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A list of the best 8 Adelaide Wedding Celebrants

Almost every weekend I’m out photographing a wedding as an Adelaide wedding photographer and I’m always meeting new lovely people that officiate the ceremony, but there are a couple out there that I either run into so often, or that I know by how they conducted themselves that they are worth recommendation.

Of course there are quite a few Adelaide wedding celebrants, so I simply cannot list all the great ones here – but these are the ones that come to mind immediately whenever people ask me for recommendations. I will be adding more to this list as more come to mind, as I know there are more that are just on the tip of my tounge and I can’t put a name to their face.

The Best Wedding Celebrants Adelaide

Wedding rings on rock

Maria & Richard – https://www.itmustbelovecelebrant.com/

Maria and Richard Rowland are a husband and wife team in Adelaide that conduct wedding ceremonies together. They offer a unique service where they can create seamless ceremonies with all the boxes ticked. Richard is bantering with the groom and queuing your music while Maria is off greeting the bride, fluffing her dress, and settling any last-minute nerves. They each bring their own personality and style to your ceremony. With their combined wealth of life experience, and their philosophy that life should be full of fun, along with their passion for meeting new people, they will take you by the hand and guide you along your wedding journey to create your dream ceremony.

Richard’s expert DJ/MC services are also included in the package, meaning your party can start at the ceremony and go through to midnight. They are proud supporters of marriage equality and welcome all couples with open arms. They are creative writers who will listen to your love story and retell it so that you and your guests will laugh and cry, making it a memorable experience. Maria and Richard believe in creating something unique and special for their clients, and they only charge a single celebrant fee.

 

Vicky Flanegan – https://www.vickyflanegan.com.au/

Vicky is one of those names that is synonymous with weddings in Adelaide, always keen to have a bit of fun at weddings, and likes things to be light hearted – her personality suits being a wedding celebrant perfectly.

She has a nice loud, crisp voice and very rarely makes any diction mistakes – very easy to understand! I also love her car’s number plate – which you’ll just have to chat with her to find out what it is 😉

Married!

Peter Champion – https://www.creativecelebrant.com.au/

Peter is a delightful chap, always keen to have a bit of a joke throughout his ceremonies, but also carries with him an air of prestige and formaility simply by his physical appearance as a tall, well dressed bloke.

I think I’ve photographed around a dozen weddings with Peter at the helm, and each one has gone off without a hitch – a true professional at what he does!

Celebrant talking

Jacqui Leopardi – https://www.jacquileopardi.com/

When it comes to Adelaide wedding celebrants, Jacqui is a super popular choice, often being booked out years in advance, she brings an air of adventure and fun to her ceremonies. In fact as of writitng this, shes currently on a several month tour of Australia, adventuring about witrh her family!

Always with a smile on her face, Jacqui is one of those celebrants who you know just loves her job!

Laughing

Jen Attard – https://www.bymysidecelebrant.com.au/

Jen is one of those Adelaide wedding celebrants who always has an idea on how to make your ceremony more special in ways you might not have thought of. Very approachable and easy to talk to, she knows what makes a ceremony work and makes planning a wedding super easy, regardless on what type of personality she is presented with.

Celebrant talking during ceremony

Deborah Lilley – https://lilley-cmc.com/

Deborah is one of those celebrants in Adelaide that just doesnt say no to any request you might have. I’ve seen her dress up in medieval garb, put on voices, manage music playlists and even stay all day as an MC on a wedding day. Whenever I arrive at a wedding and see Deborah at the helm, I know that this ceremony is going to be memoriable!

The Manor Basket range wedding Ceremony

Bob McGilchrist – http://www.bobmcgilchrist.com.au/

Bob is always nioce to have around, keen to chat and have a bit of fun with his wedding ceremonies. As of writing this, last time I was photographing him he was quoting lines from the Princess Bride with full voice acting and all!

A very experienced Adelaide marriage celebrant, he is able to facilitate all kinds of wedding ceremonies from the simple, to complex and everything inbetween!

Holding hands smiling

Penelope – https://www.celebrationsbypenelope.com.au/

As with all wedding celebrants on my list, Penelope is another very experienced wedding celebrant, officiating at over 500 weddings in the last 10 years, alse even being rated in the top 5 marriage celebrants in all of Australia according to the 2022 National ABIA awards.

Always with a bubbly personality, Penelope is keen to make everyone at ease throughout their ceremonies and loves a bit of humour throughout!

Celebrant
I’m sure I’ve missed some Adelaide Wedding Celebrants that should be on this list!

