Afaf Girgis, Newcastle Marriage Celebrant in Newcastle, New South Wales | Wedding planning service

Afaf Girgis, Newcastle Marriage Celebrant

Locality: Newcastle, New South Wales

Phone: +61 412 142 841

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• Wedding planning service

24.01.2022 LETS GET ORGANISED!! So many weddings are being postponed, so youre probably thinking "whats this woman on about!" But just stay with me for a minute. My last few weddings were all backyard weddings of various sizes, the smallest being 6 people including me. The common theme - every single wedding was just perfect! We had tears, laughter, intimacy and ecstatically happy couples! Im sure it will be the same for my next couple who are getting married in August - also a... backyard wedding with about 10 people. If being married to your life-partner means more to you than the big wedding itself, or you have a date thats really special to both of you and you want that to be your wedding anniversay date forever more, then just lock it in! You can always have the big party down the track, maybe on your first anniversary!! Heres a list what you need to do to get the ball rolling. 1. Contact me for a quote ([email protected]) or visit my website for more details (https://afafgirgiscelebrant.com.au/) 2. Book your wedding date - just pick a time that works for you (weekday/week night/weekend) or arrange a no obligation meeting anytime. 3. If we cant meet F2F, we can do it all by zoom/phone/email/mail. 4. Complete a Notice of Intent to Marry (NOIM) form and have signed as instructed we can do this together at our first meeting if you prefer. 5. I have to receive the NOIM at least 1 full month before the wedding, but its valid for 18 months. That means we can shift your date if necessary. 6. Ill need to see your ID documents (birth certificates, photo ID, passport). 7. If divorced, Ill need to see your divorce certificate. 8. If widowed, Ill need to see your late spouses death certificate. 9. Choose your two witnesses to the wedding (aged 18+). 10. Ill create a magical ceremony thats just perfect for you and lets get you hitched! I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU

23.01.2022 CONGRATULATIONS TO MR AND MRS KALISZ!!!! On Saturday 29/8/2020, I had the great privilege of conducting Jemah and Rickys wedding ceremony. The love oozing out of these 2 soulmates was palpable. You just KNOW when couples are meant to be together and these two definitely were! The three OTHER stars of the day were their children - Myah, Deaken and Kayde - who were outstanding as the flowergirl and ring bearers! Thankfully (and amazingly), all that pre-ceremony su...gar had NO impact on their performances. Jemah and Ricky wanted a simple wedding in their own backyard, witnessed by their 3 children and 30 or so of their nearest and dearest family and friends. They got their wish - the weather was perfect, the setting was perfect, the whole wedding was simply perfect! There was joy, tears, laughter, vow slip-ups (Im definitely saving that one for a future post Ricky ) and calls to "get a room" when these lovebirds had their first kiss as Mr & Mrs Kalisz!! The last 3 weddings Ive conducted have all been backyard weddings, ranging from 5 to 40 people, and they have all been just perfect!! If you really want to get married, what are you waiting for? Dont let COVID hold you back. Contact me if youd like the perfect backyard wedding. I can even lend you my backyard if you have small numbers. Shout-out to the other vendors, who helped to make the day perfect, and to my hubby Brett @cameronhypnotics who took photos on the day! #afafgirgiscelebrant #yourcelebrantforalloccasions #2020weddings #outsidewedding #backyardwedding #athomewedding #kidsatweddings #weddingsyourway #newcastlecelebrant #getmarriedyourway #weddingcelebrant #marriagecelebrantnewcastle #civilcelebrant #newcastlensw #huntervalleynsw #portstephensnsw #thecelebrantsociety #tcstribe @ Weston, New South Wales, Australia

23.01.2022 NEWLYWEDS CATCH-UP . Loved catching up over #ramen lunch with my very first #newlyweds @brodyfn and @Amber.n.p . Brody and Ambers wedding (pre-COVID) was an intimate affair, with 40 or so dearest and nearest, in a garden beautifully tended by @manfromcoatbridge and @little.stitches ... . Hubby @cameronhypnotics and my gorgeous son @oscargirgis_cook joining us was a bonus! . . Ready to talk weddings? Call or message me on 0412142841 @ RaRa Randwick See more

