Raema & Kire's Lakeside Ceremony

I can't recall the last time I laughed so much during a ceremony.  Perhaps having attended a Macedonian Orthodox service earlier that day, Raema and Kire, their bridal party and guests were in a particularly celebratory mood. Perhaps this in turn led to a highly interactive ceremony, one in which guests felt comfortable participating.   Whatever the reason, the pre-ceremony atmosphere was fantastic. As the first guests arrived I sensed that the evening would be a highly enjoyable one.   

Never before have I been heckled as much (with good humour, I might add) as I had during this ceremony!  From the wise cracking Father of the Groom to the "special comments" Best Man and a few interjections from the back row, the sense of energy and excitement from all present was palpable. Raema and Kire smiled and laughed the evening through and their joy was most certainly contagious.  When you look through their beautiful photos and view their fantastic wedding video, you'll see what I mean. 

As we stood on the deck at the super stylish Carousel, located in the middle of Albert Park Lake, with its impressive views of Melbourne's city skyline, a radiant Raema, wearing a lace overlay gown from Annette of Melbourne Couture entered with her very proud father.  Her processional song was Make You Feel My Love.

Though Kire, in a suit tailored by Pernac,  had spent most of the day with Raema, he was still clearly excited to see his beautiful bride walk toward him.

As the sun began to set, I told the story of Raema and Kire's first meeting - at their Best Man Nick's 13th birthday party at Pizza Hut.  Despite their mutual fondness for Hawaiian pizza and the soft serve dessert bar, sparks didn't fly for the then-teenagers that day.  I described their next meeting some eight years later, at yet another birthday celebration, their many and varied travel experiences and Kire's very romantic Otway Ranges proposal.

Raema's mother read a poem she had composed especially for the occasion and then the pair exchanged the vows they had written for one another.

Before they exchanged wedding rings, I recited an adaptation of  The Blessing of The Hands.

"These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow and forever.

These are the hands that will work alongside yours, as together you build your future.

These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes; tears of sorrow, and as in today, tears of joy.

These are the hands that will tenderly hold your children, the hands that will help you to hold your family as one.

And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged, will still be reaching for yours, still giving you that same unspoken tenderness, with just a touch."

Prior to the ceremony, Raema and Kire wrote love letters to one another, detailing the qualities they have come to value in each other and their hopes for their marriage.  The letters were sealed and placed in a box, along with two bottles of wine.  The letters and the wine will be opened on their 10th wedding anniversary.  A romantic way to celebrate such a special milestone.

Raema and Kire signed their certificates to I Will Follow You Into The Dark (Death Cab for Cutie), Here Comes The Sun (The Beatles) and First Day Of My Life (Bright Eyes).
 

Having been introduced to their guests for the first time as husband and wife, the beaming newlyweds danced back down the aisle to Gotye's In Your Light.

 

 

Styling idea:  Raema and Kire placed white frames on each table. Each frame noted a location that they had visited together and the significance of that place.

Congratulations Raema and Kire.  I enjoyed every moment I spent with you.  Your kindness and enthusiasm was contagious.  I'll always remember your celebration as one of the most enjoyable ceremonies I've ever had the privilege of conducting.  Keep smiling! xx

Sally Hughes
Marriage Celebrant Melbourne
The Words & Music Company 

  
Click here to view footage by C2 Video

Photo Credits: 1-10 Jerome Cole Photography
Photo Credits: 11 & 12  Food & Desire 
Flowers by Bouquet Melbourne

Laura & Daniel's Elegant Affair

Laura and Daniel are impressive people.  Kind, happy, loving, intelligent, stylish, successful, oh and quite obviously, attractive.  I must say, I wasn't surprised to discover this at our first meeting.  They are friends of Rose and Michael, an equally impressive couple I married in March 2011, so I assumed they would be.  

