LOGAN CELEBRANT Eunice Phipps
Contact
PH 07 3290 4247 Mobile: 0407 133 052 Email: ephipps@optusnet.com.au
In my job as your chosen Celebrant, when it comes to writing your fully personalised ceremony, I have a vast collection of resources from which I can source my material, to enhance the content and sentiment of your ceremony.
Couples today have many choices compared to when I was married. Back then it was marry in a church or the registry office, with no choice or input into the ceremony content what so ever. Thankfully those days are in the past!
Today you have choices: You can choose your own celebrant; marry in your own choice of location such as a park, your backyard; a function venue, a wedding chapel; above ground, on the water, below ground and so forth. You are limited only by your own imagination and desires.
It is important to note here that I will not officiate at ceremonies in planes or hot air balloons, underwater and only on vessels I feel comfortable aboard. I like to keep my feet firmly planted on good old Mother Earth thank you very much. I will officiate at a ceremony on board a vessel the likes of the floating chapel on the Gold Coast or the Kookaburra Queen in Brisbane.
There are many poems, readings, blessings and rituals, that can be used to enhance your ceremony. This are a selection of rituals I have available. I am happy to use any you may want that are not included here.
The Sand Ceremony
The different coloured containers of sand used are representative of individual lives. The grains of sand represent days minutes and hours gone before and those still to come. The sands are poured a little at a time from the separate vessels containing each persons chosen coloured sand and blended into a larger container to merge the lives of those who are taking part. Can be used for Weddings, Namings, Commitments and Renewal of Vows. As the sands are poured your celebrant says words something along the lines of 'these separate bottles of coloured sand are representative of the minutes hours days months and years in your life until now, and those yet to come. As the grains of sands are blended it becomes impossible to separate them again, which represents of your lives from this moment on.' You supply the sand and containers
Unity Candle Ceremony
For this ritual in your wedding ceremony, you would require three different sized candles. The two smallest ones represent the bride and grooms families which can be lit by the mothers of the bride and groom, from which the bide and groom then light their own individual candles(medium sized) and from that they light their marriage candle(largest size) together, thus blending the lives of themselves and their families from that moment on. Lovely ritual but not a good choice for outdoor ceremonies because of the wind. There are some nice tiered candle holders that are suitable for this ceremony: available in stores. You supply the candles and their holders
Memory Candle
Although weddings and other ceremonies are a time of happiness and joy, it is at these times that our family members who have passed on, are missed the most. This ritual is a tribute to the memory of loved ones passed. A candle is placed inside a lantern type holder. The Bride and Groom can light it together or if they are honouring a family member from the bride or groom's family she/he can light it or another family member can light it etc. Once the candle is lit, it is protected from the wind, inside its case. As the candle is lit the spirits of the ancestors are acknowledged, welcomed and invited to join the celebrations. If the ceremony and reception are being held at the same venue, I always encourage my couples to keep the candle burning from the moment it is lit right through to the end of the reception after which it is snuffed out. Okay outside if you have a covered lantern type container to house the candle. You supply the candle and the lantern
Ring Warming
Placed at the beginning of the ceremony, the rings, or the child's bracelet or pendant if used in a naming ceremony, are placed inside an organza bag. This bag is then handed around the guests and the contents are warmed by their well wishes before being returned in time for the ring ceremony etc.; always lovely, but can be timely with a large gathering of guests present, if the messages are lengthy. It is always a good idea to select a guardian to escort the rings around the guests to prevent them being lost and ensure they are safely returned in time for their exchange.
Hand Fasting
A Celtic Tradition for a Wedding, Commitment, or Renewal of Vows.
Before the marriage vows the bride and groom's clasped hands; left to right, right to left; are loosely tied together, either by the celebrant or by attendants. A blessing is given for each time the binds pass around the wrists. The marriage vows are taken, then the binds are slipped off the hands, knot still in tact and placed inside a special bag to be kept forever. The exchange of rings follows and the couple are pronounced husband and wife. You provide the binds and the bag
The Hand Ceremony
Placed after the ring exchange before the couple are pronounced husband and wife. The couple are holding hands and their attention is drawn to their individual hands ie the grooms first then the brides or both together depending on the desired length of the ritual. The celebrant reads words that begin "Bride and Groom, I would like you to observe your, clasped hands so that you may see the gift they are to you. These are the hands of your best friend, young strong and vibrant with love, that are holding yours on your wedding day" etc
There is a long version and a short version of this ritual, depending on the desired length of your ceremony.
