by Susan Artup | May 22, 2019 | Articles, Ideas, Locations
If you’re looking at a function where all the work is done for you, menus and service and dedicated wedding set-up, choose a reception venue where fabulous parties are their thing – somewhere like Dunbar House at Watsons Bay. All the work will be done for you if you... 
by Susan Artup | May 10, 2019 | Articles
I’m fortunate to work in the mountains, a wedding destination, and to have seen how special it is for couples from outside the area to celebrate at one of our beautiful retreats for a whole weekend. While the day always has its spontaneity, it helps to plan so that... 
by Susan Artup | Apr 23, 2019 | Articles, Locations
When couples think of a Harbourside location for their wedding they often only consider Port Jackson (Bridge and Opera House) – but there are plenty of “suburban” spots with stunning harbour views. Here are 5 I’ve conducted weddings at... 
by Susan Artup | Apr 12, 2019 | About Me
One of the loveliest things about being a teacher is the connection that you make. Concurrent to being a civil marriage celebrant, I was a teacher of languages other than English for 35 years. Sometimes decades later you might bump into students with whom you... 
by Susan Artup | Jan 13, 2018 | Locations, Seasonal weddings
Following the tradition of “Christmas” in July, it makes perfect sense to organise your wedding in the winter months in the mountains. The allure of settled weather, crisp mornings, noondays when the air is frosty but the sun is warm, the invitation of crackling open... 
by Susan Artup | Apr 16, 2017 | Locations, Seasonal weddings
After the heat of summer, March and April are glorious months to be married in the mountains. It is always a busy time of year for the wedding industry, coinciding as it does in Australia with Easter. Yet to be married during Easter is a civil, not a religious wedding... 
by Susan Artup | Mar 1, 2017 | Commitment, Love
Susan Artup is a straight woman with a 45-year connection to the gay community and is delighted with the recent change in marriage law. She has been a civil celebrant since 1995 with “ A Ceremony by Design … true to your relationship…”, defining her approach to... 
by Susan Artup | Feb 10, 2017 | Love, Valentine's
Before it was ever associated with love, February 14th was a feast day held in Roman times to honour various martyred saints called Valentinus, in particular St Valentinus of Rome. This Valentine was imprisoned for his faith in 269 and executed because he wouldn’t... 
by Susan Artup | Dec 16, 2016 | Locations
Driving up the mountains and through the Hawkesbury on my way to conduct a wedding at Allview Escape at Blackheath, I stopped off to deliver some Christmas cheer to three of my most frequented ceremony venues. I am grateful to have been working at these venues for... 
by Susan Artup | Dec 9, 2016 | Ideas
Marriage. With a capital ‘M’, the word has become so charged. It is locked in as the legal definition of union between a two people. With a small ‘m’ , the word is bandied around much more liberally : it has come to mean a blending, a natural joining, a dovetailing –... 
by Susan Artup | Dec 2, 2016 | Processes
In my job sometimes I start communicating with a couple over a year before the wedding, we become friends on Facebook, and I get to share every step of their preparation. One of “my“ brides was beyond organised! My kind of girl! She shared with me the running sheet,... 
by Susan Artup | Nov 25, 2016 | Legal Processes
Here is a design template for your wedding – too easy! The average civil ceremony will take just under half an hour – including a couple of readings and the signing of documents. It will print out on about two A4 pages. You will note there are only two sections which...