January 27, 2016 by Glenda Ashleigh

Wedding Ceremony Venue & Amenities

Does your Wedding Ceremony Venue have Amenities?

Does a wedding ceremony venue need to have amenities? Picture this – You dream of having your romantic wedding ceremony on a cliff high above your favourite bit of ocean or landscape. The wedding party is OK; you are arriving in a helicopter. Your Guests (and your Celebrant, Photographer, etc are not so lucky. They have to drive, or walk up a road that leads off another road that is quite a way from anywhere!

Look After Your Guests

Recall, you invited your guests! They expect that you will at least consider their basic needs. Basic needs can only be met by having amenities available. Amenities include services such as toilets, showers, electricity, shelter, drinking water.

Seaside Wedding Ceremony Venue

Your chosen wedding ceremony venue may not have amenities on site. This does not mean that the venue is unsuitable for your wedding ceremony. However, you do have to think about your guests and service providers.

Where are the closest public amenities located? How do you tell people about what is, and what is not available on site? This map of national public amenities is a good start. You can check the availability of amenities in public parks and areas. Even if your wedding ceremony venue is in a private venue, this information can be helpful.

As a Brisbane Marriage Celebrant, it is my responsibility to ensure the welfare, not only of myself, but also of your guests at your wedding ceremony. One of my key questions is about the availability of wedding ceremony venue amenities. I also ask you how you will be advising your guests about your wedding ceremony venue. Here are some questions for you to think about.

How easy is it to get there?
Do we need to bring umbrellas?
Do we need to bring drinking water?
Where are the nearest toilets?

Your Guests are VIPs (Very Important Persons). Look after your guests’ needs and your guests will be happy! Happy guests make for a happy celebration.

You will find other helpful links and resources for choosing a venue for your wedding ceremony on the Links & Resources page of this website.

November 27, 2015 by Glenda Ashleigh

Flower Girl Attendants in Bridal Party

The Role of Flower Girl Attendants in the Bridal Party

Bridal Party Attendants the Flower Girl

Flower Girls are delightful! What is the role of Flower Girl? Flower Girl attendants in the Bridal Party assist the entrance of the Bride. A Flower Girl is a great addition to the Bridal Party, and the delight is doubled when there are two of them!

Here are Pip and Pepper, those two-and-a-half-year-old twin nieces of the Bridegroom, Pog at Peg & Pog’s wedding.

Peg and Pog hope that Pip and Pepper will skip along happily in front of them as they enter the Rose Garden for their wedding ceremony. However, Pip and Pepper have other ideas!! The little Flower Girls take a shortcut to the Rose Garden. After all, weddings are exciting and little girls like excitement. Pip and Pepper race ahead and alert everyone that Peg and Pog are on the path! The Bride and Groom approach and enter the Rose Garden on their own. Pip and Pepper stand in the wedding area and clap excitedly as Peg and Pog enter. Everyone appreciates such a novel bridal procession. This lovely touch sets the warm and happy tone for the wedding and everyone smiles and feels the love.

Flower Girls as Bridal Attendants

Are Flower Girls in the Bridal Party a good idea? What do you really expect of Flower Girls? Choosing Flower Girls can be a way to include young girl relatives and friends in the wedding. The big questions are, “Do they want to be a Flower Girl?” “Are they old enough to understand what is expected?” and “Are they reliable?”

Pip and Pepper are two-and-a-half-year-old girls who do exactly what they want to do!

As long as the Bride and Groom and all other Bridal Party attendants prepare for anything, then it is a good idea. Children are unpredictable however, and the chance of ‘different behaviour’ is very high.

Girls who consider themselves to be too old to be a Flower Girl have the role of Junior Bridesmaid. The Junior Bridesmaid’s role is actually less complicated that that of a Flower Girl. Junior Bridesmaids have a more relaxed time and do not have any specific tasks on the wedding day.

