April 25, 2025 by Glenda Ashleigh

Episode 4: A ray of sunshine

Dolls are Different, or are they?

a pegdoll production.

It seems that all dolls want a piece of the wedding planning action! Peg & Pog are swamped by the loads of suggestions from Doll family members.

Peg Doll

Pog Doll

Further, not only do Doll family members push their ideas, but also new-found doll friends, such as the peculiar ballet teacher, Madame Noscova. Even the ballet class catch the wedding planning fever!

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

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 what Peg & Pog want!

Peg & Pog feel completely sidelined. Apparently their wedding is a ‘community event’ and they are merely the bride and groom! Ahhhhhh! Peg & Pog search for a ray of sunshine to help them have the wedding that they want.

A ray of sunshine

Peg & Pog contact Glenda, Brisbane’s really good marriage celebrant, and find that she is the ray of sunshine that the lovebirds are desperately seeking!

Glenda J Ashleigh, Brisbane’s very good marriage celebrantlistens carefully to Peg & Pog before giving them some ideas to think about.

Glenda listens carefully to Peg & Pog’s wishes for their wedding. They discuss their dreams and hopes, and fears about being left out of the wedding planning process. Being an experienced Celebrant, Glenda gives sensible and caring suggestions for managing the input of family members and friends in planning for the wedding day.

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!

Contact Glenda to 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

January 7, 2025 by Glenda Ashleigh

Wedding Ceremony Keepsakes – keep them safe!

Wedding Keepsakes

Wedding keepsakes are those items and documents that make your ceremony unique and special. These precious items include your wedding keepsakes and favours, and the Presentation Marriage Certificate. Those something old, something blue, something borrowed items, perhaps a handkerchief, a brooch, or necklace that you carry or wear for the ceremony are very special keepsakes. Further, these keepsakes are irreplaceable. Also, how do you explain their loss if you borrow these items?

Unique Wedding Keepsakes

I take the time and care to design unique wedding keepsakes for your ceremony.

Wedding Ceremony Keepsakes

Your ceremony script is presented as a scroll inside a cover. A hand-made decorated sleeve secures the scroll.
Your personal wedding vow booklets and the scroll reflect your chosen colours of your wedding theme, or your favourite colours.
As a special touch, I give you a keepsake to wish you ‘good-luck’ for your married life.

When can Keepsakes go Missing?

At the end of the ceremony everyone is excited. Everyone congratulates the happy couple or gathers for photographs, and this is the critical time when keepsake items are often misplaced or overlooked. The Presentation Marriage Certificate and your keepsakes are treasured items that are easily lost in the excitement of the day. The Presentation Marriage Certificate is not replaceable, however if it is mislaid or damaged, you will need to apply to the Registry for advice.

You can avoid the stress and worry of locating misplaced items if you prepare well. After all, you want to enjoy those wonderful moments of your wedding and make beautiful memories of your special day.

Appoint a Wedding Ceremony Keepsakes and Documents Official

Here is a great wedding ceremony tip! Appoint a reliable person as the wedding ceremony keepsakes and documents official on your wedding day. This is an essential part of successful wedding planning! Your wedding ceremony keepsakes and documents official is someone you trust to follow your instructions exactly!

Wedding Ceremony Keepsakes and Documents Official

Following is a basic checklist of instructions to give to your appointed Documents Official.

Identify yourself as the appointed ‘wedding ceremony keepsakes and documents official’ to the Celebrant before the wedding ceremony.
Be available and receive the ceremony keepsakes and documents immediately after the wedding ceremony.
Check the contents of the envelope containing the wedding ceremony keepsakes and documents with the Celebrant.
Take charge of the envelope containing the ceremony keepsakes and documents, and
Follow instructions immediately for safe storage. (specify exactly how, when and where.)

I meet your Wedding Ceremony Documents Official before the ceremony and check the instructions carefully. Following the signing of the marriage documents, I hand over all keepsakes and the Presentation Marriage Certificate securely and safely to your appointed Wedding Ceremony Documents Official. You relax and celebrate the special moments of your wedding day with family and friends, confident that your precious items are safe.

Official Marriage Documents

Do you want to know more about Australian official marriage documents? Do you know that the Presentation Marriage Certificate is not the official marriage certificate? Although it is a legal document, it is however, not a personal identification document (ID)? Personal identification documents show your date of birth and this information is not shown on the Presentation Marriage Certificate.