22.01.2022 WELCOME TO THE WORLD, KOLTON Kolton is one lucky little boy. Surrounded by his loving parents, Tala and Zak, his grandparents, great-grandparents and many other family and friends, we celebrated his Naming Day Ceremony on 3/1/21. Though he slept through most of the event, he will have the keepsake of the glass vessel from his beautiful sand ceremony forever more. Tala, Zak and his Godparents, Shaylee and Jayden, chose 4 colours to represent the qualities they wish for ...Kolton as he grows up: pink, for love, unity, honour, truth, romance and happiness. black, for strength, empowerment, wisdom, vision, success and pure love. white, for spiritual purity, truth, peace, serenity and devotion. blue, for tranquility, understanding, patience and health. Wishing you a happy life, Baby Kolton, and that you fulfil all of your wishes and dreams. #namingday #babynaming #namingceremony #namingdaycelebrant #sandceremony #familytime #celebratingnewlife #familygathering #afafgirgiscelebrant #celebrantnewcastle #newcastlecelebrant #weddingcelebrant #marriagecelebrantnewcastle #newcastlensw #huntervalleynsw #tcstribe See more

22.01.2022 NETWORKING GOALS! Whatever industry you work in, there are amazing benefits to networking with your peers. I particularly value the sharing of knowledge and ideas, boosting self-confidence, checking that youre on the right track and generally making great connections! Im spending the day at @theweddingsocialco catching up on my celebrant tasks and networking with 2 fabulous women @julie_muir_celebrant and @sealedbysteph ... We didnt ACTUALLY play pool, but we COULD have! Ive got some great new ideas for weddings. Id love to use them for yours! Contact me

21.01.2022 RESILIENCE Tonight I’m proudly supporting my lovely partner, Brett @cameronhypnotics talking at the @hbwn_ monthly meeting about resilience and flexibility in business. I’m going to take notes! This published author’s also spruiking his book #FullyBooked, a formula for a thriving healthcare business. I proofread it. Pretty informative for celebrants too!!!... #resilience #businessnetworking #womeninbusiness #afafgirgiscelebrant #fullybooked See more

21.01.2022 LOVE AT ANY AGE On 1 June 2020, I had the great privilege of officiating the wedding ceremony of these 2 beautiful people, Sue and Jeff. It was just the most beautiful, intimate backyard wedding! No fuss, no fanfare, just 2 soulmates, their dog Mimi , 3 guests and me!!! Telling Sue and Jeffs story was pretty special, as weve known each other since our high school years. That was A LOT of years ago!... We laughed, we cried, we drank champagne, we ate wedding cake, we reminisced and we celebrated the wonder of finding love again. Congratulations Sue & Jeff!! Heres to many decades of happiness!

20.01.2022 RENEWING WEDDING VOWS Yesterday was such a special Valentine’s Day!! Couples around the globe celebrate this as a day of love. One very special couple decided to renew their wedding vows on this day, their 40th wedding anniversary. And lucky me, I had the great privilege of being their celebrant!! The day could not have been more perfect - gorgeous location, beautiful weather, a perfect mix of laughter and tears, and the love oozing out of these 2 was just visible fo...r all to see, especially when they read their vows to each other! Happy Anniversary Rhonda and Peter and here's to the next 40 years! #vowrenewalceremony #happyanniversary #loveatanyage #valentinesday #outdoorceremony #afafgirgiscelebrant #celebrantnewcastle #vowrenewalcelebrant #yourcelebrantforalloccasions #newcastlecelebrant #marriagecelebrantnewcastle #marriagecelebrant #huntervalleycelebrant #centralcoastcelebrant #thecelebrantsociety See more