Will you include Flower Girls or Junior Bridesmaids in your Bridal Party? Will you prepare for ‘different behaviour’ on the day? How will you cope with unplanned events on the day? What will you say or do when such unplanned events occur? Keep smiling, treasure the precious moments on your big day and spread the love.

November 15, 2015 by Glenda Ashleigh

Bridal Party Attendants the Best Man

Bridal Party Attendants

Peg and Pog consider who to have as bridal party attendants at their wedding. Apparently, it is ‘traditional’ to have attendants.

Glenda, Brisbane’s Very Good Celebrant, asks Peg and Pog why they want to have bridal party attendants. Peg and Pog haven’t actually thought about the why, they just think they should!

Glenda, Brisbane’s Very Good Celebrant describes the various roles that traditionally, are included in the bridal party.

Peg and Pog learn that the bridal party can consist of just the Bride and Groom! The two witnesses can be guests and do not need to be in the Bridal Party. Peg and Pog can choose whether or not to have Bridal Party Attendants. Bridal Party Attendants are optional.

Peg says that she definitely wants flower girls as her bridal party attendants on her wedding day. Pog suggests that his nieces, Pip and Pepper are just right as flower girls.

The Role of the Best Man in the Bridal Party

Best Man

Pog chooses his brother, Milo, to be his ‘Best Man’ at the wedding of Peg and Pog. Milo feels very honoured to be Pog’s ‘Best Man,’ and wants to be the best, ‘Best Man’ he can be!

However, Pog is not too sure about the responsibilities of a ‘Best Man’, so he asks Peg, the blushing bride-to-be, if she knows. Peg says that Palo’s role, as ‘Best Man,’ is to assist Pog, the Groom, get ready for the wedding.

Although Pog thinks this is a great idea, Pog is still unclear about what exactly the ‘Best Man’ does. Peg asks Glenda, Brisbane’s Very Good Celebrant, for help.

Responsibilities of the Role of Best Man

The responsibilities of the role of ‘Best Man’ vary, and depend on what the rest of the bridal party expect. Glenda, Brisbane’s Very Good Celebrant, answers the many questions that Peg & Pog ask.

Pog learns that the wedding party is really a team and that he is not on his own on his wedding day! Peg is happy that Pog’s confidence is lifting and Milo is happy that his role as ‘Best Man’ really means a lot to Pog. Milo tells Pog that he is thrilled about his ‘active’ role in the wedding.

Milo aims to be the best, ‘Best Man’ for Pog. Being ‘Best Man’ comes with very important responsibilities and Milo wants to do a great job! Pog needs all the help he can get on his wedding day and he knows that Milo is just the ‘Best Man’ for a successful day.

October 27, 2015 by Glenda Ashleigh

Highly Recommended Celebrant Glenda J Ashleigh

Can you really rely on a highly recommended Celebrant?

Would you choose your Celebrant based solely on the recommendation of family or friends? What if the highly recommended Celebrant doesn’t appeal to you? Would you feel that you have to choose that Celebrant?

Peg & Pog highly recommend Brisbane’s Really Good Marriage Celebrant

Highly Recommended!

Just what does ‘highly recommended’ mean? Does a real client make the recommendation and how do you know? Peg & Pog highly recommend Brisbane’s Really Good Celebrant, however are Peg & Pog real clients? Can you trust the opinions of other people to be the same as yours?

Everyone has different tastes, ideas and expectations about ceremonies and celebrants. There are certain things however, that everyone looks for in a Celebrant.

Firstly, choose a Celebrant you trust to help you have the ceremony that you want. You choose how you want to celebrate your wedding.

Secondly, feel comfortable to share your ideas and wishes openly. You choose what you want to include in your ceremony.

Thirdly, don’t hesitate to ask for help at any stage. You are the client and you deserve the utmost professional care and attention.

Finally, choose a Celebrant who is good value. Celebrant fees vary and so does quality of service. You choose the level of service that fits your needs and wishes that is within your budget.

What are Recommendations?

