Welcome to the blog

One of the questions I’m asked surprisingly often about planning a non-religious christening is: “We’re not religious, but our parents and grandparents are. They’d really love us to have our baby christened, but we’d prefer a non-religious ceremony. Is there a way to make everyone happy?” My answer: “Yes! A modern baby naming ceremony can […]

Connor’s Naming Day Celebration in Shortland was a beautiful reminder that some children arrive into the world already knowing they have an army behind them. From the moment I walked into his celebration, it was obvious this wasn’t just a party for a baby. It was a celebration of an entire village coming together to […]

Rachel and Nick came to me with a request: they were looking for a celebrant who would be open to co-hosting a Macedonian Wedding ceremony with an Orthodox priest. They had chosen a civil ceremony, which meant they weren’t bound by religious structure, but they deeply valued Nick’s cultural and spiritual heritage and wanted it meaningfully present on the day.

When someone dies, the emotional impact can be overwhelming. Alongside grief, families are often faced with the challenge of managing admin after death, from notifying organisations to handling paperwork and financial matters. While the process can feel daunting, understanding what needs to be done can make it more manageable. A Personal Note I work with […]

Why Social Media Feels So Hard for Celebrants I hear this from celebrants all the time: “I want to post on social media… but I’m honestly scared to.” And honestly, this is one of the most common pieces of celebrant social media advice I find myself giving. Wedding celebrants especially experience social media differently because […]

Not Every Love Story Needs a Winery (And That’s the Point). I’ll be honest—I spend a lot of my weekends in the Hunter Valley, surrounded by vineyards, long tables, and beautifully styled weddings. And I LOVE it. Big celebrations, big energy, big dance floors… it’s very much my bread and butter. But during the week, […]

Christmas is a time we’re told should be filled with connection, tradition, and familiarity — a season of togetherness. But when someone dies at this time of year, grief doesn’t pause out of respect for the calendar. Funerals at Christmas are different, both emotionally and practically. They carry added weight, tighter timelines, and a complexity […]

If you’re a celebrant looking to improve ceremony delivery skills, you’ve probably figured out that if two celebrants were to read the same ceremony script — one might feel flat while the other might feel unforgettable. That difference isn’t about talent or memorisation; it’s about presence, flow, and how you hold the room. Mastering these […]

When someone you care about loses a loved one, it can feel like you’ve been handed a script in a language you don’t speak. You want to help. You want to say something meaningful. And you definitely don’t want to make things worse. So how do you help when someone is bereaved? Here’s the thing: […]

Hello book lovers! Welcome to this season’s gathering of curious minds and heartfelt reads. A few of us celebrants dove into Wintering by Katherine May—a thoughtful non-fiction piece that sparked some big conversations. If you’ve had a chance to read it, I’d love to hear what you think. Share your reflections, start a discussion, or […]

Love, Tradition & Magic at this Jesmond Park Wedding Let me tell you a little love story. Not the dating-app kind (although I’ve told plenty of those too!). This is the story of Wahida and Mahdi, whose journey to marriage didn’t involve any swiping right—it was chosen with love, intention, and the blessing of two […]

When you’re lucky enough to stand at the top of the aisle with couples like Jules + Linda at Redleaf Wollombi, you get a front-row seat to something pretty special. Their wedding was the perfect mix of fun and feels—the ceremony was ceremony filled with laughter, leg pops, and even a ring-bearing dog named Bonnie. […]

Step into Brittney + Ben’s vibrant festival wedding at Weddings in the Wilde, Wildes Meadow, Kangaroo Valley. From colourful blooms to a shot-ski celebration, this unforgettable day was packed with love, laughter, and bold personal touches! Setting the Stage for a Ceremony Full of Surprises, Laughter, and Love at Weddings in the Wilde The first […]

From First Meeting to Unforgettable Ceremony at The Wine House, Pokolbin 💍✨ The first meeting with my couples is everything! It’s where I get to know them, chat through the legal bits, and soak up all the details about their vision. 🥂 This convo becomes my brief for the ceremony because no two couples (or […]