Hopefully this little list of wedding celebrants Adelaide helps you find the perfect celebrant for your big day – again I hate to miss out on any of the other hundreds of celebrants I’ve worked with other the years!

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Top Secrets For a Fun Wedding Reception

The best way to make your wedding reception stand out is to personalise every aspect of the night event with thrilling moments that keep your guests entertained and wanting more – think of it like a concert, or any other entertainment event – it’s not justb a trip to a restaurant!

For a start, you can take out some of your time to ponder (with your spouse) what both of you represent. Shared interests, travel experiences, and childhood memories are also great sources of inspiration when planning out fun-filled wedding reception.

As much as your wedding is all about celebrating your union with your spouse, it’s also vital that you put your guest’s enjoyment to heart. Here are a few top secrets that will create that spark of excitement during your wedding reception.

NB: If you’re short on time and still want to cop some amazing reception ideas, below are a few areas to put into consideration.

  • Where you both met
  • Your first dinner
  • Mutual interest
  • Your favorite sport
  • Your first travel or holiday trip
Ivybrook Farm wedding first dance

Top 8 Secrets To a Fun Wedding Reception

This list of fun wedding reception secrets is in no defined order as every suggestion is unique in its way to bring some spark of fun to your event.

1.   Strategic Seating Arrangement

As obvious as this idea may sound for a wedding reception, do not make the mistake of discounting the Importance of having a rock-solid seating arrangement. Ensure you strategically place your guests right beside people that you’re sure will easily get along with. This might appear like a matchmaking idea, but you intend to create a more engaging night for your guests.

To make it a little more interesting, you should make your college mates seat beside each other or force your guests to seat with strangers. This will lead to sharing interesting discussions and ultimately an amazing dance party.

Guests cheers

2.   Hire a DJ to Spruce Up The Place

Alright, this appears to be the norm at every wedding reception but there’s the need to make mention of it. This is primarily because music happens to be a crucial part of any enjoyable event. Talk to your DJ about songs that should be played as you don’t want to witness an empty dance floor when an obscure song is being played.

Serafino wines wedding dancefloor

3.   Request For a Song

Do you want your guests to enjoy every moment of your wedding reception? Then proceed to get a request for their favorite song. You can ask all of your invitees to write down what song they would like you to perform on their RSVP card. Another way to go about this is to allow your guests to send their song requests to your email.

If you have a wonderful voice, you can surprise them by performing alongside a live band or take it up a notch by making a duo performance with your spouse. If on the other hand, your voice is not that great, compile the list of song requests and hand it over to your DJ for an entertaining jam all through the event.

Guests having fun on the dance floor

4.   A Short and Sweet Toast Will Do

What other way can you lighten up the atmosphere of a wedding reception other than to make an exciting toast with your guests? When you’re in to give everyone a treat, never undermine the power of a timely toast. Take note of the time when the party enjoyment is building up and pause to make a quick toast that climaxes the reception fun. You can toast to memorable moments shared with friends and family, to carry everyone along with the event

Groom Speech under awning

5.   Step onto The Dance Floor

The perfect opportunity you get to wow your guests is to show them what great dance moves you’ve got. Hit the dance floor with your spouse and start with a slow dance before carefully transitioning into something more energetic like a Latin not break dance song from Bruno Mars.

To leave an indelible mark on the heart of your guests, you can have a few of them join you on the dance floor or challenge a random invitee to a dance battle.

Dancing guest jumping

6.   Prepare The Kid’s Quarter

Remember to keep the kids entertained while their parents have fun on the dance floor. Prepare a designated area for the kids, in a different room and make proper arrangements for a babysitter that will oversee their affairs like organizing crafts, games, and kid-centric parties. A fun wedding reception should be fun for everyone – especially the kids as it keeps them out of the way!

children dancing

7.   Go Neon

There’s no doubt about the charming look of an elegant mirror or wooden sign at your wedding reception. The problem however with these is that everyone makes use of them at their reception. To host your guests in an outstanding way that sends shivers down their spine, opt for a creative sign that communicates your theme. Having a love-centric neon sign as the backdrop of your photo booth will turn the event around for the best.

Bride and groom kiss under neon wedding signs

8.   Map Out a Food Station

Nothing else makes for an exciting celebration other than good food. However, offering great dishes that each guest can customize to their taste makes it even better. Here’s where having an interactive food station comes into play. By considering a sushi rolling setup as well as a mac-and-cheese bar where guests can have suitable bites, you will leave an impression on their hearts that makes them anticipate more fun.

