News blog Brisbane Celebrant Glenda J Ashleigh

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!

October 3, 2013 by Glenda Ashleigh

Episode 5: Big Bee’s Wanderlust

Dolls are Different, or are they?

a pegdoll production

Big Bee’s Wanderlust leads to big adventure

In this episode Big Bee’s wanderlust takes him far and wide. Big Bee is a real ‘homebee’ who is content with buzzing happily among the roses. Big Bee loves the Rose Garden and buzzes around the lovely blooms all day long.

Big Bee

The sun is shining in the Rose Garden and Big Bee inspects each rose closely.

He takes his time, and lands softly on a delicate rose petal.

The rose garden is the most beautiful and peaceful place, and Big Bee delights in his home garden.

Big Bee feels the urge

It takes a lot to disturb Big Bee, however a ‘stunning’ encounter with Pog causes Big Bee some unrest.

Pog Doll

The twins, Pip and Pepper, chase Big Bee who takes refuge on Pog’s head. Polly, Pog’s Ma, rushes forward to save Pog from Big Bee, however disaster strikes! Pog and Big Bee end up among the roses. Although this is the second time that Pog finds himself on the ground, among the roses, this is the first time for Big Bee.

This changes the Rose Garden for Big Bee! It is not a peaceful place any more. Big Bee, dusts himself off and feels the urge to follow new flight paths.

The urge to ‘wanderlust’ grips Big Bee and he catches the first breeze to his new adventure!

Big Bee discovers many new places, strange sights, gardens, dazzling colours and lovely flowers. Big Bee makes friends with Bizz and Bozz who love to buzz. The new friends enter a local bee-buzzing contest. Big Bee wins first prize for the ‘Best Buzz’ and receives a handsome trophy for his buzzing efforts.

The effects of too many frenzied buzzing contests however, take a toll on Big Bee’s particular ‘Bee-ness’ and Big Bee decides to take a break from wanderlusting. Big Bee times his arrival home to the Rose Garden brilliantly! It is Peg & Pog’s wedding day and all dolls are excited on this joyous occasion.

Big Bee and all dolls and the creator/director/producer etc etc, Brisbane’s Really Good Celebrant, Glenda J Ashleigh, hope that you enjoy Episode 5: Big Bee’s Wanderlust

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

July 6, 2013 by Glenda Ashleigh

Episode 3: Where do we stand for the wedding

Dolls are Different, or are they?

a pegdoll production

The Rose Garden is a busy place where the Doll families gather to plan for Peg & Pog’s special day. Of course, all dolls want to ‘help’ make Peg & Pog’s wedding the very best.

Unfortunately, there is no accounting for taste, and the various members of the Doll families do not disappoint. Left to the families, the wedding will be nothing short of ‘memorable’ – something that Peg & Pog are not too sure about!

Wedding Standing Places

Wedding standing places are very confusing especially when everyone is busy with their own ideas about what should be happening. Molly & Polly present their menu of delightful, tasty treats that are sure to please. Meanwhile, Dickie & Pago are busy with their ‘creative’ talents, and DP also wants to get in on the action!

Where do we stand for the wedding?

The Bride and Groom, and their attendants need to know where they stand during the wedding ceremony.

Peg

Peg asks a simple question, but no dolls are listening !!! Peg is very patient, being the sweet-natured girl that she is, however there is a limit.

When Peg asks a simple question, she expects to get a simple answer. Meanwhile, all dolls are excited and are too busy with their own activities to pay any attention to the bride-to be!

The twins, Pip & Pepper have fun with their new friend, Big Bee, and Madame Noscova (and the ballet class) makes an entrance! DP finds his creative side and joins the ballet. Disaster strikes Pog and confusion is everywhere!

Peg & Pog find it all too much and decide to take things into their own hands. At last, fortune strikes, and Peg & Pog find a really good Celebrant.

The wedding ceremony planning flows smoothly and Peg & Pog look forward to a delightful day.

All dolls and the creator/director/producer etc etc, Brisbane’s Really Good Celebrant, Glenda J Ashleigh, hope that you enjoy Episode 3: Where do we stand

May 4, 2013 by Glenda Ashleigh

Episode 2: Whose wedding is it anyway

Dolls are different, or are they?

a pegdoll production

The path of true love never does run smoothly, even in Doll families! When Doll family members get the great news of Peg & Pog’s engagement, they spring into action!

