Page 47 - Port Douglas Magazine 43

3 Vow Books love.

I love this trend! A vow book is a small, bound notebook in which the
couple write their vows. The books are usually laying on a small table
during the ceremony and the celebrant (me!) will hand them to the
couple during the vows. These sweet little books are a lovely keepsake for
after the wedding and unlike phones don’t run out of battery at the most
important moment.
6

Check your FIT
You are heading to a sun-soaked
WEDDING DAY underestimate the importance of
tropical destination so don’t
tips & your decorations and venue setup
preparing for the weather. From

to your outfit choices, tropical
temperatures need to be factored
tricks stilettos don’t work on the beach) to
in, from choosing the right heels (no
setting expectations for your guests
(think tropical elegance) or having some
parasols to bask under and always have a
Plan B in case the weather changes and you
are getting hitched outdoors.
with Sarah Woods

I have been lucky enough to be a marriage celebrant in Port Douglas
and Palm Cove for over ten years.
I have shared in more happy moments than most experience in their
lifetime and for that I am grateful! Here are some of my tips to help
you enjoy your special day.

1 Three’s Company
Brides and grooms walking down the aisle with both of their parents, is such a lovely
way to honour both parents and to have them be part of the formal processional. If
you come from a family where both parents have remarried, you might even want to
consider having both your dads walk you down the aisle or hand you over at different
points.

2 Opposite Sides
Parents are opting to sit on the opposite side from their child during the ceremony.
This allows them to see their child’s face during the ceremony and creates another level
of intimacy. If they’re sitting on their child’s “side” parents are often just looking at their
child’s back (trust me, they saw enough of this in your teenage years).

Destination wedding
4 Limit the Chairs!
Many couples, especially the ones who have wise wedding planners/stylist are opting You had me at YES!
From beautiful Four Mile Beach Port Douglas,
to have just enough rows of ceremony chairs for the number of people who will/ 7 St Marys by the Sea Chapel, Rainforest escapes, The
need to sit and then everyone else stands at the back creating a warm embrace. I think Sugar Wharf, Little Cove and Rex Smeal Park, Private
empty chairs during the ceremony feels sad. It feels like people are missing, when in fact Houses and Estates, Five Star Resorts & Eco Lodges
everyone is there who should be there.
with all-inclusive wedding packages for large or small
weddings, bespoke dining under the stars, hitch a
5 Personal Vows sail and get married out on the Barrier Reef on one
Gone are the days where you must OBEY! You can choose to write your personal of the many sailing and charter adventures, Coral
vows which brings your voices into the ceremony and creates a beautiful intimacy and Cay ceremonies, Waterside bars and restaurants…
incorporates your personalities into your wedding ceremony. Ask your for celebrant for Port Douglas and the surrounding tropics have every
examples, inspiration and a how to guide. I love to proofread and print them for you wedding dream covered. What’s yours?
and bring them on the day in beautiful VOW books (saves you reading them from your
phone or from some flimsy paper you grabbed in your hotel room).
idoceremony.com.au