Hollie & Ben's Barn Wedding.

Yesterday I had the extreme privilege of being able to marry one of my dearest friends, to her high school sweet heart. It was held at her parent's home, where she grew up, and the barn was turned into a magical wedding venue, full of flowers, lights, music and great food. However, the most special moment was listening to the vows they had written for one another. They were absolutely personal, incredibly romantic, and the best tear makers. Thank you Hollie and Ben for having me as your celebrant, I love you guys, and I know that your life together will continue to be one of devotion to another and ongoing adventures, side by side.

The First Day of the "Official" Wedding Season 2013.

Welcome to the first day of Spring, 2013, which is also the first "official" day of the 2013 - 2104 wedding season. I hope that if you are marrying soon, you have the wedding of your dreams, with few mix ups and muck ups, and a long and happy married life with the one you love.

From "THE Irrational Season", by Madeleine L'Engle

"But ultimately there comes a moment when a decision must be made. 

Ultimately two people who love each other must ask themselves how much they hope for as their love grows and deepens, and how much risk they are willing to take. 

It is indeed a fearful gamble. 

Because it is the nature of love to create, a marriage itself is something which has to be created, so that, together we become a new creature.

To marry is the biggest risk in human relations that a person can take. 

If we commit ourselves to one person for life this is not, as many people think, a rejection of freedom; rather it demands the courage to move into all the risks of freedom, and the risk of love which is permanent; into that love which is not possession, but participation. 

It takes a lifetime to learn another person. When love is not possession, but participation, then it is part of that co-creation which is our human calling, and which implies such risk that it is often rejected".

A Winter Wedding

Last Saturday I had the joyous privilege of conducting Tam and Kenny's wedding ceremony. Gorgeous people, lovely crowd, and I actually knew some of the people attending (nice for a catch up and gossip) so it was all rather lovely. Tam's dress was beautiful, totally perfect for her, being a black full length, with a mermaid tail bottom. It was absolutely spectacular, and they looked beautiful together as a couple.

Their venue was also great, with the wedding ceremony and reception being held at The Plough, in Myrniong. I have never been there and I was just delighted at how intimate the ceremony space was. The sun even came out at the right time, which was a super bonus on the day.

The ceremony area at The Plough

And the best little gems to see and enjoy were the flower arrangements. I just loved them. Simple. Elegant. All mainly from the bridal couple's garden. The use of glass jars just made them all seem so simply perfect and congruent for the area and the couple.

And the impressive thing, the lady who designed the flower arrangements is still a floristry student and what a talent she is. She will definitely be one to watch into the future. Her name is Rachel Leonard, and she can be contacted on 0434 964 772. 

The Naked Wedding Cake.

This is a new wedding cake trend, which I actually quite like, the naked cake. Yep, nudie cakes, dressed with just layers and no covering. I particularly love the one in the photo below. I have never seen one "in the flesh", but would love to, just to see if they look as great in real life (hint hint to friends who are getting married soon).

Thanks to Bridal Guide Magazine for the photo.

Make your wedding your own.

Sometimes I wonder at the stress placed on brides and groom from their families and friends. I understand that it is a family day and everyone is dreadfully excited, but really, it should be up to the couple to plan what they want for their day shouldn't it? Of course, if they wish to make concessions for special requests then that is lovely and thoughtful, but I do think that they ultimately should have final say. They only get one chance to have this day, and I hope that no-one would have any regrets from the decisions that they have made. It is supposed to be a happy day, full of laughter and love, and all parties need to remember that, and not play the guilt card. So, brides and grooms, plan YOUR day and enjoy it, and do not let other's agendas upset you. You only get this once.

For the bridesmaid.

I found this very interesting article about one girl's experience of being a bridesmaid and why she resigned her position (click here). It does sound to be quite an extreme example but I do wonder how often bridesmaids feel this way. Do some brides truly take advantage of their bridesmaids and do the bridesmaids feel resentful and used? Obviously the answer would have to be yes, because we see the story here. So, it is something to consider for all involved in planning the wedding day: what do the brides expect and what are the bridesmaids prepared to commit to? Let's hope that the actual friendship survives the day, and possibly even becomes a stronger one.

The Beauty of Emotions.

On one overcast day in Ballarat, two soul mates were married, and I was the lucky one to be there to conduct their ceremony. What can I say about Hayley and Adam? Family. Love. Joy. Tears. Hope: these two have it all. Their ceremony was short, but so jam packed with emotion, it was simple, sweet and very much about them and their daughters. Thank you so very much for having me there. You are both just beautiful.

"Treat yourselves and each other with respect, and remind yourselves often of what brought you together. Give the highest priority to the tenderness, gentleness, and kindness that your connection deserves. When frustration, difficulties, and fear assail your relationship – as they threaten all relationships at one time or other – remember to focus on what is right between you, not only that part which seems wrong. In this way, you can ride out the storms when clouds hide the face of the sun in your lives – remembering that even if you lose sight of it for a moment, the sun is still there. And if each of you takes responsibility for the quality of your life together, it will be marked by abundance and delight"

-- Author Unknown

A Wedding in the Ballarat Botanic Gardens.

Tash & Tim were married in January, in the Ballarat Botanic Gardens. It was quite a warm day, but their wedding spot was blessed with dappled sunlight and a cooling breeze. They were married surrounded by close family and friends, with a simple, personal ceremony, just perfect for them.

They chose a beautiful reading, which was read out by their bridesmaid, which spoke of their deep love for each other.

Love: written by George Betts

We love each other, this is not the end result, but the beginning.

Love begins when two people join together to form a unity of souls written in their hearts, a new direction which requires acceptance, patience and understanding.

Acceptance for the differences, for the struggles and the hardships, and most of all for change and growth.

Patience to allow time to take its natural course to flow, to blossom.

Flowers and love thrive on the same things, time, warmth and care.

Understanding is the wisdom of maturity, the combination of patience and acceptance.

And so, my friend, I offer these things to you as one - my   gift to you.

So this is the beginning.

Wow. I am now an Authorised Civil Celebrant. This feels like it has been a long time in the making & I am so excited, & yet slightly terrified, by my new awesome responsibilities. 

It has been a long process of waiting for my children to become older & less dependent on me, then doing the training, passing that & then waiting for my application to the Attorneys General Department to be assessed & approved. I have a Business Name (just your basic so that it cannot be confused, I like to think of it as "branding"), I have applied for an ABN & so now I wait again, hopefully for not too much longer. I am dying to get started on this new phase of my life. 

So whilst I wait I try t become well prepared. I have so many ideas, so much to purchase to set up my business & am so keen to begin. Hopefully this blog will assist in the tracking & documenting of my new career, I hope you enjoy the blog & the updates. My plan is to just to chat away about my adventures into the unknown: I hope you stay & join in with me as your feedback will be a valuable resource for me. Cheers!