Food platter on display

Here you have it! The 8 top-secrets that promise to crack open the shell of excitement at any fun wedding reception. Although there are a dozen ways to achieve the goal of entertaining your guests, our list has been carefully curated to meet the basic needs of any reception theme.

Have Some Fun!

Enjoy every aspect of your wedding reception to the fullest. Dance with the love of your life and save yourself from worries. Make sure that you keep yourself in a good mood throughout the day. Once you’ve assigned the various aspects to the planners, your job is to show up looking great. Ditch the formalities and make the most of the time to have a fun wedding reception!

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How to Cope with Post-Wedding Blues

The day after your wedding will be a time of reflection. It is easy to fall into the trap of post-wedding blues. The reality is that this on-top-of-the-world feeling you had on your wedding day will not last forever.

You’ve spent days, weeks, months of your time and thoughts with your now husband or wife planning your wedding, and now it’s all over! You may even start to believe that part of your relationship is over! However, this feeling is normal after a major event.

What is Post-Wedding Blues?

What exactly is post-wedding blues, you may be wondering? Simply expressed, post-wedding blues refer to a feeling of melancholy following days after your big day. It’s the realization that the wedding is finished and that marriage has begun. It’s more common than one might believe.

For many couples, planning a wedding is surrounded by great feelings of anticipation, great excitement, and buildup—to the point that the convergence of emotions can lead to loss and emptiness once the wedding day has finally passed.

bride and groom at night in the gardens of Al-Ru Farm

Coping with Post-Wedding Blues

The first step in coping with the post-wedding blues is to acknowledge your feelings and work through them. Trying to pretend that you’re not sad or depressed will only make the situation worse. Taking time to care for yourself is the best antidote for post-wedding blues. You may also want to consider seeking therapy. Whether you are alone or with a partner, self-care is always essential!

Thankfully, the majority of couples are resilient. It isn’t uncommon to feel the post-wedding blues just days after the big day. If you or your partner is suffering from post-wedding depression, it is important to remember that you are not alone. There are many ways to overcome this feeling. In fact, many brides and grooms have friends and relatives who have a similar experience. It may help to share your post-wedding blues with your spouse, as this helps to identify and deal with the common feelings that arise.

While post-wedding blues are a normal part of married life, they should never get in the way of enjoying your marriage. Instead, seek help if needed. It’s normal to feel emotional and anxious after a wedding, so try to stay positive. Below are a few tricks to manage and cope with your post-wedding blues.

Learn a New Hobby

One of the best ways to combat post-wedding blues is to find a new hobby or start a new goal. This could be as simple as learning to dance again or redecorating your current home.

Having a hobby can be quite advantageous to our physical and mental well-being. Hobbies have been proven to reduce stress, improve health, increase social relationships, and even promote joy and happiness.

Try a hobby you and your spouse can do together. Hobbies for couples can include:

  • Hiking
  • Baking
  • Axe Throwing
  • Rocking climbing
  • Running
  • Nature watching
  • Gardening

It may be both entertaining and thrilling to come up with new hobbies that you can undertake as a couple. Sharing a common passion or hobby is a terrific way to reconnect and strengthen your relationship while also making memories that will last a lifetime.

Hugs under the maple leaves

Take a Trip

Another simple and fun way to get over your post-wedding blues is to go on a weekend trip or honeymoon. Having something to look forward to, whether it’s something major like your honeymoon or something small like fun day outings, can make a great impact on post-wedding blues.

You might want to do something completely different from your usual routine, such as going to the beach or spending a day at the zoo together.

This is an excellent time for you and your partner to start forming good marriage habits, such as having regular date nights, to help create a strong foundation. Once you have reestablished some normality, the blues will gradually disappear.

House Boat Holiday

Look at Wedding Day Photos / Create a Wedding Album

Another way to cure post-wedding blues is to look at photos from your wedding day. Wedding photography is a great way to relive those special moments from your special day.

A good photographer can help you relive your wedding day for years to come. A wedding photographer can capture all of the most special moments, including those that most people will never notice. And wedding photographers don’t just capture the happy couple – they capture the entire day, including the moments between the bride and groom, the flowers, the wedding cake, and all of the guests.

The photographs will tell the story of your wedding day, as well as the emotions you shared with your loved ones. Once the photos are developed, they can be shared with family and friends for years to come. One of the best ways to preserve your wedding photos is through a wedding album. Choosing a photo album can be a time-consuming process, but it’s a wonderful way to enjoy your photographs in your home. But even if you don’t want to spend the time to create an album, there are sites that can help you. These websites will help you choose the best photo album for your wedding.