20.01.2022 HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY Brett and I aren’t into celebrating Valentine’s Day, but we love each other and he’s my forever guy. He was a long time coming, and he’s definitely here to stay!!! I did something really special this Valentine’s Day, which was all about another very special couple, but I’ll tell you more about that in my next post! ... . . . . . #valentinesday2021 #loveatanyage #afafgirgiscelebrant #weddingcelebrant #marriagecelebrantnewcastle #newcastlensw #huntervalleynsw #celebrantnewcastle #newcastlecelebrant #tcs #thecelebrantsociety

20.01.2022 PERFECT DAY FOR A WEDDING!!!! Jemah and Ricky could not have asked for a more perfect day for their intimate backyard wedding. The sun is shining, the birds are singing and I cant wait for this afternoon to come!! If you ever worried about including your kids in weddings, dont. Every time Ive had kids involved in the ceremony (including my own!), its been perfect! I have no doubt that Myah, Deaken and Kayde will be perfect as flowergirl and ring bearers today! ... See you this afternoon!!!

20.01.2022 CRAZY ADVENTURES - Part 2! Heres the rest of the family!!

20.01.2022 SIMPLE PLEASURES . Im blessed that I can start each day with a walk along our glorious coastline in #NewcastleNSW, with hubby Brett Cameron Hypnotics and Hamish, our beloved #Schnauzer. We usually stop for a coffee at Blue-door . This morning, the sunrise at #MerewetherBeach was just glorious and I managed to capture the perfect shot! ... . Im feeling pretty chuffed that my sunrise photo made it onto the weather segment of ABC News Breakfast, thanks Nate Nate Byrne . Sometimes its those simplest pleasures that bring the greatest joy! . . #bluedoornewcastle #coffeesnob #lovedogs #simplepleasures #beachwalks See more

19.01.2022 FINISHING TOUCHES Theres something quite special about those last few moments of getting ready before you walk down the aisle. Helping with those last finishing touches is a role reserved for someone whos very special! Some brides will choose their best friend, or maid of honour, or a sister or brother. For Chelsea, only her beautiful Mumma ("the glue to our family") could fulfil that all-important role! These two women have the greatest bond Ive seen between a mother ...and daughter. They simply adore each other - well, at least most of the time! We all need a "main person" in our lives. Whoever your main person is, do they know it? Perhaps its time to celebrate them!

19.01.2022 THE LOVE KEEPS COMING . When Im not doing celebrancy work, I really do, without any doubt, work with the best #DreamTeam in the world! . A delivery this morning from my #PsychoOncology Research Group for my milestone birthday yesterday! #THANKYOU ... . Looking forward to these @edibleblooms.au treats today!! . . . #feelingloved #specialday #loveislove #newcastlecelebrant #huntervalleywedding #callmenow #celebratelife See more

19.01.2022 WRITING YOUR LOVE STORIES Being a celebrant is such a privilege. To all you loved-up couples out there, thank you for trusting us with your love stories. One of the things I absolutely LOVE is turning your answers to the couples quiz (completed separately of course!) into your love story. The reactions of laughter, tears and everything else in-between from you and your guests make my heart melt! The more you tell us, the more we can make that story all about you, so ...please give us the gold!!! Don't hold back! . . . . . #lovestories #afafgirgiscelebrant #celebrantnewcastle #yourcelebrantforalloccasions #newcastlecelebrant #newcastlemarriagecelebrant #newcastlewedding #marriagecelebrantnewcastle #marriagecelebrant #huntervalleycelebrant #centralcoastcelebrant #thecelebrantsociety #weddingceremony #weddingofficiant #lakemacquariecelebrant

