Will you marry me?

Marry me? WILL YOU

CHOOSING A CELEBRANT IS EQUALLY IMPORTANT AS CHOOSING A VENUE OR WEDDING DRESS BUT HOW DO YOU PICK THE RIGHT PERSON TO MARRY YOU? WE SPOKE TO FOUR OF THE REGION’S BEST CELEBRANTS TO FIND OUT.

A LOVE STORY

Evelyn Calaunan’s background in customer service and expert public speaking skills will ensure you celebrate your love story in style.

Why did you most want to become a celebrant? When I turned 40, I was going through a work/life transition regarding the sort of job I wanted to do, and the thought of being involved in peoples’ important milestone ceremonies appealed to me. I’ve worked in hospitality for airlines, hotels and tour and holiday accommodation companies so customer service is second nature to me.

I’m also a bit of a public-speaking nerd, having been a member of Blue Mountains Toastmasters for over 10 years and a community radio presenter for five years. As a celebrant, I can indulge two of my passions – milestone ceremonies and public speaking.

What’s the best part of your job? I absolutely love telling a couple’s love story. Most of the wedding guests might know it but during the ceremony is a perfect time to share it. The reaction from guests, with laughter, shout-outs or applause, is what I enjoy the most. Describe your professional style. I would describe my style as warm, attentive and vibrant. A couple’s wedding day is about them and I will confidently guide them in creating a ceremony that reflects their wishes. Presentation is extremely important to me, so couples can be assured that I will dress professionally, with hair and makeup done to a high standard. Most importantly, the volume of my voice will be heard, words spoken clearly and the ceremony delivered to an exceptional level.

Are there any amusing or standout moments from the ceremonies you have performed? I would say all the particularly funny moments in a wedding have been when children or animals are involved – you know the saying! I have also married a few couples where the bride or groom had a terminal condition. In those highly emotional instances it is important to focus on the moment and the enormous love the couple share.

What makes the Blue Mountains the perfect place to be married? It’s a World Heritage site for starters! Stellar wedding venues, captivating lookouts, creative wedding suppliers, the wide variety of restaurants, eclectic shops, bushwalking trails and most of all that fresh mountain air all make for an unforgettable experience.

What’s the best advice you can give couples? The biggest tip is to be happy with your wet-weather alternate venue, as there is a good chance that it may rain. Don’t despair if it does rain, though, as I have found those ceremonies ended up being more memorable and the photos were often better – the light truly is more magical than on a sun-drenched day.

Aaron McDonnell of Ceremonies by Aaron is renowned for combining professionalism with fun.

When and why did you decide to become a celebrant? I was officially appointed as a celebrant in late 2016 – I was asked by friends of mine if I would become a celebrant to marry them. One is a really close girlfriend from school who comes from a strong Catholic family and her fiancé is someone who hasn’t made his mind up on what he does or doesn’t believe in. So, who better to ask to marry them than their fun, enthusiastic, engaging – and most likely out of their friends to be either a priest or a politician – long-term friend?

What sets you apart from other celebrants? I think I’m one of a kind. I’m not adverse to travelling, doing something out of the box, being a little bit random or hearing an idea and responding with, ‘Hell yes, that’s awesome – let’s do it!’

My approach is very relaxed, down to earth, realistic, honest and sincere. I wear my heart on my sleeve. If I like something I say so; if something could be done better or a problem is presented to me – I’ll respond with, ‘Sure, no worries, let’s deal with it, and maybe try it this way’. You won’t get a cookie-cutter, template wedding from me but you will certainly get plenty of smiles, hopefully a laugh and maybe even a sneaky happy tear or two.

What can couples expect when they hire you to marry them? A sense of comfort knowing that even though I am relaxed, fun and engaging, I’ll take care of everything in a professional and efficient way. The best man forgot the rings on the wedding day? No worries, I have a spare set in my ‘celebrant kit’. The groomsmen haven’t snipped the threads from the slits of their suit jackets and need to hem a cuff urgently? No problem, I’ve got a pair of scissors and a sewing kit handy. The jazz trio hasn’t turned up or the soloist has lost their voice? No drama, I’ve already downloaded the songs requested for the wedding. No matter the problem, I usually tend to have a back-up plan or contingency means to address it. Rehearsals and regular contact with the couples is also something you can count on me for.

Is there a particular wedding experience that stands out for you? A memorable but embarrassing blooper, officiating at the wedding ceremony of the friends who asked me to become a celebrant. Rather than saying, ‘We gather to witness Ryan and Sarah express their love for each other’, I said, ‘We gather to watch Ryan and Sarah make love’. It was a facepalm moment that brought the house down with laughter.

What do you most love about working regionally? The opportunity to travel and visit so many different towns and local communities. Staying at country pubs and B&Bs, meeting the locals, shopping at regional stores, checking out the tourist spots and eating the best steaks and chicken parmigianas around!

I have made some wonderful friends, discovered some amazing places and am accumulating plenty of stories and weird and funny experiences – i.e. getting lost then getting directions from local farmers, trying to dodge the rabid kangaroos, bumping into old school mates at random country pubs and enduring the heat of Western NSW to name but some of many different aspects of the job!

Any suggestions for couples planning their big day? Don’t over plan – you want to have left room to have some fun. You’ve done the ground work and prepared everything in case of x, y and z, so leave the rest to those you have paid – the vendors and suppliers – and we will do everything we can to ensure you remember and enjoy it!

ceremoniesbyaaron.com.au

Standing by her motto – ‘Your wedding, your way’ – Sue Jack helps couples to personalise their most memorable day.

Is there any one reason you wanted to be a celebrant? I was motivated to become a celebrant when two of my friends announced they were to be married. I had been looking for something that gave me the opportunity to share in the happiness of others and to use my organisational skills, and another friend who had taken up celebrancy a few years earlier was constantly telling me how much she loved it. She was right – it’s a great job to have.

