Finding the Perfect Wedding Celebrant on the Sunshine Coast

Happy bride holding bouquet in the air as she walks down the aisle with smiling groom
Rob and Claire had the best day with their request for a chill, fun wedding at Yandina Station

The Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia, is a beautiful location for a wedding elopement, pop-up or destination wedding. With its stunning beaches, picturesque hinterland, and perfect weather, it’s no wonder that many couples choose to marry here. I’m not sure of the stats now, but we used to be the 7th most popular wedding destination in Australia. I reckon we’ve climbed the ladder over the years and because of this, there’s a LOT of celebrants available.

So to make your wedding day truly special, you need to find the perfect wedding celebrant for you.

A wedding celebrant is such an important part of your wedding day: They’ll be the one who writes and conducts your ceremony, and they can really set the tone for the rest of the day. A great wedding celebrant will also work with you to create a personalised ceremony that reflects your personalities and your love story.

Here are some tips to help you find the perfect wedding celebrant on the Sunshine Coast:

Laughing bride and groom with Lynette Maguire Marriage Celebrant standing under an arbour
Kyle and Chantel’s wedding was perfect even with a last minute venue change

Look for someone who matches your style

Your wedding celebrant should match your style and personality. Do you want someone who is traditional or modern? Male or female? Chill or formal? Look for a celebrant who matches your style and who you feel comfortable with. Listen to your gut instincts – that’s what they’re their for. You can even tell their style but reading stuff they’ve written and looking at pictures of their weddings – if you want a fun wedding celebrant and no-one is laughing or smiling in their pics, it might be that they’re trying to be someone they’re not.

Read reviews and ask for recommendations

Look for wedding celebrants on the Sunshine Coast who have good reviews from previous clients. Ask friends and family members if they have any recommendations. You can also ask your wedding venue if they have any preferred celebrants that they have worked with in the past (keep in mind though that some have only one or two of each supplier.)

Bride and groom kissing in front of arbour as their small son hugs them both and bridal party clap and smile
A great celebrant will stand out of frame for the kiss – this kiss is brought to you by Dan and Tina

Check their availability

Once you’ve found a few wedding celebrants you think may be suitable, check their availability for your wedding date. You don’t want to fall in love with a celebrant only to find out that they are already booked on your wedding day (and a popular celebrant can book out 2 years in advance – though Covid did knock that around).

Meet with them in person (or by Zoom)

Before you make a final decision, it’s a good idea to meet with your potential wedding celebrant in person. Though in saying this about 80% of my couples use their instincts and book me without meeting, leaving 20% wanting to meet face to face or by zoom. This will give you a chance to get to know them and ask all the questions you have. You can also discuss the type of ceremony you want and get their ideas and input.

Bride and groom taking shots at the signing table during wedding ceremony
A great wedding celebrant will have a bunch of great ideas to incorporate into your ceremony – like Haydn and Hayley who chose to do shots

Discuss the cost

Make sure you discuss the cost with your wedding celebrant upfront. You don’t want to be surprised with unexpected fees later on. Ask them what their fee includes and if there are any additional costs. Some wedding celebrants will discount on weekdays (I do), others don’t. Some will add costs on for public holidays, but in any case it’s always good to ask. If the celebrant you love is a bit more than what you’ve budgetted for, let them know and let them know your budget – some will offer reductions, others will wish you well. It’s all part of the bargaining process, we’re used to it.

Six questions to ask your celebrant before booking

When you’re looking for a wedding celebrant, it’s important to find someone who not only matches your style and personality but also who understands your vision for your wedding day. To help you find the right celebrant, here are some questions to ask during your initial meeting:

  1. What is your experience as a wedding celebrant? You’ll want to know how many weddings they have performed – most celebrants only do about 10 weddings a year but might say they’ve had 10 years’ experience – which is only 100 weddings (professional weddings do this (and more) in a year). Also, ask if they have experience with your specific type of ceremony (e.g., religious, non-religious, cultural, etc.)
  2. How do you personalise each ceremony to the couple? A good celebrant should be able to create a unique and personalised ceremony that reflects your personalities, beliefs, and love story. Ask them how they go about this and if they have any examples of ceremonies they have done in the past. Many couples ask for video of past weddings.
  3. How do you involve family and friends in the ceremony? If you want to involve your family and friends in your ceremony, ask your celebrant how they can help make that happen. For example, can they include readings, rituals, or other meaningful elements that involve your loved ones?
Bride and groom walking with big smiles and barefoot on a beach
A great celebrant sets the vibe for the rest of your wedding day
  1. How do you handle unexpected situations or last-minute changes? It’s always good to know how your celebrant will handle unexpected situations, such as weather changes, late arrivals, or any other emergencies that may arise. Ask them if they have a backup plan in case something goes wrong. A great wedding celebrant will always have a few celebrants to contact in case something happens on the day eg., Covid, flooded in, etc.
  2. What is your fee, and what does it include? You’ll want to know how much the celebrant charges for their services and what is included in their fee. This will help you budget for your wedding day and avoid any surprises later on.
  3. Are you willing to travel to our wedding location? If you’re getting married outside of the celebrant’s usual service area, ask them if they are willing to travel to your wedding location and if there are any additional costs associated with that.

By asking these questions, you can get a better understanding of whether the wedding celebrant is a good fit for you and your fiance and if they can help you create the perfect ceremony for your special day.

Finding the perfect wedding celebrant on the Sunshine Coast is an important part of your wedding planning process and success. By following these tips, you can find a celebrant who matches your style, has good reviews, is available on your wedding day, and fits within your budget. Once you’ve found them, ask them for recommendations of their favourite suppliers so you get a real winning ‘A’ team for your wedding day. This will help ensure that your wedding ceremony is everything you have ever dreamed of.

Portrait of Lynette Maguire Marriage Celebrant
Sunshine Coast wedding celebrant, Lynette Maguire
Logo for Lynette Maguire Marriage Celebrant

7 Great Tips for an Eco-Friendly Wedding

from Your Sunshine Coast Marriage Celebrant

Your wedding day is one of the most special days of your life. As you plan your wedding ceremony on the beautiful Sunshine Coast, it’s important to consider ways to make your special day eco-friendly. From choosing sustainable vendors to incorporating green elements into your ceremony, there are plenty of ways to have a beautiful wedding while also being mindful of the environment. Here are some tips for planning an eco-friendly wedding ceremony with Lynette Maguire, your Sunshine Coast marriage celebrant:

Happy Bride and groom holding hands under an eco-friendly arbour and surrounded by friends on a beautiful sunny day with blue skies
Eco-friendly weddings are becoming really popular

Choose a sustainable venue

The first step in planning an eco-friendly wedding is to choose a sustainable venue. Look for venues that prioritise sustainability by using renewable energy sources, composting, and minimising waste. Consider outdoor venues like parks and beaches that don’t require as much energy for lighting and air conditioning. If you do choose an indoor venue, look for one that has large windows for natural light and ventilation.

Opt for local and organic catering

When it comes to catering, choose local and organic options. Work with your caterer to create a menu that features seasonal, local ingredients. This not only supports local farmers but also reduces the carbon footprint of your wedding by cutting down on transportation emissions. Consider using reusable plates, cutlery, and glasses instead of disposable ones.

Feasting with share plates and cloth napkins are great eco-friendly ideas

Use sustainable decor

Choose sustainable decor for your wedding ceremony. You can use natural materials like wood, bamboo, and flowers for decoration and these are all very ‘in’ at the moment. Opt for reusable items like cloth napkins, tablecloths, and banners instead of disposable ones. Consider renting decor items instead of buying them to reduce waste.

Consider eco-friendly transportation

Encourage guests to use eco-friendly transportation options like carpooling or public transportation to get to your wedding ceremony. If you have guests coming from out of town, suggest that they stay at a hotel close to the venue or provide a shuttle service to reduce emissions.

Happy bride and groom standing holding hands under eco-friendly arbor
Use natural materials and hire if you can – Marlee and Stuart did

Incorporate green elements into your ceremony

Incorporate green elements into your wedding ceremony to showcase your commitment to the environment. Consider using plantable paper for your wedding invitations or favors. You can also have a tree planting ceremony or donate to a local charity as a wedding gift.

Have eco-friendly confetti for guests to throw

There’s loads of ideas for eco-friendly confetti – from gathering leaves and grabbing a hole punch to make your own, to buying it online and helping a small business. There’s eco-friendly snow confetti which basically disappears almost instantly or soon after it’s thrown. Flower petals and leaves, or lavendar flowers are all better for the planet than throwing plastic which will take ages to break down, or rice which birds eat and then swells in their tummies – not cool. Think outside the square – or just type ‘eco-friendly confetti’ into your favourite search bar.