Wedding planning can feel like a juggling act—balancing inspiration, logistics, and the expectations of everyone around you. The internet is bursting with advice and ideas, but with so much noise, how do you find reliable, on-trend resources that actually make your life easier? Enter the Best Australian wedding blogs. These gems are packed with local […]

Introduction Reading about death, grief, and dying can be a profound, healing experience. Not only does it allow us to process difficult emotions, but it also creates a space for reflection and comfort. These books on death & dying can feel like quiet companions on our grief journey, showing us that we’re not alone in […]

From Big Plans to Simple Magic: How Ben + Megghan Chose Love Over Frills When Ben + Megghan came to me about getting married, they were crystal clear on one thing: keep it simple. No fuss, no frills—just love for their Newcastle Coastal Wedding at King Edward Park. 💕 But it wasn’t always that way! […]

More and more Australians are choosing to elope overseas or plan destination weddings. It’s a trend that’s been building for a while, but now it’s picking up serious steam. In the wedding industry, we’ve been shouting from the rooftops for years: “It’s your wedding—do it your way!” And now it looks like couples are really […]

If you’re avoiding that “salesy” vibe, I have a reality check for you: as a business owner, you’ve got to embrace a little bit of that energy (unless you’re secretly rich, in which case, teach me your ways!). When celebrants tell me they don’t want to sound salesy, what they really mean is: “I want […]

Yellow Stone Vibes at The Woodhouse Wollombi Wedding Venue This gorgeous couple Hayley + Nick are fans of Yellowstone and never miss an episode together, so I wasn’t at all surprised when they chose to get married at The Woodhouse Wollombi Wedding Venue instead of a winery in the Hunter Valley. ⁠⁠With wide-open skies, a […]

Discovering you’re pregnant while planning your wedding is a happy surprise but can also come with its share of challenges. You’ve already got a lot on your plate, and now you’re adding motherhood to the mix! But with the right approach, your wedding can still be everything you dreamed of—just with a little extra magic […]

Jessica and Dennis’ gorgeous wedding at Anambah House sticks out in my mind for so many reasons. First off, it was my debut at Anambah House—a hidden gem in the Hunter Valley that not a lot of people, even those in the industry, know about. It’s surprising because this place is absolutely spectacular. You drive […]

A Tale of Elegance: Dom + Nick’s Chapel Ridge Wedding When I look back on Dom and Nick’s Chapel Ridge wedding, the word that immediately comes to mind is CLASSY. Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Classy? Isn’t that just a fancy way of saying expensive?” Not at all! Creating a classy wedding is all […]

Traditionally, funeral readings emphasise positivity and inspiration, often celebrating the departed’s uplifting actions and the joy they brought to others. However, choosing a fitting funeral poem can be challenging, particularly when the relationship with the deceased was complicated or strained. This blog: Funerals Poems + Readings for Difficult People, offers a unique approach to honoring […]

This is the story of my 400th wedding: a beautiful sunrise King Edward Park elopement in February 2024! A Big Wedding and a Small Wedding King Edward Park Elopement When Greta first reached out to me, she and Dylan were deep into planning their big wedding in Germany. They needed someone to handle the legal […]

Introduction Grieving is tough, and sometimes, finding solace in movies to watch while you’re grieving can make a world of difference. But can movies really help with grief? Absolutely. Films have a unique way of reflecting our experiences, showing us we’re not alone in our struggles, and offering a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness. […]

Peterson House Chapel was perfect It was an Australian-English-Greek wedding, with a sizeable guest list full of family and friends from the Azzurri football club, where the couple first met. Peterson House Chapel was the perfect venue for their celebration, because of the air-conditioning and ample seating to accommodate their large guest list 🎉 Emotions […]

Introduction Whether you normally bawl at the drop of a hat or can’t even shed a tear during The Notebook, there’s a good chance that you might cry on your wedding day. So many couples confide in me (as their celebrant) that they are worried about crying during the ceremony, as they feel it’s a […]