Family Wedding Planning

Family wedding planning is not a simple activity. Everyone wants to have a say. Ideas come thick and fast – culinary delights, creative pursuits and special talents are offered as the excitement grows. All is not plain sailing in the wedding planning department. Peg & Pog feel that they are being ignored in the planning for their wedding by the eager members of their families and newfound friends.

Whose wedding is it anyway?

Peg & Pog ask the question, “Whose wedding is it anyway?” as they experience the ‘help’ that their families are so keen to offer.

Peg wants her wedding day to be a happy occasion.

She has her dreams and loves to picture how she will look on her special day.

Not only does Peg want to look like a princess, she also wants to surround herself with the beauty of nature.

Weddings are romantic and Peg loves those unique, little touches that bring joy and delight to the day.

Pog hasn’t thought about his wedding day very much.

After all, he hasn’t been married before, so he doesn’t quite know what he should think about.

Pog wants to make his wedding day the best day ever, however thinking takes time, effort and patience.

Getting married is a serious business and a wedding is an event that needs to be planned carefully.

Wedding Planning can be a headache

Neither Peg nor Pog know about the ins and outs of planning a wedding and the task is starting to give Pog, in particular, a headache. How do they plan a wedding that everyone will enjoy and feel included? Do they risk hurting feelings and insist that things are done their way? Do they try to please everyone, or do they elope and avoid all the fuss?

It all gets a bit too much for Peg & Pog. They decide to regroup and think about what they want for their special day. What are their ideas, their dreams, their wishes?

Peg & Pog retreat to their ‘secret place’ for some peace and quiet. Time to smell the roses and relax.

All dolls and the creator/director/producer etc etc, Brisbane’s Really Good Celebrant, Glenda J Ashleigh, hope that you enjoy Episode 2: Whose wedding is it anyway

March 28, 2013 by Glenda Ashleigh

Episode 1: Love blooms

Dolls are different, or are they? a pegdoll production

Love blooms for Peg & Pog.

Peg & Pog feature in the micro-series “Dolls are Different, or are they?” which follows the fortunes of all involved in planning a peg doll wedding. This delightful micro-series that will enchant all those who are young at heart and all those who wish to be! Peg & Pog have their own language of love, and helped (or hindered?) by various members of their families, they embark on the uncertain journey of planning a peg doll wedding.

Love Blooms

Peg & Pog ‘discover’ each other in the local park. Peg and her little, 8-year-old brother, DP, take a walk in the park. The sun is shining, and Peg stops to smell the roses while DP decides to … well, that would be giving the story away! It is enough to say that there is action, drama, pathos and happy endings.

Peg is a girl who knows love when she sees it! She is kind, considerate and quick off the mark. Pog is a boy who also knows love when he sees it! He is kind, considerate and quick off the mark (and handsome, talented, etc, etc).

Peg Doll

Pog Doll

Does Peg really know what love is all about? How can Peg tell what true love actually feels like?

Does Peg expect too much? What does Peg really want the love of her life to do for her?

Does Pog really know what love is all about? How does Pog know what the language of love actually sounds like?

Does Pog expect enough? Is love enough? What does Pog expect of love and life?

These questions and many more occupy the thoughts of the little lovers as they meet, ‘fall’ in love and start to plan their wedding.

You are sure to identify some of the situations, reactions, character profiles, personality traits that are present in your family or in families that you know. After all, dolls are different, or are they?

All dolls and the creator/director/producer etc etc, Brisbane’s Really Good Celebrant, Glenda J Ashleigh, hope that you enjoy Episode 1: Love Blooms

March 5, 2013 by Glenda Ashleigh

What if it rains on your Wedding Day?

What if you have a Wet Wedding Day?

I always ask the question: “What if you have a wet wedding day?” The scenerio for an upcoming Saturday afternoon wedding ceremony that I am conducting could go either way. Either it rains or the skies are clear for the duration of the ceremony. As the preferred option is to hold the ceremony outdoors, everyone is keeping fingers and toes crossed!

Even if the weather does clear for the ceremony, unless we get some clear weather during the rest of the week, the ground will be soggy. This situation is sure to be repeated in many locations in Brisbane and the Bayside areas (at least!) in these days of unpredictable weather.

Do you have a Wet Weather Plan?

Do you have a wet weather contingency plan for your outdoor wedding ceremony? Luckily, the Saturday afternoon wedding ceremony will go ahead, rain or shine! If the rain decides not to fall and the ground is not too soggy, then the outdoors it is!