Your wedding photography is an investment in emotion, as well as future moments so you may relive the happiest day of your life. Wall prints and albums, for example, can improve your life and your house in ways that nothing else can, and in ways, you may not even realize!

Wedding photos in album

There are a variety of reasons why people may feel blue after their wedding, and yours may be different from someone else’s. But, when it comes down to it, science shows that sadness following a major event is normal.

Bringing joy and laughter into your daily routine will help you stay connected throughout your marriage. Concentrating on the little things in life that give you stability, peace, love, and comfort on a regular basis. That is what marriage is truly all about.

Eventually, your post-wedding blues will disappear and before you know it, you’ll be looking forward to the real reason for your wedding: the start of your new life together.

 

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15 Conservative Ideas for Bachelorette Parties

While the strip club or having strippers at your party has become synonymous with having a bachelorette party, there are numerous fun things to do besides that. As fun as the more ‘red light’ bachelorette party may be, understand that not everyone likes that kind of party; plus, having strippers at your bachelorette party can be pretty expensive.

Whether you are a bride-to-be or a maid of honour brainstorming ideas for bachelorette parties reading this, here are a few ideas for a kick-ass bachelorette party ideas that will help you celebrate the upcoming nuptials with friends – and none of these plans includes strippers!

15 More Conservative Ideas for Bachelorette Parties

  • Plan a Staycation

With the stress of wedding planning and all, having a relaxing weekend with your best girls is the way to go. It can be a yummy takeout, watching chick flicks, and a board game night. This is an adult slumber party. Have sweets, snacks, nail polish, and a manicurist at your party.
This is a relaxing, low-cost party idea that is sure to provide a lot of laughs and bonding time.

  • Have a weekend getaway

Don’t want a staycation? Don’t want a single day to spend with your girls? How about a weekend gateway. If you would like to do the opposite of the first idea, you can decide to plan a road trip with friends to the beach or the mountains.

If you decide to go with this idea, it is essential to consider your friends’ budgets and schedules. You can go for an inexpensive cabin and plan to cook and drink at home as much as possible.

While not all your friends may not be able to go on this trip, enjoy your time with the friends that will be there.

  • Have a Bachelorette Photo Shoot

Hire your wedding photographer to take pictures of you and your girlfriends during your bachelorette party weekend. This can be very fun and a beautiful way of creating memories

Bridesmaids laughing it up

  • Pre-Wedding Feast

Don’t just think of pumping you and your friends with champagne and vodka; you can gorge on absolutely tasty meals as well. Book with a restaurant that offers degustation menus, and depending on your appetite, you can get to sample four to nine dishes in one sitting.

Food platter on display

  • Sip and Paint

You can decide to plan a night where you can drink wine, eat appetizers, and paint. This plan will relax you and allow you to have fun while talking with your friends.

  • Go Shopping and brunching

You can go shopping – even on a budget that doesn’t accommodate Chanel stores. You can visit antique stores with your girls and look for gift items for each other or the bride, and you would be surprised at how much fun you would have while shopping.

You could also have your friends pick up some outfits for you to wear on your honeymoon.
But before you start shopping, you could start the day with brunch and then after shopping have lunch.

Bridal affects together

  • Take a Class

Taking a new but fun class is the perfect party plan. You could decide to learn a new skill with your girls. From testing your artistic abilities to learning how to cook, pick a fun subject that will allow you and your girls to bond while having fun.

  • Get Spa Treatments

Take the day off to pamper yourselves. Go to the Spa, get that relaxing 60 mins massage and feel the stress of the past few weeks disappear. Don’t forget to relish every minute of it.

  • Book A Luxury Hotel

Luxury accommodations, tasty, beautiful food, wine pairing courses, and physical group activities can happen when you book a luxury hotel.

  • Attend a Dance Class with Your Girls

This idea will be particularly appealing to the fitness-loving bride. You can plan a physical activity such as yoga, a barre or spin class, or a dance class for the group.

After this, you can decide to get a little pampering or spa treatment.

Bride dancing on the dancefloor

  • A Boat/Yacht cruise

If you decide to have your bachelorette party by the ocean, or a lake, having a yacht party or a boat cruise around the waters with a dance floor and open bar is a great idea.
You get to enjoy the incredible city views and the evening breeze in your hair and dance with your friends.

Sitting on the yacht together

  • Yoga & Meditation Retreat

This idea is a must-do for those who want to unwind and stretch on the mat. Go on a yoga retreat with your girls for ultimate zen and pre-wedding bliss. Take all the time you’ll need to combat wedding stress and find your inner peace.

A fantastic side of this plan is that most yoga retreats come complete with meditation classes, nature hikes, and healthy, organic foods. I mean, what better way to prep for your big day!?

