TYPES OF CEREMONIES

Mission Statement

To work sensitively with clients to create and deliver unique relationship-strengthening ceremonies that meet their emotional and cultural needs and engage and delight their guests.

Need to know more?

If my FAQs haven't answered your questions, feel free to contact me

Frequently Asked Questions

Q:	What are your qualifications?
A:	The study I undertook in celebrancy extended over a number of years - not just a weekend course. I hold a number of celebrancy qualifications from the International College of Celebrancy Advanced Diploma of Marriage Celebrancy (High Distinction) Certificate IV in Marriage Celebrancy Advanced Diploma of General Celebrancy (High Distinction) Advanced Diploma of Funeral Celebrancy (High Distinction) Pre-dating my celebrancy qualifications I hold tertiary qualifications in English Literature, Psychology, Library and Information Science, Education, and Management And I am a member of the Australian Federation of Civil Celebrants, a professional association which requires assessment of skills and qualifications as a celebrant as a condition of admission to membership.
Q:	How do you dress when officiating at a ceremony
A:	You will want your ceremony to be picture perfect, without jarring clashing of colour and style. I therefore typically wear an understated black outfit and minimal jewellery for commitment and reaffirmation of vows ceremonies in order not to stand out in the photographs or compete with the bridal party and I do not wear fanciful headgear or flash long, brightly coloured fingernails. If your ceremony colour scheme or cultural traditions do not include black, please don't hesitate to tell me, and I will wear another deep understated colour, such as navy or dark grey. For naming ceremonies I add colour to the black, or wear navy or even white. If request me to wear special clothing (eg mediaeval robes) I will accommodate you if at all possible as long as what you are requesting does not compromise the dignity of the occasion and if you reimburse me for any costs. PLEASE DO NOT order a CORSAGE for the Celebrant.
Q:	Can you 'pencil me in' or 'hold the date'?
A:	Until you have paid the non-refundable deposit and completed and forwarded the booking confirmation form I cannot guarantee to save the date for you. To do so would be unfair to a couple who is ready to book, and I would feel bad if I was part of a mis-understanding that could have been avoided with an actual booking.
Q:	What happens at the rehearsal for our commitment?
A:	There is a good reason for the old saying practice makes perfect. And this is never truer than when you are having a ceremony that includes a number of people. At the rehearsal everyone involved (couple, parents, attendants, readers and anyone else involved in the ceremony) practices all the transitions in the ceremony. Transitions are when someone moves from one spot to another, hands something to someone, or turns. There can be 23 or more of these during the average commitment ceremony, and you want to make sure that every one of these flows seamlessly into the next and that they are all done in such a way as to facilitate great photos. Different venues require difference soloutions, and so do different sizes and configurations of wedding parties. It is not enough to know in theory that the bride and her party will enter and where they will stand when they get to the front. The whole wedding party needs to be arranged for best visual effect and also in a way that facilitates the smooth transition from one part of the ceremony to the next. At the rehearsal (which will take about an hour) we will practice where everyone will stand, how the ceremony will flow, the processional and the recessional. We will also rehearse the readers, practice exchanging the rings, the kiss (more than once!), the signing, and any rituals. Some venues strictly limit the time allowed for rehearsals (in some cases this can be 20-30 minutes) so it is important that we come to the rehearsal with all the decisions already made. It is also important to have the rehearsal as close to the big day as possible, and, for outdoor Ceremonies, as close to the same time of day as possible so the reality of light and shade is understood by everyone.
Q:	Do you stay for the reception or party afterwards?
A:	Thank you for asking - but no, an invitation is not expected and it would be highly unlikely that I would be able to accept. Although I limit the number of ceremonies I perform in a day so I won't have another ceremony booked close to yours, I may have another ceremony after yours or an arrangement to meet with clients, and I often accommodate the needs of bridal parties by scheduling rehearsals after I have performed the last ceremony of the day.

Jennifer Cram is a secular humanist celebrant
in Queensland Australia
Serving all of Brisbane, Redlands, Redcliffe, Pine Rivers, Logan and Ipswich
Ceremonies performed in private homes, parks, gardens, hotels, clubs, restaurants, chapels, function centres, reception centres, wedding venues.
Day or evening ceremonies 365 days a year

Her Celebrant Services include:
Commitment Ceremonies for gay, lesbian, and straight couples, including Contemporary, Traditional, Spiritual, Inter-cultural, Scottish, Celtic, Chinese, Buddhist, Mediaeval and themed ceremonies; Handfasting;
Renewal of Vows; Naming Ceremonies; End-of-Relationship Ceremonies.

Jennifer's other websites:
gl-unions.jennifercram.com
DIYceremonies.com.au
jennifercram.com.au
jennifercram.com

Payment accepted by
cash, money order,
personal cheque drawn on an Australian bank and
credit cards through PayPal (3% surcharge applies)

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