19.01.2022 CELEBRATING NATIONAL CELEBRANTS DAY 2020! We celebrants love what we do. It’s definitely not a job, it’s a passion! Loved taking time out to network with our Newcastle and Hunter Valley celebrants this morning over breakfast Thanks for organising it @simplysoulfulceremonies @metamorphis_ceremonies and Fiona Hall ... #communityovercompetition #nationalcelebrantsday2020 #celebratingcelebrants #afafgirgiscelebrant #networking #weddingplanning #weddingday #vowrenewal #huntervalleywedding #celebrantnewcastle #happycelebrant #newcastlecelebrant #weddingcelebrant #marriagecelebrantnewcastle #bespokeceremony #elopementceremony #civilcelebrant #newcastlensw #huntervalleynsw #lgbtqiawedding #weddingprep #lovewins #commitmentceremony #portstephensnsw #outsidewedding #weregettingmarried #weddingsnewcastle #thecelebrantsociety #tcstribe #weddinginspo

19.01.2022 THANK YOU SUE & JEFF!!! . Getting married is a big deal, so Ill definitely treat the ceremony with the respect and seriousness it deserves. But be assured, we will also have fun! . Thank you Sue and Jeff for your lovely review! Im ecstatic you chose ME as your celebrant. AND YES, Im a sucker for a good love story. I do wear my heart on my sleeve and if your love story makes me shed a tear, it means its a very special love story. ... . CHOOSE ME to tell your love story and stand with you as you say your heartfelt vows! You know you want to! Email me: [email protected] Call/text me: 0412142841 Follow me on Instagram Share my FB page Looking forward to hearing from you!

18.01.2022 HAPPY FATHERS DAY!! Sending love to all the fathers out there, and to all the father figures who step up as role models for our children. You help make our children better people Its hard to believe that we havent had my dad with us for almost 19 years, but he will ALWAYS have that very special place in my heart. ... #happyfathersday #malerolemodels #lovemyfather #fatherdaughterlove

18.01.2022 LOCKED IN! . I love this dream booking!!! . Monday night 6.52pm - I got a Facebook DM enquiry about availability and cost for a backyard elopement-style wedding. After a few exchanged messages with the bride-to-be, by 8.30pm that same night, wed booked an appointment to talk the next evening. ... . Tuesday night 6.30pm - The bride-to-be and I clicked instantly and chatted for about 45 minutes! By 7.15pm, the date was set, I was booked, our details were exchanged and were good to go!! . Take home messages: Dont agonise over things if you dont have to. If youd rather have a backyard wedding without a lot of fuss and expense, JUST DO IT! Getting married is all about YOU not everyone else. Im very organised NO REALLY, I am!! And I actually enjoy the organisational stuff. . Just book me you wont be disappointed. HONESTLY!! Email me: [email protected]; Call/text me: 0412142841 . #backyardwedding #fussfreewedding #calmingcelebrant #lowstresswedding #LoveConquersAll #loveatanyage #newcastlecelebrant #weddingcelebrant #marriagecelebrant #happyeverafter #bespokeceremony #elopement #elopementceremony #civilcelebrant #newcastlensw #bookmenow #uniqueweddings #huntervalleynsw #thecelebrantsociety #tcstribe #lgbtqiafriendly #weddingprep #portstephensnsw See more

18.01.2022 NEW WEBSITE LAUNCH! . Very excited to launch my newly revamped website!! . What do you think? Id love your feedback! ... . Please like, share, send enquiries directly via the website, or DM me. I would love to hear from you. See more

17.01.2022 TOTALLY INSPIRED . The Celebrant Society conference #tcs2020 was literally 3 days of GOLD! Im feeling inspired, energised and excited to put into practice a whole lot of new ideas. . A great balance of work and play! I loved hanging out with my new #newcastlecelebrant buddies ... . Already looking forward to #tcs2021! . Call/text me 0412142841; email [email protected]; follow me on Instagram and FB . . #huntervalleycelebrant #newcastlewedding #thecelebrantsociety #weddingcelebrant See more

16.01.2022 LOVELY WORDS Its a tad nerve-wracking when another celebrant happens to be a guest at the very first wedding I officiated!! That celebrant guest was none other than the gorgeous Jaya and the couple getting married was none other than Amber and Brody! So this lovely review, which Jaya posted on my FB page, meant the world to me!!! Couples are having a really tough time at the moment, with weddings being cancelled or postponed time and time again. Many celebarants are... doing it really tough too, especially if celebrancy is their only source of income. Celebrants are part of a tight-knit community. Our motto is #CommunityOverCompetition. It costs nothing to be generous with our kind words and support for each other. A few kind words can make a HUGE difference to someones day. Sending virtual hugs to all the amazing celebrants out there, especially our Victorian colleagues. We WILL get through this!

