  Your celebrant - Marlee Bruinsma - about me |
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I am a civil marriage celebrant based in south east Queensland. Married to Antone, a talented sculptor, and blessed with three beautiful children, I live at Cedar Creek near Mount Tamborine, half way between Brisbane and the Gold Coast. I conduct ceremonies at Mount Tamborine, Brisbane, Beaudesert, Logan and the Gold Coast. I am also happy to travel to northern New South Wales, Ipswich, Toowoomba, the northern suburbs of Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast for your ceremony. |
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I belong to:
the Professional Celebrants Association and
the Australian Federation of Civil Celebrants,
associations that require ongoing professional development, service excellence and adherence to a code of professional and ethical conduct from members. |
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Before becoming a celebrant, I worked in the legal field and then for a few years in government. Although giving me lots of experience working with people, writing, conducting seminars and training people, these roles did not give me joy. As a celebrant, I love what I do and I strive to give my clients the best. It is a joy for me to create a ceremony that is right for you and aligned to your beliefs, values and personalities.
I work in consultation with you, via email, telephone and personal meetings to ensure your ceremony is exactly what you want. It is your ceremony - I offer suggestions and guidance based on your ideas and thoughts about what you want for your ceremony - you are welcome to have as much input into your ceremony as you want and you always have the final say over what is in your ceremony and how it unfolds on the day. I see myself as a facilitator for your ceremony. |
| My thoughts on ceremony |
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Celebration is so important to us as a society - celebrating our milestones, connecting with other people in ceremony, giving our lives meaning and honouring life's passages. A marriage, a commitment ceremony or renewal of vows is a strong affirmation by us that love is an important part of life. Acknowledging the passing of important people or relationships or a phase of life can give us closure and dignity, make space for the new to come into our lives (a new partner or house or a new stage in life - singlehood, menarch, manhood or crone). Ceremony helps us to reclaim our connection with friends and family and neighbours as well. It reassures us that there are people around us who are ready to rejoice with us or mourn with us or support us as friends or as mentors for our children. Ceremony provides us with a sense of community and a sense of rhythm. It reminds us to take some time out from the hectic pace of life and use that time for relationship. |
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Whether we are participating in a ceremony or witnessing a ceremony, our attention is very much here and now - this is what makes ceremony so special. The spoken word also carries intention with it - so it is important to make sure that the vows you speak in ceremony resonate within you and come from your heart. Experiencing being in the moment is a wonderful gift for us all. |
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I was recently asked to comment on "holistic celebrants" . As someone who has also studied natural therapies and tries to live consciously, I can provide suggestions, if you wish, on how to enhance and support your intentions for ceremony. This may include choosing a time that is astrologically beneficial, using flower essences before ceremony or essential oils, clearing a space for your ceremony using sound or meditation or smudging, the vibrational use of colour and the use of symbols. You may wish to attend an alternative course on relationships or go for retreat or a course of natural therapy before your ceremony. I may be able to refer you to a practitioner or workshop to assist with this. I can make suggestions for particular oils and other inclusions. This is included as part of your ceremony preparation and there are no additional fees associated with this. |
| Obligation-free interview |
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Because the ceremony is such an important part of your celebrations (wedding or commitment or baby naming or other joyful occasion) or of your release of a loved one (through separation or death), it is important to find a celebrant you feel comfortable with. You may wish to talk to several before deciding. I offer you an obligation-free meeting or telephone call so that you can find out if I am the right celebrant for you. |
| Unlimited access to call and meet up to the day of your ceremony at no extra charge |
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Once you book me as your celebrant, we will spend as much time as needed to craft your ceremony. You are welcome to call, email or visit me (by appointment) to discuss your ceremony requirements as many times as you need to. I encourage you to ask questions, make suggestions and work with me to create a ceremony that comes from the heart and speaks to your heart and those witnessing your ceremony. |
| My service to you |
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- I will give you all the time and attention you need to plan your ceremony
- I encourage you to ask questions and let me know what you want in your ceremony
- I will let you know up front what my fees are and what they include
- If you are getting married, I will ensure that your marriage is registered after your wedding and complete all the necessary paperwork
- I will listen to you and respect your ideas, your thoughts, and what you want for your ceremony
- I am happy to work in with your schedule and arrange meetings to suit your lifestyle - after hours, or during the day, weekends or nights
- I provide you with as much information as you need to feel comfortable with discussing and planning your ceremony - be it a wedding, baby naming, commitment ceremony, renewal of vows or other ceremony
- I will work with you to ensure that your ceremony is exactly what you want for your day.
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Heart2heart Ceremonies...for your heart and soul 