Recommendations or reviews are feedback that clients give to me as their Celebrant. I ask all my clients for their comments on the services that I provide. These reviews and comments are important to me as they allow me to continually improve and grow the quality of client service. Nobody is perfect and mistakes do occur, however it is the way in which these instances are handled that makes the difference to good client service.

I listen carefully to you so that, together, we create the wedding ceremony that is just right for you. Not only does this take time, experience, and skill, it also requires patience, and understanding your wishes.

Recommendations of Value

Recommendations of value are those that are the original words of clients that describe their experiences of my services. Clients routinely give me feedback and use words such as professional, friendly, organised, enjoy, helpful, and approachable to describe the services I provide as their Celebrant.

However, what do people mean when they use these words, and do other words have the same meaning? The online Oxford Dictionary gives the meanings of these words, and their associated synonyms (similar words) as:

professional

Meaning: “worthy of or appropriate to a professional person; competent, skillful, or assured.” Some synonyms for professional include: “expert, accomplished, adept, excellent, fine, polished, competent, practised, trained, top-notch.”

Clients express their feelings of trust in my expert and practised skills, not only in listening carefully to them, but also in delivering the genuine, honest and personal service that they expect of a professional Celebrant.

friendly

Meaning: “kind and pleasant.” Some synonyms for friendly include: “amiable, cordial, approachable, easy to get along with, communicative, open, good-natured, pleasant.”

Clients appreciate the open and personal approach that I have with them from our first communication. I make your ceremony my business, and establish a friendly and good-natured atmosphere so that we can communicate easily.

organise

Meaning:”arrange systematically; order.” Some synonyms for organise include: “sort, assemble, group, regulate, structure, classify, compile, mould.”

Clients value the orderly and structured manner that I use during the process of getting married. Not only do I handle all the steps in the legal process, I also apply my expertise, skills and knowledge to manage the steps in the process of planning your wedding ceremony.

enjoy

Meaning:”take delight or pleasure in.” Some synonyms for enjoy include: “like, love, delight in, appreciate, be keen on, find/take pleasure in, be entertained by, be pleased by.”

I encourage everyone at the ceremony to delight in the moment. Those special moments in a ceremony that touch hearts are the ones that make delightful memories. These moments are the magic-makers in a ceremony and are the ones that bring the warm, happy smiles to faces.

helpful

Meaning: “giving or ready to give help.” Some synonyms for helpful include: “obliging, considerate, thoughtful, supportive, cooperative, caring.”

I share many suggestions and creative ideas openly and willingly with clients. I love helping people create the ceremony that captures their ideas and wishes. This is the heart of a personalised and unique ceremony that not only makes for an enjoyable one, but also one that is truly memorable.

approachable

Meaning: “friendly and easy to talk to.” Some synonyms for approachable include: “welcoming, pleasant, cordial, accessible, available”

Clients tell me that they feel comfortable when they communicate with me. I am courteous and pleasant in all communication, not only in speaking and writing, but also in non-verbal communication through appearance and the way I conduct myself. I answer questions openly and honestly and in a timely manner.

Real Testimonials, Reviews, Recommendations

The real testimonials and reviews I get are valued recommendations that you can rely on as they come directly from real clients. As Brisbane’s Really Good Celebrant, I am happy to share the testimonials from my satisfied clients who highly recommend me as a celebrant.

October 23, 2015 by Glenda Ashleigh

Choosing the Wedding Party can be a disaster if you do not choose wisely

Who wants to be in the Wedding Party?

Everyone wants to be in the wedding party!

Peg & Pog Wedding Party

Peg & Pog had to hold back the nominees for the various traditional ‘roles’ in their wedding party. Of course they didn’t like to disappoint anyone, or in their case, any dolls. Feelings need careful handling.

Peg & Pog knew what they wanted, and what they didn’t want for their big day. Unfortunately, their ideas and wishes were not always shared by family and friends. Fortunately, Peg & Pog, assisted by Glenda, the Very Good Celebrant, got the wedding they wanted.