Daniel made me laugh within the first minutes of our meeting.  His brief was clear; "Cut the crap"  (I still have this written in my notes!).  He didn't want anything that was "boring or too flowery".  The ceremony should be enjoyable and modern.  Laura, still a little taken aback by her fiancé's opening statement, added "meaningful and personal" to their brief.    And so began a highly enjoyable collaboration to create a ceremony that best reflected their personalities and vision.

Laura  and Daniel chose the stately and sophisticated Quat Quatta in Ripponlea for their ceremony and reception. 

When the guests arrived at the black and white boutique venue they were greeted by a beaming Daniel and his hilarious groomsmen, all dressed by Formal Red, and the super smooth Baker Boys Band. 

Laura looked sublime in her delicate lace Luci Di Bella couture gown.  She followed her elegant sisters, entering on the arm of her brother Brent to Enya's Only Time.  

Daniel shook Brent's hand and instinctively extended his hand to Laura.  A funny and unplanned gesture that brought a smile to everyone's face, breaking the silence and uniting all with laughter.   I love that Ben Swinnerton captured this moment!

I told the story of Laura and Daniel's online meeting which was, until that moment, unknown to the vast majority of guests.  As expected, the room quickly filled with laughter once again.  

Laura's mother Kerrie then read an adaptation of Nanci Brilliant's Once in a Lifetime

"Once in a lifetime you find someone

Who touches not only your heart but also your soul.

You discover someone who stands beside you, but not over you.

You find someone who loves you for who you are

And not for whom you could be.

Once in a lifetime if you are lucky you find someone

As you have found each other."

Daniel's mother Gayle, also a marriage celebrant, read a blessing.

Laura and Daniel composed their own vows, delivering their romantic promises with heartfelt sincerity and smiles from ear to ear! It was touching to witness the support they gave one another during their exchange.

We signed the marriage certificates to Paradise by Coldplay and Electrical Storm by U2.

Congratulations Laura and Daniel. Your celebration had a perfect blend of stylish sophistication, romance and laughter. I loved getting to know you both and am sure you will continue to make each other smile and laugh forever. xx

Sally Hughes

Marriage Celebrant Melbourne
The Words & Music Company


Photo Credits: Ben Swinnerton Photography

Beautiful Blooms

Have you always dreamed of carrying a bouquet of pretty peonies?  Sweet smelling jasmine perhaps?  If you're a Spring bride marrying in Melbourne, you're in luck as your dream flowers will be in season!  If you plan to be married in Summer, you may need to reconsider.  Perhaps hydrangeas instead?

Take a look at what's on offer during your wedding season.

All Year Round
 

Alstroemeria, Anthurium, Asiatic Lilies, Chrysanthemum, Carnation, Crab Claw Gardenia, Gerbera, Gladioli, Gypsophila, Iris, Leucospermum,  Leucadendron, Lilium, Lisianthus, Longiflorum Lilies, Lotus Pods, Oriental Lilies, Phalaenopsis Orchid, Singapore Orchids, Silver Suede, Status, Succulents, Roses.

 David Austin Roses                           Phalaenopsis Orchids 

Summer Bride: December – February

Agapanthus, Amaranthus, Aster, Banksia, Belladonna Lilies, Blackberries,  Celosia, Calla Lilies, Canterbury Bells,Cosmos, Dahlia, Delphinium, Freesia, Garden Roses, Gardenia, Ginger, Grevillea, Hydrangea, Hypericum Berry, Iris, Larkspur, Lavender, Lisianthus, Mollucca Balm, Pineapple Lilies, Queen Anne’s Lace, Sea Holly, Stephanotis, Singapore Orchids, Smoke bush, Tuberose, Vanda Orchids, Veronica, Water Lilies.

Hypericum Berry                                     Lavender

Autumn Bride: March - May

Amaranthus, Aster, Bird of Paradise, Bixia, Bouvardia, Brunii, Cymbidium Orchids, Celosia, Chillie, Daphne, Delphinium, Freesia, Garden Roses, Gardenia, Hyacinth, Hydrangea, Hypericum Berry, Iris, Ivy Berry, Kale, Lavender, Lisianthus, Lotus Pods, Peppercorn, Privet Berries - Green, Protea – King and Queen, Sea Holly, Sedum, Soke Bush, Stephanotis, Stock, Tuberose, Tulips, Water Lilies.

