The Garden of Your Mind

Wishing you all a fabulous Christmas and a great 2008

The Garden Of Your Mind

Your mind is like a garden:
Whatever you plant will grow.
Your thoughts are seeds you're planting:
They produce, each after its kind.

And you, just like a gardener,
Can choose which seeds you'll plant.
And by the choice of seeds you sow,
You choose the harvest you will reap.

So don't plant seeds of lack or fear,
Disease, discord, or doubt.
Plant, instead, the seeds you want;
Then things you want will sprout.

This gift of choice is given to all,
And not to just a few.
The harvest, friend, is in your hands:
The crop depends on you.

So take this power which you've been given,
And use it every day,
To gain from life the good you want,
For you have found the way.

Charles David Heineke, 1975

Marriage Celebrant

Once you’ve chosen a venue for your ceremony, you’ll need to approach a marriage celebrant to officiate your wedding vows. If you and your partner are planning a religious ceremony, you will have an appointed celebrant referred to you by the venue

Points to consider

· How long will the ceremony be
· Can you add your own personal touches
· Are there restrictions on the throwing of rice/confetti
· Will there be adequate parking for guest
· Will there be adequate signage for guests to find your ceremony especially if it is being held outdoors in parklands.

A civil ceremony offers you freedom of choice for the location of your wedding. There are many reception venues that offer suitable ceremony locations on site, allowing you to spend more time with your guests.

A celebrant will enable your to personalize your ceremony. Many celebrants will allow you to choose your own vows (or help you write them), but they can also assist you in constructing a ceremony that is as unique as you are. Provided all legal requirements have been met your vows can be as creative as you wish.

Many marriage celebrants will be able to advise you on music selection guest and bridal party positioning, and they may even provide table’s chairs and copies of your ceremony. Some also offer a calligraphy service for your marriage certificate.

Because a celebrant plays such a big part in your wedding day make suite you and your partner both feel comfortable with your final choice. Make as may calls as you need to. If possible arrange a live five minute phone call or personal meeting. Above all whomever you choose should be able to accommodate all your requirements.

A celebrant must be licensed and a professional one will advise you up front of all their costs and charges as well as what is required from you.

When deciding what type of ceremony you would like, talk with both your families regarding any spiritual or religious beliefs you have

MARRIAGE LEGALITIES

What is Marriage

A marriage is described by the marriage act 1961 under the family law act 1975 (Cth) as the union of a man and a woman to the exclusion of all others voluntarily entered into for life. De facto relationships, homosexual, relationships and aboriginal customary marriages are not recognized as legal marriages.

Legal Requirements

The legal requirements for marriage are set out in the Marriage Act 1961 (Cth) the legal marriageable age is 18 years. In some circumstances a person ages 16 -18 can apply to the family court or their local magistrates court for consent to marry

Proper Notice and Ceremony

You must complete a “notice of intended marriage” (form13) and give this to the minister or celebrant at least one month and one day before the date of the intended marriage. The notice is valid for up to eighteen months, from the time it is given to the celebrant/minister

Change of Name

Proof of your marriage is a “Certificate of Marriage” which is signed by you and your partner, the celebrant or minister and two witnesses over the age of 18 and presented to you at the conclusion of the marriage ceremony. In many cases this is sufficient proof for couples to provide marriage and request a “change of name” However the Passports Office and some other organizations no longer accept the certificate presented the couple by their celebrant. In such cases, couples will need to apply to their Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages for the official certificate

Financial Agreements

Some people who are contemplating marriage may make a written agreement setting out how their property and financial resources will be dealt with if they separate

Must inform

· Employer
· Income tax office
· Driving license authority
· Passport office· Doctor & medical authorities
· Medicare
· Bank and building societies
· Credit cards companies
· Mortgage lender
· Investment & savings companies
· Life insurance & pension companies
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Jan Littlejohn is a one of Australia’s most respected Civil Celebrants for all occasions. Jan Littlejohn will share with you her expertise, knowledge, tips and resources that have been published around the world - visit www.ceremonieswithstyle.com.au

Tips for Writing Your Own Vows

· Start with a nice clean piece of paper.