Woman's hand throwing coloured eco-confetti again a pink background
Try eco-friendly confetti to help the environment and the birdies

Work with an eco-friendly celebrant

Finally, work with a Sunshine Coast celebrant who shares your values and commitment to sustainability. Choose a celebrant who has experience creating eco-friendly wedding ceremonies and can help you incorporate green elements into your ceremony.

Sunshine Coast Marriage Celebrant Lynette Maguire is committed to sustainable wedding practices

Planning an eco-friendly wedding ceremony with your Sunshine Coast marriage celebrant doesn’t have to be complicated. By choosing sustainable vendors, using natural decor, and incorporating green elements into your ceremony, you can have a beautiful wedding while also being mindful of the environment.

Remember, even small changes can make a big impact.

Three most popular wedding trends in 2023

Australian wedding trends have evolved over the years, with couples opting for more unique and personalised celebrations. The latest trends include boho chic, industrial chic, and sustainable weddings.

Let’s explore these trends and see how to incorporate them into your special day.

Boho Chic weddings

Boho chic weddings are all about embracing a relaxed and carefree vibe, with an emphasis on natural elements and textures. This trend has become increasingly popular in recent years, with couples opting for outdoor locations, such as beach or garden settings. When it comes to décor, boho chic weddings often feature earthy tones, such as greens, browns, and neutrals, along with natural materials like wood, rattan, and jute.

To incorporate the boho chic trend into your wedding, consider using organic and sustainable materials for your decorations, such as dried flowers and leaves, pampas grass, and macramé. You can also opt for a relaxed dress code for your guests, with flowy dresses and loose-fitting suits.

Industrial Chic Weddings

Industrial chic weddings are all about combining rustic elements with industrial touches, creating a unique and modern aesthetic. This trend has become increasingly popular in urban settings, with couples opting for venues such as warehouses, factories, and lofts. When it comes to décor, industrial chic weddings often feature metallic accents, exposed brick walls, and raw materials such as wood and concrete.

To incorporate the industrial chic trend into your wedding, consider using exposed bulb lighting, copper accents, and geometric shapes for your decorations. You can also opt for a minimalist and modern dress code for your guests, with sleek lines and monochromatic colors.

Sustainable Weddings

Sustainable weddings are becoming increasingly popular in Australia, with couples opting for eco-friendly and ethical options when planning their special day. This trend is all about reducing waste, supporting local businesses, and making environmentally conscious choices.

To incorporate sustainable practices into your wedding, consider using eco-friendly decorations, such as recycled paper and biodegradable materials. You can also opt for locally sourced flowers and food, reducing your carbon footprint and supporting local businesses. Additionally, you can choose to donate any leftover food or flowers to charities or local shelters.

The latest wedding trends in Australia showcase the growing desire for unique and personalised celebrations that embrace sustainability and ethical practices. Whether you choose a boho chic, industrial chic, or a sustainable wedding, incorporating these trends into your special day will create a memorable and meaningful celebration that reflects your values and personality.

How to write great wedding vows: 6 vow writing tips to honour your relationship

I love great marriage vows!

Amazing wedding vows capture each couple’s uniqueness; honouring each individual, and the relationship all while capturing the essence of their relationship.

I love when a couple just want to have fun and make fun of each other though I also love vows that mean something.  I call them kick-arse vows.So, I did some research into what behaviours and emotions make for successful marriages and thought it might be fun to come up with some wedding vows based on these points.  Obviously I have a lot of couples ask me how to write wedding vows, so here we go:

Bride and groom sitting in a tree with their puppy
Eloping is a low stress wedding option – bring your A team and your partner and have some fun

Gratitude: Let your partner know that you’re grateful to have them in your life.

Saying something about how grateful you are that they are in your life makes your partner feel appreciated, which in turn makes them happy, and bonus, they’ll become more grateful that you’re in their life. It’ll create a nice little love-cycle.  When we’re expressing gratitude, we’re also expressing appreciation so we can’t ever take each other for granted.  An example wedding vow might go like this:

“I’m so grateful to have you in my life, and I promise I’ll show you every day just how lucky I feel that we’re doing life together.”