15.01.2022 CELEBRATING VIVIENNE ELLE Vivienne Elle Cole is one very lucky girl! On 29/12/20, I had the great pleasure of conducting her Naming Day ceremony, to formally welcome Vivi into the community, in the company of her adoring family and friends. Vivi’s parents made their beautiful promises and wished for Vivi’s dreams to stay big and her worries to stay small ... The 3 godparents promised to love Vivi unconditionally, be her sounding board when she doesn’t want to talk to mum or dad, and keep up her supplies of lipstick as she grows older Welcome to our community, beautiful Vivienne. We are looking forward to watching you grow and shoot for the stars #namingday #namingceremony #namingdaycelebrant #familytime #familygathering #afafgirgiscelebrant #huntervalleywedding #celebrantnewcastle #happycelebrant #newcastlecelebrant #weddingcelebrant #marriagecelebrantnewcastle #newcastlensw #huntervalleynsw See more

15.01.2022 WEDDING BOOKED!!! So excited to lock in Rachael and Dylan for their wedding on 28th March 2021!! Yes, I know it's only 6 weeks away, but we've definitely got this!!! The location? Hickson Street Lookout! Check out those sweeping ocean views, which are going to be the backdrop for Rachael, Dylan and their bridal party of 10. We will definitely be praying to the wind gods for less wind on the day!!!! ... Don't worry, the ceremony will be so engaging, your guests will definitely be focusing on you, not on the views!! But, they will be beautifully captured by @veri_photography #outdoorwedding #oceanviewwedding #hicksonstreetlookout #afafgirgiscelebrant #celebrantnewcastle #yourcelebrantforalloccasions #newcastlecelebrant #marriagecelebrantnewcastle #marriagecelebrant #huntervalleycelebrant #centralcoastcelebrant #thecelebrantsociety

15.01.2022 NOT ALWAYS SERIOUS . Aside from the legally required bits of your ceremony, the rest of the wedding can be as serious or as fun as you want it to be! . Look me up. Lets create the perfect ceremony thats just right for you!... . With so many rescheduled weddings, dont leave it too long to book your date! Now also taking bookings for 2021 See more

14.01.2022 HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALAN Alan, you made my chosen sister a very happy woman so many years ago and have enriched all of our lives with your friendship ever since!

12.01.2022 KIND WORDS!! I was already on a huge high after Jemah and Rickys perfect wedding last Saturday, but this review has just made my heart soar!! Thank you for your beautiful words!! You can be 100% sure that I will absolutely go above and beyond to make your day just perfect for YOU!!! ... Weddings, elopements, vow renewals, naming ceremonies - I would love to be your celebrant! Call me, message me, visit my website https://afafgirgiscelebrant.com.au/

12.01.2022 NEW BRANDING . The past few months have been pretty quiet for many celebrants, with lovers postponing or downsizing their weddings. Were ALL looking forward to weddings again!! . In the meantime, Ive made the most of this down time and got my celebrant house in order. Im very excited to use my new @hourihanbookbinding gear - very professional looking vow card holder, official certificate holder and wedding script folder - for my upcoming wedding. It...s a surprise wedding with a beautiful couple on their large property - cant say any more or it might give it away!!! . I can be "Your celebrant for all occasions" too. Look me up!!! See more

