Kim & Les' Sorrento Ceremony

I love beach weddings.  From the sound of the wind blowing across the water, to the warmth of the sun on my face or the cool mist carried by gentle sea breezes, it's a sensory experience I always enjoy.

Kim and Les's ceremony at the Sorrento Baths foreshore combined all of these elements, more often the latter, and though we considered moving the ceremony indoors, i'm glad we proceeded with their preferred location.  With our fingers crossed and our umbrellas at the ready we remained at the picturesque seaside setting, beautifully decorated by Ceremonies I Do, awaiting the arrival of the bride.

Kim, dressed in a vintage-inspired Chantilly lace gown followed her bridesmaids, all wearing vibrant watermelon, down the carpeted aisle to Chantal Kreviazuk's Feels Like Home, beautifully performed by the Bianca Fenn Band.  Kim carried a bouquet of white and ivory Chantilly roses. 

  

I told the story of Kim and Les's meeting at the Sandringham Hotel over a decade ago, their first date at The Boyz for Breakie café in Mornington; the café that would become their favourite, and their first kiss on the cliff top, overlooking the Mornington pier and bay.  

We laughed as I described Les's proposal efforts at the same spot nine years later.  A large audience of camera-wielding Japanese tourists was not what he had envisaged!  Fortunately, the tourists moved on and they were able to admire the beautiful view undisturbed.  When Les suddenly descended to one knee, produced a stunning engagement ring and asked Kim to marry him, they shared their second most memorable kiss on that cliff top.

 

Kim's friend presented a beautiful reading.

 

Love Is.  By Andrea Hill

More beautiful than roses

Much deeper than the seas

Stronger than a hurricane

But timid like a breeze.

Real as in a picture

But yet it can’t be seen

More beautiful than anything

As vivid as a dream.

Precious as rare dreams

A bond between two hearts

A symphony of feelings

When time is spent apart.

Sharing common interests

Working through all fears

Looking at yourself

As if two were in the mirror.

Finding common ground

On issues not agreed

Giving into arguments

Tending all your needs.

Being there for always

Is all I want to do

Holding you forever

Because our love is true.

Kim and Les exchanged vows and rings beneath the beautiful canopy.  In a touching display, the radiant and graceful Kim was brought to tears.

We signed their certificates to Bryan Adams's I'm Ready and to an acoustic version of Time After Time, performed once again by the Bianca Fenn Band.  The newlyweds were met with applause and cheers as I introduced them to their family and friends for the first time as husband and wife.
 

Congratulations Mr and Mrs B. May you always remain as happy as you were on your wedding day, come rain or come shine! xx

 

Sally Hughes
Authorised Marriage Celebrant
The Words & Music Company

Click here to view footage by Lens To Life

Photo Credit (1): The Words & Music Company
Photo Credits (2 - 8): Lens to Life
Venue: Sorrento Baths Foreshore
Decor: Ceremonies I Do
Music: The Bianca Fenn Band

Stacey & Rohan's NGV Nuptials

Stacey and Rohan are accountants.  They met at work four years ago.  Stacey arrived to audit a client and was advised that her senior was awaiting her.  When Stacey turned to find Rohan walking toward her, he took her breath away.  It was love at first sight.  Three years later, Rohan proposed on the balcony of their villa in Lake Como, Italy.  

Stacey and Rohan were married on a Spring evening amongst the sculptures in the Grollo Equiset Garden at the National Gallery of Victoria.  Stacey's family entered the tranquil setting ahead of her to Pachelbel's Canon in D.  Stacey, followed by her bridesmaids, entered to Wagner's Bridal Chorus.  Both pieces were beautifully played by Harpist, Hayley Erin.

Theirs was a ceremony that had a perfect blend of smiles, laughter and tears.  The sincerity with which Stacey and Rohan exchanged vows, the raw emotion that they displayed, was so very touching.   Within moments of commencing their personal pledges, spoken from the heart and without my assistance, guests reached for their tissues.  I've never witnessed so happy many tears shed. 

So moved by the beauty of what they had witnessed, their guests gave an audible sigh before bursting into spontaneous applause.  It was something I shall never forget. 

We signed the certificates to Schubert's Ave Maria before the beaming newlyweds made their way back down the aisle and toward an exciting, and no doubt joyful, future together.

Congratulations Stacey and Rohan.  What an honour it was to stand beside you on your wedding day and witness such sincerity and depth of emotion.  

Sally Hughes
Marriage Celebrant Melbourne
The Words & Music Company

Photo Credits:  Eye To Eye Photography
Venue: Grollo Equiset Gardens
Harpist: Hayley Erin 

Ten Tips For The Perfect Outdoor Wedding

Hello Summer!  I adore warm weather.    It means I won’t need to check the weather radar five times on the day of a wedding, and nor will I need to cover a great dress with a jacket to avoid hypothermia (are you with me girls?).    Then again, we're in Melbourne, so i'm well aware that leaving a jacket in the car is a good idea.

There's nothing better than celebrating in the sunshine, and having had the privilege of conducting a fair few beach and garden ceremonies, I thought I'd pass on some tips to help ensure that your ceremony is especially enjoyable for all.

Always have an alternative venue or suitable sheltered option, such as a marquee or rotunda.  Summer in Melbourne doesn't necessarily guarantee that the skies won't open to deliver a torrent of rain.  The storm that hit in February this year, just as I had finished conducting a Royal Botanic Gardens ceremony, was testament to that!

Wedding Marquees

Is a marquee too much?  If you'd prefer something less conspicuous, consider a few market umbrellas.

By contrast, the mercury may climb to reach temperatures that are uncomfortable for some, especially the very young and the elderly.  If a marquee or market umbrellas aren't an option for you, parasols can help shield guests from the sun's rays.    Oh, and they can look rather pretty too!

