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)

Styling: The Three Piece Suit in collaboration with Ambrosia Floral Designs & Lauren Skorsis Design Studio

Musicians: Blue Pocket (Dan & Rex)

Belinda's Dress: Silvana Tedesco Couture 

Belinda's Jewellery: Samantha Willis Bridal

Damien's and Groomsmen suits: Country Road

Bridesmaid Dresses: Sass & Bide, Camilla and Marc, Swish Clothing, Trenery & Seduce Clothing

Hair: Simoney D Hair & Make Up

Make Up: Littledollface

Cake: Cake Ink

Baked Treats: Cupcake Occasion

Instagram Live Printer: Social Playground

Dana & Michael - Colour Them Happy

Meet Dana.  She's one of the most gracious, humble and happy people I've had the pleasure of meeting.  If that's not impressive enough, she's also a soloist with the Australian Ballet Company. Her most recent performance in their production of Chroma was outstanding.

Speaking of impressive people, here's Michael.  Happy, super friendly and, like his bride, also very talented.  This German-born groom spent two years as a documentary photographer in post-war Kosovo.  Now you'll most often find him shooting weddings for Blue Robin Wedding Photography. 

Dana and Michael's brief was clear. They wanted a ceremony that was casual and fun-filled, one that would reflect their loving and excitable personalities. They wanted to include a large number of loved ones and were adamant that the sense of celebration should be established from the outset, and not withheld until their reception.  Oh, and in honour of Michael's heritage, they also they wanted me to present, in part, in German.  I loved their brief and fortunately my training in German opera many moons ago meant that I knew a little German too.  I couldn't wait to get started!

 

Dana and Michael were married in The Fitzroy Gardens on the last weekend of daylight savings.

As expected, Dana was the embodiment of grace and beauty.  She wore a knee-length dress with delicate lace overlay and the most amazing cut out back, bright blue heels and a small posy of blue hand woven pom poms.  Her striking Matron of Honour and “Leading Ladies” were each dressed in magnificently bright block coloured cocktail dresses of yellow, fuchsia, jade and red.  They looked magnificent against the green lawn and garden beds of pinks, oranges and reds.

As Dana made her way around the winding path and toward her husband-to-be, Michael couldn't resist reaching for his camera and taking a quick snap of his beaming bride.

I loved the way Dana and Michael laughed and cuddled one another throughout their ceremony and the way their guests reacted openly and energetically to their relationship story and to the many and varied guest presentations.  

Though Dana and Michael exchanged rings and romantic vows with utmost sincerity, such was the sense of joy that they shared, they simply couldn't suppress their delight.  Their laughter was utterly contagious!

 

To Gotye's In Your Light the interactive ceremony drew to a cheerful close.  Dana and Michael remained in the gardens afterward, chatting to their guests over pretzels and refreshments in the early evening sunshine...

... before stealing a little post-ceremony time for themselves.

The newlyweds continued their lively and colourful celebration a short distance away at Fortyfivedownstairs.

Dana and Michael, I will never forget your ceremony, nor will I forget the fun we had planning it.  I couldn't help but smile in your presence as your kind and generous spirits and your joie de vivre made every interaction a thoroughly happy one. Herzlichen Glückwunsch zu Ihrer Ehe.  Herzlichen Dank!  xx

Celebrant: Sally Hughes

Ceremony Venue: Fitzroy Gardens, Lawn 20

Ceremony Venue Decor: The Wedding Zone

Photography: Tom Franks Photography

Ceremony Bouquets: Dana's own creations

Reception Flowers - Cecilia Fox

Reception Venue: Fortyfivedownstairs

Dana's Dress: Andrea Gorrie