Unforgettable Moments: Special Highlights from Some of My Ceremonies

Jill Keen • 22 January 2025

Special Highlights from Some of my recent ceremonies

Every ceremony I have the privilege of officiating is a beautiful story waiting to unfold. As a marriage celebrant, I’m fortunate to witness countless unique and heartwarming moments that make each occasion truly unforgettable. Here are some of the special ceremony moments that have stayed with me and continue to inspire my work.

The First Look

One of the most powerful moments in any ceremony is when the couple sees each other for the first time. Whether it’s the nervous excitement as the groom waits at the altar or the radiant smile of the bride walking down the aisle, these emotions are pure magic. I like to encourage my couples to take their time and to really check each other at this point–I remind them that this is their sweet spot, the magic moment that they will want to remember forever. I remember one ceremony where the groom’s face lit up with such unrestrained joy that it brought the entire room to tears. These are the moments that remind us all of the profound love two people can share.

Personalised Vows

There is something incredibly touching about hearing a couple’s own words during their vows. These promises, crafted from the heart, bring a deeply personal touch to the ceremony. I’ve heard vows that were beautifully poetic, others that were filled with humour, and some that carried the weight of years of shared experiences. One of my favourite memories was when a bride promised to grow old with her groom and to always nominate them to look after their future grandchildren—a promise that had all guests ‘ahhing’ as their hearts melted.

Family and Friend Involvement

Incorporating loved ones into the ceremony adds another layer of meaning. Whether it’s aclose friend reading a heartfelt poem or family members participating in a symbolic ritual, these contributions create a sense of community and support. I once officiated a ceremony where the couple’s mothers were unaware that the couple had chosen them to be their official witnesses for the certificate signing. These mums were surprised and overwhelmed with this thoughtful gesture. It was a beautiful way to involve their mothers and to acknowledge the unwavering support and love that mothers contribute to ceremonies and everyday life.

The Unexpected Joys

Not all special moments are planned—sometimes, it’s the unplanned ones that leave the biggest impression. I recall a ceremony where the couple’s toddler wandered up during the vows and insisted on holding their hands. It was a spontaneous and tender moment that had everyone smiling. Just recently I have had the pleasure of officiating a ‘surprise’ wedding ceremony where only the witnesses and a couple of guests were aware that the 30th birthday gathering they were at was going to be a wedding. Once the shock of the ‘surprise’ announcement wore off a bit, the sheer joy of the unexpected celebration was so worth it for this gorgeous couple and their family and friends.

The Grand Finale

The culmination of every ceremony is the moment the couple is officially pronounced married. The joy and excitement in the air are palpable as they share their first kiss and are celebrated by their loved ones. I love adding a personal touch to this moment, whether it’s with a fun announcement or a unique ritual. One couple chose to end their ceremony with a confetti cannon, showering themselves and their guests in a burst of colour and happiness—a moment none of us will ever forget.

Why These Moments Matter

These special moments are what make each ceremony unique. They’re the memories that couples and their loved ones carry with them long after the day is over. As a celebrant, my goal is to create a space where these moments can happen naturally, ensuring every couple’s ceremony is as personal and meaningful as possible.

Create Your Own Unforgettable Moments

Every love story is one of a kind, and your ceremony should reflect that. If you’re planning your wedding, vow renewal, or naming ceremony, let’s work together to craft a celebration full of heartfelt and unforgettable moments.

Reach out today, and let’s create something truly special.

Have you experienced or witnessed a special ceremony moment? I’d love to hear yourstories in the comments!

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If you are p lanning your dream wedding and not really sure where to start - let me help you out! Firstly, let me tell you that this is absolutely normal! Here’s my guide to booking your vendors, including the ones you need to lock in ASAP. Once you have followed this groovy formula and locked in your trustworthy vendors, you can kick back and enjoy every moment of your engagement and the countdown to your big day! 1. Straight up – your dream vendor! If you have been dreaming of this moment for some time, or you are of Generation Z era, you may already be streets ahead with your vendor research prior to getting engaged. If this is the case, you may very well have your heart set on one (or two) vendors already. I say, to avoid disappointment, book these first - like now, go! At this point you may also like to consider the vendors that can only be at the one location at a time – your dream venue may only be able to host one ceremony for the day, photographers are often solo and booked to be with couples for a lengthy duration, and authorised celebrants are usually booked to officiate only one ceremony on any day. Booking in your favourite vendor will be good mojo for the rest of your planning. Don’t have a fav vendor in mind? Then that’s ok too – just tick off the list from this point on. 2. Ceremony and Reception Venue (12 – 18 months in advance) This is where ‘time’ plays an important role in your wedding planning process – you may already have a date in mind; however, your venue of choice may not be available on that date. It may be a popular venue, especially during peak season, so get in quick – most of these will be booked solidly for 12 – 18 months in advance. If you are choosing a venue that requires an external catering vendor, then you will want to choose your preferred caterer and lock them in at the same time – this allows them to work with the venue from the get-go. 3. Wedding Planner (12 months in advance) Wedding planners are the ultimate multitaskers and if you are going to use one, they will be one of the very first vendors that you will want to lock in. A good wedding planner will also have insight into other reputable vendors that may sight your style and be able to book them on your behalf. 4. Photographer / Videographer (12 months in advance) Wedding photographers and videographers are generally booked out 12 – 18 months in advance. Most photographers/videographers operate within an annual wedding cap e.g. a limit of 25 weddings for the year. So, when deciding when to book your wedding vendors, you’ll want to book them in early too! I recommend that you do some research to find out which photographers and videographers have a portfolio that suits your preferred style, and then line a few up to interview them. ... Afterall you'll all be working closely together on the big day. 5. Celebrant (12 months in advance) More personal weddings that focus on the couple rather than traditions that are not familiar to them and don’t reflect their story or style are on the rise, and this is something I feel passionate about. These ceremonies are a chance for couples to work with fabulous celebrants to make the ceremony one of the most unforgettable moments of their lives. In saying that, if you’re looking for a legal ceremony, you will need either a: · Commonwealth-registered marriage celebrant · Commonwealth-registered religious marriage celebrant · Ministers of religion who are from a recognised denomination · State and territory officer Most celebrants will be booked 12 months in advance for popular days of the week – Saturdays being the most popular, now followed closely by Fridays and Sundays. It’s best to get in early if you have a celebrant in mind. Equally, get started on your research early and reach out for a catch up and chat. From Toowoomba on the Darling Downs to South East Queensland down to the Gold Coast and Tweed Coast and anywhere in between, I would love to work with you to create a celebration that reflects your unique story and personality. Get in touch and let's arrange to meet (drinks on me!) and get to know each other, and get the party started!