· Write down the first 10 things that come to mind in response to this sentence: "I love (my partner’s name) because ..." Set this piece of paper aside.

· Now – how about YOU?

· What do YOU bring to this union? What promises will you make?

· Write down 4-5 things you want to promise this very special person with whom you want to spend your life.·

- Do you promise to be there in bad times as well as good?·
- Do you promise to be faithful with your body as well as with your mind and heart?·
- Do you promise to support your partner even when he/she isn’t perfect?
- Do you promise to share all your resources? Some?
- What about if he/she gets sick?
- What about if you have a serious fight?

· You get the idea . . . what are you promising in this union?

· Think about your relationship.· what words will you use? Husband? Wife? Spouse? Partner for Life?.

· If you’re each creating your own unique vow, insert a sentence symbolizing the fact that you come together as unique individuals, without surrendering your individuality, :
- John, I accept you as my husband.
- I embrace you, Susan, as my partner for life.

Whatever works for you, a wedding vow should contain a phrase that indicates your commitment.
Read your vow out loud to a trusted someone other than your partner. Does it sound like you? you have created one of the greatest gifts you will ever make.

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Jan Littlejohn is a one of Australia’s most respected Civil Celebrants for all occasions. Jan Littlejohn will share with you her expertise, knowledge, tips and resources that have been published around the world - visit www.ceremonieswithstyle.com.au

More Wedding Handy Hints

Book Early

There are some days when I'd love to be able to clone myself - so many wonderful people, and only one me. Celebrants and local wedding venues often have bookings up to two years in advance. March and November are the most popular months - and "everything wedding" will be heavily booked around those times. You may like to think about either a Friday evening or Sunday wedding.

Bridesmaids

A plea from a local dressmaker - when selecting your bridesmaids do take into account how far they will have to travel for fittings. You may like to purchase enough fabric and patterns for all your bridesmaids and have each lady have their own made. Please too, consider both mothers, they may like to tone in with the bridal party, and each be consulted about what the other is wearing.

Brides "men"

Yes, these days a Bride can have men as her attendants, so too can the Groom have a "Best Woman".

Budget

This is important and may need to be discussed with all contributing parties. Decide who is paying for what. It can be helpful to decide early who is organising which aspects of the wedding. Look under Checklist for a guide. If your budget is really tight, you may like to contemplate a late morning ceremony and a catered picnic lunch (local guests could bring outdoor chairs and tables).

Ceremony

What would you like to share with your guests about your relationship? What does your relationship mean to you? Is the Bride going to be "given away"? Perhaps both of you would like to be "given away" by your families? I really want to help make your day as wonderful as possible, and therefore will create and personalise your Ceremony just for you.

Children

A wonderful addition to any wedding, but they do get tired so you might like to time your ceremony around their sleep patterns. There are many simple ways children can be included, from flower girls and ring bearers to the important job of holding the bouquet. If children are to be included in the Ceremony, it is important to have a rehearsal beforehand so they know what is expected of them.One of the most important times for children is immediately after the Ceremony. They can tend to feel left out of things, so it's important to nominate an adult who they are comfortable with, to take charge - of course telling them how well they did.

Some couples hire a nanny or clown for the reception so children can attend the formal part then adjourn to a separate room for fun activities.

Confetti

A lot of wedding venues forbid the use of confetti because of its environmental impact. Your guests may like to use bubbles, dried rose petals or rosemary (a sign of fertility) instead.