12.01.2022 MINI-BREAK Sometimes, it’s just time to stop, have a break and smell the roses. In our case, Brett and I took a long talked-about drive to Byron Bay, visited my extended family, saw the sights, ate a lot, drank not too much and just relaxed! Recharged and ready to get back to work! ... #minibreak #byronbayvibes #weddinganniversary #roadtrip #feelingrecharged #afafgirgiscelebrant #yourcelebrantforalloccasions #newcastlecelebrant #marriagecelebrantnewcastle #bespokeceremony #newcastlensw #huntervalleynsw #lovewins #tourismnsw

11.01.2022 LONG HAPPY MARRIAGE . Check out this beautiful couple, Michael Barton and Annie. Theyve been together for 43 years, and married for 36 of those. I AM TRULY IN AWE! They both definitely met the right one first time around. . Brett Cameron and I enjoyed catching up with these dear friends when they visited #NewcastleNSW recently to take their matching Brompton bikes for a weekend away. ... . As always, our "local", Junction Hotel, was our go-to for an always-fantastic dinner! Thanks for squeezing us in on a busy Friday night! . See more

10.01.2022 LOVE IS LOVE . Remembering one of my favourite weddings. These 2 beauties, Sarah and Hannah, got married in 2012, surrounded by a tribe of loved ones, including lucky me and my boys @oscargirgis_cook and @tobygirgis! Toby was chuffed to be their ring bearer! . My dear friend Sarah and I went back a long way! She was Best Woman at my wedding and godmother to my younger son @tobygirgis. Loving Hannah was a bonus for all of us, extending our family.... . Maybe I can convince them to have a vow renewal on their 10th wedding anniversary! Ill work on it. . . . . #loveislove #thecelebrantsociety #calmingcelebrant #lowstresswedding #LoveConquersAll #loveatanyage #newcastlecelebrant #weddingcelebrant #marriagecelebrant #happyeverafter #bespokeceremony #elopement #elopementceremony #civilcelebrant #ceremonygoals #newcastle #newcastlensw #bookmenow #uniqueweddings #huntervalleynsw #tcstribe #lgbtqiafriendly #weddingprep #lovewins #commitment #multicultural #portstephensnsw @ Newcastle, New South Wales

10.01.2022 CREATIVE DOWN-TIME! . Every now and then, it feels great to just switch off and use the creative side of my brain. A fun night painting Yoda at @paintandsipstudios with friends @little.stitches @manfromcoatbridge and hubby @cameronhypnotics . What do you do for fun?... . . #downtime #happybirthday #paintingfun #pizzaandwine #yoda See more

08.01.2022 How are your wedding plans going? Are you stuck for ideas? Well, Im spending my next 3 days learning from industry leaders at The Celebrant Society conference. I know my head will be exploding with great ideas about how to make your day even more magical! Email me: [email protected]; Call/text me: 0412142841... #2020tcsconference #tcs2020 #thecelebrantsociety

07.01.2022 HAPPY COMMITMENT ANNIVERSARY!! Who knew that 8 years ago, Id be lucky enough to meet my soulmate and life partner?! While I was 100% sure it was meant to be, Brett had to undergo some "screening" first: ... My boys came first, so thankfully Brett, Oscar Girgis-Cook Toby Girgis-Cook got on like a house on fire! My whole family LOVED him at first meeting! They love him even more now!! My BFFs Olga and Alan also loved him at first meeting! Its a running joke (?) that I wasnt allowed to remarry without their approval! Our matching Schnauzers Jasper and Hamish both also found a best friend!! If you thought you would never find love again, Im a good example that love can come at ANY AGE. Hold onto it when you find it. I certainly am.

