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

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

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Steph and Damian - Love on a Rooftop

Every so often, I meet a couple who make me laugh and laugh and laugh.  Meetings reserved for wedding planning somehow morph into lengthy discussions about Tuscany, Cuban jazz, wineries, vegetarian lasagne and Golden Retrievers, for example.   This was the case when I first met with Steph and Damian.  We clicked before we'd even ordered our coffee.

When I learned that Steph and Damian had chosen to hold their ceremony in the Harbour Room at the Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron, I was not at all surprised.  A Friday evening rooftop ceremony in trendy St Kilda seemed a perfect choice for this exuberant couple.  When they informed me that they'd also booked the über-talented and downright hilarious John Warren of Warrenphotography, and the super cool musicians from The White Tree, I was certain we were going to have a fabulous time.

Steph, radiant in her Mariana Hardwick gown, entered the rooftop on the arm of her proud father to The White Tree's rendition of Snow Patrol's Lifening.  Much like her usual self, she smiled and laughed the entire way.

We began by introducing all the people who had made a marked impact on Steph and Damian's lives.  Three such people were invited to come forward and present readings.  One of the readings was taken from a Bruce Springsteen song.

If I Should Fall Behind

 

We said we’d walk together, come what may
That come the twilight, should we lose our way
If as we’re walking a hand should slip free
I’ll wait for you.
And should I fall behind wait for me.

We swore we’d travel darling side by side
We’d help each other stay in stride.
But each lover’s steps fall so differently
I'll wait for you.
And should I fall behind wait for me.

Now everyone dreams of a love lasting and true
But you and I know what this world can do.
So let's make our steps clear that the other may see
And I'll wait for you.
If I should fall behind, wait for me.

Now there's a beautiful river in the valley ahead
There beneath the oaks bough soon we will be wed.
Should we lose each other in the shadow of the evening trees
Darling I’ll wait for you.
And should I fall behind wait for me.

I then had the great pleasure of recounting their first meeting at the Corner Hotel; whereby Damian keenly pursued Steph.. and her plate of nachos, the hilarious case of mistaken identity on their first date at The Black Cat, Damian's many proposal hurdles, and their numerous and varied idiosyncrasies.  Needless to say, their stories had us in stitches.

Damian and Steph composed their own vows.  Their exchange was sincere and joyful.

 

"... Steph, I will cherish the happiness married life bestows upon us, and hope that one day we can raise a family who we will unconditionally love and support, just as we will each other..."

"... Damian, I look forward to growing together, learning more about you and falling in love a little more every day..." 

Steph and Damian's parents and grand parents participated in a ring warming ceremony.  Each person held the rings and made a silent wish or prayer for Steph and Damian in their marriage. The rings were then brought forward, having been symbolically warmed by their wishes.

Rings were exchanged and certificates signed, all the while this happy couple laughed, kissed and smiled. 

The ceremony concluded with a toast to the newlyweds, a huge cheer ...

yet another kiss...

.... and you guessed it!

Steph and Damian, I loved that every aspect of your ceremony reflected your relaxed style and bright personalities. Your good humour and laughter is infectious, as is your positive outlook on life.  Lucky am I to have enjoyed your ever-cheerful company. Keep laughing!

Sally Hughes

Authorised Marriage Celebrant

The Words & Music Company

Photography: Warrenphotography

Venue: The Harbour Room

Musicians: The White Tree

Steph's gown: Mariana Hardwick