  • Go to Disneyland!

This might sound crazy but think about it. Who wouldn’t want to have their bachelorette party in Disneyland?! I’m talking good food, junk, fireworks and lots of fun – who wouldn’t want that? Might be expensive though from Australia – but there are cheaper options closer to home like on the Gold Coast.

  • Attend a Stand Up Comedy Night

You with your girls, laughing and having fun all night – that sounds like a great night.
You can even let the club know you are a bachelorette party, and this will most likely get you the attention of the comedian,

  • Rent a House Boat

If you’re outdoorsy, consider renting a houseboat and having both the bachelor and bachelorette parties together.
From this idea, you get a week, or weekend of fun, laughter and swimming with your friends, and everyone meets each other before the wedding day.

A houseboat holiday may seem expensive but when you get 8-10 people together on a boat is fast becomes quite affordable, and it’s super intimate ebing the only people around for miles!

House Boat Holiday

Here are a couple of ideas for bachelorette parties and you can now begin planning. While you may decide to plan your bachelorette party, I recommend delegating the party planning to someone you trust, say- your maid of honour.

Leaving the planning to another person gives you free tme to rest, enjoy all the fun, laugh with old friends, and soak up all the amazing memories you are sure to make.

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Common Wedding Cake trends of 2021-2022

It’s always a bit of fun to look back at some of the wedding trends that take place over the past 30-odd weddings I’ve covered as a wedding photographer – in this case lets have a look at some of the wedding cake trends from 2021 – 2022 I’ve had the privilege of photographing!

A wedding cake is traditionally made to bring good luck to guests and the couple, and in modern weddings it serves as a centre piece of interest at a reception party. As such a wedding cake is a towering tribute to the personality of the couple being married.

3 tiered cakes

As far as wedding cake trends go, it seems to me that the 3 tiered cakes are the way to go over the last couple of years. What does surprise me however is that lack of what was known as the ‘nude’ cake were fondant or icing was used sparingly allowing for the texture of the cake inside to show through to the surface. There werw a few weddings which had this, but not realy as many as there had been in the past.

What was common with these cakes – actuall all cakes in the last few years – is the ample use of floral decorations, creeping up the tiers of the cake, often culminating on top, combining with the cake topper. The use of colour was also quite obvious – with white being the usual traditional choice, accented by pops of colour from eith the colour of the fondant/icing or the flowers themselves.

3 tier white wedding cake on barrel
3 tiered wedding cake
3 tiered white wedding cake
Wedding cake under circle
Wedding cake on display
Wedding cake in front of head table
Wedding cake
Wedding cake on display
Wedding Cheese wheel cake
Wedding cake on barrel
Colourful wedding cake
Wedding cake on display at Ivybrook Farm
Cluedo themed wedding cake

2 tiered cakes

Carrying on with the theme of a heavy use of floral arrangements, the 2 tiered cakes I shot all seemed to use flowers to add a bit of colour to the cake with only a few opting to use the fondant or icing as the colour – but those that did really made a splash!

Wedding cake topped with pink flowers
Wedding cake lined with candles
Wedding cake on display during lunch reception
Wedding cake on display
Flowery wedding cake
White Wedding cake
Green wedding cake
Wedding cake on display in circle
Wedding cake on display 2
Wedding cake at brighton and seacliff yacht club wedding

Single tiered cakes

Many of these single tiered cakes I came across were actually made by either the bride and groom themselves, or a member of their guests – that isn’t to say that they all were but it just seemed to be that way. I actually think it’s a lovely way to involve someone who wouldnt otherwise be this intimately involved with your wedding.

Square wedding cake
mr and mrs wedding cake
Green wedding cake
Wedding cake set up at Krystal Function centre
Wedding cake on barrel
The Robinsons Wedding cake
Wedding Cake on display with Certificate
Wedding cake in front of brick wall
Wedding cake on display at the Manor Basket Range Wedding Reception

Cup Cake Cakes

Instead of going through the fhassle of having to cut up your wedding cake – everyone gets a cupcake! This sort of wedding cake is often topped by a small cake, perfectly suited for just the bride and groom, or their bridal party to share – or even keep in the freezer as a wedding momento. I know I still have a bit of my wedding cake in the freezer 6 years on!

This is another of those wedding cake trends I have mentioned that has seems to lose favour in the last few years – at least at the weddings I have photographed. I know it’s still quite popular though as it tends to be cheaper and easier to personalise, or even produce without the need of a wedding cake designer..

Cupcake wedding cake
bride and groom cutting their wedding cake