Resources

Please NOTE: This page is under continuous development. Its purpose is to contain links to music suggestions, venue suggestions, counseling suggestions, and any other links to my favorite resource pages.

I welcome your input! The more I can offer, the better I can help.

Thank you!

Picking Wedding Music

Picking your wedding music can be one more on the list of daunting tasks when you are planning your wedding. What and when is to be played? How much do you play? Whole song or part? Who controls the music during the ceremony? And all that is BEFORE you get to the DJ and any reception music!

As you work with your Celebrant to plan the ceremony music, often you can pick a theme or genre. This can simplify things greatly. Then your Celebrant will put together a list of suggestions to work with. Or, another way of keeping the decision process streamlined is coming into the process with a few ideas of favorites. Some songs that are meaningful to you... some that maybe hold a special place in your heart or the hearts of some participants.

You may want someone to play live music. Is the venue able to support a piano? Do they have adequate sound facilities? Will you use the Celebrant's sound system? Will there be singers?

Once your music gets complicated by live music, it is important you have someone that can manage the sound system in some fashion. It can be as simple as someone 'Bluetoothing' into the Celebrant's sound system, or as complicated as a DJ with his mixing board and musicians.

It is important you discuss this with your Celebrant so everyone is on the same page.

To that end, (place link here) is a list of music suggestions I continue to accumulate. Please feel free to pick from this list or offer your suggestions. Some wedding music may have copyright issues, but most of the time if you are playing a partial piece of music for a wedding, it becomes a non-issue.

My suggestion for any reception music... pick a theme if necessary, and let your DJ and/or wedding planner build a list for you. Once you have reviewed that selection, add a few favorites for the special dances if you wish, and then leave it alone. Fussing with THIS list can drive you crazy!

Thoughts on Venues

This one I am going to keep simple as there is so much involved in finding a venue that works for you. You may already know a place, you may have no idea but want a theme wedding, you may even just want a beach somewhere. The following list is just something I have been building as I go along. I try to contact the folks to see what they can do within certain limits. But it's up to you. (place link to venue list here)

If you have any suggestions or additions (or valid reviews!) that I might add to (or remove from) my list, please feel free to let me know... this is in NO WAY a definitive list, and I am ONLY striving to offer reasonable suggestions if needed.

Counseling - Before and After

Something to consider about a marriage, whether you have been together for years before the marriage, or it has been a whirlwind affair that has led to a perfect love, counselling is always an option if you find a few 'speed bumps' along the way, or even if you wish to avoid some potential rough spots.

This is not to say everyone needs counselling. But it is important to know that it is available and that your Celebrant will keep a few local suggestions 'on tap' in the event a family member or friend is not quite enough.

Premarital Counselling is a type of counselling that helps prepare a couple for marriage. Its purpose is to help a couple have a strong and healthy relationship - offering a better chance at a stable and satisfying marriage.

The purpose of premarital counselling is to strengthen communications and help the new couple find ways to avoid some of the minutia that can build over the years.

Marital Counselling is exactly what is says it is - counselling available during the married life of a couple. Again, maybe it will never be needed, but know that your Celebrant can be an excellent first source if you need someone to talk to either individually or as a couple. Couples counselors in my list are qualified and certified as necessary to assure a knowledgeable source for help if you need it.

Family Counseling - again, exactly what it says it is. Whether the couple is by themselves after fifty years of marriage, or a young couple with their first child, the dynamics of 'family' create a whole new world. Whether it's 'the inlaws', or 'the child', or a 'whole passel of kids', the family dynamic is a continually growing and changing part of married life. Sometimes you just need a qualified third-party that can help you see your way through the forest.

As your Celebrant, I am very interested in the success of your marriage. If I can do something to help you become a stronger and more resilient couple, then I'm doing my job properly. I'm not just here to help you create the best vows possible.

Funeral Counseling is also available as a part of Family Counseling. It is strongly suggested you have a conversation with a qualified counselor if there is anything for which you may appreciate a third-party view and help.

AS I develop this page, I will attach links to the counselors that I have had a chat with and feel comfortable with their services and charges for 'my local area'.