Praying for Rain to Stop

If the rain decides to fall then the contingency plan swings into action. Across the road is the reception venue. Arrangements are in place to allow room for the bridal party and Celebrant to stand for the ceremony. With some adjustments the ceremony will proceed as planned.

Of course, decisions need to be made no later than 6 hours before the ceremony. This allows family and friends to help in the setting up (either outdoors or indoors) for the start of the ceremony.

What does the Celebrant do?

As the Celebrant, I will hold off recording the ceremony location details on the Marriage Register, Official Marriage Certificate and the Presentation Certificate of Marriage until 6 hours before the ceremony.

I could record the information I have, regarding the name of the park opposite the reception venue on all documents, and in the event of a change, cross out this information. I could then write in the amended information on the Marriage Register and Official Marriage Certificate (with accompanying initials to signify that the alteration is valid).

Crossing out and writing in amended information on the Presentation Marriage Certificate is not a good move as this form 15 cannot be replaced. I could take a spare form 15 just in case of a change of venue. However, I would need to fill in all information by hand and with no time for beautiful writing. This would not be my preferred option.

What if it rains on your wedding day?

Of course if it does rain on your wedding day then according to myth, “happy is the bride who has a rainy wedding day!” So rainy weddings are good luck! There, that makes me feel better already!

January 21, 2013 by Glenda Ashleigh

Blushing Brides

Blushing Brides Give Aways

My ‘blushing bride’ giveaways are not only unique, but they are also only available at wedding expos where I participate.

Peg Doll Brides

There is a rich tradition in using wooden pegs to make dolls. Children play happily with these delightful dolls for many hours. Worlds of imagination open up and fantastic adventures come to life.

No two peg doll brides are alike! Whether or not the ‘differences’ are planned or just plain accidental, I am not telling! I have great fun creating the expressions on the little faces, and dressing them. Anyway, the girls (young in age and young in heart) who receive them are very excited about having their very own bride doll!

These little darlings are always a hit with expo visitors. Brides-to-be love them. Mothers, Aunts, Sisters, Cousins, Grandmothers of Brides-to-be love them. Children love them. These peg doll brides go quickly.

Blushing Brides

As it is quite busy at an expo, I want to make sure that everyone gets their very own bride doll. So, I send a photo of two peg doll brides to all people who register their interest in finding a very good celebrant for their wedding ceremony.

Something to watch out for on the website is the micro-series “Dolls are different, or are they?” It features a fascinating plot, wonderful soundtrack, and of course, very talented doll actors including blushing brides! Set in the present day, the story focuses on the trials and tribulations of all who involve themselves in making a wedding happen.

follow the trials and tribulations of Peg & Pog who meet in the Rose Garden, fall in love and start to plan their wedding. Of course, all dolls ‘help’ in the planning process with mixed results. The wedding is wonderful as Peg & Pog share the love.

January 5, 2013 by Glenda Ashleigh

Romantic Wedding Ceremony Ideas

How romantic are you? Do you love romantic moments but need some help with some romantic wedding ceremony ideas? A personalised ring ceremony is not only a lovely and special touch but also makes for a romantic wedding ceremony.

The bringing of the wedding rings

On 4 January I conducted the most delightful, romantic wedding ceremony!

A small and very excited group of guests gather in a high-rise apartment in the inner Brisbane City for a very romantic wedding ceremony. Lots of smiles, laughter, taking of photos and introductions all round. We are very relaxed and thoroughly enjoying the moment!

The most romantic wedding ring ceremony

Gasps of delight from the guests and the widest of smiles from the Bride and Groom express the happy, warm feelings! Everyone is sharing the love. This ring ceremony is based on the Celtic tradition of ‘bringing’ and ‘placing’ of the wedding rings and is quite different to the traditional exchanging rings. This charming ring ceremony expresses the significance and symbolism of wedding rings shared by the Bride and Groom. A very old, traditional ring ceremony lost in the mists of time, yet very modern!

The wedding rings are brought by the Bride and Groom and are touched by only them. See the Bride’s ring in the photo, it is the one with the pink bow! The Groom places his wedding ring in the Bride’s hand and gives his personal wedding vow, then it is the Bride’s turn. Beautiful moment!

I just love to create these magic moments for couples. Personalise your romantic ring ceremony with your unique bringing of the rings, giving and receiving of the rings, and exchanging the rings.

I love to hear your ideas, hopes and dreams and share with you many more romantic wedding ceremony ideas.

Are you are a true romantic who delights in the personalised touches to weddings? Now is the time to lodge the Notice of Intention to Marry with me!