Culture Archives

Imagine a wedding that’s not only amazing but makes a difference in the world!

Picture this:

“You’re strolling through Arizona’s Petrified Forest National Park, awestruck by its beauty, when you come across a sign that reads, “Your heritage is being vandalized every day by theft losses of petrified wood, 14 tons a year, mostly a small piece at a time.”

You’re initially shocked but continue your journey, observing a few people pocketing small pieces of wood along the way. These pieces seemed like amazing keepsakes. But why were they doing this when the signs explicitly warned against it?

A few years later you happened to meet a ranger who worked at the National Park. He explained to you that the theft of petrified wood had been significantly reduced. Relieved, you asked how the change occurred. To your surprise you discovered that all they did was to take down the signs and the occurrence of theft reduced.”
Whaaat?

This story, inspired by a true event at Arizona’s National Park, highlights a phenomenon – the unintended consequences of behaviour normalisation. The signs that were used to deter theft actually had an opposite effect by normalising the unwanted behaviour. Visitors actually internalised a message that if it was so common, it must be ok, everyone was doing it. Weird huh? Or not…

The Bandwagon Effect

“The bandwagon effect” is a powerful driver of human behaviour. People are drawn to choices based on what others are doing. More importantly, research has shown that we are even more drawn to choices made by people we like and respect. We want to be “a part” of that group.

How does this relate to your wedding? Don’t get me wrong, In no way do I want to suggest that your wedding should not be about fun, love, laughter and celebration. Of course it should. It should be everything you’ve ever dreamed of.

However, if you’re someone who wishes to make a positive difference in the world, and you want your wedding to reflect your authentic self, it’s worth considering the bandwagon effect. Your special day will be celebrated by many family and friends. What you do or don’t do can influence the way your guests perceive the world and the choices they make.

Weddings can make a difference

Let’s consider an example: incorporating an Aboriginal Acknowledgment of Country in your ceremony. By doing this, you are more likely to normalize and promote the value of respecting our first nations people. On the other hand, if you skip it due to concerns about making people uncomfortable, you may unintentionally contribute to normalizing its absence.

Now, think about other important issues like climate change, eco-friendly wedding considerations, sustainable weddings, reallocating the wedding budget to cherished charities, supporting local businesses, and fostering personal connections. Your wedding is a pinnacle moment in your life and an opportunity to add depth and value to your day, your guests, and the world.

Conclusion

Staying true to your values on your wedding day can elevate it to another level, but it doesn’t need to be stressful, or detract from the enjoyment of the day. Most of the decisions and actions just require a little extra thought in the planning. Weddings can make a difference – either by demonstrating what’s important to you, or directly through sustainable choices. And in my case, if I’m your celebrant I’ll take the load off your shoulders by listening to what’s important to you, supporting you with ideas that are authentic reflection of who you are – and ones that will add deeper meaning to your amazing wedding celebration.

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Why Your Wedding Can Say More Than Just ‘I Do’: The Unseen Benefits of an Aboriginal Acknowledgement of Country

I always ask couples whether they would like to include an Aboriginal Acknowledgement of Country in their ceremony, with mixed responses. And sometimes it’s just a blank bewildered stare. I wonder if people understand what it’s actually about, so here’s a quick run down from my perspective as to the value of including one.
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Marriage is a momentous journey, often marked by extensive preparation and celebration. So much time, effort, and money goes into this one day that it’s worthwhile to think beyond what the wedding can do for you and consider how it could positively impact the world in the future. In Australia, the beauty of outdoor weddings, set in locales like wineries, beaches, and outback properties, offers a unique opportunity to honour the land and its traditional custodians, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

What is an Aboriginal Acknowledgement of Country?

An Aboriginal Acknowledgement of Country (AOC) is a respectful recognition of the original owners of the land. It typically involves one or two sentences acknowledging the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the land’s traditional custodians. This can be personalised to fit the voice and tone of your ceremony. It doesn’t necessarily have to be done by Aboriginal people and is typically performed by the celebrant in a wedding ceremony.

Why Include an AOC in Your Wedding?

In the context of a wedding ceremony, an AOC is small and simple, but in the broader context of promoting acceptance regardless of race, color, or creed, it’s a significant step towards reconciliation and creating a unified Australia. It reflects respect for diversity and acknowledges the significance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. Adding cultural acknowledgements such as this speaks of who you are as individuals and what you believe in. Additionally, it sets a precedent for guests, potentially inspiring them to adopt similar practices in their events.

The Role of the Celebrant

Typically, the wedding celebrant undertakes the responsibility of delivering the Acknowledgement of Country. The celebrant can guide couples on how to include an AOC and what to consider when crafting the message. The celebrant can help personalize the AOC if you wish. This involves researching the specific indigenous groups of the wedding location and potentially adding personal touches that resonate with the couple’s connection to the land. If desired, the celebrant can also suggest ways to incorporate traditional Aboriginal elements into the ceremony, such as music, art, or inviting an indigenous elder to participate. Through these efforts, the celebrant helps ensure that the AOC is a respectful, informed, and integral part of the wedding, contributing to a greater understanding and appreciation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Inclusivity in Wedding Ceremonies

Though the AOC primarily focuses on the relationship between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians, couples can also consider acknowledging other cultures present in their ceremony. This may involve symbolically including cultures related to your own identity, or ones that are important to you. Inclusion fosters stronger personal relationships and demonstrates a commitment to cultural awareness and inclusivity.

Conclusion

In conclusion, an Aboriginal Acknowledgement of Country in a wedding ceremony is a small but powerful gesture towards creating a more respectful, inclusive, and unified Australia. It encourages a broader societal shift towards recognizing and honoring the country’s rich cultural heritage.