Cesz & Jing - Married in the Morning

There’s something really lovely about a morning wedding.  While most people are slowly rising to brew their coffee or read their Sunday paper, a group of family and friends assemble in the quiet stillness of morning to celebrate a couple’s happy relationship.  

I arrived at Footscray Park for Cesz and Jing’s nuptials to discover a handful of locals walking their dogs and only two cars in the car park.  Doubting for a split second that I’d arrived in the wrong area, I then saw a long trestle table and surrounding it, a team of friends busily working to transform the pathway into a morning tea reception space.  Drawing from the palette of Autumnal colours around them, they decorated the white table cloth with a soft beige burlap runner and blooms in shades of bright yellow, orange and red.   Bunting was strewn from either side of the pathway, its welcome message greeting guests as they arrived to celebrate Cesz and Jing's happy relationship.

Cesz walked the long and winding paths of the Footscray Gardens alone.  Her unhurried entrance from atop the steps was magical.  Having a long and uninterrupted view of this beautiful woman walking toward her future husband was a joy to behold. 

With guests casually gathered before them and with their gorgeous Page Boy and Flower Girl by their sides, Cesz and Jing were a picture of happiness.
 

I loved the simplicity of Cesz and Jing's ceremony; the quiet, sun-drenched setting, the cheerful gathering of loved ones, beautifully hand crafted decorations and most notably, the sincerity with which Cesz and Jing declared their lifelong commitment to one another.

Congratulations Cesz and Jing, one of the kindest and most joyous couples I've had the pleasure of knowing.  May your marriage be filled with many more beautiful moments.  xx

Celebrant: Sally Hughes
Venue: Footscray Park
Photography: Maria Christine

For other beautiful outdoor spaces, see:

Outdoor Wedding Venues - Public Spaces
Outdoor Wedding Venue - Private Spaces

Elenor & Alister - Get Happy

Meet Elenor. She's a most beautiful dancer, singer and actor.  She's known as "Miss Elly" to my daughters and a ridiculously brilliant tap dancer to my tap class buddies and I.

Meet Alister.  He's talented too.  He's also a triple threat (an accomplished singer/dancer/actor to those of you unfamiliar with the term), however he spends most of his time directing theatre shows and running one of Melbourne's most respected independent theatre companies.   

Elenor and Alister met at drama school fourteen years ago. Elenor was very distracted by Alister's good taste in shoes and his dazzling smile, while Alister remembers a shy Elenor who caught his attention with her beautiful big eyes. Their secret courtship commenced whilst rehearsing the roles of Gerta and Gilda, Aryan Nazi girls, in their first year cabaret project. It continued during Monday evening tap rehearsals and late night pizza.  Over many months they discussed their love of dance, especially classic song and dance numbers by Gene Kelly and Ann Miller.

They graduated, moved in together, made a musical theatre pilgrimage to New York, performed in national tours together and, of course, became engaged to be married. 

Alister proposed to Elenor at her favourite place in Melbourne, their local park,  so there was no doubting where they would hold their ceremony.   Together they strolled from their Prahran home to the beautiful Victoria Gardens. They were met by their parents at the entrance and to Gin Wigmore's rendition of Somewhere Over the Rainbow they together made their way along the winding path toward one of the most vocal and excited group of guests I've ever observed.  I'll never forget the cheers they received when they came into view.

Music played a large role in Elenor and Alister's ceremony.  I wouldn't have expected less, given their passion for musical theatre and cabaret, and seeing as though a significant portion of their guests were professional performers.  Locals out for an afternoon stroll could have been forgiven for thinking they'd stumbled upon the latest "Melodies in the Park" concert. 

The talented Andrew Kroenert sang the first of three "promise songs"; songs carefully selected by Elenor and Alister for their special meaning.  His performance of Bob Dylan's Make You Feel My Love gave me chills.

Actor Tim Paige delivered the most engaging interpretation of Edward Lear's The Owl and the Pussy Cat, I've ever witnessed.

Sheridan Harbridge sang Arlen and Mercer's Come Rain or Come Shine with such joy.

Under the large canopy of old oak trees Elenor and Alister continuously cuddled and laughed.  Theirs was undoubtedly a ceremony of unabashed joy and celebration.

The mood changed slightly when the happiest of couples exchanged sincere and heartfelt vows.  Elenor was however very quick to wipe the tears that fell from Alister's eyes.  Her energy and excitement during the pronouncement of marriage was so endearing.

During the signing of the certificates we were treated to two fabulous a capella performances.  Emma Clair Ford sang Hill's The Glory of Love, while Jennifer Robinson performed Hawker and Raymonde's I Only Want To Be With You.

And to the music of the Puppini Sisters, we celebrated with cupcakes, champagne and much, much laughter.

Congratulations Elenor and Alister.  Your garden ceremony was unforgettable, as are you both.   May you continue to pop across to the Riv for a Monday matinee, watch old black and white MGM movies musicals on your couch and captivate and inspire people with your kind and joyous hearts.  

Celebrant: Sally Hughes
Venue:  Victoria Gardens
Photography: Sarah Walker Photography

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

Alowyn Gardens, Yarra Glen

Stones of the Yarra Valley, Coldstream

 Image: Warrenphotography

Zonzo at Train Trak Winery, Yarra Glen

Balgownie Estate, Yarra Glen

Chateau Yering

Immerse, Dixons Creek

Image: Julieanne Perara Photography

RACV Country Club Healesville

Mandala Wines, Dixons Creek

Image: Simply Digital Photography

 The Riverstone Estate, Coldstream

City & Inner Suburbs

Como Historic House and Garden, South Yarra

Abbotsford Convent

Park Hyatt Melbourne - Trilogy Garden

The Willows, Melbourne

North

Overnewton Castle, Keilor

 

Meadowbank Receptions, Campbellfield

North West

Flemington Racecourse

Image: Venues2Events

East

Bram Leigh Receptions, Croydon

The Gables, East Malvern

Leonda By The Yarra, Hawthorn

Butleigh Wootton, Kew

  

West

Goonawarra Winery, Sunbury

Emu Bottom Homestead, Sunbury

Image: Lizzy C Photography

South East & Bayside

 Rippon Lea House & Garden, Elsternwick

Image: Peter Rowland

Yarra Yarra Golf Club, Bentleigh East

Luna Park, St Kilda

 Riva St Kilda

The International of Brighton

Sandringham Yacht Club

Penninsula

The Garden Vineyard, Moorooduc

Morning Star Estate, Mount Eliza

Summerfields Estate, Bittern

Lindenderry at Red Hill

Daylesford

Sault Restaurant 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.  

Sally Hughes - Melbourne Celebrant

Follow me on Facebook