Linda Munster - Celebrating Beyond Beginnings - Special Life Ceremonies

14/08/2021

After sitting on the edge of life for weeks watching the Covid drama unfold we are extremely grateful for the kindness, consideration, and care that Queenslanders have demonstrated through this latest outbreak and lockdown. Thanks to the selfless acts of others by adhering to the lockdown rules we are able to move freely within Queensland. On Wednesday 25th August John and I are heading north for a few weeks RnR then west to our daughter's property for a couple weeks of work. We should be back around 4th October. Thank you Queensland.

30/05/2021

It's been quite a while since I have posted anything here and during that time I have been giving serious consideration to my future.

As many of you know, Covid-19 seriously impacted the wedding industry and I was given the opportunity to reflect deeply on my future in this industry.

I love being a celebrant and, judging by the feedback I have received over the years, I'm good at it. But, lately, I have been asking myself if this is what I really want to focus on as I head into retirement?

For many years I have been developing my skills as a writer with the goal of publishing a book about my family - specifically my father's family. This project involves an inordinate amount of research, and therefore, time, but it is something that I love. I want to spend more time honing my skills in this area and working towards publication.

The costs of remaining in the Wedding Industry have led me to question the viability of this side of Celebrancy for me.

After much soul-searching, I HAVE DECIDED TO RETIRE from Marriage Celebrancy at the end of June 2021.

I will still be available for all other types of Celebrancy -
FUNERALS,
NAMING CEREMONIES,
RENEWAL OF VOWS,
ANNIVERSARIES,
LIFE REVIEWS/LIVING WAKES,
RETIREMENT,
DIVORCE,
GRADUATION ETC.

I WILL NO LONGER BE AVAILABLE FOR WEDDINGS FROM THE END OF JUNE 2021.

I am incredibly grateful for the support I have received in this profession, particularly from The Celebrant's Network and from Australian Marriage Celebrants. Their support, encouragement, and guidance have helped me develop and hone my skills and grow in confidence and I will be eternally grateful for this.

I would like to thank the wonderful couples who have taken this journey with me. Thank you for your trust, support, and patience. May your life together and your love for each other continue to blossom and grow as you journey through life hand in hand. Thank you.

18/12/2020

I had the honour of officiating at Ted's funeral yesterday. What a privilege it was. I have known Ted for over 30 years and been the recipient of his kindness and joy on many occasions. Very Special.

The family of Reginald Ted Denning would like you to join them via live stream for his service on Thursday 17th Decebmer at 11am.

15/10/2020

"Every experience God gives us, every person He puts in our lives, is the perfect preparation for the future only He can see."
Gorrie Ten Boom

01/10/2020

Music sets the tone for the ceremony. Generally, a couple will choose three or four songs to be played during the ceremony. The first song sets the tone for the ceremony. It is generally slow and meaningful and will often outline why the couple fell in love. The lyrics give an insight into the couple's relationship and their hopes and dreams for the future.
The second song is used during the signing of the register. This song usually speaks to the deep love that the couple shares and the commitment that the couple are making. The ideal length for this song is four to five minutes. If a shorter song is chosen it is best to have a second song to follow or place the song on repeat.
The third song will send the couple of into their new life as a married couple. This song is generally a bit more upbeat and joyful. It is full of celebration and love. It will set the stage for all the years that are to follow.
When choosing songs choose ones whose lyrics speak to your heart. It doesn't matter if it is not a traditional wedding song – it only matters that it has significance and meaning to you as a couple. Music is used at the beginning to gather the crowd. During the signing of the legal documents it is used to hold the attention of the guests. At the end of the ceremony it marks the beginning of a life together and lets you know that the party now begins.

24/09/2020

"Aerodynamically the bumblebee shouldn't be able to fly, but the bumblebee doesn't know that so it goes on flying anyway."
Mary Kay Ash

17/09/2020

Most people are surprised at the complexity of creating and lodging a marriage ceremony. In this series we will look at the main components of a Marriage Ceremony and why this may be important.
There are many parts to a Marriage Ceremony – some are compulsory and some optional here is a list of what can and what must be included in your ceremony;
a) Welcome and housekeeping - sets the scene and tone of the ceremony - Optional
b) Introduction – sets the scene and a teaser of what is to follow- Optional
c) The monitum – a legal component of the ceremony – Compulsory
d) The Asking – the movie star feel to the ceremony, the part where you say 'I do' – Optional
e) Reading or Poem – adds depth and dimension to a ceremony – Optional
f) The Vows – where you make your legally binding commitment to your partner – Compulsory
g) Ring exchange - optional
h) The Pronouncement – where you are officially pronounced as husband and wife / husband and husband / wife and wife – Compulsory
i) Signing the register – official marriage documents are signed in triplicate – Compulsory
j) Ritual – sand ceremony, hand-fasting, petals, broom jumping etc. Confirms the commitment that has been made - Optional
k) Reading or poem – adds another dimension to the ceremony and reinforces the love that is shared - Optional
l) Conclusion and presentation of the newly married couple – Optional

03/09/2020

When choosing a celebrant, if price is your objective, it is often not hard to find a Celebrant who will offer a generic, one size fits all ceremony. But … you have already invested so much into bringing your perfect day to life and there are no do-overs with a ceremony. Until now, you have focused on the party. But, isn't the ceremony, the part where you say "I do", the central reason for the celebration? Doesn't this deserve the most attention?
If you want the dream celebration of your marriage shouldn't the focus be on the Ceremony itself? Everything else can be adjusted, outsourced to family and friends, but the ceremony is the legally binding part of the celebration and as such must be officiated over by an authorized Civil or Religious Celebrant. The ceremony is the centrepiece, the reason for the celebration. It makes sense then that this should be the one part that stands out from everything else. Which part of your special day will you remember the most – the venue? The food? The music? The Ceremony? The people? Photos can capture most things but the story that is carefully crafted to create the ceremony takes time. This is an important part of your story. Do yourself a favour and ensure that your ceremony remains the centrepiece of the Celebration. Don't rush it. Don't compromise. Cherish the love that you share and the joining of two souls as one just as much as the Celebration, fun and laughter that follows.

27/08/2020

"Life is what we make it, always has been, always will be"
Grandma Moses

20/08/2020

The first time I was really confronted by death was when I did my nursing training at the Mater Hospital in the early 70s. My Catholic faith had conditioned me to believe that life continued after death of the physical. This is one of the great lessons of Jesus' life in the first century. Life continues after the death of the physical. While nursing I was continually confronted by the reality of death, both professionally and personally. I spent a lot of time contemplating this reality – life continues after death of the physical body. What did this mean really? What happened to the real person when they die?
Over the years I came across many and varied writings about life after death, near death experiences and experiences with spirits. There was just too much information for me to ignore this truth. And it offered hope. Life continues on a different plane. I thought it might be useful to share some of the insights and teachings that have led me to this conclusion so in the coming months I will occasionally post an excerpt from a reading or document or quote that has resonated strongly with me in the hope that you too will open to this wonderful truth – life continues on a different plane after we 'die'.
"Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection and the life he that believes in me through he were dead yet shall he live. And whoever lives and believes in me shall never die". John 11: 25-26
Here Jesus refers to the ability to progress infinitely in the Spirit World. We do not need to be on earth to grow in love and truth. Life continues after the shackles of the mortal body have been shed and it is a belief in God’s infinite Love and Mercy that aids our progression in Love and Truth whether on earth or in spirit