In Australia and New Zealand, we've received lots of great reviews for How to say I do. I appeared on Bert Newtown's Good Morning Australia and Mandy and I were both interviewed on the Seven Network's Sunrise program.
In addition, we both did lots of radio and press interviews.
Listed below are some of online reviews.
From Wedding Central
Wedding Central
How to Say 'I Do' - Mandy Newman & June Newman
The writing is on the wall. Traditional weddings are on the way out, and civil ceremonies are in. But while many people know what they don't want - no church, no priest - most are left wondering what they can do instead.
Packed full of ideas, inspiration, stories and excerpts from real weddings, How To Say I Do is a snappy pint-sized handbook that provides all the answers for brides and grooms-to-be wanting to create their own perfect wedding ceremony.
It covers:
* What to say in your vows and askings and how to say them
* Choosing the perfect venue and location
* Incoporating ceremonies such as unity candles and handfasting into
your ceremony
* Finding a simpatico wedding celebrant
* Trouble shooting tips (e.g. parent politics)
Along with loads of poems and readings ranging from The Owl and the
Pussy Cat to O Somebody by Depeche Mode, How to Say I Do takes the
hassle out of organising your marriage ceremony and puts the fun and
intimacy back in.
The book was written a mother and daughter team, June and Mandy Newman. Part of the first class of university educated civil celebrants in Australia; June has been a practising civil celebrant for four years. Twice married (once widowed, once divorced), June has been a hairdresser, nurse, sales woman, small business owner, market researcher, home renovator, death and bereavement counsellor - she's seen and done it all, which makes her the perfect civil celebrant.
After swearing for years she would never get married, Mandy Newman married in 2000.. For the past five years she has been a web producer at The Australian Financial Review, as well as a professional writer whose work has appeared in many newspapers and magazines.
NZ Wedding Planner
How To Say 'I Do' By Mandy Newman with June Newman
Congratulations, you're getting married! Now what?!
It appears that traditional weddings are being phased out and civil ceremonies are the new, happening thing. How To Say 'I Do' By Mandy Newman with June Newman is a comprehensive 11 chapter guide to civil marriage ceremonies.
Some of the helpful chapters include:
Chapter one - Everybody's doing it - Covers two of the most important questions in regards to the civil marriage option, why civil? And is a civil service the same as a "real"service?
Chapter two - Legal mumbo jumbo - explores the legal information you need to know about civil marriages including answering questions, what must a civil wedding contain in New Zealand? Who can be a witness? And even, what name do I sign my marriage documents in? All questions to help guide you into the civil marriage process.
Chapter four - Choosing a civil celebrant includes advice and answers the important questions, what qualifications does a celebrant need? And where can I find a civil celebrant?
Chapter five - The 16 elements of a civil marriage ceremony
This chapter includes how to choose your wedding theme - the blessing,
reading, and the vows, exchange of rings, declaration of marriage,
signing of register as well as the declaration and presentation of the
marriage certificate.
This also covers questions in relation to, location - what will you do
if the weather wreaks havoc? Marrying overseas, How to create the right
atmosphere and how to define the space, create a focal point and advice
about music and lighting. This chapter also answers important questions
in relation to readings - Do I have to have readings? Where do I find
readings? How many should I have? And the vows - How long should vows be? Do I have to say 'love and obey'?
Chapter ten - Sources of inspiration - Is a guide to finding inspiration for the perfect readings and poems,
songs ideas and wedding themes. This chapter also includes ideas to help spark your imagination.
Some of the song ideas include anything from all time greats, 'Can't
Help Falling in Love' By Elvis Presley to rock song You Are My
Everything by REM.
Chapter eleven - Contacts
This final chapter includes helpful wedding websites, bridal magazines,
list of civil marriage celebrants, Pre marriage education providers and
counsellors, religion resources, where to find readings and also
includes a list of registries of births, deaths and marriages.
Overall I found this book to be an excellent guide to civil marriage
ceremonies; it has a broad diversity of topics and advice. A must! For
those of you that are planning your own civil marriage ceremony.
Book: How To Say 'I Do'
Author: Mandy Newman with June Newman
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Book Reviewed By: Nicki Gault
Queensland Brides
HOW TO SAY I DO!
In Australia in 2002, 55 per cent of marriages were performed by civil
celebrants (ABS 2004) and the number is rising. About four years ago,
when Mandy Newman fi nally decided to bite the bullet and get married,
she did what every woman of her generation does - she went to buy a book about civil marriage ceremonies and was astonished to fi nd that there was no book dedicated solely to Australian civil marriage ceremonies. At the same time her mother, June Newman, had finished her course in civil celebrancy and was organising marriage ceremonies. Every couple she met had the same question, "Where do I start?"
HOW TO SAY 'I DO' is an essential road map through every aspect of the civil marriage ceremony. It's packed full of ideas and inspiration and the tone of the book is funny, fresh and serious all at once.
It is the only title that: * has an outstanding selection of poetry and readings- everything from The Owl and the Pussycat to Ted Hughes to The Invitation by Oriah Mountain Dreamer.
* has a varied selection of vows/askings/introductions - from
the conventional to ones that would go down well at Nimbin.
* is written specifically for the Australian and New Zealand market.
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