Choosing the Wedding Party

This is the tricky part. Members of the wedding, or bridal party are usually people who are important to you such as family and friends. For those of you who are blessed with large, extended families and a lot of great friends, this can become a nightmare! Whatever you do, choose very carefully. Your attendants can make or break the best of well-laid plans.

Adults in the Wedding Party

Adult attendants need to be reliable and trustworthy. Ask yourself the question, “How can this person support our needs leading up to and on our wedding day?” After all, that is what attendants do – support the Bride and Groom in the planning and organisation of the big day both before and on your wedding day.

Milo, Pog’s brother, supported Peg & Pog in organising people on the wedding day and introducing Glenda, the Very Good Celebrant to the parents and the witnesses. Peg & Pog had asked two adult family members to be their witnesses – Peg’s Ma and Pog’s Ma! Both mothers wanted to be front and centre during the ceremony so that they got the full experience of watching and hearing their children say their marriage vows.

Children in the Wedding Party

Be prepared for the unexpected when choosing children as attendants! Little ones may look ‘cute’ on the day, however their welfare is the most important consideration. Expecting young children to walk down paths on their own is daunting enough. Asking them to carry precious items such as ring cushions etc. only adds to their stress. Pip & Pepper, Pog’s two-year-old twin nieces were fine as they accompanied Peg on the flower boat but as soon as they hit land, they took off! Luckily the shortcut they took to the Rose Garden didn’t become a disaster and they arrived just as Peg & Pog were coming up the path.

How Many in a Wedding Party?

As many as you like! Bride and Groom only if you prefer. The two witnesses don’t have to stand or sit next to you, unless you think you might be given to an attack of the vapours and faint. Oh, and it’s not an equal sharing competition either! Just because the Bride has three attendants, it doesn’t mean that the Groom has to have three attendants. Gender is not important. A ‘Matron or Maid of Honour’ can easily be a ‘Man or Mate of Honour’ – the choice is yours.

More wedding party news later. In the meantime, check out some things you may or may not know about Glenda, the Very Good Celebrant!

May 23, 2015 by Glenda Ashleigh

Episode 6: Madame Noscova’s Moscow Mission

Madame Noscova’s Moscow Mission

Madame Noscova’s Moscow Mission is the sixth episode in the micro-series, Dolls are Different…or are they? a pegdoll production. The Doll community has wedding planning fever! Family and friends, both old and new, are busy thinking up ways to contribute to the wedding day of Peg & Pog. The suggestions and ideas come thick and fast from family and friends on what should happen on their wedding day. They are not sure that they can cope with any more ‘helpful’ ideas.

Madame Noscova and Ballet Class

Madame Noscova, that exotic Russian ballet teacher is excited! She is busy planning for the newly-formed break-dance ballet group, the Beat Belles, to dance at Peg & Pog’s wedding. Peg & Pog really do not know what to say to an exotic Russian ballet teacher, not having previously met one!

Before Peg & Pog know it, Madame Noscova and the Beat Belles decide on their contribution to the celebrations!

Madame Noscova and the Beat Belles find their inspiration

Madame Noscova declares that she needs inspiration! She must visit the home of the Bolshoi Ballet in Moscow, Russia. Anjeanette, Anjoane, Anlouise, Anmarie and Antenile, Madame Noscova’s ballet class, who with DP, Peg’s little 8-year old brother, form the Beat Belles, decide that they also need inspiration. After all, they are the ones who bring Madame’s inspirations to life in their dance steps!

DP, ever the dedicated artist, stays home to improve on that famous break-dance move, the ‘Orbital Rotation’. Pog performs the ‘Orbital Rotation’ in his break-dancing moments. This is the move that Pog demonstrates to DP at Peg & Pog’s first meeting in the Rose Garden, and DP is keen to invent his own ‘busting’ move that is impressive.

