East Gippsland Wedding Planner

20 EAST GIPPSLAND WEDDING PLANNER 2017 | www.eastgippslandweddingexpo.com.au GENUINE, RELAXED CEREMONIES When Gina Brakey is asked why she became a marriage celebrant, she says answering is easy - “Because I love people”. “I have spent my life working in hospitality, particularly the wedding industry, and I knew that being a civil marriage celebrant was something I wanted to explore one day,” she said. Gina began working as a wedding coordinator around 16 years ago and became a celebrant about six years ago, officiating her very first ceremony on the beach at Cape Conran for her friends, Dee and Lyle. Hundreds of ceremonies later and she loves it as much now as she did then. “My job takes me to stunning places all over Victoria, including Portsea, Mallacoota and Black Mountain, but the place that I hold closest to my heart is Metung,” she said. “I was married there 13 years ago and to this day it is still the best wedding I have been to.” Gina says her ceremonies can be summed up simply – meaningful, relaxed, personal and with genuine warmth. She looks forward to many more years of being a marriage celebrant and meeting couples who make her job satisfying and fun. WE CHOOSE YOU Whether it is a very close friend, brother or sister, the roles of maid / matron of honour and best man are ones that come with responsibility. MAID OF HONOUR The maid of honour becomes the bride’s confidante during the months leading up to the wedding day and on the big day itself. The maid of honour has one of the most important roles in making sure the bride and groom’s wedding is a success. Pre-wedding day: • Helping the bride in the months leading up to the wedding day with choosing her wedding gown, stationery, church, reception venue, and generally any assistance she needs in organising everything. • Make sure the bridesmaids and flower girls get to their dress fittings. • Organise any pre-wedding celebrations, with the assistance of the bridesmaids, including the bridal shower and the hen’s night. The big day: • The maid of honour is to be by the bride’s side to help her deal with all the anxiety and stress she may be feeling. • Helping the bride get dressed, taking care of the hair and make-up people, as well as photographers and any other bridal party members. • Making sure the bridesmaids and flower girls know their roles. • Keeping an eye on the bride’s veil as she enters the church and adjust it accordingly. • Taking care of the bride’s bouquet and the groom’s ring during the ceremony. BEST MAN The speech: If you’ve been selected as the best man for a wedding, chances are you’ve wondered how to write and deliver a best man speech that will be remembered. Introduce yourself: One common mistake in best man speeches is that the best man neglects to introduce himself, or explain how he knows the bride and groom. Remember that weddings are full of distant relatives and casual acquaintances; many people there will not have the faintest idea who you are. Make it personal: You were chosen as the best man by the groom because of your unique personality. Therefore it is important that your best man speech reflects who you really are. The groom is counting on you to be yourself - don’t let him down. With this in mind, begin to write a best man speech by playing to your strengths. If you’re not naturally a comedian, don’t worry. You don’t have to make the audience roll in the aisles laughing. Best man speeches can be hilariously funny or they can be heartfelt and sincere. Keep it brief: There is nothing worse than best man speeches that go on too long. When writing your speech, remember to practice it with a watch to check its length. Keep your best man speech short and sweet and you’ll be fine.