Decisions

Oh so many of these to be made and often, so many people trying to make them. This can be really tricky sometimes, after all, its your day. You may like to let the major contributors take decisions in turns - sometimes the nest way to nip conflict in the bud before it arrives.Facials: If you are contemplating a facial, Beauty Therapists suggest three days prior for your skin to look it's best on the day. And if you don't already.. a few weeks before the wedding add a lot of fresh fruit to your diet. Your skin will glow health and vitality.

Gifts

This can be difficult for guests when couples have already set up house. Some stores offer a Wedding Register service whereby you leave a “Wish List” from which guests can select a gift that also suits their budget. Alternatively you may like Guests to donate to your favourite charity. One couple had an early morning wedding, no gifts, and guests paid for their own breakfast. There's often a family member or friend who would really like to help out. A handy job for them would be to get them to write what gift came from who on the back of the card attached. That way all the cards can be kept separate and you can thank each person for their specific gift.

Guests

If your guests are coming from out of town, along with a local map, you may like to include points of interest/restaurants etc in your area. Accommodation: Do you have treasured relatives and/or friends who may need to travel long distances for your special day? If so, accommodation may be heavily booked at certain times of the year. Budgets for guests will also factor into this, as at peak season the rates will rise.

Guest Book

You may like to warn guests prior, so they can bring a special poem or saying, photo or memory for your Guest Book. With their invitation you could also mail them a blank scrapbook page on which they can write their happy memories of you.An alternative to this, at the reception have a framed canvas, on which guests can write a short message.

Guest Activities

Your photos can take up to two hours. What do you do for your guests? You may like to think about some of the following to keep them amused. Have them taught line dancing/how to work a hula hoop, rent circus side shows (coconut shies etc), hire a magician/ comedian/tarot reader/puppet show, serve high tea, have a wine tasting.

"Hen Party" or Stag Night

Much as these events may be fun for the participants, you may like to think about holding these events 2 or 3 weeks prior to the wedding. Legally a Celebrant cannot perform the wedding ceremony if one of the couple is "under the influence" of anything other than love!

Helpful relatives and friends

There are many areas where those wishing to help can be a great asset. From someone with great handwriting doing the place-cards to that very organised friend writing/typing out envelopes for the thank you cards, there are a myriad of jobs available.

Honeymoon

Book your honeymoon early - you may need to get Visas, etc.

Invitations

Invitations are generally sent out two months prior to the day, earlier if the wedding is to be held during a popular holiday time. Please include your "Plan B" option in case of rain, with a couple of mobile numbers (helpful friends) guests can contact on the day.

Lateness

Not fun for the Groom nor the Guests. The number of times I've heard someone say "Oh its the Bride's prerogative to be late"...this in 38 degree heat with a lot of the men sweltering in their suits. Often this is not the fault of the Bride/Groom/ etc. Emergencies (hairdresser's power going out, photographer's car not starting etc) can sure happen on the day so book your appointments early.

Marriage

Food for thought, so many couples say after the wedding "If only we'd stressed less about the wedding and focused more on our marriage". A pre marriage class or counselling can be invaluable and a great distraction to the myriad of details needing attention for the wedding.

Music

Please - if you're having a live band or singer for your Processional/ walking in music, let your guests and Celebrant know if they are going to play the entire song.

Photos

Ah, that wonderful creative photographer! All too often they get carried away with taking that perfect shot....meanwhile, back at the venue your groom, guests and Celebrant are melting. Being over 10 minutes late is not fair and not an option.

Some couples create a website on which they will put photos for their guests to view. There are also sites like

www.ringo.com where you can post your photos so families and friends can also view them.

Lighting

If having an afternoon wedding, you may like to think about getting some of your photos taken before the Ceremony. This can save a lot of waiting time for your guests, and allow time before daylight disappears. Do check with your photographer before scheduling.

Plan B

Important, important ..and did I mention important! No-one wants you and your guests to get drenched. As mentioned under "Invitations" helpful friends with mobiles can be invaluable to redirect guests to an alternative venue if you get rained out. If the weather looks doubtful and you are having chairs for your guests, a supply of old towels can also be handy to wipe the rain off the seating.

