Housekeeping in a wedding ceremony

This entry is part 17 of 18 in the series Australian Wedding Ceremonies

I know, I know, this is a weird title for a section in a wedding ceremony. “Housekeeping”? What on earth does vacuuming have to do with weddings? We’re not talking about cleaning the house or making your bed in this section, I promise! In this context we’re using housekeeping to refer to general information or tasks to ensure the next bit of the wedding runs smoothly. I use this section to explain to your guests what’s going to happen next.

I put the housekeeping right after we’ve signed the certificates, before I present you as the newly married couple. I’ve seen some celebrants put it after the presentation, and honestly I just find that weird because they’ll be drowned out by all the cheering and clapping!

There’s a few things I can cover in this section, depending on what you’ve chosen to happen next for your guests. Let’s take a look!

Group photo

If you’ve decided to have a group photo, we usually do them straight after the ceremony. I will always check in with your photographer during the signing to find out where they’d like to do the group photo. Then during the housekeeping I’ll give everyone instructions about where to go when we’ve finished. I also tell them to listen out for the photographer’s instructions.

It’s really important that you discuss whether or not to have a group photo with your photographer ahead of time. Please don’t spring it on them or me on the day! Much better for everyone to make a plan and stick to it 🙂

Keep congratulations for the reception

Depending on how your day is structured, you may have only a small amount of time between the ceremony and reception for your wedding party photos. After you are married, all your guests are going to want to give you kisses and cuddles and congratulations. This can take a LOT of time. If you’ve only got a short period for your wedding party photos (like 30 minutes), you might ask me to ask your guests to keep their congratulations for the reception so that you can rush off to have your photos taken.

Honestly though, if possible it’s better just to shift your timing around so you’ve got a bit more space here. Those post-ceremony congratulatory cuddles and kisses are full of emotion and make for amazing photos and memories. Talk to your venue so you can make time and space for them in your run sheet. Of course, that also requires you to be on time to start the ceremony – if you’re late, the venue is going to ask you to shave time off this gap so that meals can still be delivered on time.

Drinks and canapes

Many couples arrange for drinks and canapes to be delivered during this gap between the ceremony and the reception. Your guests will be hungry and thirsty, and it’s also great to keep them occupied while you’re off having your photos taken. So I can announce when refreshments will be served and direct your guests where they need to go.

Confetti / rose petals / bubbles

Not many venues allow traditional confetti or rice these days. However, if you’ve got biodegradable confetti or rose petals to be thrown, or bubbles to be blown, this is where I will give your guests some instructions about them. I know, I know, “who needs instructions on how to throw confetti or blow bubbles?” Actually, you’d be surprised! We want your guests to throw or blow UP and OVER you, not AT you, as you walk down the aisle. That’s what’s going to get that beautiful photo you’re looking for, plus you won’t end up with a face full of confetti or bubbles. So I can include a sentence explaining that, which always gets a laugh 🙂

Anything else?

Any other instructions for your guests? Have you organised lawn games for them to play while they enjoy refreshments? Is there a photobooth you want to encourage people to get into? Literally anything else you want me to tell your guests? It all goes in the housekeeping section.

And then I get to present you as the newly married couple, but more about that in the next post!