Do you have a 'Plan B'....? It's a question that every Celebrant will ask their couple when they hear that they are planning a beautiful outdoor Wedding. Especially in Melbourne.......! What's the 'Plan B' for torrential rain...? Or a scorching 45 degrees? Having a Plan B will make changing any details so much easier! You've already considered what happens if it's raining It also means that your vendors know what your alternative plans are so that we can action them when we need to. I wanted to offer a Real Wedding that proves that Plan B can actually be awesome! Paul and Jane had their first date in Fitzroy Gardens and it has always been a very important place for them, so obviously when it came time to get married, the Gardens were an obvious first choice. Plans were made, permits acquired, signage designed and rehearsals held. The week of the Wedding however Melbourne turned it on with days of continuing rain. And more rain and more rain. Umbrellas were sourced. Still more rain. After many discussions, involving tears and restorative drinks, we had a Plan B. We assembled Paul and Jane's inner circle. Their immediate family and besties. The 10 of us, huddled under umbrellas and Jane and Paul were married in a short and sweet ceremony in their beloved Fitzroy Gardens. While the rest of us dried off and made our way to The Aviary Hotel, Jane and Paul and their talented photographer, strolled through the gardens, capturing relaxed photos that sum up their personalities PERFECTLY! When they arrived at The Aviary, their guests were mingling, enjoying drinks and eagerly anticipating the Wedding of Jane and Paul. And can I tell you, this one of the most relaxed and FUN ceremonies I have ever been part of! Jane and Paul strode into their Wedding, relaxed and beaming, hand in hand. I was able to tell their story while asking guests to imagine that they were standing in the sodden grass at Fitzroy Gardens. Revealing to their guests that we had already completed the legal elements and now, we were here to celebrate their love! With their super cute nephew as ring bearer, Jane and Paul exchanged rings, made funny and heartfelt promises to each other. To the delight and applause of their guests, I declared them MARRIED! From there, it was a few steps to being congratulated and embraced as husband and wife. And a few more steps to the bar....! From Jane "Without the talented and amazing Dee, we would have been lost on our day! Dee came up with plan B, C and maybe even a D. Plan B was the way to go. We asked a small group of loved ones to join us at the gardens with umbrellas in tow and had the short version of the ceremony (just the legal stuff- and a bit of Dee humour)! Then we all made our way to the reception venue to do the whole ceremony in front of everyone else. When I look back at it, I loved the fact I got to do it twice. Not many people would be able to say that!" So, with Weddings back in Melbourne..... let Jane, Paul and I reassure you..... the Elope Now, Party Later theory is a very VALID now. Whether the time in between Eloping is 2 hours..... 2 months or 2 years! We will work together and make this as memorable and meaningful and FUN as we can. Dee x Venues - Fitzroy Gardens and Aviary Hotel Photographer - Ryan Wheatley Weddings Hair - 730Hair and Jessica Jiang Celebrant - ME! Custom Celebrations By Dee I Came Out today. I Came Out to my new Osteopath It wasn't especially noteworthy or remarkable or awkward. The only awkward thing about it was that I was lying face down with my head squished into that little space on the massage table......but I was fully dressed. So that's something! Now, I wasn't 'testing the waters' by Coming Out to my Osteopath before I came out to family, friends, employers and the rest. No. I'd Come Out in various ways (some better than others) many years earlier...! I'd also Come Out to numerous Osteopaths over the years....! This was just an interaction with someone I am building a professional relationship with, and trust me...... it is always best to get this out of the way sooner rather than later. You see, no one ever Comes Out once! It's a process and it's a process that LGBTIQA+ community members will repeat over and over and over and over again. First is Coming Out to YOURSELF, then selected friends, family, extended family. It's a constant and ever evolving 'status update'. I'm not talking about wearing a huge rainbow flag (although I have been known to do this....) and declaring your sexuality / gender on a grand scale. I'm talking about the quiet coming out that introduces you and your partner and your family to those that you choose to. On a daily basis. Starting a new job..... you'll come out. Meeting the new neighbours..... you'll come out. Most of the time you'll come out to these people to avoid a bit of awkwardness down the line...... "oh, no my partner is female!" "no, not sisters..... we're married" "hhmmm, actually my HUSBAND..." And EVERY SINGLE TIME you do it..... no matter how often ... you watch. You wait for a reaction. You watch for the flicker of recognition, perhaps a slight head nod or a knowing eye. You also wait for a different reaction. One that isn't positive. It can involve a slight stepping back, a look that crosses a face. So, imagine planning a Wedding and Coming Out and waiting for that reaction, EVERY time you engage and enquire with a Wedding Vendor. It can be exhausting and stressful. If you ever wondered why I am so "out" here and on my socials with every 3rd (or so) photo being of a rainbow....? It's this. I'm gay. That's not changing. I'm gay when you first meet me, and I'll still be gay every time we meet after that. If that's not your cup of tea, that's fine (well, it's not actually.... we'll address that another day!) You see, over the many years that I have been Coming Out, I have seen all the reactions. Thankfully, most of been overwhelming positive, but I've also seen that flicker in the eyes of the person who I have just come out to. I've felt the temperature seem to drop in the room. I've noticed the change in the tone of voice. I've seen the uncomfortable looks. By being out in a very visible way I'm protecting myself. I am also saying to my LGBTIQA+ community members, "I get it..... you are very welcome here!" I guess what I'm trying to say is, to my fellow Wedding Industry colleagues, please don't underestimate, even in 2020, how stressful it can be for members of the LGBTIQA+ community to Come Out to you when they enquire with you. Make it super easy for couples to spot that you are LGBTIQA+ inclusive and welcoming. Make it so obvious that they don't have to ask " Do you do Same Sex Marriages?" The language that you use and the images you choose to share are the best ways to do this. To couples planning your Wedding......? If it's not obvious that a Wedding Vendor supports YOUR love and partnership and family.... find those that DO! Dee xx Some excellent resources : Dancing With Her Hank Paul |