Madame Noscova and the rest of the Beat Belles take off on their Moscow Mission for inspiration! Adventure, excitement and delightful scenery await the little travellers. They cover long distances in the air, on the water, and over land to reach their destination. They are fearless and dedicate themselves thoroughly to the task. At last, ‘inspiration’ is within their sights! Madame Noscova and the Beat Belles find their inspiration at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow.

All dolls and the creator/director/producer etc etc, Brisbane’s Really Good Celebrant, Glenda J Ashleigh, hope that you enjoy Episode 6: Madame Noscova’s Moscow Mission

May 23, 2015 by Glenda Ashleigh

Episode 7: Peg & Pog’s Rose Garden Wedding

Peg & Pog’s Rose Garden Wedding

Peg & Pog’s Rose Garden Wedding is Episode 7 of the micro-series, Dolls are Different…or are they? a pegdoll production.

Peg & Pog are marry in the Rose Garden

Wedding Rose Bell

Peg & Pog survive the ‘helpful’ ideas and suggestions for wedding planning by the Doll family members.

All Peg & Pog just want to marry in the Rose Garden where their love first bloomed.

Doll family members and friends have their own ideas however, and are determined to ‘help’ in making the wedding plans.

Before Peg & Pog know it, the Doll family members and friends take over (or so it seems)!

Peg & Pog’s Wedding Helper

At last, Peg & Pog find their ‘ray of sunshine’ in Glenda, Brisbane’s Very Good Celebrant. Peg & Pog fear hurting the feelings of Doll family members and friends by refusing their offers of ‘help’. Glenda, being Brisbane’s very good celebrant, listens patiently to their concerns. Glenda guides Peg & Pog through ideas, options and practical strategies and smooths the troublesome situation.

Peg & Pog are reassured by Glenda’s wise words and the opportunity to discuss what they really want for their wedding ceremony.

The Rose Garden is abuzz with excitement! It is Peg & Pog’s Wedding Day

Peg & Pog’s wedding day arrives! All dolls (and bees) gather in the Rose Garden for a very special wedding ceremony. Doll fashionistas strut their stuff, showing off their latest creations. Doll kids run and play and chase bees, and Doll parents and family members and Doll friends chat and admire the roses. Glenda, Brisbane’s really good Celebrant, arrives and everything is ready!

New, fascinating Doll family members join the cast members of episodes 1-6 in episode 7.

All dolls and the creator/director/producer etc etc, Brisbane’s Really Good Celebrant, Glenda J Ashleigh, hope that you enjoy Episode 7: Peg & Pog’s Wedding

May 20, 2015 by Glenda Ashleigh

Peg & Pog’s Delightful Wedding Album

Peg & Pog’s Absolutely Delightful Wedding Album

Peg & Pog are excited and happy to share their delightful wedding album with you.

The newlyweds, Peg & Pog, love their official wedding photos and present them in their delightful Wedding Album.

Peg & Pog and all the Doll family members and friends who help make their special day in the Rose Garden just the best, feature in the official Wedding Album. This unique wedding album captures the excitement and joy of the day.

Brisbane’s Very Good Celebrant

Peg & Pog choose Glenda J Ashleigh, Brisbane’s Very Good Celebrant for their wedding ceremony.

Pog comments, “Glenda is our ‘ray of sunshine.’ She is a wonderful wedding ceremony planner. We really appreciate her help with great ideas for the day.”

Peg adds, “Our families and friends get carried away very easily with their ideas for our wedding. Glenda saves the day with her patience and care. Pog and I feel that we have at last got control of the way we want our wedding day to happen.”

Peg & Pog’s Delightful Wedding Album

Peg & Pog, the Bride and Groom, star on their special day! All Dolls feel the love and pride in the efforts to make the wedding day one to remember.

Peg & Pog feel happy that they achieve all their hopes and dreams for the wedding they want!