Seating Plan for the reception

Ask me to email you information on this. It was too large a file to put in here but contains some handy information.

Style

Would you both like a formal or relaxed style of wedding? What reflects your personalities? Your guests will appreciate knowing the style, formal or casual.

Thank You to your Guests

Australia Post offer a service whereby they will do a special (legal) postage stamp featuring one of your wedding photos. Ph 131318 http://pstamps.auspost.com.au/index_wf.html

Themes

Some couples have theme weddings, i.e. Star Trek, Rock and Roll, or everyone wearing the same colour. Another different idea is to hold the wedding at a place of special significance, e.g. the school where you met, the park where the proposal took place. You could even have a "This is your Life" theme, where guests bring something significant representing their connection with you. Alternatively, if you are like a lot of couples who want a casual event, you may like to have a Barbeque reception.

Timing

To contemplate - Do you have many older guests or children in your bridal party or as guests? If so, you may like to opt for an earlier ceremony so they won't get too tired. Many couples are now opting for Friday or Sunday weddings. Another alternative is to split your day. Have a special breakfast (or lunch) with older family members then hold your ceremony late morning (or afternoon). Lunch (or dinner) can then be held with friends and work colleagues.

Venue

If your wedding is outdoors, you may like to actually go there at the same time of the day that the wedding is scheduled. Are your guests going to be in full sun or shade? How much passing traffic noise is there? Are there any local churches which may have bell ringing practise? Bookings can be heavy at popular wedding venues - check out the availability early if you have a favourite.
Should you wish to marry in a public place you will need both the permission of Council, (or other Government department), and often a booking. If outdoors, you will need a contingency plan in case of bad weather.

Once a venue is booked, it can help save arguments later if you get quotes and confirmations in writing. Use the expertise of the Venue Staff - they have years of experience.

Wills

(From a legal eagle). Marriage revokes existing wills, unless they were made specifically in contemplations of the marriage. If either of the couple should die suddenly without having made a new will, the estate would go according to the laws of intestacy, which is not always what the person would have wanted. With so many second marriages and split families these days, new wills are essential.

It was the accepted practice in Babylon 4,000 years ago that for a month after the wedding, the bride's father would supply his son-in-law with all the mead he could drink. Mead is a honey beer and because their calendar was lunar based, this period was called the honey month .. which we know today as the honeymoon.

Jan Littlejohn

Ceremonies with Style

http://www.ceremonieswithstyle.com.au/

Wedding Traditions

What does Bridal mean?

The brew the bride and groom would drink was referred to as "bryd ealu" or "bride's ale," which became "bridal". An old meaning of ale was feast or celebration but this evolved into bridal somewhere in the 14th century, when it was used to mean the totality of the wedding, not just the feasting afterwards.

Bride:

One theory: the word bride derives from mediaeval Latin and old French which means only one thing - a daughter-in-law.

Bridegroom:

Language experts suggest that before 1066 that the word was bryd-guma, bryd meaning bride, and guma, a variant of the Latin word homo, meaning man.Within 2 centuries guma had disappeared as a stand-alone word and bryd-guma had evolved as bryd-gome (gome being an old English word for man, as in Gawain and the Grene Gome).The word groom only became associated with horses much later (the 17th century).

What does Wedding mean?

“Wedding” literally meant the purchase of a bride for breeding purposes.
The word wedding comes from the root meaning to gamble or wager. The Anglo-Saxon word "wedd" meant that the groom would vow to marry the woman, but it also meant the money or barter that the groom paid the bride's father. This is believed why it is still customary for the father-of-the-bride to “give away” his daughter.

“Tie the Knot"

To “Tie the Knot”, came from the Roman times when the bride wore a girdle that was tied into knots which the groom had the fun of untying.