The Rose Ceremony
The bride and groom each exchange a rose which represents their first gift as husband and wife, while words are read by the celebrant. These words talk about choosing a very special place in their home in which they place a flower in a vase of water on every anniversary. If the couple has a falling out they can then place a rose in that vase in its special place to say 'I still love you and I'm sorry'. It is hoped they will then be reminded of the vows they made on their wedding day. You supply the roses
Blessings
Traditionally, I will offer a blessing after introducing Mr and Mrs and before the close of the ceremony. By far my favourite blessing is this one
"May peace and joy surround you both,
Contentment latch your door.
May happiness be with you now
And God Bless You ever more."
Prayers
In some instances, couples request a prayer to be added to the ceremony. I am happy to do so and also happy to invite a family member to lead the guests in prayer. In most cases prayers are an individual thing said from the heart, but I do have a few suitable prayers in my collection if needed.
Poems
Many of my couples' ceremonies contain poems of some kind that can be read either by a guest or by myself within the ceremony.
Here is one I often use to open a wedding ceremony
Once in a Lifetime (adapted from Nanci Brillant)
Once in a lifetime
You find someone
Who touches not only your heart,
But also your soul.
You discover someone
Who stands beside you, but not over you.
You find someone
Who loves you for who you are,
And not for who you could be.
Once in a lifetime,
If you are lucky
You find someone….
As you (Bride and Groom) have found each other.
My Favourite Wedding Vows
From This Day Forward Author Unknown
I call upon the persons here present, to witness that I_____, take thee_____, to be my lawfully wedded wife/husband
From this day forward,
You shall not walk alone.
My heart will be your shelter,
and my arms will be your home.
Compulsory Legal Vows
I call upon the persons here present, to witness that I_____, take thee_____, to be my lawfully wedded wife/husband. (These words are the compulsory legal vows and can be followed by whatever vow you like; such as the traditional vow below.)
Traditional Wedding Vow
I call upon the persons here present, to witness that I_____, take thee_____, to be my lawfully wedded wife/husband
To have and to hold from this day forward.
For better for worse,
for richer for poorer,
to love and to cherish
in sickness and in health,
For all the days of my life.
Remember that when you decide on a fully personalised wedding ceremony, you can choose the content of the ceremony. You can also write your own marriage vows to be added to the legal vows and you can write your own ring vows.
Contact
PH 07 3290 4247 Mobile: 0407 133 052 Email: ephipps@optusnet.com.au
In my job as your chosen Celebrant, when it comes to writing your fully personalised ceremony, I have a vast collection of resources from which I can source my material, to enhance the content and sentiment of your ceremony.
Couples today have many choices compared to when I was married. Back then it was marry in a church or the registry office, with no choice or input into the ceremony content what so ever. Thankfully those days are in the past!
Today you have choices: You can choose your own celebrant; marry in your own choice of location such as a park, your backyard; a function venue, a wedding chapel; above ground, on the water, below ground and so forth. You are limited only by your own imagination and desires.
It is important to note here that I will not officiate at ceremonies in planes or hot air balloons, underwater and only on vessels I feel comfortable aboard. I like to keep my feet firmly planted on good old Mother Earth thank you very much. I will officiate at a ceremony on board a vessel the likes of the floating chapel on the Gold Coast or the Kookaburra Queen in Brisbane.
There are many poems, readings, blessings and rituals, that can be used to enhance your ceremony. This are a selection of rituals I have available. I am happy to use any you may want that are not included here.