The Official Marriage Certificate shows your date of birth and is a personal identification document (ID). You purchase a certified copy of the official marriage certificate from the Marriage Registry in the Australian state or territory of your marriage. This certified copy is a personal identification document and serves to verify your changed legal status as a married person. Check out the Australian government page for the most up-to-date and accurate information about Australian marriage documents.

January 7, 2025 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?

Every doll wants to be in the wedding party!

Peg & Pog Wedding Party

Peg & Pog have to review the nominees for the various traditional ‘roles’ in their wedding party. Of course, they don’t want to disappoint anyone, or in their case, any dolls. Feelings need careful handling!

Peg & Pog know what they want, and what they don’t want for their big day. However, family and friends have their ideas about Peg & Pog’s wedding!

Peg & Pog, start looking for a very good Celebrant. Hooray! Peg & Pog find Glenda, the Best Brisbane Celebrant. With Glenda’s expert guidance, Peg & Pog and get the wedding they want and family and friends express their great delight!

Choosing the Wedding Party

This is the tricky part. Members of the wedding, or bridal party, are usually those 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 wedding 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, support Peg & Pog in organising people on the wedding day and introducing Celebrant Glenda, to the parents and the witnesses. Peg & Pog have asked two adult family members to be their witnesses – Peg’s Ma and Pog’s Ma! Both mothers want to be front and centre during the ceremony, so that they get 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. Pog’s two-year-old twin nieces, Pip & Pepper, are fine as they accompany Peg on the flower boat. However, as soon as they hit land, they take off! They take their own shortcut to the Rose Garden, and thankfully, they arrive just as Peg & Pog are coming up the path.

How Many in a Wedding Party?

As many as you like! Only the Bride and Groom, Bride and Bride, or Groom and Groom 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 one party has three attendants, it doesn’t mean that the other party has to have three attendants. Gender is not important. A ‘Matron, or Maid of Honour, or Woman 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!

November 16, 2023 by Glenda Ashleigh

Wedding Tips

Wedding Planning Tips that Make a Difference

Use great wedding planning tips to make a difference! As a professional Registered Marriage Celebrant, I am often asked about wedding hints and tips for ceremonies. Every ceremony is different, however the following 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. They are in charge of the ceremony!

November 12, 2023 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!

Wedding Planning with the Family

Peg & Pog find that 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. Their families and newfound friends are eager to ‘help’ in the wedding planning. Peg & Pog feel left out!

Whose wedding is it anyway?

Peg & Pog want to have their say in the wedding planning, after all it is their wedding. The ‘help’ that their families and friends are so keen to offer is not exactly what Peg & Pog want. They pluck up the courage to ask the question, “Whose wedding is it anyway?”

What Peg Wants

Peg dreams of a romantic wedding day.

Peg loves to picture how she will look as a radiant bride on her special day.

Not only does Peg want to be a princess on her wedding day, she also wants a wedding ceremony in her favourite place, the Rose Garden.

Peg loves unique and personal touches that bring joy and delight! Peg really looks forward to celebrating with family and friends.

What Pog Wants

Pog doesn’t really know what he wants for his wedding day. He’s never been married.

Weddings and marriage is serious business, and Pog feels that it requires careful thinking.

Being a single bloke, Pog doesn’t quite know how to plan a wedding and what he should think about.

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

Wedding Planning can be a headache

Peg and Pog struggle with wedding planning!! 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 just elope and avoid all the fuss? This wedding planning task gives Pog, in particular, a headache.

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? Whose wedding is it anyway?

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

October 25, 2023 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.

Rose Garden Wedding

Wedding Rose Bell

The Rose Garden is the special place where Peg & Pog’s love first bloomed.

Doll family members and friends have their own ideas however, and are determined to ‘help’ in making the wedding plans. They swamp Peg & Pog with ideas and suggestions for wedding planning.

Before Peg & Pog know it, the Doll family members and friends take over the wedding planning (or so it seems)! Peg & Pog need their own wedding helper!

Peg & Pog’s Wedding Helper

At last, Peg & Pog find their ‘ray of sunshine’ in Glenda the Best Brisbane Celebrant. Peg & Pog do not want to hurt the feelings of Doll family members and friends by refusing their offers of ‘help’. Glenda, being the Best Brisbane Celebrant, listens patiently to their concerns.