You may Kiss the Bride…

The kiss that seals the wedding has long been a token of bonding and the exchange of spirits as each partner sends a part of their self into the new spouse's soul, there to abide ever after.

Bride's side/Groom's side

In ancient days, fathers would offer daughters as peace offerings to warring tribes. Because of the hostility, the families were placed on opposite sides of the church so the ceremony could go on without bloodshed. The ceremony united the two warring factions into one family, and danger of war was resolved.

Bride on the Left…

One thought on the origin of the bride standing on the left goes back to the days when the groom would capture his bride by kidnapping her. If the groom had to fight off other suitors, the groom would hold his bride-to-be with his left hand allowing his right hand to be free to use his sword.

The Attendants…

The tradition of bridesmaids evolved from the custom of surrounding the Bride with other richly dressed women, in order to confuse the evil spirits.

The first marriages were by capture. The best man would help the groom fight off other men who wanted the chosen woman, and prevent her family from finding them. The “best warrior” would stand for the groom, thus the “best man”.

Confetti or Rice throwing

Showering couples was a tradition thought to have originated in order to keep evil spirits away from the newly married couple. In some cultures the bride and groom were showered with sweets and flour, small fruits and nuts. Rice, grain and corn have always been symbols of fertility. Confetti was thought to be an evolution of these although these days rose petals are more environmentally friendly.

Something old something new, something borrowed, something blue (and occasionally "and a sixpence in the shoe)...

The "old" needs to be something which has belonged to a happily married woman. The wearing of such an item insures a lucky transfer of happiness to the new bride. The "new" is the wedding gown, the shoes, or other bridal attire. The "borrowed" must be some object of gold to guarantee wealth and fortune in the future. The "blue" is symbolic of the heavens and also of true love. The "sixpence" must be worn in the heel of the left shoe to insure wealth and prosperity.

Groom's flower

Traditionally, the Groom's buttonhole was adorned with a single flower plucked from the Bride's bouquet. This came from the medieval days when a Knight wore his the colours of his lady to show his love.

Honeymoon

The word honey is from "meala" in Irish. The word for honeymoon is "mi na meala", the “month of honey” and refers to how the bride and groom would spend that period of time. In Bulgaria, couples were locked away together for a week!

Irish monks first produced the fermented honey brew called mead for medicinal purposes; then found it could make well people feel even better. Following the wedding a sufficient amount of mead was given to the bride and groom, along with special goblets, so they could share the unique brew for one full moon after the wedding--and thus the term honeymoon was coined. It was believed that this delicate yet potent drink was the best way to ensure a good beginning for a new marriage and it was also believed to endow powers of virility and fertility.

It is also lucky that if on the journey to the church the bride to sees a policeman, clergyman, doctor or a blind man on the way to the wedding.

Wedding Traditions From Different Cultures

African American: Jumping the broom. Slaves were not permitted to marry in America. They would have a public declaration of love and commitment by jumping over a broom to the beat of drums.

Cuban: Cuban wedding receptions are famous for their festivities. There is almost always lively music and dancing at a Cuban marriage celebration. Wedding Guests partake in the traditional money dance, where each man who dances with the new bride must pin money to her dress, to help the newlyweds with their honeymoon expenses.

England: (FLOWER GIRL) The children act more as "pages" mainly to hold the train.......actually this was done by a young boy.

India: To ward off evil, the groom’s mother would sprinkle flower petals over the couple at the end of the ceremony.

Irish Tradition: (For Good Luck)

Sun shining on the bride.To hear a cuckoo on the wedding morning To see three magpies.After the wedding ceremony, it was important that a man and not a woman be the first to wish joy to the new bride

Italian traditions: To ward off evil eye, the groom would carry a piece of iron in his pocket on his wedding day, since his happy situation might provoke envy, and invite supernatural danger. (As well the bride wore a veil to ward of evil) Tearing the veil was considered good luck.
At the end of the wedding day, the couple shattered a vase or glass into many pieces. The number of pieces represented the expected number of years they'll be happily married to one another.

