Naming days are the perfect way to show how much your child matters to you and to introduce him or her to family and friends. Rebecca Skinner of Celebrating Life's Chapters can create a ceremony that is utterly memorable and perfect for you and your little one. Phone Rebecca now on 0401 808 335 and get $20 off, bringing the cost down to $230!
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Look at this unexpected guest who stole the show at a wedding on Saturday that I conducted in the Hunter Valley vineyards. All the children were thrilled with his presence. So keen was he to get involved in the ceremony that he knocked one of the signing chairs over!
It is always an unbelievable privilege to be able to conduct a wedding ceremony - but hearing back from a couple about their special day is an utter joy. Thank you so much Lyndsey and Jon for saying: "We chose Rebecca Skinner for our celebrant for our wedding in September 2015. It was simply the ceremony of our dreams! It was light and funny, and reflected our personalities perfectly. The planning process with Rebecca was so simple and stress-free. After a chat over coffee, she pinpointed exactly how we wanted our ceremony to be. Rebecca was prompt, professional and most importantly encouraged us to get married in an environment that reflected ourselves and our relationship. I would recommend Rebecca with the highest regard, and can't wait to organise her again for a Naming Day when our first bub comes along!" Don't miss out on a discount on your perfect ceremony! For a short time only Rebecca of Celebrating Life's Chapters is offering a $20-off special on all weddings, baby-namings, renewal of vows and This is Your Life ceremonies for bookings taken in the next few weeks. This brings the cost of a personalised wedding ceremony to $320 and other ceremonies from $230. Call Rebecca now on 0401 808 335 so you don't miss out! Do you know why a groom carries his bride over the threshold? The tradition began in medieval Europe because many people believed brides were particularly vulnerable to evil spirits through the soles of her feet. To avoid bringing in any evil spirits, the groom carried the bride into their new home! This is where I conducted a wedding last Saturday - it may not be a secret to those living in Swansea Heads but it certainly was to me! It is in Illawang Park overlooking the ocean and both the setting and the weather couldn't have been better.
The bride walked down a natural, leaf-strewn aisle under a canopy of trees then joined her groom at this picturesque spot. The stunning archway was made of drift wood strewn with flowers, including jasmine which smelt utterly divine and added a mesmorising scent to the romantic ambiance. Apparently the custom began in Rome, when a bride would wear a veil down the aisle to disguise herself from evil spirits who were jealous of her happiness. In those days they wore red or yellow veils to help ward off these spirits.
It's also thought veils date back to the time of arranged marriages, when people believed that if the couple saw each other before the ceremony, it would give them a chance to change their minds about the wedding! Some people think that it's bad luck if a groom sees his bride just before the ceremony. And white, of course, represents purity. I prefer to believe that by the bride covering her face it means the groom is not just marrying her for her looks but for her personality and all that is beneath the veil. What do you think? Where did the saying, "Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue" come from and what does it mean? Wearing "something old" represents the bride's past, while the "something new" symbolizes the couple's happy future. The bride is supposed to get her "something borrowed" from someone who is happily married in the hope that some of that person's good fortune rubs off on her. And finally, "Something blue" denotes fidelity and love.
There are various beliefs about why the 4th finger of the left hand is chosen for engagement and wedding rings. The Chinese believe each finger on this hand represents the past, present and future generations within our families. The thumb represents our parents, the index finger represents our siblings, the middle finger represents ourselves while the fourth finger represents our life-partners and the fifth finger, our pinkies, represent our future children. Let’s do a little experiment. Place your hands together and bend your middle fingers together, allowing for your knuckles to touch. When doing this, allow for your other remaining fingers to touch. Begin to pull each finger apart, individually. You will see that your thumbs will pull apart quite easily because you are not destined to be with your parents forever. The same happens with the index finger and pinkie; showing you’re not meant to be with your siblings and children forever. However, when you try and pull your ring fingers apart, representing your life partner – it’s very hard, meaning you both are meant to be together forever! I've recently met several couples who are planning to marry who have gone through the most difficult times imaginable - but have come out the other end tougher, more resilient and even more in love. As the old adage goes, 'What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.' So when bad times assail, battle it out, and know you will emerge victorious..
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AuthorRebecca Skinner is a journalist, editor and writer who is also a civil celebrant, committed to helping people cherish special moments in their lives. From ceremonies with a difference together with books of living memories as a unique memento - to writing life stories - she is the specialist in celebrating life's many chapters. Archives
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