping Castles -
• Guest Book – Sunrise Creations
• Bali Flags – Ebay
• Lolly Bags – Riches n Realms
• Cake – Annette Connell – Eugowra –  Annette’s Cakes
• Bright Striped Chairs & Bright Coloured Small Lantern Lights across bridal table and bar area – Bed Bath n Table
• Videographer – Capture Good Times
• Cake Topper –Captivating Cake Toppers – Made very personalised – She made my dress flowers etc all as it was in real life, right down to the dogs name tags been the same -
• Cookies for Tea & Coffee – Bight Heart Shaped – Love Bites Cookies & Cakes
• Marquee – Mogga’s Marquees Young – email -  mogga@bigpond.net.au
• Honeymoon – Tahiti – Belated due to the farm life – honeymooned in Feb – Booked through Renee Markwick – Travelscene Orange
• Wedding invitations – Black Tie Wedding Invitations
• Wine Labels – printed by the same people as my invitations– Black Tie Wedding Invitations 
• Table Runners & Pew Bows for Church – Classy Covers Cowra – email classycovers@bigpond.com
• Dog Tuxedo for Wilba – Pets Palace
• Flowergirl Dress – Tea Princess
• Bridesmaid Dress – Mr K Coral in Colour
• Groom/Groomsmen Suit – Local Mensland Store – Gunns Mensland
• Flowers – Cheryl Shirvington
• Stubby Holders – Coolaz
• Lolly Buffet Stand – made by my brother-in-law
• Signage for Lolly Buffet – Christine Signs & Designs
• Catering – Midwest Catering – Orange – Cocktail Food – email – midwestcatering@activ8.net.au
• Page Boy Suit- Myer
• Personalised Glasses for Bridal Party & Parents & Sisters & Brothers – Em’s Glasswear
• Bride Dress – Purchased at Sweethearts Bridal Boutique Blacktown – Maggie Sottero – Victoriana -
• Photos -  Lauren Photography Inclusive
• Lollies – Various – Echuca Heritage Sweet Company & Tom’s confectionary Warehouse 
• Band – At the Bar – Dubbo
• Thank You Cards – Sunrise Creations
• Lanterns – Brought online overseas – Asian Imports
• Parasols – Hanging in the middle of the marquee - Brought online overseas – Asian Ideas
• Vases – Various  - Ikea – The warehouse – One World – Majestic DIY
• Bright Water bottles – The Reject Shop – GO LO
• Disposable Cameras  - Ebay
• Letters – Wish, Sweet, Love – Seaweed n Sand
• Scoops & Tongs for Lolly Buffet – Nest Kitcheware & Tableware – House – Scullery Kitcherware, Forbes
• Table Centre – Bright boxes – Sixteen Candles
• Vase on Bridal Table with Freckle Letters – M, A, Love Heart – Freckleberry – Sixteen  Candles
• Bridesmaid Shoes – Myer
• LED Globes for Lanterns hanging in Trees and out the front of the marquee – Lantern Shop 

 

Celebrity weddings seem to appeal to us all, don't they?  It always amazes me how much magazines will pay just for that special shot of the happy couple.

Every year Polka Dot Bride posts a list of her top celebrity weddings of the year.  2010 was no exception.  If you are planning your wedding but you aren't certain of the style you like, these images might help. Pay attention to the details of each photo and pick out the elements that appeal to you.  You will probably find a trend in them that tells you a lot about your preferences.

Kate Ritche and Stuart Webb

Kate's look is absolutely stunning in its elegance.  She is wearing a gown by Steven Khalil and her look is of classic and timeless beauty.

Chelsea Clinton and Marc Mezvinsky

This is another elegant dress, this time by Vera Wang.  Elegance never dates, does it?

Alicia Keys and Swizz Beats

Alicia Keys wore a Grecian goddess style one shouldered Vera Wang gown with a bouquet of purple calla lilies. Her look was completed with a beaded headband.  What a stunning location for a wedding!

There are more photos to look at over at Polka Dot Bride and if you are looking for style ideas, that is a great place for inspiration.  Do go over and have a look around. 

(Reproduced with permission)

Me, I love nature, camping, being away where you can see the trees, smell the fresh country air, so when I came across this country wedding, I couldn’t help but get excited. Chelsea Gray and Roberto Ugarte from Blushing Bride Studios, have captured the essence of this fun filled, romantic and relaxed day perfectly. Their wedding was held at the beautiful Grand Isle Lake House.

I love the idea of using props to a wedding for photos –hats, oversized glasses, feather bowers, moustaches, hair pieces, really add personality and character to the photos of the guests. Especially when they are as outgoing and fun loving as this party was. Wouldn’t this work fabulously at a 40^th birthday party?!

One of my favourite wedding trends is when the couple fills the day with details that truly represents them as a couple and their personality. This is exactly what todays charismatic couple have done for their wedding vow renewals that screams trend and glamour. Having been married on 15th August 2009 in the States, they decided to also celebrate with family and friends in Australia.

The bride looked elegant and chic in her wedding dress - I love the black sash and peacock feather in her hair! Just stunning.

One of my favourite Sydney photographers, Tanya from Tindale Images, has captured the day beautifully.


The bride had a love for vintage cameras - my kind of girl!


Their service was at the charming Nurse Chapel at Little Bay.


Their reception was held at the Winery, a funky and quirky little restaurant in Surry Hills. Aren't the colours just gorgeous!

I am excited to start a regular blog where we will be featuring real life weddings. What better place to start than with my own wedding.

Rod and I were married on 6th April 2002. It was a glorious day, but not without any hiccups!
Suffice to say, that panic buttons were hit when 3 months prior to our wedding the magnificent grounds at The Turpentine Tree in the Blue Mountains were privy to a roaring bush fire. With a potential unleashing of bridezilla, we quickly changed our wedding from a romantic garden wedding to a Fairytale Dream Wedding at the Gap Bluff Centre in Watsons Bay, Sydney. Overlooking Sydney Harbour, the room provided a blank canvas for renowned florist Gerhard Haas from The Turpentine Tree to work his magic.

"We didn't have the option to deliberate over choices, which made planning so much easier. I don't regret a thing, and we ended up having our daughter's Christening at The Turpentine Tree, so my dream was realised!"