Otherwise, look for a shady spot as a "plan B" and arrange your seating plan based on where you expect the shade will be.  (It's a good idea to conduct your rehearsal at the same time of day as your ceremony).  On hot days, guests gravitate to shady areas prior to the ceremony and coaxing them back to where you'd ideally like them to sit or stand can be virtually impossible.  Believe me!

On hot days, set up a drink station.  The groomsmen and guests, who often arrive 30 - 45 minutes prior to the bride's arrival, will appreciate the hydration.

Southern Weddings

Have your order of service double as a fan.

Arrive on time!    Standing around under the hot sun or in the rain (sometimes all in one afternoon!) awaiting the arrival of the bride can take the shine off a ceremony.  Your guests will love you for it.

If you're planning a beach ceremony I strongly recommend hiring carpet, both for the aisle and at its end.  It will stop the bridal party (and the celebrant!) from sinking in the sand.  Wet sand doesn’t mix well with shoes and dresses either!

My Wedding Photographer

If you plan to hold a bare foot beach ceremony, you may wish to reconsider.  Hot sand hurts!  Why not set up a sign, requesting that your guests swap their shoes for thongs (or flip flops to those of you reading this from overseas)?  I've found that guests are often hesitant to follow this particular dress code, removing shoes and socks is not always ideal, however enticing them with a pretty pair of comfy thongs may sway them.

And finally, please have a very clear idea of what conditions you and your fiancé define as acceptable.  What do you both deem as too hot, too cold or too wet for you and your guests to remain outside or without cover?  The groom will most likely make the call an hour beforehand, often without being able to contact the bride, so prior discussion is essential!

And a note from the party police. Musicians and your humble celebrant won't want their expensive equipment to be water damaged. Prepare to have your ceremony conducted without amplification and without music if you decide to proceed when rain is likely.

Sally Hughes
Marriage Celebrant Melbourne
The Words & Music Company 

Lauren & Ty's Encore Evening

Meeting Lauren and Ty was like catching up with old friends.  We joked and laughed as though we'd known each other for years. In fact, such was their contagious energy, I don't think we began discussing their wedding until quite a while into our first meeting.  I liked Lauren and Ty immediately and I knew that we would have a ball planning their ceremony. I wasn't wrong.  

Lauren and Ty's ceremony was held at the über stylish Encore St Kilda Beach, a venue that has it all.  It's a large and versatile space with stylish decor, jaw-dropping bay views, friendly and attentive staff and oh, the trendy Republica is next door.  Lauren and Ty had wanted to hold their September ceremony on the rooftop, however Melbourne's weather God's had other plans for us.  Fortunately their plan B was equally as impressive.

When Lauren and Ty's guests arrived, after having mingled at Republica, they delivered an instant rush of energy and excitement.  A celebratory tone was well and truly set. Which was great, as an already excited Lauren seemed to enjoy her entrance even more so.

Lauren looked breathtakingly beautiful in her JasonGrech White couture gown.  Attended by four bridesmaids and her proud father, Lauren entered to Pete Murray's Ten Ft Tall, performed superbly by The White Tree.  As she walked towards Ty, her smile never left her face.

I was so fortunate to have witnessed the contrast in emotion between the beaming bride and her proud father.

Lauren and Ty met as teenagers at the local pool.  Their story, spanning twelve years to date, elicited both audible sighs and roars of laughter from their guests.  More so the latter. 

 

I loved that as I spoke of their overseas travels and Ty's perfect Santorini proposal, the pair enjoyed the moment, reacting so naturally to their guests' animated responses.  Together, they were relaxed in the presence of their family and friends.

Lauren and Ty's mothers each presented readings.

On Marriage - An excerpt from ‘The Prophet’ by Khalil Gabran. 

Let there be spaces in your togetherness,
And let the winds of heavens dance between you.

Love one another, but make not a bond of love:
Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.
Fill each other's cup but drink not from one cup.
Give one another of your bread but eat not from the same loaf.
Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each one of you be alone,
Even as the strings of a lute are alone though they quiver with the same music.

Give your hearts, but not into each other's keeping.
For only the hand of Life can contain your hearts.
And stand together yet not too near together:
For the pillars of the temple stand apart,
And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other's shadow.

You Share Today the Joy of Deep Commitment. Author Unknown.

The most precious gift of love

Treasure it, nurture it and encourage it

With all the honesty you used in creating it

You are sharing something rare and beautiful

Always speak the truth and listen attentively

So that you may understand each other’s thoughts and intentions

Inspire each other by sharing your accomplishments

Say I love often to retain the warmth between you

Laugh a lot too, even when you are angry

Remember you are each other’s best friend

Stand together and for each other always

May each day be special

And the fulfillment of your dreams

 

Lauren and Ty wrote their own vows, promising to always to always laugh with and love each other.  They promised to grow old by each other's side, as each other's love and best friend.

The bridal party debriefed as we signed the certificates to I'm Yours (Jason Mraz) and Just A Boy (Angus and Julia Stone), performed by The White Tree.

Mr and Mrs H left the building to a huge roar of applause and the song Sweet Disposition (The Temper Trap).  They were photographed on St Kilda Beach by the very talented duo Mish & Oli.

Congratulations Mr and Mrs H.  Thank you for sharing your very happy day with me.  I loved every minute spent planning and conducting your ceremony.  Don't ever change - your positive outlook, energy and sense of humour are inspiring. 

Oh and Ty, may you continue to always cook your way out of any argument!

Sally Hughes
Marriage Celebrant Melbourne
The Words & Music Company 

  
Click here to view footage by TMC Media

Photo Credit: Mish & Oli
Footage: TMC Media
Lauren's Dress: JasonGrech White
Musicians: The White Tree Band