Showing posts with label marriage celebrant. Show all posts
Showing posts with label marriage celebrant. Show all posts

Tuesday, 3 February 2015

Belinda & Damien - A Love That Is More Than Love

I met Belinda, Director of the renowned event company The Three Piece Suit, at a wedding industry event. Whilst I found myself captivated by Belinda's styling that evening, it was her address to a room brimming with brides and grooms-to-be that impressed me most. Like the other suppliers, Belinda introduced herself and spoke of her business, however, unlike the others, she then shared a little of her personal life.  She spoke of  her recent engagement, her close relationship with her family and shared images of her family’s recent trip to Italy to celebrate her parents’ anniversary.  Afterward, as she returned to her chair at the back of the room, I observed her greet her fiance Damien with a huge smile and a tight hug. She's stylish, talented and so darn likeable!, I thought to myself.

When Belinda and Damien asked me to be their celebrant, I was thrilled. I loved the way how, at our first meeting, tears welled in Belinda’s eyes as she spoke of her relationship with Damien and how important their ceremony was to them. No doubt, their venue would be beautifully styled with impeccable attention to detail, however it was clear to me that the commitment that Belinda and Damien would make to each other and the sense of celebration amongst their much loved family and friends would be most important to them. The pair offered me the warmest of hugs and I left that meeting knowing that their ceremony would be a joyful, romantic and deeply meaningful one.

Belinda and Damien were married under blue skies and sunshine on the perfectly manicured grounds of Campbell Point House in Leopold.   Belinda looked stunningly beautiful in her delicate Silvana Tedesco Couture gown and was a picture of happiness as she and her proud father followed her attendants from the pool house by the lake, along the wonderfully long aisle to meet Damien.  To Blue Pocket's version of Beyonce's 'XO', Belinda and Damien together climbed the steps and turned to face their many guests and the beautiful Lake Connewarre below.


As they stood with their impeccably dressed bridal party in hues of gold, cream and blue, I told the humorous story of Belinda and Damien's meeting in the back seat of a taxi, the text message that Damien sent Belinda the following day that read “I think I love you”, and the friendship that blossomed into romance. 

I spoke of the many memorable times the pair have shared, most often with their families, of Damien’s romantic proposal, the qualities Belinda and Damien most admire in each other and their thoughts about their relationship.  Their reflections were some of the most romantic I have ever shared. Their conviction that "if something was to happen to either of them, the other would be left with absolutely no doubt about how much they were loved and admired”, caused me to pause.


I love you with a love that is more than love.  

Inspired by the words of poet Edgar Allan Poe, Belinda and Damien exchanged romantic vows, before their adorable Ring Bearer ascended the steps, calmly searched his pocket for some time and eventually produced their wedding rings.


Guests presented readings and blessings, some with tears in their eyes, some with huge smiles upon their faces, before Belinda and Damien were declared to be husband and wife.  The roar from the crowd as the newlyweds sealed their commitment with a kiss was nothing short of wonderful.


Congratulations Mr and Mrs Fitz. Thank you for your warmth and kindness and for the honour of standing with you on a day that held so much meaning for you. I consider myself very fortunate indeed. 





Celebrant: Sally Hughes
Ceremony Venue: Campbell Point House
Photography: Flash2Flash Photography  (Excluding photo 2, taken by Sally Hughes Celebrant)
Musicians: Blue Pocket (Dan & Rex)
Belinda's Dress: Silvana Tedesco Couture 
Belinda's Jewellery: Samantha Willis Bridal
Damien's and Groomsmen suits: Country Road
Make Up: Littledollface
Cake: Cake Ink
Baked Treats: Cupcake Occasion
Instagram Live Printer: Social Playground

Friday, 30 May 2014

Bec & Tom - More Than Words

I can still recall my first conversation with Tom.  Within moments of answering the phone I considered the groom-to-be to be charismatic and good humoured and I quite enjoyed our conversation about his fiance Bec and their wedding plans.  Unfortunately, their wedding date coincided with day one of my Thailand holiday, so I couldn't possibly help them.  I remember hanging up the phone and thinking it a great shame that I was unavailable for their ceremony.

Months later, Tom called again.  He and Bec had changed their wedding date and were hoping I would be available.  Having well and truly met my quota of weddings for the year I regretfully declined their invitation.  However, by the end of our phone call, Tom's warmth and "respectful urging" changed my mind. And I am very glad it did.

Shortly after, I met with a genuinely lovely couple. A mere minute into our meeting I could tell that Bec and Tom were warm, fun and good humoured.  We laughed continuously throughout our meeting and happily discovered that we shared similar interests and, importantly, similar views on ceremonies.  Bec and Tom were open to suggestion and were so very  excited about their impending Yarra Valley celebration.  I really liked them.

Bec and Tom were married in the chapel at the magnificent Stones of the Yarra Valley.  It's such a beautiful venue.  Every time I enter the light-filled space, with its soaring ceilings, stained glass windows, shiny grand piano and sweeping views across acres of vines, I always catch myself smiling. 


Aesthetics aside, it was the sense of celebration within the chapel walls that day that I will remember most vividly, for Bec and Tom's ceremony was one of the most interactive and enjoyable ceremonies I've had the pleasure of conducting.  The many and varied contributions by guests - one in particular was downright hilarious, the tribute we paid to their parents and to those who had been married for a significant period of time (two sets of grandparents had recently celebrated 60 years of marriage), the ring warming ceremony, whereby their rings, sewn to a pillow made from Bec's grandmother's wedding dress, were passed amongst family members, and the sudden change in mood when Bec and Tom declared with utmost sincerity their lifelong commitment to one another in marriage, made for a most memorable ceremony.


However I think my favourite element of the ceremony was when Tom's friend Mark stood before us all to sing. Just as he opened his mouth, Tom took over. Guests, who were just as surprised as the bride, cheered.  The look on Bec's face was priceless!  Bec had waited over seven years to hear Tom sing. Together with his brother James on guitar, (known to pre-school age children and their parents as 'Jimmy Giggle'), they performed a rendition of More Than Words that brought the house down. Tom has a beautiful voice and his gift to Bec that day was priceless. 




Congratulations Mr and Mrs R.  What a wonderfully interactive afternoon.  Given the smiles, cheers and applause that filled the chapel, it was clear to me that you were surrounded by a fabulous group of people. People who recognise just how lovely, likeable and talented you are. Have a wonderful life. xx

Celebrant: Sally Hughes
Musicians: Groom Tom & Best Man James / Baker Boys Band
Bec's gown: Anaessia
Tom's suit: Arthur Galan

Thursday, 19 December 2013

Outdoor Wedding Venues - Private Spaces

Marrying outdoors in Melbourne?  There are so many breathtakingly beautiful gardens, vineyards and fields to choose from.  Earlier this year I shared my favourite Outdoor Wedding Venues - Public Places. Here are my favourite privately-owned outdoor spaces in Melbourne (and surrounds).  

Yarra Valley









City & Inner Suburbs





North


 

North West

Image: Venues2Events

East



  
West




South East & Bayside







Penninsula





Daylesford


Lake House Daylesford

And what's the advantage of marrying at a private venue, as opposed to a public space?  You'll most often be able to have your reception onsite (guests love not having to drive to two venues), and you'll most likely able to head indoors with minimal fuss should the weather become inclement.  It's also likely that there will be venue staff on hand to assist, rest rooms and considerably better (and free) car parking options for guests. 

Click here to see my favourite Outdoor Wedding Venues - Public Places.


With the exception of those credited to photographers, the images used in this post have been obtained from official venue web pages.