Love is in the dare this Valentine’s Day

One is targeted at potential bridegrooms and aims to find out exactly how a man - or a woman - proposes.

As a photography studio owner Cathy Tiddy has photographed hundreds of weddings.

In speaking to couples before the event she has become fascinated by how the couple met, and where and how there was a proposal.

‘‘Why are couples attracted to one another, so much that they want to spend their lives together?’’ she asks.

‘‘Many times bridegrooms have confessed that committing and then proposing to their lifetime partner was the hardest thing that they’d ever done.’’

Ms Tiddy has been inspired to produce a book called Will You Marry Me?: Down On One Knee.

She is looking for engaged couples to feature in her pictorial book and tell their proposal story.

‘‘The book will celebrate love and commitment,’’ she said.

Information: Cathy Tiddy on 0408 976 745 or studio@diamondphotography.com.au.

The Pop Up Elopement package is another shire initiative, next being held on Friday, March 4.

As intending couples have to give a month’s notice of their intention to marry the package operates by arrangement.

Offered as an alternative to a traditional wedding the ceremony takes place on the front lawn of one of the original cottages on the cliffs of South Cronulla with celebrant, photographer and flowers supplied .

The package includes a wedding ceremony with all the legal requirements taken care of, a photographer with a ‘‘styled location’’ and seasonal flowers for the bride and bridegroom. 

Other upcoming South Cronulla location dates are Monday, May 23, Friday, September 23 and Friday, November 18.

Information: visit acelebrationday.com.au or phone mobile 0409 658 743

For those not ready to ‘‘walk down the aisle’’ yet another outfit runs dating etiquette coaching courses.

An interactive group workshops of six or more single men and women meet in their homes.

Life coach, personal trainer and relationship counsellor Nicolene White runs a one-on-one program which includes tips on an appropriate dress code.

‘‘There is a growing number of single adults out there needing to find a way through the forest of  wounded divorcees and relationship failures,’’ she said.

‘‘I believe there is a huge need out there for coaching and the process of singles meeting their perfect match.’’

Ms White takes a holistic approach to working with people and finding their perfect matches.

The group workshops involve stages  one and two of working through the baggage, building confidence, dating tips, and finding a match.

For details of Dating from the Inside Out. phone Ms White on mobile 0410 545 987 or email her on ingoodnic1@gmail.com.

Even the pet world has its own way of marking Valentine’s Day with The Pet Foundation combining with Petbarn Caringbah to encourage people to open their hearts to a pet in need.

On Saturday, February 13, from 11am to 3pm, Petbarn is introducing potential owners to pets who have previously been displaced.

The types of pets available for adoption may vary on the day but it is expected there will be around four to six including cats and kittens.

Last year more than 210 pets nationally were re-homed as part of the Pet Dating event which will have de-sexed, vaccinated and micro-chipped cats and dogs with the adoption process being conducted in the store on the day.

Although Petbarn Adoptions will collect adoption fees, all of this will be given to a charity, with Pet Adoptions being committed to responsible pet ownership and animal welfare all year round.

Pet Dating is on Valentine’s Day only but 90 Petbarn stores have in-store Pet Adoption Centres that are always open.

Petbarn Caringbah is at Shop 1, 21 Koonya Circuit, on the corner of taren Point Road, Taren Point, phone 9526 8745.

The Pet Foundation is the charitable arm of pet care company, Greencross Group Limited, and has since its 1992 foundation raised more than $2.5 million for animal charities.

Information: petbarn.com.au/services/foundationn/.