Glenda helps Peg & Pog to find ways to resolve this troublesome situation. She asks what Peg & Pog really want for their wedding ceremony, and guides Peg & Pog through ideas, options and practical strategies. Peg & Pog are happy that the wedding planning is at last on track!

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, the Best Brisbane 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, the Very Good Brisbane Celebrant, Glenda J Ashleigh, hope that you enjoy Episode 7: Peg & Pog’s Wedding

October 9, 2023 by Glenda Ashleigh

Bridal Party Attendants the Best Man

Bridal Party Attendants

The Doll families are eager to help Peg and Pog in planning for the wedding in the Rose Garden. Apparently, it is ‘traditional’ to have attendants in the bridal party! Peg and Pog don’t even know if they want any bridal party attendants at their wedding.

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, or if they want any, they just think they should!

Checkout 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 states 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 Milo’s role, as ‘Best Man,’ is to assist Pog, the Groom, get ready for the wedding.

Although Pog thinks this is a great idea, he is still unclear about what exactly the ‘Best Man’ does. Pog asks Glenda, Best Brisbane 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, Best Brisbane 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 ‘Best Man’ for a successful day.

October 7, 2023 by Glenda Ashleigh

What if it rains on your Wedding Day?

What about Rain on a Wedding Day?

Rain on a wedding day can be tricky! For outdoor wedding ceremonies, it can go either way. Even if the weather does clear for the ceremony, the ground may be too soggy. This situation will apply in many outdoor 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 backup plan for your outdoor wedding ceremony? This is essential for your wedding ceremony to go ahead, rain or shine! If the rain decides not to fall, and the ground is not too soggy, then the outdoors it is!

If it does rain, then the backup, wet weather plan swings into action.

Is the reception close by? Are arrangements in place for the wedding 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.

Where the wedding ceremony is conducted at a different venue and there is no time to change the information on the Presentation Marriage Certificate, I complete a spare form 15 and fill in all information by hand.

Rainy Wedding Da

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 day weddings are good luck! Are you planning a wedding in a park? Check out the Garden and outdoor wedding post .

July 5, 2023 by Glenda Ashleigh

Wedding Ceremony Traditions & Rituals

What Wedding Ceremony Traditions & Rituals are Popular Today?

Some wedding ceremony traditions & rituals are so popular that we expect them! The ‘kiss‘ is one of the traditions that we see in most ‘western culture’ weddings. Consequently, we often expect that this tradition must be part of the wedding ceremony.

One of the most popular of wedding ceremony traditions is the exchanging or giving of wedding rings. Wedding rings are regarded as the traditional tokens or symbols of the vows made in the marriage contract. However, there is no requirement to include a wedding ceremony ritual that feature rings or any other form of tokens. Does a couple need to give or exchange any physical symbol? It is up to them!

But back to the ‘kiss’ and its significance. What is its history?

The Kiss

It is a common belief that a couple in Roman times sealed the marriage contract with the ritual of kissing. The Romans also used the act of kissing to ‘seal the deal’ in any legal contract!

As time went on, the ritual of ‘the kiss’ in the wedding ceremony took on a more romantic touch. Some cultures regard the wedding kiss as the ‘first touch’ between the newly weds. In modern times, partners often hold hands during the exchange of vows, so the kiss as the ‘first touch’ doesn’t really apply.

Today, most people regard ‘the kiss’ as a wedding ceremony tradition. It usually happens immediately following the declaration of marriage. The kiss is still regarded as ‘sealing the union’ between the partners in today’s wedding ceremonies.

Be creative with wedding ceremony traditions and rituals! Express your personality in your wedding ceremony. As Brisbane’s Best Marriage Celebrant, I am very happy to include your choice of rituals and traditions in your wedding ceremony.

Perhaps we can create a special wedding ritual just for you and start a new wedding ceremony tradition!

June 25, 2023 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 Brisbane’s Best Marriage Celebrant, it is my responsibility to look after the welfare of everyone at your wedding ceremony. One of the key questions I ask is about the availability of wedding ceremony venue amenities. I also ask you how you will be informing your guests about your wedding ceremony venue. Here are some other 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 everyone will be happy! Happy guests make for a happy celebration. Your highly recommended Celebrant will also be happy!

Contact Glenda for help with your wedding planning.

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