Welcome to the blog

Naming ceremonies for babies who’ve faced a rocky start Baby Naming Ceremonies (i.e. non-religious christenings) are not just about picking a name; they are about giving a high-five to the little champion for overcoming early hurdles. Baby Naming ceremonies for babies who’ve faced a tough start are like throwing a party with extra confetti. A […]

Greetings, fellow literary enthusiasts! Welcome to this book club gathering. This month, myself and some other celebrants took on Trent Dalton’s non-fiction gem, “Love Stories.”. If you’ve read the book, I encourage you to share your thoughts in the comments below. Whether you’re eager to tackle the discussion questions or simply spill the beans on […]

From Lightening Ridge to Newcastle: A Sunset Wedding by the Sea 🌅 Amber and Danny tracked me down on the Internet. They’re from Lightening Ridge but thought, “Hey, why not have a blast and tie the knot in Newcastle?” They weren’t picky about the date, time or location, so after some chitchat, we all agreed […]

BEAUTIFUL BRONTE⁠ I’ve been Facebook friends with Tatum since I was her wedding celebrant at Albion Farm Gardens back in 2019. I’ll happily accept a friend request from any of my clients (but equally won’t be offended if anyone doesn’t reach out in that way). It’s a great way for me to keep up with […]

I had the pleasure of marrying Hannah + Charlie back in August 2020, so when they asked me to do their daughter Ella Rose’s baby naming at the Hunter Valley Gardens, I was over the moon. I’m officially their CELEBRANT FOR LIFE now!⁠⁠It is not always possible for grandparents to get involved in their grandkids’ […]

Hey there, fellow pet lovers! Let me share a heartwarming story from my journey as a celebrant. When I was training to become a wedding celebrant, I was told to steer clear of including pets in ceremonies due to their unpredictable nature and potential for distractions.

But life always has a way of surprising us, doesn’t it? In my very first booking as a celebrant, the couple insisted on having not just one, but all three of their adorable dogs participate in their special day. I found myself at a crossroads. As a celebrant, my role is to guide and facilitate, not to impose my own preferences on couples. So, the dogs got the green light!

Deciding to legally marry before or after the big day Sometimes a good old ☎️ phone call beats an email! So, this gal named Danika reached out to me, all curious and excited, about my Legals Only ceremony. She’s planning to tie the knot with her partner Drew in August back in her homeland, America. […]

This book sold over 5 million copies since its launch in 2018! It’s been on the New York Times Best Seller list for over 100 weeks. It has a 5-star rating on Amazon and over 65000 reviews. If you want to improve your habits, it’s hard to miss this book. But does it live up to the […]

Love knows no boundaries… but bureaucracy sure does! ??? Being in a cross-cultural marriage is like embarking on a rollercoaster ride through immigration forms and language barriers. ??️ Attending my brother Jack’s Traditional Korean Wedding, I found myself thinking not only about his extraordinary love story but about the crazy challenges that all couples face […]

When we think of funerals, a somber and serious atmosphere often comes to mind. However, there is a growing recognition that humour can play a meaningful role in the grieving process. Humour, when used appropriately, can help alleviate tension, create connections, and offer moments of relief amidst the sadness. Although it may seem unusual to […]

Hey there, bookworms! Welcome to my virtual book club discussion, featuring none other than the delightful masterpiece called Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert! Get ready to dive into this literary gem, and when you’re done, join me in the comments section for some discussions. Feel free to tackle any of the discussion questions or simply […]

When someone dies, it is not uncommon for hidden truths and undisclosed secrets to emerge, leaving loved ones grappling with a mix of surprise, confusion, and even emotional turmoil. These revelations can range from financial matters and hidden debts to the discovery of undisclosed relationships or unexpected family ties. Dealing with these posthumous bombshells in […]

Mother’s Day, a day meant to celebrate and honour mothers, can be a difficult and painful experience for many individuals. For those who have lost their mothers, the day serves as a stark reminder of their absence and the void left behind. Even for those who had complicated relationships with their mothers, Mother’s Day can […]

Hey there, fellow wedding enthusiasts……….Let’s talk about the best Hunter Valley wedding venues, shall we? Holy moly, there are a lot of them which is why you might need to clear your diary, get comfortable and pour yourself a glass of wine before you dive into this comprehensive list. When it comes to the Hunter […]

? MELLOW YELLOW ?⁠⁠Are you smiling? Yellow is such a bright and intense colour that it immediately grabs your attention. It invokes strong feelings of happiness and optimism….a great choice for a wedding, and not one that you see often. ⁠⁠I usually attempt to dress tonally, but my options were restricted for this Willow Tree […]

LUCKY DIP⁠⁠I turned up for Noelle & James’ wedding at 48 Watt St and my mouth hit the floor. I knew the couple had good taste. I figured the aesthetic was going to be sophisticated and modern but I had no idea how incredible the styling was going to be. ⁠ ⁠Turns out……they didn’t either!!⁠⁠Noelle […]

For their wedding in the Hunter Valley Gardens, Chris planned a romantic proposal for the couple’s 10-year anniversary. Unfortunately, he got a migraine and was too unwell to propose at the zoo ?⁠⁠He had a sleep in the arvo to try and shake it off. Afterward, he jumped into action with his not-too-shabby Plan B……to […]

MICRO WEDDING⁠⁠A wedding in Shepherds Hill, Newcastle wasn’t what Jessica & Jake had in mind at first. Because to the pandemic, they ⁠had to postpone their original plan of having a big wedding celebration at Murrays Brewery in April last year. ⁠⁠Sadly, it’s a common refrain. ⁠⁠Like many couples in the same boat, they made […]

It poured rain so we poured ourselves into the open-sided wedding platform at Stonehurst Cedar Creek while a string duo kept the mood upbeat ⁠?️⁠⁠Bronwen walked down the aisle in her beautiful boho dress and headpiece to ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love’⁠ ?⁠⁠All the couples’ nieces and nephews from the littlest to the eldest were […]

MEET ME HALFWAY⁠ ?James and Angharad got married at Twine Restaurant in August last year when weddings were allowed but international and inter-state travel was banned. Not ideal when you are from New Zealand and all your family lives there, as in Angharad’s case. ⁠⁠Since early in the pandemic, there was a lot of government […]

Rainy days got me thinking about Hannah & Jake⁠’s wedding which had to be moved inside the Valentine Bowling Club instead of on the grass overlooking the lake. ⁠⁠Ok, so it wasn’t how they planned it but Hannah took it all in her stride. ⁠⁠She didn’t worry about her hair going frizzy. She is one […]