Bride and groom kissing under wedding arbour with white silk flowers and lake in the background
These two loved their fun filled wedding complete with ninja vows, Fireball shots and laughing at each other along the way

Commitment: Add in a line that says you’re committed to that person and the marriage.

We all know there’ll be times that things aren’t all glowy and gorgeous.  Sometimes life throws some curve balls at us, and when we have a committed outlook, it means we’ll be there for the good, the bad and the ugly times.  If you both have this outlook, you’ll work on seeing each other as part of a united team, committed to each other’s well-being.  This actually creates an ‘us against the issue’ mentality, rather than a ‘you against me’ mentality which is so important.  A sample of this commitment in your wedding vows could be:

“I promise to stand by your side, shoulder to shoulder through all that life may throw at us, the good, the bad and the ugly.  Together, we make an amazing team and we’re always stronger together.”

A smiling bride and her to smiling bridemaids each holding Australian native bouquets
A Sandstone Point elopement with all fun of a relaxed back yard wedding

Future Planning: Write something about your growth as individuals, and your relationship.

Marriage is mostly about the future planning and promising to keep the love and excitement alive with date nights, travelling and enjoying new experiences. Doing these things will mean that the relationship won’t fall into a rut.  When couples engage in interesting things together, research shows they’re happier.   Expressing this in your marriage vows is as simple as this:

“I promise to keep our love and passion alive, to never take you or our love for granted, and promise I will continue to surprise and challenge you in all our adventures.”

The groom in brown suit laughing as he holds the bride's colourful bouquet
You couldn’t wipe the smile off Rob’s face as he finally married his love, Claire

Support: Tell your partner that you’re their safe haven through the good and bad times.

This is all about being the other person’s ‘person’ – someone you can always rely on for support when you’re upset and when you’re happy.  Whatever happens you know your partner will have your back, even during those times you do make mistakes.   Writing wedding vows about your support might look like this:

“In marrying you today, I’m committing to you that whatever challenges you face, I’ll be your soft place to fall.  I’ve got your back just like I know you have mine.”

Bride and groom in a trash the dress shoot, wet and sitting in water just about to kiss
Have you thought about a trash the dress shoot? I highly recommend.

Autonomy: Individuality within any relationship is also super important

When we’re guilted or pressured into making decisions, our autonomy is lost, and research shows that we don’t like that. When we don’t really have a choice, we’re less fulfilled and less happy.  So yes, you’re a fabulous couple, but respecting each other’s individuality will give you more joy in your marriage.

“I promise to honour your decisions and choices, loving and respecting you as an individual, as I know you will for me. You’re an amazing human already and I’m excited to watch you grow to become your best possible self.”

Close up of bride wiping tears as the groom reads his vows
When your love bares his soul …

Positivity: Let your partner know that you see them in a positive light, now and in the future.

No-one’s perfect, but if you focus of the other person’s flaws, chances are things might not go to well for the longevity of your relationship. In fact the number one killer of relationships is contempt. If you find yourself being contemptuous of your partner, you might have some work to do on your relationship – tell your partner you’ll always respect and appreciate them. Having this positive attitude will lead to greater relationship satisfaction.  Letting your partner know that they have your support as they grow and try to improve themselves is beneficial to your marriage.

 “I promise to always respect and admire you, loving and adoring the man you are today, and the man you’ll become in the future.”

The answer to all of life’s big questions

So, if you want to cheat: copy and paste each of these lines, add the legal line at the top, mention their name or nickname in there somewhere, add a few funny lines and bingo – kickarse vows. You’re welcome.

Lynette Maguire is a popular marriage celebrant based on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland.  Lynette is also founder of national charity My Wedding Wish, gifting weddings to couples where one or both has a terminal or life limiting illness.

How to tell if your marriage will be a success?

The 4 predictors of marriage success or failure

In my last blog I wrote about the fascinating research by Dr John Gottman who claims he can predict the success or failure of a marriage with over 90% accuracy.  The negative behaviours which are deemed to be predictors to marriage success or failure are stonewalling, defensiveness, contempt and criticism.