I took quite a bit of time to come up with a name for my business because I wanted something that would reflect my approach. The name Truly Yours encapsulates what I offer – a ceremony that is customised to each couples’ style and tells each couples’ personal love story.

Which aspect of your job is the most enjoyable? I really enjoy everything about the process. From the first meeting where a couple will tell me a little about themselves and how they met, then as we become more comfortable with each other, the great stories and milestones they have shared during their relationship.

I particularly like customising the ceremony to include anecdotes from the couple and working with them to design their vows. Often I am the only other person to see the vows before the ceremony, which I think is very special.

Describe the approach you take to your work. I have a very relaxed and fun approach to each wedding I conduct. Of course there are the formalities, which deserve a certain respect due to the commitment being made. It’s the time when the couple declares before their friends and family that they love each other and want to be together always. But because they are among friends and loved ones, the ceremony can contain inside jokes and references to make special mention of some of the guests.

Do you have a favourite ceremony you have performed? Every ceremony is special in its own way. I love to watch couples preparing for their big moment. Often the most confident partner will be in floods of tears during the declaration of vows. And then there was the time that one couple hilariously ‘Rick-rolled’ the groom’s younger brother. They had him deliver a ‘reading’ during the ceremony that he hadn’t seen previously. He was about three lines into it before he realised he was reciting the lyrics to Rick Astley’s ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’. The guests were delighted and there was uproarious laughter.

Why is the Blue Mountains such a fabulous wedding destination? We are so lucky to have so many wonderful venues available here. I am always delighted to share views I get to see every day with bridal parties and visitors to the region. There is a place that will reflect whatever atmosphere you are after, sweeping views of bush or escarpment, stately vintage hotels and magnificent food and wine. The summer days are warm with vast blue skies and the winter chill provides an opportunity to sit by a fire and soak up the atmosphere.

In your opinion, what should couples focus on when preparing for their special day? There is a lot of planning to do, so start early. Celebrants are often booked two or even three years in advance. Think about what you as a couple want for your big day. Advice will be given by all of your friends and relatives but really it is about the two of you, and the ceremony and reception should reflect your style, your personalities and your love. Above all, prepare to enjoy your day. Be relaxed. There are no hard and fast rules – for example, if you feel better being together before the ceremony, then do that. If you want to have lots of mystery and make an entrance that will take your partner’s breath away – do that! My role is to make your day as wonderful as I can and that’s what I gain job satisfaction from. BML

trulyyours.com.au

Susan Artup has been a celebrant for 25 years and has even written a book to help couples design their perfect wedding ceremony.

What inspired you to become a celebrant? I was teaching languages when one of my colleagues was married by a celebrant in Sydney’s Royal Botanic Garden. At the time I was looking for ‘career enhancement’, but not in education. I thought, “I could do that”, so I applied to the Commonwealth Attorney General for authorisation. I thought there was enough theatre in me to create a miniproduction for people, to design a ceremony with the right words, the right flow, with music and readings, bespoke to them – a true reflection of their relationship. Also, I wanted to get to wear all my good frocks and recite poetry!

What are the most important and enjoyable parts of your job? I encourage couples to write their own vows and to really think about their relationship. That is the most important part of being married; knowing who you are and what you want from the commitment. I also make sure all the legalities are dealt with promptly and smoothly.

The most enjoyable thing about being a celebrant is the rapport, of course – you just have to click with couples. My job is to make people happy, to witness the moment of transition from two people to one couple. It is such an intimate moment, a joy and a privilege, especially in the case of same-sex couples who have waited so long for marriage equality, often in decades-long relationships. Their moment of happiness makes my heart swell!

Describe your style and what couples can expect from you. I have had constant feedback that I make the process of getting married uncomplicated and that I am a calming influence on the day. This really is the definition of expertise – to make your ‘customers’ feel they are in good hands; to take the worry away. Couples can expect the benefits of 25 years’ experience, style and sophistication, a good speaking voice and flexibility up to and on the day.

Is there a particularly emotional ceremony you have performed? There are too many but in 2018 the gay ceremonies touched me most. To be the one who has been central to a life-changing moment is amazing. I’ve married two mums who have made and elicited promises from their children, giving them rings and honouring their individual roles in the family, and I’ve married two guys whose ceremony had all the entertainment of a drag show – so out-there and colourful. Their theme was ‘flamingo, retro, disco’ and I loved fitting in as I’m the second campest celebrant in the region (the first is a real drag queen – can’t compete with that!).

What’s so special about getting married in the Blue Mountains? The Blue Mountains is a wedding destination and the ideal place to work as a celebrant. Many of my couples come from outside the area to be married, as many as locals. Local couples can have their weddings at home as their gardens are just beautiful, or in favourite hotels or restaurants. People travel to settle for the weekend in a lovely old guesthouse with all their family and friends or in a luxurious hotels. In my book – Love is in the Air – there is a chapter titled ‘Your Wedding Space’, which describes many of the local venues that have been perfect for ceremonies over the years – each has its own style and charm.

Any tips for couples planning their big day? Be calm and carry on – seriously! Be organised but not too controlling, by which I mean delegate responsibilities. Put someone in charge of the running order of the day to keep things on track, get someone else to get kids ready and look after grandparents. Confirm all your service providers a few days before and practice walking in your wedding shoes (shorten the dress if you keep stepping on it). Don’t forget the rings (it happens often!) and get someone to rehearse playing the music. Remember that if things do go awry, it doesn’t matter – you will still have a lovely ceremony as people are only there because they love you.

Love is in the Air by Susan Artup is available from Amazon or your favourite bookseller.

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