07.01.2022 What a day! . Hung out with other Newy celebrants, hosted by the fabulous @holymatrimonty . Learned so much from Day 1 #tcs2020 #2020tcsconference... . Love my @popjewels @thecelebrantsociety earrings gifted by @marriedbyallegra . Helped 2 beautiful people get hitched this afternoon . Learned all about makeup from the impeccably styled @marriedbyallegra. Will definitely be a work in progress . Bring on Day 2!! See more

06.01.2022 HAPPY SIGNIFICANT BIRTHDAY 2020 New Year’s Eve was like no other! We’re happily wishing 2020 a firm goodbye, but more importantly, celebrating this gorgeous man’s 60th birthday on 1/1/21! Some of us take a little longer to find THE ONE. My life was changed forever when Brett and I got hitched 7 years ago. I look forward to many more decades of love, fun, adventure and great health with you, my darling soulmate! ... Love you #happy60 #happynewyear #cya2020 #familytime #familygathering #afafgirgiscelebrant #huntervalleywedding #celebrantnewcastle #happycelebrant #newcastlecelebrant #weddingcelebrant #marriagecelebrantnewcastle #newcastlensw #huntervalleynsw See more

06.01.2022 HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRODY Happiest of birthdays to my very first groom! With these 2 beautiful girls in your life, it surely doesn’t get any better! Well, perhaps (LOTS) more sleep would make it better! ... #happybirthday #firstgroom #afafgirgiscelebrant #celebrantnewcastle #yourcelebrantforalloccasions #intimateweddingceremony #athomewedding #newcastlecelebrant #marriagecelebrantnewcastle #marriagecelebrant #huntervalleycelebrant #celebranthuntervalley #centralcoastcelebrant #bookyourcelebrant #thecelebrantsociety #tcstribe

05.01.2022 HAPPY ANNIVERSARY 7 years ago today, I married my soulmate and life partner, Brett, in our backyard, with only the celebrant, our immediate family and a few of our closest friends. The wedding was a surprise to everyone other than my sons, our mothers (who were our witnesses) and my brothers. My sons walked me down the aisle (side of the house) and my niece was our flower girl. It was a simple, fun, family affair and a wonderful celebration of our love for each other! ... As a celebrant, I’m privileged to get to know the back stories of how couples found each other. If I was writing our story, I would tell guests that we met in high school but hardly knew each other as we sat as prefects side by side on the school stage - check out that photo! Forward 34 years (yep, we ARE that old) and we met by chance at the pub at our friend Sue’s birthday dinner. We chatted, compared photos of our matching schnauzers (I know, major cringe!!!!), and at the end of the night, agreed to catch up again. We lived 4 hours apart, so after weeks of emails and phone calls, it was time for Brett to meet my boys. Lucky they liked each other - if they didn’t, it was a deal breaker. Fast forward again, the family loved the guy, my BFF Olga approved, he packed up and moved in with us, we bought commitment rings and then decided, what the heck, let’s just go the whole hog and get married! We were both 100% certain this was THE ONE, so why not? We’ve already shared so much life and adventure my darling Brett. Here’s to so many more decades together! I love you If my story resonates with you, take the plunge! Contact me. I promise that when I tell your story, your hearts will melt. #loveatanyage #backyardwedding #lovewins #marryingmybestfriend #kidsatweddings #afafgirgiscelebrant #newcastlewedding #yourcelebrantforalloccasions #newcastlecelebrant #huntervalleyweddings #marriagecelebrantnewcastle #weddingcelebrantnewcastle #bespokeceremony #newcastlensw #huntervalleynsw #lovewins

05.01.2022 IM READY FOR J&Rs WEDDING!!!! On Saturday, Ill be using my new certificate folder and vow card holder for the first time - thank you @hourihan_bookbinding. I love them!! J&Rs backyard wedding is still a bit hush-hush, so no names, but Im super excited for Saturday - only 5 more sleeps!! ... This gorgeous couple booked me a few months ago, at the end of our very first phone conversation. Weve had lots of emails, some phone calls, a few anxious moments with restrictions changing about guest numbers (damn COVID!), and were just about there!!! Believe it or not, our first face-to-face meeting will actually be on J&Rs wedding day! I think thats a beautiful sign of a very trusting bond between us. See you on Saturday J&R

