Tilley & Hayden

I first knew about this couple through my "adopted daughter" Cait, who is Hayden's sister. She would fill me in about their relationship, their career choices, their various stories, and, eventually, their engagement. They sounded like the perfect couple, and I was absolutely delighted for this fabulous family news. And then one day, Tilley contacted me out of the blue, instructing me that I would be their celebrant, no questions asked. And I am so grateful that she did, because now, I have them all in my life, forever, no questions asked.  They were married just this last weekend in March 2019, at the ever fabulous Donegan's Farm, in Gordon, and it was a first for me in a couple of ways........ we had two people faint (one of which was a choir member, another first for me to have a choir at a wedding) and I got to go on a tractor ride to a lovely location for photos (see below, my happy snaps). Their photographer (and I am biased here as he is my husband) was Jeremy Bannister Photography so of course the official photographs will be amazing. And then, after all the photos were finished we joined in at the reception for fun and festivities. I could mention all the inappropriate and hilarious comments of the day, but I am a lady and will not mention all that, just suffice to say that I had a MOST fabulous day with these two darling people whom I will love forever 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 Jung

Kerri & John

Kerri is one of my oldest friends, we met in Year 7 back in the day, and I just loved being with her and her family. We had some many fun times together, with the occasional bit of mischief thrown in for good measure. Sadly, we lost touch as we grew up and lived our lives. BUT! Via the magic of Facebook we re-connected a few years ago, and it has been nice renewing that bond. So imagine my delight when she asked me to be her wedding celebrant, for her wedding to the gorgeous John! I was so thrilled. They married at The Log Cabin Camp, in Creswick, and this is such great wedding venue because they have accommodation there for all guests, so it can be quite the weekend. Another fab fact: I also got to work with Ethan and Sarah, from Ethan Robson Photography, a lovely couple, who take gorgeous photos, as you can see. 

Congrats Kerri and John, I adore you both, thanks for picking me xx

Miranda & Chris.

We were so lucky with Miranda and Chris' rehearsal and wedding. I am amazed that we did not drown at any point. On the day of the rehearsal we had thunderstorms, but just not during the time of the rehearsal (it bucketed down before and afterwards!) And on the day of the wedding? Blue skies, but quite humid. It was a family celebration, with most peple travelling great distances to be there to enjoy the celebrations. This couple had chosen Stacey Taig from "Simply Magical Celebrations" to do their styling, and it turned out so beautifully: well done Stacey! And well done to Miranda and Chris: congratulations on your wedding, I hope you have a wonderful married life together.

A Lovely Wedding Poem

I found this poem online today & I just love it. It's kind of quirky & quite a bit sweet, a bit modern too.

Taking: By Andrea Porter

Is this the part where I say I do?

I lost track somewhere around

us being gathered here together?

I don't recall anyone objecting.

My mind was somewhere else,

I had this image of us both older

weathered by the years, a scene

of us driving to your mother's

every Sunday for roast beef.

Discussions about good gravy,

the dog's arthritis, your sister,

the cost of bedding plants

Do you take this man?

Yes I take him, all of him.

I take his mother, her better gravy,

her hobbling dog, the sucked a lemon sister,

the cost of marigolds and geraniums.

I do, if it's the price for loving you.

Janine & Troy got married!

Last Saturday I had the honour of officiating at Janine & Troy's wedding. I first met these two at a previous wedding, on an extremely HOT January day. I was struggling to carry all my equipment to the venue & I was wearing stilettos. Troy offered to help me, & as I told Janine at our recent rehearsal, that was the day that I fell a little bit in love with Troy. He is such a caring man, what an absolute gentleman, & she is just a carbon copy of him, a warm, loving & genuinely awesome woman. They took my card, & then contacted me to officiate their wedding. I adore these two, they are so funny together & it is patently obvious how in love they are. We had fun: so many laughs, a few tears but above all there is their abiding love & respect for each other, which made this a perfect day.

They chose to marry at Mount Buninyong Winery, in Scotsburn. What a great venue! This was their first wedding after updating all their menu. It was a beautiful venue, set in amongst the bushland. Please go to have a look yourself, they are lovely people.

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".

Why do we have the bridal bouquet?

In  thinking about the strawberry bridal bouquet (which I would eat in a heartbeat!) I began to wonder why we always have bridal bouquets. They are so pretty, so surely they must have just been added to the wedding tradition to enhance the beauty of the day??

Well, no, apparently. 

A dill bouquet - pretty unspectacular.

Rumour has it that traditionally brides walked down the aisle carrying a bouquet of herbs, such as dill and garlic. It is thought that this began in the time of the plague, when people needed the semll of the herbs to hide the stench of their surroundings. They also belived that the herbs would protect them from illness. The carrying of the bouquet continued after the plague ended, and gradually brides added nicer smelling and vastly prettier flowers to the bouquet, leading to the bouquets we have today. 

A Different Kind of Bridal Bouquet.

I saw this on Facebook the other day, and thought it was quite fascinating. The use of strawberries as a wedding bouquet? I actually quite like it. I wonder if it would have to be made up on the morning of the wedding? I guess dessert is covered then, you could have a snack whilst the wedding photos were being taken, a great accompaniment for the glass of bubbly? 

A Surprise Wedding

  

I do so love a surprise wedding and have recently been asked to officiate at one, for a dear friend whom I used to work with a few years ago. To say that I am excited is an understatement. What is so exciting? The anticipation of seeing the looks on the guests faces, to be able to see that moment of joy for those who love the couple the best. How often does a celebrant get to see that? I am so honoured to be able to share that moment in time with my secret bridal couple. I cannot wait to share their day.

"If I Could Have Just One Wish"

If I could have just one wish, I would wish to wake up everyday

to the sound of your breath on my neck,

the warmth of your lips on my cheek,

the touch of your fingers on my skin, 

and the feel of your heart beating with mine...

Knowing that I could never find that feeling

with anyone other than you.

By Courtney Kuchta

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

Kayla's Naming Day.

I was invited to perform a naming ceremony for a dear little 2 year old girl, named Kayla.  The day was so extremely hot, in Melton, with very little breeze, but I could see how loved Kayla was when she had a large crowd arrive to celebrate her day with her. 

Her parents described her as funny, independent and head strong, words which made for hilarious moments as she kept running off to play with all her friends, squealing with joy. She was delightful.

A child, who lives with criticism, learns to condemn.

A child, who lives with hostility, learns to fight.

A child, who lives with ridicule, learns to be shy.

A child, who lives with shame, learns to feel guilty.

But a child, who lives with tolerance, learns to be patient.

A child, who lives with encouragement, learns confidence.

A child, who lives with fairness, learns justice.

A child, who lives with security, learns to have faith.

A child, who lives with approval, learns to like himself.

When a child lives with acceptance and friendship,

She learns to find love in the world.

Written by Dorothy Law Nolte.