Common theme, past and present, emphasizes food. A strong link with family life, food is the focal point of festivities. The sheer volume of food reflects how highly anticipated and festive a typical Italian wedding is. The elaborate wedding of the couple brings together the friends and relatives of both families in a celebration of their new relationship.

Japan: To become husband and wife, the couple takes sips of sake, becoming husband and wife after the first sip.

Jewish Tradition: The Jewish Chuppa canopy offered a sanctuary from evil spirits.

Mexican: For fun & entertainment, a traditional piñata. And guests would form a heart--shaped ring around the couple before the first newlywed dance.

Scottish Beliefs: For good fortune, a bride should be met at the door after the wedding ceremony by her mother, who must then break a currant bun over her daughter's head.

Sweden: Swedish wives wear three wedding rings: for betrothal, for marriage, and for motherhood.Wales: Spooning: coined by lovesick men of Wales. A suitor carved a spoon of wood and presented it to his beloved. If she wore it around her neck on a ribbon, she returned his love and they were engaged.

Jan Littlejohn
Ceremonies with Style
www.ceremonieswithstyle.com.au

THE HEN’S PARTY

TIPS FOR MAKING YOUR HEN’S NIGHT A NIGHT TO REMEMBER

Your Hen’s Night is a chance to let your hair down amidst the pressure of your wedding preparations, and to celebrate your last days of being single.

There are a number of different ways you can celebrate your Hens night, and as it is traditionally the Matron of Honour (or Chief Bridesmaid) who helps with all the preparations, you will need to work closely together so she knows that type of Hen’s celebration you would like.

Whatever you decide to do, it’s a good idea to have your Hen’s party at least a week before the wedding. You want to look and feel your very best on your wedding day and a late night of partying and recovering from a hangover definitely won’t help.

In addition to all that, your wedding day is a very tiring affair – you are on your feet for long periods of time and are always the centre of attention. You don’t want your “happy snaps” featuring you yawning all day.


SAFETY FIRST
If going out for your hen’s night celebrate, remember safety in numbers

Ensure you have a way to get home and if you are traveling by taxi, have a friend ride with you or stay in contact via a mobile phone

If you have male entertainment at a private party, ensure someone remains sober to greet them & take care of the financial arrangements

Hen’s Party Ideas

A cocktail party. Get each guest to bring a different bottle
A weekend away with your best girlfriends
Hire a bus/limousine to take you and your friend to various clubs & hot spots
A karaoke night, at a karaoke bar or a friend’ home
Hire a male entertainer and/or g-string waiters and party at home or a friends
Have a lingerie, giftware or adult novelty party
Spend a day indulging in some serious relaxation therapy at a day spa with friends
Go to a male revue
A wine tour through the wine region by horse and carriage
Get dressed in your best frock and spend a day at the races
Spend the day doing your favourite hobby and share your passion with your friends

THE BRIDAL SHOWER

CELEBRATE WITH CLOSE FRIENDS & FAMILY YOUR UPCOMING MARRIAGE
Traditionally the bridal shower was held to provide the bride-to-be with gifts to help her set up her new home. These days the majority of couples have already set up home and therefore the bridal shower is a great opportunity for family and friends to show their support for the next chapter in her life

The Main/Matron-of-Honour traditionally hosts the bridal shower. She should consult the bride when compiling the invitation list, however generally you invite female family members of the bride and groom mothers, grandmothers, aunts, cousins etc. She should also invite close female friends of the bride and the bride’s family.

TUPPERWARE PARTY
Tupperware is a must have for every kitchen, and if your bride is just starting out, this can be an excellent way to get her kitchen and pantry off to a flying start. Tupperware parties offer their hosts discounts and bonus gifts when your party has purchased items to a certain value. Coordinate this with your Tupperware Representative as they can suggest many themes for your party.