04.01.2022 I LOVE MONDAYS On Mondays, I catch up on my celebrancy creative and admin work, including script writing, sending emails, printing out completed NOIMs and marriage certificates, etc. Hamish, my #schnauzer, is often keeping me company in my home office. But I especially love Mondays because thats when I have my weekly brunch date with my son Toby Girgis-Cook!! Lets face it, if you want to spend quality time with a teenager, having a good feed helps!! Thanks to Three Bea...rs Kitchen for a fabulous brunch. Whatever you do on your Mondays, I hope you enjoy them too

03.01.2022 WEDDING VOWS . Writing the personal wedding vows comes very naturally to some lovers. Others struggle to put their feelings down on paper. . DONT STRESS!!! I can help you!! ... . There are no right or wrong ways to do this. Just start with a few dotpoints and go from there. You dont need pages of vows, just a few points will be perfect. When the time comes, I will send you my "Writing your wedding vows made easy" guide and give you whatever other help you need. My couples vows have ranged from totally heartfelt to extremely funny and absolutely everything in-between. Ive received them weeks ahead of the wedding, and right up to the day before! This gorgeous groom-to-be sent me his vows a day before the wedding, but they were perfect words of wisdom! . As long as I have your vows in time to print them for you on vow cards, then its all good!! . Whats the consistent theme? Every time Ive opened THAT email, Ive been teary reading those personal vows for the first time. YEP, EVERY TIME!!! . As the saying goes, just do it! If it comes from the heart, of course it will be perfect!! . https://afafgirgiscelebrant.com.au/ Call/text me: 0412142841

02.01.2022 WHEN 2 BECAME 3 . I felt an instant bond when I met Vivienne Elle Cole today! Such a precious angel!!! . I felt the same joy when I held her mother, Chelsea, as a baby, and watched on proudly as she married her life partner, Jacob! ... . So excited to be an Honorary Teta (grandmother in Arabic) to this little one. . . . . . #babylove #littleprincess #when2became3 #loveislove #namingday #namingceremony #weddingcelebrant #newcastlecelebrant #civilcelebrant #portstephensnsw @ Newcastle, New South Wales

01.01.2022 THANKFUL FOR SUNDAYS! We all need some down time! Our Sunday mornings are usually pretty lazy. Leisurely walk with our #schnauzer Hamish to #MerewetherBeach, with a coffee at @bluedoornewcastle, then home for breakfast. Simple pleasures! ... Whats your favourite Sunday routine? Whatever it is, enjoy! #HappySunday #coffeeaddict

01.01.2022 CRAZY ADVENTURES - Part 1!! If youre not getting married this weekend, do have have any OTHER wild or adventurous plans? Id been wanting to go paragliding for years and my boys ended up surprising me with a gift voucher for my birthday a couple of years ago. We finally all went together this year! ... WOW!!!! It wasnt the most elegant take-off, but the experience was thrilling, exciting, scary and so much fun!!!! Thanks Brett Cameron, Oscar Girgis-Cook and Toby Girgis-Cook Whats the wildest thing youve done recently?

01.01.2022 HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!! These 2 gorgeous humans are the reason I became a celebrant! One year ago today, Brody & Amber were the very first couple I married. I've known Brody since birth, so I was tickled pink and so honoured when they asked me to be their celebrant. It was an absolutely gorgeous intimate ceremony, with 40 or so dearest and nearest, in a garden beautifully tended by @manfromcoatbridge and @little.stitches ... To top it all off, I travelled with the family to Arnhem (The Netherlands) and we did it all again a week later - a lovely affirmation ceremony in front of all of Amber's Dutch family and friends! I have so much love for you @brodyfn and @amber.n.p #weddinganniversary #afafgirgiscelebrant #celebrantnewcastle #yourcelebrantforalloccasions #newcastlecelebrant #newcastlewedding #marriagecelebrantnewcastle #celebrantnewcastle #backyardwedding #bespokeceremony #newcastlensw #lovewins #weddinginspo #marriagecelebrant #intimatewedding