Modern Sydney Celebrant

It was like a scene from a storybook romance as Jo and Stacy celebrated their love at Newtown's Berkelouw Books. The gorgeous couple were cheered on by family, friends and their two adorable children as they promised to love, honour and care for one another for the rest of their lives. Jo and Stacy's Commitment Ceremony had lots of lovely, personal touches... acknowledgments to loved ones, a ring warming ritual and a heartfelt song performed by family. Berkelouw Books provided a stunning and character-filled setting, which the couple had styled with a vintage literary feel. Lara Holtz Photography captured the love, happiness and personality of this special day perfectly. As a civil celebrant it is my great frustration that I wasn't able to perform a legal marriage for Jo and Stacy.  I strongly believe that marriage should not be defined by whom it excludes. Rather marriage should be celebrated and strengthened by focusing on it's core values of ...

Australian Greens leader Bob Brown will push for a conscience vote to allow gay and lesbian marriage after the next election. Both major parties are currently against changes to Australian marriage laws which would allow weddings for same-sex couples. But if the Green party take the balance of power in the Senate after tomorrow’s federal election, then gay marriage will be back on the agenda. As it stands, the Marriage Act states that marriage is “the union of a man and a woman to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life.” Same-sex couples are currently restricted to Commitment Ceremonies, which hold no legal standing. A civil celebrant can help make a Commitment Ceremony as close to a legal marriage as possible. Commitment Ceremonies celebrate the spiritual, emotional and practical joining of same-sex or other devoted couples. About the author: Laura Craddock is an open-minded and modern Sydney civil celebrant who conducts same-sex Commitment Ceremo...