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