Civil Celebrant Rockhampton Charlene McKenzie's Blog www.charlenemckenzie.vpweb.com.au

International Men’s Day

Charlene McKenzie — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:53:56 +0000

International Men’s Day
Yesterday, 19 November was in fact International Men’s Day! Who would have known? Here in Rockhampton it didn’t rated a mention, not even a paragraph in the local paper. As a celebrant whose life revolves around ceremony and recognition of the important events in our lives, I find it rather distressing. To add to my disbelief is the fact that I am on the organising committee for International Women’s Day (8 March) and we are in the middle of organising some fantastic events to mark the occasion.
Are women more worthy of being celebrated then men? Why is a wedding so often referred to as “The Bride’s Day”? Why is it that most of the time I only see the mother when planning a naming ceremony? What is it that makes men less likely to participate fully in these kinds of ceremonies? I believe that as a society we need to have a look at some of these questions and find ways to involve men in the spiritual sides of our lives. Not just for them, but for their wives and children too.
It’s still not too late to mark the occasion, find a man you admire and is a positive role model and take the time to acknowledge them and their impact on you. Make them celebrate the occasion, have your own ceremony, start your own tradition. Just don’t let this chance go by! And to all the men out there – a belated Happy International Men’s Day!

Christmas Celebrations

Charlene McKenzie — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 03:42:30 +0000

We all know that the Festive or “Silly” Season can be a busy time of year! However have you considered the fact that it is actually a fantastic time to incorporate other celebrations!

All the family is together: Especially if you have relatives who live interstate or overseas, travelling for every occasion can get expensive. So why not combine occasions.

You are already catering: If you are feeding the clan already it means there’s no extra expense and planning in organising another event.

Hard to forget: If your fiancé is not good at remembering dates, just dare him to forget that you were married on Boxing Day!!!

What ceremonies can you have: ANY – Weddings, Naming Ceremonies, Commitment Ceremonies, Vow Renewals and anything else you wish to celebrate!

The Rewards of Celebrancy

Charlene McKenzie — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 04:18:02 +0000

Even when I decided to train to become a celebrant I did not realise how much I would enjoy my “job”.

Being a celebrant and having people invite you into their lives to assist them express their most heartfelt emotions is a wonderful gift. That a complete stranger would trust you with one of the most memorable occasions of their life is a privilege and an honour beyond compare.

I am constantly challenged to find ways to help couples and families express their personalities, beliefs, values in meaningful ceremonies. To see the joy and emotion on their faces and hear it in their voices as their ceremony unfolds is an amazing reward. In that moment the hours of meetings, writing (and re-writing drafts) and searching for the perfect words are all made worthwhile.

I believe I truly have one of the best jobs in world!

Commitment Ceremonies

Charlene McKenzie — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 10:16:36 +0000

Same-sex marriages may not be legal in Australia yet, but that does not mean that your love is any different to any other couple. The joy of publicly celebrating your relationship and declaring your commitment to each other is a rite of passage which every couple can experience. Although it is not recognised as a legal ceremony, a Commitment Ceremony is a wonderful celebration of your love which can be shared with your family and friends.

A Commitment Ceremony can take any form you wish, from a large celebration to a small intimate gathering. It may take on some of the non-legal features of a traditional ceremony, including exchanging vows and rings, or may throw convention out the window! Your ceremony can be as unique as you are. Your chosen celebrant should be able to assist you in developing a personalized, meaningful ceremony, which not only reflects your love for each other, but also your personalities and style.

A Commitment Ceremony is also a wonderful opportunity to recognise and affirm the relationships you hold with other loved ones. This includes children, friends, family and those who have supported you in your journeys, both as individuals and as a couple.

So, if you wish to celebrate your relationship and your commitment to each other, consider holding a Commitment Ceremony. And after all is said and done any excuse for a party (especially one celebrating love) is good one!!!