LINGERIE PARTY
These party’s are great fun. What an excellent way to get lovely new lingerie for your wedding night and honeymoon. There are many companies in town that offer lingerie party plans. They sell all sorts of items from teddy’s to battery operated toys. Maybe not quite the part that grandma or your great aunt would appreciate.

LINEN PARTY
Keeping up with you home linen requirements is ongoing. Get off to a great start by having a linen party. Choose a colour scheme and request your guests to purchase all sorts of linen in your chosen colours.

GARDEN PARTY
Is your bride a bit of a green thumb? An outdoor garden party might be just the thing. Encourage guests to purchase gifts for the garden. For small thankyou gifts you could give each of your guests a small packet of seeds which they could plant in the bride and grooms honour.

BRIDAL SHOWER TIPS
· Consider you brides interests & hobbies when deciding on your bridal shower party theme
· The maid of honour should record any gifts given to the bride to assist her later when it comes time to write the thankyou.
· Keep the guest list relatively small. The bridal shower should be an intimate affair
· Try to keep the bride from having no planning to do, as this day/night should be in her honour.

Jan Littlejohn
jan@ceremonieswithstyle.com.au
www.ceremonieswithstyle.com.au

Traditional Wedding Anniversary Symbols and Gift Guide

Here are the corresponding symbols and gifts for each Anniversary:

1st Wedding Anniversary -- paper

2nd Wedding Anniversary -- cotton

3rd Wedding Anniversary -- leather

4th Wedding Anniversary -- flowers or fruits

5th Wedding Anniversary -- wood

6th Wedding Anniversary -- sugar or candy

7th Wedding Anniversary -- wool

8th Wedding Anniversary -- bronze

9th Wedding Anniversary -- pottery

10th Wedding Anniversary -- tin

11th Wedding Anniversary -- steel

12th Wedding Anniversary -- linen or silk

13th Wedding Anniversary -- lace

14th Wedding Anniversary -- agate

15th Wedding Anniversary -- crystal

16th Wedding Anniversary -- silver hollowware, peridot

17th Wedding Anniversary -- furniture, watches

18th Wedding Anniversary -- porcelain, cat’s-eye

19th Wedding Anniversary -- bronze, aquamarine

20th Wedding Anniversary -- china

21st Wedding Anniversary -- brass or nickel

22nd Wedding Anniversary -- copper

23rd Wedding Anniversary -- silver plate

24th Wedding Anniversary -- musical instruments

25th Wedding Anniversary -- silver

26th Wedding Anniversary -- original pictures

27th Wedding Anniversary -- sculpture

28th Wedding Anniversary -- orchids

29th Wedding Anniversary -- new furniture

30th Wedding Anniversary -- pearl

31st Wedding Anniversary -- timepieces

32nd Wedding Anniversary --conveyances (including automobiles)

33rd Wedding Anniversary -- amethyst

34th Wedding Anniversary -- opal

35th Wedding Anniversary -- coral or jade

36th Wedding Anniversary -- bone china

37th Wedding Anniversary -- alabaster

38th Wedding Anniversary -- beryl and tourmaline

39th Wedding Anniversary -- lace

40th Wedding Anniversary -- ruby or garnet

41st Wedding Anniversary -- land

42nd Wedding Anniversary -- improved real estate

43rd Wedding Anniversary -- trips

44th Wedding Anniversary -- groceries

45th Wedding Anniversary -- sapphire

50th Wedding Anniversary -- gold

55th Wedding Anniversary -- emerald or turquoise

60th Wedding Anniversary -- diamond

65th Wedding Anniversary -- diamond

70th Wedding Anniversary -- platinum

75th Wedding Anniversary -- diamond

And just as an endnote . . . .

Gentlemen . . . . if you are never quite sure . . . . Diamonds are appropriate any year!!!!

Jan Littlejohn

www.CeremoniesWithStyle.com.au