First Wedding at Wallaringa Farm Wallaringa Farm near Dungog in the Hunter is a real gem. As a celebrant, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing love stories unfold in many beautiful places, but there is something truly special about this place. It has a unique charm that’s hard to find elsewhere. Owned by the lovely […]

MY FIRST ARMIDALE WEDDING: GREAT HOPS BREWERY ⁠When Hanah and Christie first booked me, I had this image in my mind of a classy, upscale affair in the vineyards— you know, the whole big shebang. ⁠Turns out, I completely misread the vibe they were going for. They had this vision of a relaxed, down-to-earth country […]

Do you ever find yourself on the brink of a major event like a wedding, baby naming, or funeral, only to feel like your mouth has transformed into the Sahara Desert? It’s like your tongue’s been superglued to the roof of your mouth, right? If you’re a celebrant, this scenario might hit close to home. […]

Wedding Day Magic at Leaves and Fishes, Hunter Valley Let’s talk about the real magic of your wedding day. One of the most heartfelt pieces of advice I offer my couples is to forget about chasing perfection on your wedding day; it’s overrated. ⁠⁠Sure, we all want to create a remarkable experience for the guests, […]

My Favourite Ceremony Moments at Peppers Creek Chapel & Barrell Room. Peppers Creek Chapel & Barrell Room boasts this wickedly long (aka best) aisle in the Hunter Valley so I met the bride Kylee and her crew out of view at the top of the aisle to impart some last-minute pearls of wisdom like relax, […]

Purple, red and gold wedding colour palette at Circa 1876 wedding venue I have a little secret……My most magnificent weddings tend to be the trickiest to capture in words. It’s a procrastinator’s conundrum, really. I find myself hesitating, paralysed by the fear that my words won’t do justice to the couple’s wonderful wedding. ⁠⁠When I […]

The morning of your wedding sets the tone for the whole day 🎉I often swing by where the bride(s) or groom(s) are getting ready. Ya know, to sign a few papers and make sure everyone’s stress levels are under control. 📝 ⁠⁠Sometimes, it’s like walking into the eye of a storm! 🌪️ When that happens […]

My favourite Hunter Valley Wedding of 2023 was at Dark Horse Vineyard Hands down, my FAVOURITE wedding of 2023! 🎉 I try not to pick favourites, but this one at Dark Horse Vineyard stole the show.⁠⁠My first time at Dark Horse, and WOW – I instantly knew it deserved a prime spot on my ‘Best […]

The Very Hungry Caterpillar is a great Baby Naming Theme On Sunday I had a great time at Finn’s baby naming ceremony at Gillieston Heights Community Centre. It was all themed around The Very Hungry Caterpillar – balloons, cake, the whole shebang! 🎈🍰 Seriously, who doesn’t love that classic book?! 🐛✨⁠ Choosing The Hungry Caterpillar […]

Welcome to our book club shindig! This time around, a bunch of celebrants, including yours truly, delved into the treasure trove that is David Nihill’s Do You Talk Funny? If you’ve dived into the same pages, feel free to spill the tea in the comments. QUICK RECAP: Do You Talk Funny? The book unveils seven […]

Baby Naming Medowie- for a baby who faced a rocky start Non-religious christenings or Baby Naming Ceremonies as they are commonly called are not just about picking a name; they are about giving a high-five to the little champion for overcoming early hurdles. These naming ceremonies for babies who’ve faced a tough start are like […]

Greetings, fellow literary enthusiasts! Welcome to this book club gathering. This month, myself and some other celebrants took on the non-fiction gem, “Love Stories” by Trent Dalton. 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 […]

From Lightening Ridge to Bar Beach Newcastle: A Sunset Elopement 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 […]

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 […]

Celebrant for Life 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 […]

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 This is story of how I got to be part of the most epic Merewether Legals Only Wedding…….. 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 […]

Atomic Habits by James Clear 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 […]

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 revelations in […]