Nikita & Tom's Winery Wedding

Nikita and Tom’s ceremony amongst the vines at the stunning Lindenderry at Red Hill combined black and white formality with fun. From our first meeting, their vision was clear.  The super stylish couple wanted a ceremony that was elegant yet relaxed, personal and enjoyable for them and their guests.  

We were blessed with blue skies, sunshine and a picturesque setting amongst the vines. Nikita, carrying a white rose and jasmine bouquet, was escorted by her very proud parents down the 50 metre-long aisle to the beautiful song ‘It Feels Like Home’ by Chantal Kreviazuk.

The guests erupted with laughter when I revealed the occasion of their first meeting (I’ll keep that to myself!) and the many failed attempts Tom made to win Nikita’s affections.  We continued to laugh at the number of Tom’s failed proposal endeavours and cheered when I described how he finally succeeded.

Nikita and Tom wrote their own vows, along with love letters to one another, which they placed in a box.  As they are wine lovers we decided to place two bottles of 2009 Lindenderry Sparkling Chardonnay in the box.   The first bottle they shared towards the end of the ceremony and the second will remain there, with the love letters, unopened until their 10th wedding anniversary.

 

And so begins a tradition of celebrating every anniversary with a bottle of Lindenderry Sparkling.  I'd drink to that!

Congratulations Nikita and Tom. Keep smiling. x 

Sally Hughes

Melbourne Marriage Celebrant

The Words & Music Company

Photo Credits:  Immerse Photography

See more beautiful wedding images at www.wordsandmusic.net.au

Tara & Glenn's Barefoot Beach Wedding

It's always a huge honour when an industry professional asks me to conduct his/her ceremony. So when wedding photographer Glenn Barry and his beautiful fiancé Tara asked me to compose and conduct their barefoot beach wedding at the West Beach Bathers Pavilion in St Kilda, I was thrilled!

On a warm evening in February this year the bridal party, guests and I stood barefoot in the sand.  The bridesmaids entered to Julia and Angus Stone’s The Wedding Song, performed by an acoustic guitarist and singer. 

As kiteboarders skimmed across the water behind us, I told the story of Tara and Glenn’s first meeting at Phillip Island and their amusing run in with the local law enforcement, the qualities they came to love in one another and their very public and very romantic engagement.

 

Tara’s mother then read a diary entry that her mother had written on the eve of her wedding in 1976.

Tara and Glenn exchanged the romantic vows that they had written for one another and then to huge cheers I had the very happy task of declaring them husband and wife.

The guests raised their glasses and toasted the newlyweds, slipped their shoes back on and to the music of Florence and the Machine, the next stage of the beach side celebration began.

 

It was a truly magical evening. Congratulations Tara & Glenn. xx

Sally Hughes,

Marriage Celebrant Melbourne
The Words & Music Company

Photo credits: My Wedding Photographer

See more beautiful wedding images at www.wordsandmusic.net.au

Searching For A Celebrant

Congratulations on your engagement!  I assume that you’re reading this because you’re planning your wedding.  Once you’ve locked in the date and venue, it’s time to turn your attention to the other big ticket items – the photographer, musicians, the all-important wedding dress, and oh, the person who pretty much runs the show, your celebrant.  It’s interesting how often couples relegate this major aspect to the bottom of their list.  Of course I’d say that!  I’m a celebrant, right?  But so often, I’ve had to turn desperate couples away and I really hate that!

When should you start your search for a Celebrant?

Leaving your celebrant search to the last few months is a risk.  You probably won’t get your first, second or even third choice.  If you can, commence your search at least 6-12 months in advance.  That said, last year I took a booking for December 2014!  There are so many ultra-organised brides out there!

Why is selecting the right celebrant so important?

From the moment your guests arrive, your celebrant sets the mood for the ceremony.   Their dress, grooming, warmth, sincerity, confidence and diction will strongly influence whether your ceremony is memorable... for the right reasons.   Though the bride and groom are undoubtedly the stars of the show, the celebrant is the host.  No one wants an ordinary host! The celebrant should be engaging and deliver a ceremony that is interesting, sometimes humorous (if that is your wish), entertaining and sincere.

And let's not forget the time spent with your celebrant prior to the big day! I strongly believe that you should enjoy the process of planning your ceremony as much as the ceremony itself.  I genuinely love the meetings as this is when couples and I really get to know one another and have some fun! 

How do we know if we’ve found the right celebrant?

The best advice I can offer couples is to choose the celebrant they best connect with.  Certainly, the celebrant should be friendly, able to clearly articulate the legal requirements for their situation, speak with confidence and demonstrate good diction and grooming, to name but a few essential qualities, however the celebrant who is most in tune with their personalities and personal style is most likely the right celebrant for them.

Meet with a few, understand exactly what they offer in terms of resources, meetings and equipment.  View their photos, ceremony footage and genuine testimonials.  Ask for some sample ceremonies and then follow your gut instinct.

Much like your photographer, with whom you also spend a considerable amount of time, you should not only have confidence in their skill, you should really like them! Don’t forget, he or she will feature in a fair few of your wedding photos too!

Sally Hughes,

Melbourne Marriage Celebrant
The Words & Music Company

Photo credits:
1. Susan Stripling Photography
2. Natalie Davies Photography
3. Iain Sim Photography
4. JD Digital Photography 

I Have Entered The Blogosphere!

Ladies and gentlemen, I have entered the blogosphere!  If this full-time marriage celebrant and mother of two wasn’t busy enough updating Facebook, Pinterest and her You-Tube channel, she sure is now! 

A little more about me?  I am one of those people who loves to talk about her job.  In fact, talk to me long enough and I’ll probably recommend that you become a celebrant too – my sister in law did and my hairdresser, who is a captive audience for several hours every six weeks, is considering a career change.  Put simply, forming relationships with happy people and creating ceremonies which celebrate their unique bond is something that brings me much happiness.  

I love the excitement of a wedding ceremony. Firstly, there’s the 30 minutes or so prior to the ceremony when I stand with the groom and groomsmen and share a few jokes, then there’s the exciting moment when the bride arrives and I nod to the groom to signal that it’s “action time”.  There’s also the happy moment the music starts and the guests stand and turn to discover the smiling bridesmaids and the beautiful bride.  Then of course there’s the moment when the bride and groom see each other for the first time.  So much emotion before the ceremony really gets underway!  

Being a civil marriage celebrant has enabled me to combine my love of weddings and special events, my background in theatre performance and public speaking and my love of writing.  It’s a chance to dress up and celebrate the precious gift of love with those who have so happily found it.  

I’ll never take for granted how fortunate I am to be invited into people’s lives and entrusted with an important and very rewarding responsibility.  I get the best seat in the house and I’m so grateful for that!

Sally Hughes

Melbourne Marriage Celebrant
The Words & Music Company

Photo credit: JPower Photography