After an amazing year of weddings all over Southeast QLD, it’s time to share a few things – DON’T WORRY no names or venues will be spoken about but if you know, you know.  

Also, a heads up there is nothing too crazy, things don’t go too astray when you book me – however, some things are out of my control.  Please check out my Australian Bridal Industry Awards reviews to see what feedback these couples have been saying for piece of mind link here 

Here is a fun, honest, behind–the-scenes look into what really happens before, during and after a ceremony – with some reception fun too. 

The things I see, the things I secretly manage… and the things I’ll never say out loud (until now)

Confession: I always arrive early to your ceremony

If you have ever booked me for a music gig as a venue or an agent you know I am always late (well never 1 hour early!) – not too late to start but late that it gets to 25 minutes before the music starts and I haven’t arrived. Truth be told I do a set up in five minutes and I desperately need that extra time to work out my unruly hair. 

For a ceremony I am always early – I plan 45 minutes to one hour early then even if I am running late, I am normally still the first person there. 

Why?  

I like to check everything, the wind, my mic and volume, where the signing table is, which way the sun is facing in regard to the arbour, get some footage of an empty ceremony spot, make sure the flowers haven’t fallen over and the seats are straight. 

Secret thought: I hope everyone invited also likes to be early. (fingers crossed) 

Trend: guest don’t just go missing…. they vanish into thin air  

Think group photos, or speeches and one lonely celebrant, MC trying to wrangle all the guests together at once! 

At the end of most ceremonies I ask, ever so nicely, please stay in this area as the photographer will gather everyone up for a group photo. 

Next minute 

-half the guests are at the bar 

-three people have gone to the toilet 

– the groom’s mate has wandered off to the golf course to look at a kangaroo 

– two people are on  phone calls – no, not to each other 

– Aunt Kristy is off bumming a smoke off a stranger walking past  

I’ve literally had to form a human search party with the photographer. 

I am walking around calling “ Okay everyone – group photo, remember – let’s go”,quickly checking the bar and toilets. “Speeches in five minutes be sure to fill you glasses” and whole tables are MIA. 

How to solve the problem – have five to ten minutes of congratulating the couple straight after and let the guests thin out for a minute and they all seem to make their way back eventually. 

Then, find a close family member who knows everyone (think FOB or the MOH) and they can spot if we are still missing anyone – when there are 150 guests there is no way I know what they all look like!

OMG moment: I’ve had some scary moments… but one topped them all 

I speak for every Sunshine Coast Celebrant when I say we have some FEARS (the following list is what celebrants’ nightmares are made of but I haven’t had to face any yet) 

• Wardrobe malfunction mid-ceremony 
• Saying the wrong name (terrifying!!) 
• A kid knocking over the arbour – or anyone clumsy really… 
• The microphone dying right before the vows 
• The rings falling through the deck slats 
• Tripping over a lead (so thankful for wireless mics) 
• A wasp flying into our dress /suit 
• The wind blowing the legal paperwork into the lake 
• A bridesmaid fainting on top of the bride 
• Road closures – Don’t even get me started on the Bruce Highway

I could go on… but never could I have imagined what my top scary moment would be! I can tell you for certain IMO absolutely nothing is scarier then a snake slithering past me mid song. 

Picture this I am smiling and singing my little heart out (as I always do) then I noticed the leaves were moving, inches from my foot a snake was so casually passing by. 

Meanwhile internally : 

“DO NOT SCREAM. DO NOT MOVE. DO NOT DIE. KEEP SINGING WOMAN!!” 

What topped it off was a guest, whose first time it was visiting Australia, went up to the snake and said should I pick it up? The staff quickly ran up and said NO, we don’t touch things like that. (Phew)

Professional level: Sunshine Coast Celebrant Ninja 

Tip: maybe pack spare undies as well as spare dresses

Confession: I have a sixth sense  

Not the sixth sense where I sense ghosts or not of this world type beings, nope. FYI I love the show Ghost Whisper. 

My sixth sense is knowing when someone is about to cry. 

After hundreds of ceremonies, I can predict it like weather (which sounds silly  because well the weather here is terrible) 

Dad linked arms about to give daughter away = lip twitchy = tears 

Groom sees bride – if he breathes in sharply – game over – here’s a tissue 

Mates pretending to hold it together – I see you. There are no onions around. 

I’ve always got your back – I’ve always got tissues. 

Confession: I am a reception spy 

I sneak into the reception before the guests arrive – well it’s not really a sneak when the staff let me in, but it sounds cooler saying it this way. 

Reason: 

-Check the lighting 

-Check out the dance floor space and work out where to set up for the party (let’s not forget I am not just a Sunshine Coast celebrant, I am also a Sunshine Coast Wedding Musician, MC and DJ) 

Thanks Photography with Antonio for the BTS footage

-Work out where the speeches will be 

– See what needs to be announced for housekeeping  

– Check guest books have pens, Polaroid cameras are loaded 

TREND: Reception ideas I secretly wish all couples did

Consider a champagne tower – pour all your guests a drink, just another excuse for cute photos and have all your guests cheer for you one more time. 

Put your speeches into separate blocks- if you are having more than four speeches separate them to make them short and sweet and this gives guests the opportunity to have a toilet break and refill those drinks. 

Close the doors just before cake cutting – make sure none of your guests  miss those special moments of yours. 

Giant mirrors that have some nice words with a fancy text – these are always so fun to take selfies in 🤭

Confession: I wish everyone knew how much I want their wedding to go perfectly 

You might think I am calm (I get that word a lot, and thank you!), but inside I am calculating. 

I appear calm because I am silently  running: 

• Plan A 
• Plan B 
• Plan C in case a snake slithers past your feet
• Plan D in case the wind blows your veil away 
• Plan E in case the rings go missing 
• And a back up plan for all of the back up plans 

Being a Sunshine Coast Celebrant is 10% talking…  

90% crisis prevention with a smile. 

As a Sunshine Coast Celebrant, Musician, MC and DJ there are times I am at your wedding day longer than you are and I see a lot especially as the night goes on.

Stay tuned for “The missing cake saga”, “Things that absolutely broke my heart but I’m the professional”  “What I did the time my capo broke mid song” and “The over heated iPad”.

Can’t wait to read my next blog you can always organise a zoom call to pick my brain.