Merren Wilkinson, also known as Tasmanian celebrant Cinta. Celebrate Love, creates each marriage ceremony from a blank canvas, rather than using templates. She knows it is the only way to truly capture each couples unique style, desires and love. Taking on a limited number of weddings per year, Merren offers her couples a personalised service.
What motivates you to do what you do?
I am deeply passionate about people’s health and happiness. This is the only motivation I need to create beautiful ceremonies that are authentic and meaningful, so that people can feel the true power of love – letting go of daily routines to reconnect with each other, and be immersed in something pretty damn special.
What is your advice to couples getting married?
Tip 1- Choose your wedding people wisely! It is so important couples LOVE and feel completely comfortable with the their celebrant, photographer, venue manager, stylist, florist, make-up artist, hair artist etc. You want to wake up on the morning of your wedding day knowing all these incredible people are working from the heart for you, helping make your day unforgettable.
Tip 2 – Do what’s perfect for you. Do what makes your heart sing and eyes glow and forget about the expectations of others.
What is your favourite part of what you do and why?
My favourite work is writing blessings and soulful words for couples that convey authentic and real sentiments for them. In that moment, when two people are standing close facing each other, sharing blessings and sentiments with them, and their loved ones, is the most precious feeling on earth. It is what gives us goosebumps, it touches our very core, and etches within our very being - creating memories that last across our lifetime.
If you had one legacy, what would you like it to be?
That I deeply cared for people.
If you could describe yourself in three words what would it be?
Happy. Lover. Fortune Teller!
Do you have kids? If so, how do you balance work/mum life?
I have two teenage boys and one Red Heeler dog as well as a gorgeous man. We run two amazing businesses from home. Life is busy and fun. Keeping balance requires constant effort. Looking far enough ahead and booking family holidays; taking time out to be with my lover; solo morning walks at 5:00am; using my intuition to know when to give and when to hold back; and living life in the outdoors in stunning Tasmania!
What has been the hardest thing about starting your business?
Realising that I need to put myself out there on the internet – keeping it real, sharing stuff about myself with others, and not comparing myself to others. That has been so liberating and freeing!
What has been the most rewarding?
Getting to know so many people with so many incredible stories and travelling all Tasmania celebrating their love.
What is your favourite travel destination?
From all the places I have visited, Papua New Guinea is the one place that has my heart.
Tell us something about yourself that people may not know!
I was the first white woman to visit a village in remote southern Automous Region of Bougainville in PNG.
What languages do you speak?
Pidgin! My favourite saying is Lik lik somting, meaning no worries!... and mi wish yu nais wanpela skin laplap long windo olgeta, have a beautiful day everyone!
Image by Nina Hamilton Photography