My last blog touched on Contempt (the biggest badie), but what about the three others?  Let’s unpack them here:

man and woman on opposite ends of a bench facing away from each other
Gottman studied the behaviours which can predict marriage success or failure

Stonewalling

Stonewalling is when one party dismisses the other party.  I know this firsthand because my first husband was a Grade A stonewaller and it drove me nuts.  When I’d approach him about something I wanted to talk about, I’d invariably be met with “Don’t start on me now,”  if he sensed the subject might be controversial, have something to do with feelings or discussing problems, or hold him in a not so great light.  Eventually, he needn’t have worried because I just stopped talking at all.

Men stonewall more than women, withdrawing from the interaction, closing into themselves and shutting down.  They build an emotional wall between themselves and their partner and that’s not healthy.

However, when women stonewall, it’s a big predictor of divorce.

Man and woman in a park both sitting on a bench facing away from each other with hands on their heads looking sad
Stonewalling is something men do more often than women however if women stonewall, it’s a big predictor of divorce

Defensiveness

Gottman defines defensiveness as, “self-protection in the form of righteous indignation or innocent victimhood in an attempt to ward off a perceived attack.”

Thanks to Only You Forever , here are some sure-fire ways to put your spouse into a defensive mindset:

  1. Use words or tone of voice that evaluates or judges the listener (“I see you are on your phone…again”)
  2. Attempt to control or coerce the listener (“If you don’t put that down I am going to freak on you.”)
  3. Strategic or manipulative communication (targeting, needling or guilting over it)
  4. Neutral speech that conveys a lack of concern (#hairflip you’re on your phone again)
  5. Implications of superiority
  6. Dogmatism or certainty in your own opinion
  7. Any behaviour that your spouse deems threatening or punishing
  8. Loud or rapid speech
  9. Frequent interruptions or corrections
Man and woman on park bench facing away from each other in contemplation
Work on creating a more positive marriage culture

Criticism

Criticism which is meant to make your partner feels rejected, hurt or small is toxic to a loved-up relationship.  Criticism is not to be confused with constructive criticism which doesn’t attack someone’s character but rather focuses on specific behaviours.

Constant criticism is a major predictor of divorce because it’s difficult to be around someone who is always pointing out your flaws and shortcomings.  Over time, unconstructive criticism such as critiquing, disapproval, nitpicking and blaming erodes away any healthy areas of any relationship.

Dr Jessica Higgins offers ‘10 signs that you might be too critical in a relationship’:

  1. You are very critical of yourself when you make a mistake (i.e. what do you automatically tell yourself when you make a mistake?). If you are highly critical with yourself, then you are probably highly critical of others.
  2. Your parents were highly critical and/or had high expectations.
  3. You tend to be a perfectionist.
  4. You tend to offer editorial commentary on others appearance, home, and choices.
  5. Your loved ones tell you that you are critical.
  6. You are easily offended and insulted.
  7. It is easier to find fault than praise. You will find the flaw rather than the positive.
  8. Even if your partner does 90% of a task, you focus on the 10% that is incomplete. You get preoccupied with how your partner didn’t complete the task to your liking, and you forget to focus on the value of your partner’s effort and help.
  9. You micromanage. You have a hard time letting go. If your partner didn’t complete a task in your preferred way, you will go afterward and fix it to your liking.
  10. You tend to view others’ mannerisms and behaviour as negative. As Steven Stosny jokes in his article about criticism, people will say  “I give feedback; you’re critical. I’m firm; you’re stubborn. I’m flexible; you’re wishy-washy. I’m in touch with my feelings; you’re hysterical!”
Man and woman in a park arguing using hand gestures
There are four negative behaviours which can impact the success or failure of our relationships

If you recognise you or your partner in any of these four negative behaviours, you might want to think about working on it either by yourselves, (hey, recognising behaviour is the first step, right!) or head to a marriage counsellor.  I know heaps, so shoot me an email and I’ll recommend someone fabulous.  Sometimes it helps to have a third person who’s objective to point out behaviours which we’re not aware of and if we open ourselves to help, we might just save our marriage = worth it!

Portrait of Sunshine Coast and Bribie Island marriage celebrant Lynette Maguire
Bribie Island and Sunshine Coast marriage celebrant

Dr Lynette Maguire is a popular Marriage Celebrant on Bribie Island and Sunshine Coast, who is fascinated with people and behaviours which prompted her attaining her first degree majoring in Psychology.