Luda and Jesse: an international wedding

Luda and Jesse were married last Friday, under the poplars at the lake's edge, at "The Lake House", in Daylesford. This is a beautiful venue, with fabulous staff always available to coordinate the wedding ceremony on the day. This was a day where the bride's Russian heritage was honoured and incorporated into the wedding ceremony, and we were also lucky to have two of her Aunts from Russia being able to join us on the day. We had laughs, we had tears, we had tradition both old and modern. It was a great day, a huge thank you to Luda and Jesse for inviting me to be there with you all. Congratulations on your intimate, international, beautiful day xx

"Do you want me to tell you something really subversive? Love is everything it’s cracked up to be. That’s why people are so cynical about it. It is really worth fighting for, being brave for, risking everything for. And the trouble is, if you don’t risk anything, you risk even more" 

- Erica Jong.

   

Leah and Mark: wed at Avalon Nursery.

There is a lovely new wedding venue in town to wedding ceremonies, and I am so thrilled to have been asked by Leah and Mark to officiate their wedding ceremony at this great venue, Avalon Nursery, at Haddon. This couple had such a clear vision for their day: their daughters, their family, their friends, the outdoors, Leah's love of horses (she arrived in a horse-drawn carriage), and to be surrounded by those they love most. And what a family ceremony it was! Delicate necklaces were given to their daughters, 3 readings by 3 significant woman in their lives, and they also performed the Sand Ceremony to signify their family joining forever in wedlock. It was beautiful to see how much their daughters mean to them, they are their lives and their joy. Congratulations to Leah and Mark: your family, and you = gorgeous xx

What Is Family: written Marin McKay.

A family is…

The sweetest feelings

The warmest hugs

Trust and togetherness

Unconditional love

The stories of our lives written on the same page

The nicest memories anyone has ever made

Treasured photos

Thankful tears

Hearts overflowing with all the years

Being there for one another

Supporting and caring

Understanding, helping, sharing

Walking life’s path together

And making the journey more beautiful because

We are a family… And a family is love.

Hayley and Brad, a bush wedding.

Hayley and Brad: thank you so much for having me as your celebrant. And thank you for choosing such an amazing setting for your ceremony, The Streamside Reserve, at Happy Valley. What a serene place, just perfect for a celebration, just perfect for you both, and your amazing families. I loved the final touches: the old fire truck, the old cars, the portable loo being driven around hither and thither (before you arrived Hayley!). What a great day, and we almost beat the rain. But no matter the weather, this was a great day, congratulations to you both xx

A pre-wedding selfie with the wonderful photographer David Bailey.