The Sand Ceremony
The different coloured containers of sand used are representative of individual lives. The grains of sand represent days minutes and hours gone before and those still to come. The sands are poured a little at a time from the separate vessels containing each persons chosen coloured sand and blended into a larger container to merge the lives of those who are taking part. Can be used for Weddings, Namings, Commitments and Renewal of Vows. As the sands are poured your celebrant says words something along the lines of 'these separate bottles of coloured sand are representative of the minutes hours days months and years in your life until now, and those yet to come. As the grains of sands are blended it becomes impossible to separate them again, which represents of your lives from this moment on.' You supply the sand and containers
Unity Candle Ceremony
For this ritual in your wedding ceremony, you would require three different sized candles. The two smallest ones represent the bride and grooms families which can be lit by the mothers of the bride and groom, from which the bide and groom then light their own individual candles(medium sized) and from that they light their marriage candle(largest size) together, thus blending the lives of themselves and their families from that moment on. Lovely ritual but not a good choice for outdoor ceremonies because of the wind. There are some nice tiered candle holders that are suitable for this ceremony: available in stores. You supply the candles and their holders
Memory Candle
Although weddings and other ceremonies are a time of happiness and joy, it is at these times that our family members who have passed on, are missed the most. This ritual is a tribute to the memory of loved ones passed. A candle is placed inside a lantern type holder. The Bride and Groom can light it together or if they are honouring a family member from the bride or groom's family she/he can light it or another family member can light it etc. Once the candle is lit, it is protected from the wind, inside its case. As the candle is lit the spirits of the ancestors are acknowledged, welcomed and invited to join the celebrations. If the ceremony and reception are being held at the same venue, I always encourage my couples to keep the candle burning from the moment it is lit right through to the end of the reception after which it is snuffed out. Okay outside if you have a covered lantern type container to house the candle. You supply the candle and the lantern
Ring Warming
Placed at the beginning of the ceremony, the rings, or the child's bracelet or pendant if used in a naming ceremony, are placed inside an organza bag. This bag is then handed around the guests and the contents are warmed by their well wishes before being returned in time for the ring ceremony etc.; always lovely, but can be timely with a large gathering of guests present, if the messages are lengthy. It is always a good idea to select a guardian to escort the rings around the guests to prevent them being lost and ensure they are safely returned in time for their exchange.
Hand Fasting
A Celtic Tradition for a Wedding, Commitment, or Renewal of Vows.
Before the marriage vows the bride and groom's clasped hands; left to right, right to left; are loosely tied together, either by the celebrant or by attendants. A blessing is given for each time the binds pass around the wrists. The marriage vows are taken, then the binds are slipped off the hands, knot still in tact and placed inside a special bag to be kept forever. The exchange of rings follows and the couple are pronounced husband and wife. You provide the binds and the bag
The Hand Ceremony
Placed after the ring exchange before the couple are pronounced husband and wife. The couple are holding hands and their attention is drawn to their individual hands ie the grooms first then the brides or both together depending on the desired length of the ritual. The celebrant reads words that begin "Bride and Groom, I would like you to observe your, clasped hands so that you may see the gift they are to you. These are the hands of your best friend, young strong and vibrant with love, that are holding yours on your wedding day" etc
There is a long version and a short version of this ritual, depending on the desired length of your ceremony.
The Rose Ceremony
The bride and groom each exchange a rose which represents their first gift as husband and wife, while words are read by the celebrant. These words talk about choosing a very special place in their home in which they place a flower in a vase of water on every anniversary. If the couple has a falling out they can then place a rose in that vase in its special place to say 'I still love you and I'm sorry'. It is hoped they will then be reminded of the vows they made on their wedding day. You supply the roses
Blessings
Traditionally, I will offer a blessing after introducing Mr and Mrs and before the close of the ceremony. By far my favourite blessing is this one
"May peace and joy surround you both,
Contentment latch your door.
May happiness be with you now
And God Bless You ever more."
Prayers
In some instances, couples request a prayer to be added to the ceremony. I am happy to do so and also happy to invite a family member to lead the guests in prayer. In most cases prayers are an individual thing said from the heart, but I do have a few suitable prayers in my collection if needed.
Poems
Many of my couples' ceremonies contain poems of some kind that can be read either by a guest or by myself within the ceremony.
Here is one I often use to open a wedding ceremony
Once in a Lifetime (adapted from Nanci Brillant)
Once in a lifetime
You find someone
Who touches not only your heart,
But also your soul.
You discover someone
Who stands beside you, but not over you.
You find someone
Who loves you for who you are,
And not for who you could be.
Once in a lifetime,
If you are lucky
You find someone….
As you (Bride and Groom) have found each other.
My Favourite Wedding Vows
From This Day Forward Author Unknown
I call upon the persons here present, to witness that I_____, take thee_____, to be my lawfully wedded wife/husband
From this day forward,
You shall not walk alone.
My heart will be your shelter,
and my arms will be your home.
Compulsory Legal Vows
I call upon the persons here present, to witness that I_____, take thee_____, to be my lawfully wedded wife/husband. (These words are the compulsory legal vows and can be followed by whatever vow you like; such as the traditional vow below.)
Traditional Wedding Vow
I call upon the persons here present, to witness that I_____, take thee_____, to be my lawfully wedded wife/husband
To have and to hold from this day forward.
For better for worse,
for richer for poorer,
to love and to cherish
in sickness and in health,
For all the days of my life.
Remember that when you decide on a fully personalised wedding ceremony, you can choose the content of the ceremony. You can also write your own marriage vows to be added to the legal vows and you can write your own ring vows.