Peg & Pog star in the micro-series “Dolls are Different…or are they?” Wedding planning is pretty rough sometimes, and Peg & Pog share their many experiences with you! Fortunately, they choose Glenda J Ashleigh as their Celebrant and the wedding day arrives and all is beautiful in the Rose Garden.

Peg & Pog marry in their dream wedding in the Rose Garden. Doll family and friends rejoice in the celebrations and happiness is everywhere.

All dolls and the creator/director/producer etc etc, Brisbane’s Really Good Celebrant, Glenda J Ashleigh, hope that you enjoy Peg & Pog’s Wedding Album

January 31, 2015 by Glenda Ashleigh

Wedding Tips

Wedding Planning Tips that Make a Difference

Use great wedding planning tips to make a difference! As Brisbane’s really good professional Marriage Celebrant, I am often asked about wedding hints and tips for ceremonies. Every ceremony is different, however some tips apply to all wedding ceremonies.

Goodluck Horseshoe

We often overlook the really important areas of planning a wedding. Some areas are so commonplace that we take them for granted and we hope that they will ‘look after themselves’. We hope that we will have ‘good luck’ and that everything will go smoothly. Brides often carry wedding charms or keepsakes such as a horseshoe to assure good luck on the day. These are fun, however they do not guarantee that good luck will follow.

Of course you want your wedding ceremony to be breathtaking! After all it is your special day and you expect that your ceremony will flow smoothly and be absolutely delightful.

Important Wedding Areas

Wedding ceremonies must contain the legal requirements, however just meeting the legal requirements for a marriage ceremony does not meet the requirements for an enjoyable ceremony. Here are a few helpful wedding planning tips that I hope will help you to make your ceremony, simply the best!

Choose the people and services for your wedding ceremony very carefully. The success of the occasion depends on the choices you make. How well do people understand each other? How respectful they are of each other’s wishes?

Communicate at all stages of the process – planning, arriving at the venue, entrances, where people are required to stand, what they do during the ceremony and what happens at the close of the ceremony. Don’t fall into the trap of “Oh I though you knew that…” or “Why wasn’t I told…” or “I didn’t know you wanted me to do that…”. Keep everyone in the communication loop, including your guests.

Inform your celebrant of the arrangements. A really good marriage celebrant works with other service providers, eg photographers, event planners, directors and venue staff. They encourage your guests to feel comfortable. Everyone is there to help make this very special occasion a memorable one for all the right reasons. Your celebrant has a big responsibility. He or she is in charge of the ceremony!

September 15, 2013 by Glenda Ashleigh

Episode 4: A ray of sunshine

Dolls are Different, or are they?

a pegdoll production

Peg & Pog are swamped by suggestions from Doll family members who are only interested in getting in on the action, or so it seems!

Peg Doll

Pog Doll

Not only do Doll family members push their ideas, but also new-found friends, such as the exotic Madame Noscova and the ballet class who catch the wedding planning fever!

Of course, all dolls want to ‘help’ make Peg & Pog’s wedding the very best.

Peg & Pog feel completely sidelined! Apparently their wedding is a community event and they are merely the bride and groom.

The Doll family and friends are so eager to lend their particular talents to make Peg & Pog’s wedding an event to remember, that they forget about Peg & Pog’s wishes.

A ray of sunshine

Peg & Pog find Glenda, Brisbane’s really good marriage celebrant, who is the ray of sunshine the lovebirds have been desperately seeking.

Glenda J Ashleigh, Brisbane’s very good marriage celebrant

Glenda, Brisbane’s really good marriage celebrant, listens carefully to Peg & Pog before giving them some ideas to think about.

At last Peg & Pog feel that they are in control of planning for their special day!

Peg & Pog have great fun as they start to plan their special wedding day!

Perhaps Glenda can shine a ray of sunshine on your wedding plans!

All dolls and the creator/director/producer etc etc, Brisbane’s Really Good Celebrant, Glenda J Ashleigh, hope that you enjoy Episode 4: A ray of sunshine