Changing Your Name After Marriage

Charlene McKenzie — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 02:25:06 +0000

In Australia, many women follow the tradition of changing their surname to that of their husband when they marry. However this is not the only option available to the newly married couple. Increasingly women are choosing to retain their maiden name, hyphenate the surnames, or adopt their husband’s surname for personal use whilst retaining their maiden name for professional use. It is also becoming increasingly accepted that the Groom may change his surname to that of the Bride.

All of these are valid options and the choice comes down to individual preferences, but whichever way you go there are some legal and documentation requirements to consider.

Where the bride wishes to change her surname to her husband’s she will need to provide a certified copy of the official Marriage Certificate obtained from the State or Territory Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM) where the marriage was registered. The certificate issued to you on your wedding day (known as the commemorative certificate) is not sufficient identification for many institutions.

If you keep your maiden (or current) surname, there is no need to change identification or legal documentation. However, you may still be required to present a certified copy of your Marriage Certificate issued by BDM to adjust your conjugal status.

If you want to adopt a combination or hyphenated version of your maiden surname and your husband’s surname, or the groom wishes to adopt your surname. You will need to arrange a legal change of name. A certified copy of a marriage certificate issued by BDM will generally not be sufficient for most institutions or government agencies.

Whatever you choose, your name is an integral part in defining who you are and how you see your place in the world and within your family. Choose whatever feels right for you!

Coming of Age Ceremonies

Charlene McKenzie — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 06:20:10 +0000

The Coming of Age is a ceremony which has been celebrated by all cultures in many forms since man first evolved, however is often overlooked in today’s society. Whilst today we may not expect our children to prove their hunting and gathering prowess, it is important to recognise this step in their lives.

A Coming of Age ceremony is a wonderful opportunity for family and friends to show their love and support of the young adult, both now and into the future as they find their place in the world. It is a chance to reinforce those values that are important to us and to society.

The ceremony itself may take any form. It may be a large gathering or an intimate moment, but should include those people most important in their life.

A Coming of Age Ceremony may seem like an a relatively unimportant event, but just imagine how profound an impact it could have on a teen at a crossroads in their life to have those people most important in their life stand up and pledge their love and support!

What if they then chose to say no to drugs after their Aunt talked about her journey and how drugs nearly ruined her life! Or if they chose to say no to unresponsible sex after their Godfather spoke about the sanctity and beauty of love within a committed relationship! What about the girl who found a new level of self-confidence after being accepted in the world of “secret women’s business”.

The positive impacts of inclusion of ceremony in our lives can never be underestimated. As a society we owe it to our children becoming young adults to support them in every way we can.

Legal Requirements for a Civil Marriage Ceremony

Charlene McKenzie — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 06:05:48 +0000

There are few legal requirements that must be met for a civil marriage ceremony and they are as follows:
General Requirements
- You must both be 18, or at least one of you 18 and the other 16 and have obtained parental consent and court approval
- You must not be in a prohibited relationship
Prior to the Ceremony
- You must lodge the Notice of Intended Marriage with your Celebrant at least one clear month prior to the ceremony
- You must provide to the Celebrant your birth certificates (there are provisions for those who under exceptional circumstances are unable to obtain birth certificates), photo ID and if applicable documents relating to the dissolution of your previous marriage
- You must sign the required declarations
- Most celebrants will require payment prior to the ceremony
During the Ceremony
- You must not be under the influence of alcohol or other mind altering substances
- You must say the vows required by the Marriage Act, “I call upon the persons here present to witness that I Full Name take thee Full Name to be my lawful wedded wife/husband”
- You must provide two witnesses who are over the age of 18, are able to understand the ceremony and who are not under the influence of alcohol or other mind altering substances
- You must sign the register and certificates of marriage
And that’s it!!

Welcome

Charlene McKenzie — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 04:06:18 +0000

Hi and welcome to my blog! Over the next few months I will be bringing you some information, ideas and personal reflections about Weddings, Naming Ceremonies, Coming of Age and other ceremonies I conduct as well as on celebrancy in general. If you have a topic you would like to see some information on please let me know. In the meantime you can visit my website www.charlenemckenzie.vpweb.com.au

Cheers

Charlene McKenzie
Civil Celebrant
Rockhamtpon and Capricorn Coast