If you’re looking to change your last name after your wedding, but don’t know where to start, you’re not alone.
In my experience as a marriage celebrant, up to 90% of newly-married brides (and a few pioneering grooms and spouses) choose to change their last or family name after marriage and are super confused about how to go about it.
It’s a real process that can take around 8 hours over several days or weeks to complete. This is because every company or institution has their own unique process and is not legally permitted to share your details with anyone else.
The good news is, I can help save you a lot of time and even some money too.
Let’s get started!
Alana and Peter's wedding plans (like so many engaged couples worldwide) were thrown into disarray in 2020.
Between the NSW border closures due to COVID-19 and their original venue in Byron Bay burning down (true story!) Peter and Alana tried for a 3rd and final time to have a super low-key, no stress day just for them and their immediate family.
Something simple, but beautiful, elegant, but without any pretence.
Sam and Emily make time to see their families, to share special moments together, and they love talk on the phone often. They wanted to bring this warmth and appreciation, that had always been shown towards them, into their wedding ceremony too.
With COVID border closures, the tyranny of distance and for those who'd passed away, some of their family were not able to be with us in person, so we incorporated them and their interests as much as we could through readings, a memorial and with a big smoochy kiss right down Alex's lens. 😅
I’m not one for fluffy and OTT poetry and I think it’s fair to say that the majority of my couples aren’t massive fans either.
But I do recognise how the power of a well chosen wedding reading in a ceremony can be instrumental in bringing about a feeling of gratefulness, humanity, and hope.
And a great reader who takes the time to deliver a quote, reading or poem with poise and intention can really lift a modern wedding ceremony above and beyond the ordinary.
But first, you need a great wedding reading.
Hopefully this post, along with 5 Wedding Readings That Aren’t Too Soppy and More Unique & Beautiful Wedding Readings For Your Ceremony, will help you to narrow down the search.
What are your options if you want to include a reading in your wedding ceremony, but aren't a fan of Shakespeare and don't want to have 1 Corinthians 13?
The great thing about civil ceremonies in Australia is, apart from 3 sentences that I have to say from The Marriage Act 1961 and 1 legal sentence you have to say in your vows, the rest is completely up to you. The sky's the limit.
And you can make your ceremony even more meaningful by finding a reading (or two) that you LOVE - rather than something you think is 'just okay'. Readings can come from anywhere; lyrics from songs, quotes from movies or the words from your team's victory song (God help us all..)
Here are five of my favourites..
Living in Victoria and trying to organise a wedding in South Australia could pose a bit of a logistical challenge for some couples. But for Shelli and Brayden, they took it all in their stride.
Shelli has since told me that all of their suppliers (see detailed list at end of this post) were "absolutely fantastic throughout the planning and made the day so easy and relaxing for us."
That's just how Brayden and Shelli roll.
If you haven't had the opportunity to see Mandalay House and Garden in action, then you're missing out. With its stately, French-inspired home nestled in the centre of seemingly endless manicured gardens, criss-crossed with little pathways, it is an original and constantly surprising venue at every turn.
For Rita and Tom, it provided the perfect backdrop for their elegant, yet relaxed, wedding garden party. Living in the U.K. and trying to coordinate their big day from overseas, they employed the ever-lovely and experienced Alice Mary Events to bring it all to life for them.
Nathan and Stephanie wanted to make sure that their family was made to feel welcomed and appreciated on their wedding day, so we added a few personal touches to their ceremony that acknowledged the people they love the most.
Stephanie's (90-something year old) Gran was invited up to read Corinthians chapter 13 verses 1 to 13 and both of their Mums were honoured with the presentation of a single rose; Nathan giving his rose to Steph's Mum and vice versa.
These beautiful photos are courtesy of Gianna from Gpix Photo.
David and Corinne first met 6 years ago when they worked together at the (sadly) now closed Krypton Discs in Glenelg. Their mutual love of music drew them together and so it was only fitting that their wedding day had a healthy helping of quality live music as well.
They took their special day to the next level by introducing an upmarket (with mismatched vintage furniture from By The Oaktree & toilets that worked!) music festival vibe complete with picnic blankets and an awesome food truck at Karka Pavilion in the Belair National Park.
Jenna and Brent first met in high school over 10.5 years ago. And even though they were always close, nothing ever happened between them.
Their wedding at Longview Vineyard, captured beautifully by Ellen Heather Photography, was warm and relaxed and their decor featured lashings of deep red accents, oriental rugs and unstructured florals. Their bridal party entourage was as cool as they were well dressed and the atmosphere was simply a laid back celebration of love and life.
Creating a ceremony where everyone is made to feel special sets the tone for the entire day.
Early on in the wedding planning process, I try to encourage my couples to think about who they would like to include in their ceremony; an inclusive ceremony is warm and memorable and honours the people that you care about the most.
Lauren and Max's ceremony was a testament to their love for each other, their family and their friends. They had their twin nieces as cheeky, smiling flower girls, invited their four sisters to do a couple of beautiful (and slightly teary) readings, asked both sets of their parents to give them to each other in marriage and even recited shared wedding vows; they each read one sentence at a time.
Chris and Brianna absolutely adore their family and friends and really wanted their wedding day to be just as much fun for their guests as it was going to be them.
Brianna rocked her fitted and romantic, lace Alexis George gown and Chris was decked out in a modern navy Joseph Uzumcu suit.
After their inclusive and moving ceremony in the rose garden, guests made their way through the sumptuous gardens of Al-Ru Farm to the main lawn where they enjoyed pre-reception drinks, canapés. Lawn games and acoustic guitarist, Israel Amoy, provided the entertainment until the guests were ushered into the regal and elegant reception.
Photos are courtesy of the bubbly and talented Maraya Verdonk Photography.
Enjoy!
Nicole and Hung first met over 10 years ago when they worked as ushers at Greater Union Cinemas in Arndale.
They were grateful to be given the tedious task of cleaning out the cinema rubbish bins one night because it gave them the opportunity to talk and find out a little more about each other.
Their hopes for the future are quite simply to raise an army of sausage dogs and to grow old and wrinkly together.
Photos by Luke Simon Photography.
Amy and Mark already had the bright and beautiful Hannah-bug present with them at their wedding ceremony in October 2015. So when I received an email a couple of months ago it wasn't the 'we're pregnant' kind of news, but rather 'Hannah is turning 1 (!) and we would love to arrange a joint birthday party and naming ceremony'. Where has the time gone?
Amy set about planning an adorable woodland themed celebration, complete with a little red riding hood cloak for Hannah and magical toadstool cake.
Enjoy!
Weddings have changed a lot in the last 40 odd years, but the need to celebrate and mark the occasion with memorable moments and demonstrations of love and hope, hasn't.
While I can acknowledge (albeit, begrudgingly) that it's not 1977, I still challenge anyone not to appreciate the childlike fun of a good 'ol confetti toss. I mean, look at this awesome photo by Kate Pardey - it simply oozes happiness and joy, right? And who doesn't want an extra big helping of that on their wedding day?
