Ceremonies

Wedding

As more and more people find that religious ceremonies are not meeting their needs as individuals, a civil ceremony can fill the gap - your wedding ceremony can still incorporate religious or spiritual elements if a church wedding is not what you desire.

Everyone is an individual, and every couple has individual needs. The type of wedding ceremony you choose to have will be a reflection of your beliefs and values as a couple.

For some people the traditional ceremony is the only type that will do. Others may like to choose to link their ceremony's theme to their subculture. You may also choose to write the entire ceremony yourself or have one individually written for you to fit in with a theme or personal belief system.

Your wedding ceremony can help you to connect with your loved ones, with your family and friends.

Baby Naming

A naming ceremony is a beautiful way to welcome your precious bundle of joy to the world. The naming ceremony is an opportunity for you as parents to state your love and commitment to your child or children, and share your hopes and dreams for their future.

Similar to godparents, whose traditional role is to help guide their godchild in a Christian life, you may choose to have 'supporting adults' or 'mentors' (who may be friends or family), who will be there for your child as he or she grows up and throughout their life in whatever way is needed. If you are considering 'supporting adults' instead of godparents, it would be nice to say a few words at the naming as to why you have chosen them and what role you hope they will play in your child's life. You may want to make a speech, or do a reading from a favourite poem or piece of prose.

Many parents also like to include why you have chosen your child's name and what it means to you.

Renewal of Vows

You may wish to renew your vows as a celebration of the evolution of your relationship, or as a ceremony for people who were unable to attend your wedding. Whatever the reason, your vow renewal ceremony is the perfect way to deepen your commitment to one another.

In making your vows you may choose to re affirm your original vows. Perhaps you might decide to re write new vows in celebration of who you are now as a couple, and who you wish to be in the future.

Renewing your vows is a great opportunity to reflect the journey you as a couple have been on since you first met. You can also include your hopes for the future as a couple or as a family.

Surprise Wedding/Elopement

A surprise wedding can be the most fun!

I recall my best friend’s surprise wedding – she invited everyone to her “engagement party”, then rang those of us who were always “fashionably late” to make sure we turned up on time.....She and her husband married with their newborn son in their arms – it was the most beautiful and special ceremony we had ever seen!

Commitment Ceremony

A Commitment Ceremony celebrates the physical, emotional and spiritual joining of two people who love one another and who wish to live together as partners in life, sharing all that the future may bring. While a Commitment Ceremony is not recognised in a legal sense, it is a powerful and public declaration and celebration of your love, and can be as traditional and formal as you like, or relaxed and unstructured. You can include religious elements, favourite songs and poetry, or cultural rituals.