One of the best things about planning your wedding ceremony in
Australia is that you can tailor the ceremony to suit yourselves. A
well-crafted ceremony should feel like you as a couple—your story, your style, and
the atmosphere you want to create for the people gathered around you. Whether
you are marrying by the bay, in a garden, on the beach, at a winery, or at one
of the many beautiful venues across Brisbane, your ceremony can be tailored so
it feels warm, genuine, and completely your own.
As a registered marriage celebrant in Brisbane, I can help
shape both the practical details and the personal touches, so your ceremony
runs smoothly and feels meaningful from beginning to end. Legally, in
Australia, your civil celebrant must state three compulsory sentences. The
couple must each state one sentence – “I ask everyone here to witness that I
(full name) take you (full name) to be my lawful wedded wife/husband/partner for
life.” Once those 5 sentences have been included, the remainder of the ceremony
is absolutely customisable.
Housekeeping
Before the ceremony begins, as your celebrant, I can convey
thoughtful housekeeping suggestions, which help set the tone for the wedding and
ensure that the guests are fully present and in the moment. This might include
a gentle reminder for guests to put their phones on silent, guidance about
where to stand or sit, or a request for an unplugged ceremony so your guests
can be fully engaged rather than watching through a screen. These small details
can make a big difference to the atmosphere and help protect those special
moments for your professional photographer and videographer.
Honouring Loved Ones Who Are No Longer Here
Weddings are joyful occasions, but they can also bring a
quiet awareness of those you wish could be there. If you would like to
acknowledge grandparents, parents, relatives, or dear friends who have passed
away, this can be included in a gentle and respectful way. It might be a brief
spoken remembrance during the ceremony, a moment of reflection, or words that
recognise their love and influence in your lives. Perhaps you would like to place
a single rose or a photo to a chair in the front row, or light a candle. These
inclusions can be warm, tender, and beautifully woven into the ceremony in a
way that feels right for you.
Including an Acknowledgement of Traditional
Custodians
Many couples also choose to include an acknowledgement of
the Traditional Custodians of the land on which their wedding is taking place.
This can be a meaningful way to show respect and recognise the history and
continuing connection of First Nations peoples to Country. If this is something
that matters to you, I can help include it in a way that is sincere,
appropriate, and aligned with the tone of your ceremony. And if you don’t want
to include this option, that is totally fine too.
Celebrating Your Cultural Backgrounds
Your ceremony can also include cultural elements that
reflect either or both of your backgrounds. That might mean incorporating a
reading, blessing, ritual, music, language, or tradition that is significant to
your family or heritage. For some couples, it is about preserving a cultural
custom; for others, it is about blending traditions in a way that feels natural
and inclusive. The goal is to create a ceremony that feels authentic and
honours the people and stories that have shaped you.
Including family
Some couples like to honour their parents by giving them a
meaningful role in the ceremony. This might include walking you down the aisle,
or being an official witness who signs the marriage certificates.
Children can also be included in a beautiful and age-appropriate way, whether
they are from a previous relationship or part of your family together. Giving
them a small role in the ceremony can help them feel involved in the moment and
included in the joining of the family. These touches can add warmth,
significance, and a lovely sense of connection, especially when family is at
the heart of your celebration.
Choosing the Vibe of Your Ceremony
One of the biggest decisions is how you want your ceremony
to feel. Do you imagine something laid back and relaxed, or more formal and
elegant? Would you like it to feel modern and contemporary, traditional and
timeless, solemn and deeply heartfelt, or light and full of warmth and humour?
There is no right or wrong answer. Some of the best ceremonies are a
combination of all of these things, carefully balanced to suit the couple at
the centre of them. The beauty of working with a celebrant who listens is that
we can create a ceremony with exactly the right tone for you.
A Ceremony That Feels Like You
Your wedding ceremony is more than the legal part of the
day. It is the moment you gather your favourite people together and mark the
beginning of your marriage in a way that feels personal and memorable. If you
are planning a wedding in the Redlands, I would love to help create a ceremony
that includes the details that matter most to you. When your ceremony reflects
who you are, it becomes something your guests will remember not just for how it
looked, but for how it felt.
Cheryl Landsberry – marriage celebrant in the Redlands,
Brisbane
Thanks to Michal, who inspired this article. Having grown up
outside Australia, he was especially interested in how flexible and
customisable Australian wedding ceremonies can be.