                                                          Hydrangea                                                 Tulips   

 Winter Bride: June - August

Anemone, Bird of Paradise, Bouvardia, Blushing Bride, Daffodil, Daphne, Dogwood, Earlicheer, Hyacinth, Iris, Jonquil, Kale, Lisianthus, Poppy, Ranunculus, Rhododendron, Rosehip, Sweet Pea, Tulip, Violet, Wattle.

 Poppies                                                 Ranunculus

 Spring Bride: September – November

Andromeda, Arum Lily, Azalea, Blossom, Blushing Bride, Boronia, Chincherinchee, Corn flower, Cosms, Daffodil, Delphinium, Dogwood, Erica, Gardenia, Garden Roses, Hyacinth, Iris, Jasmine, Lilac, Lily of the Valley, Lisianthus, Mollucca Balm, Peony, Peppercorn, Poppies, Rhododendron, Stephanotis, Stock, Sweet Pea, Tulip,Viburnum, Warratah.

     Peonies                                                Lily of the Valley

Floral Designer Jessica Higgins from Floral Concepts warns that flower availability may also vary depending on weather conditions.  She advises brides to select a bloom that is in season in order to ensure vast supply, excellent quality and greater affordability.

Sally Hughes

Marriage Celebrant Melbourne

The Words and Music Company

David Austin Rose and Hypericum Berry Image courtesy of Style Me Pretty
Lavender Image courtesy of Samm Blake Photographer
Poppy Image courtesy of Jose Villa
Lilly of the Valley Image Courtesy of Tanya Tribble Photography

Amber & Pat Say 'I Do' On The Deck

“Amber and Pat's gorgeous wedding combined incredible style with intimacy, emotion and a sense of humour.”              Brent Lukey, Photographer.

There's something special about evening,  rooftop ceremonies.  Guests seem to be in more of a party mood, especially when they've congregated prior to the ceremony at the ultra-chique Circa, The Prince, Bar.   The Deck upstairs was the venue for Amber and Pat's stylish Saturday evening wedding ceremony.  As the guests arrived to the floodlit lap pool, stunning white floral arrangements by Babylon Flowers, paper lanterns and comfy white cane chairs, I could sense that they were impressed and looking forward to the ceremony about to unfold.

Pat and his groomsmen, wearing suits by P Johnson Tailors, greeted the guests as they entered the rooftop, sharing a drink and a few laughs prior to Amber's arrival.
 

 

 

A beaming Amber, wearing a stunning Mariana Hardwick gown entered with her very proud father to Nick Cave's Breathless. 

Pat's expression mirrored that of his beautiful bride.  It was such a special moment to observe.

Standing alongside a bridal party of twelve, most of them siblings, I told of Amber and Pat's first meeting at Public House, Richmond, six years earlier.  I described Pat's hilarious efforts to impress Amber, noting his somewhat mesmerising dance moves, and the qualities they came to admire in one another.  We laughed at Amber's obsessive need to bring fruit to every occasion (fair enough, she's a Dietitian!), Pat's obsession with football and his terrible choice of television shows.

Their vows were undoubtedly a highlight of the ceremony.  They were a perfect blend of romantic sincerity and belly-laughing humour, giving us a glimpse into their very happy life together.

Champagne was distributed whilst we signed the marriage register.  When we returned the huge crowd of happy guests toasted Amber and Pat's very happy and heartfelt commitment in marriage.

 

A stylish and very enjoyable evening ceremony indeed.

Congratulations Amber and Pat.  Your warmth, kindness and good humour is contagious.  You're such a beautiful couple, inside and out and it was my pleasure to have conducted your ceremony. xx

Sally Hughes
Marriage Celebrant Melbourne
The Words & Music Company


Photo Credits: Brent Lukey