Look at t his gorgeous bride and groom! So stylish and individual.

"Today I'm marrying the man of my dreams😁 a man who values me and shows me what love is...whether or not it rains I will have a day where my smile will shine on".

Was really feeling the love this weekend when both my couples had the sweetest thank you gifts for me! Totally unexpected but so thoughtful!
Crystal and Kane etched wineglasses for their guests, while Diane and Terry had the cutest little tins with sweet little star cakes inside.
Thank you!!!!

This picture doesn't quite do Amazing Seclusion justice. The day before at the rehearsal you felt like you were perched on a hilltop surrounded by the  sea. What a great discovery tho. Melissa and Richard had a small, intimate and very lovely wedding here, just family and a few friends and a tiny dog - Taco - the cause of so many disruptions we were relieved there was no "If anyone has any objections to this marriage" part as Taco certainly would have had a few! The only thing I would suggest if you liked this venue is that you give guests lots of detailed directions, after driving through forest for several kilometers everyone thought their GPS was giving them a bum steer!

Many people ask about the beautiful arches and settings in the photos on my website and most of them are done by the lovely Jen and her team  As A Whisper. I have seen Jen go that extra mile on many occasions - once she even built a bridge over a creek when a storm the night before  made access for the bride tricky - so its lovely to see nature doing her a favour by providing the driftwood for this beach aisle.

This was SUCH a sweet ceremony. Just Josh (channeling James Bond!) and Renee, their daughters and mothers in a sweet, simple ceremony at Jervis Bay. You wouldn't know it from this picture but it was threatening to storm all morning and we thought we would have to use a picnic shelter but luckily the rain held off. The look on their mothers faces when they arrived for what they thought was a family photo session was priceless!!! All the best for a long, happy, fulfilling marriage Josh and Renee!

Animals have featured quite a lot in my weddings recently! We had the goatcrashing goat and now its the breadroll stealing wallaby. This little critter tried to make off with the caterers bread rolls but they persuaded him to eat some fruit instead. The catering company - Golden Roast - can really claim to cater for all tastes!

How romantic is this? Elena and Stuart chose to have their first dance as husband and wife immediately after the ceremony. They waltzed their way around Callala Beach and it was such a beautiful moment! 

Had the pleasure of marrying my nephew Ian and his girlfriend Cat on her parents property outside Brisbane recently.
We got to the serious romantic part of the vows and I couldn't understand why all the guests were laughing....

Vanessa and Daniel opted for a very simple wedding at Hyams Beach. This isn't a picture of some kind of celebratory square dance - it's just everyone finding their  perfect position for the photo!
And here they are!

Hyams was absolutely gorgeous. You'd never know it was a winter wedding - and they had Hyams all to themselves!

Not sure what the collective term is for Bridesmaids? A bevy? A swag? This particular collection made THE most memorable entrance I've ever seen, dancing down the aisle, shaking maracas (and bootys!) to Love is in the Air. The energy in the room was pretty electric!

Vivien and Rick had the loveliest sunniest May wedding at the Sebel in Kiama on the weekend. A quirky touch was their request that everyone wear white. I NEVER wear white, I didn't even wear white to my own wedding so it was a bit of a challenge and I certainly didn't feel like myself as I left the house. I also took great care not to eat or drink anything before the ceremony. There were quite a few people in new clothes that day so I am not alone in my reluctance to wear white. It did add to the atmosphere though and made for some very amusing group photos. Bride Vivien looked amazing - very simple white of course! A statement necklace and a bouquet of the deepest darkest red roses. 

I like to get to a wedding early. Then I can set up and soak up the atmosphere. There was atmosphere aplently at Bawley Bush Retreat (http://www.bawleybushretreat.com.au/)  for Shona and Andrew. A mad flurry when I first arrived, with groomsmen in their ndies putting up a few final decorations and trying to find an iron! Then it was just me and this little bird in the bridal bower!

It's surprising how many people like to get married at their family holiday location. I guess there's a real emotional connection and a marriage ceremony is one more happy memory to associate with a particular location. Bride Alex is seen in this photo making her way down the bush track to One Tree Beach at Tuross Head. Not only has her family been holidaying here for 26 years but her parents honeymooned here - so lots of happy memories to add to!

how beautiful are Mark's vows?

I do so many beach weddings it's great to get out to other - non sandy - venues on occasion. And who could resist a wedding at a wildflower farm? Anthea and Nicholas were married among the wildflowers - 25 acres of them!  at Grow Wild in Alpine.

My son Jonas and I got to go to a wedding together on the weekend which made it extra special. It was the mother of one of his best friends so while it was my 408th wedding it was only his second! He multi tasked on the day! Carrying my table for me and even offering fashion advice - he didn't like the blue beads with the black dress. Yes I ignored this advice, just as he chose this shirt instead of the very nice blue floral one I suggested for him!

I know I know it's been ages but in my defense I had a big run of weddings in the pre Christmas period and then I had a big big holiday adventure of a lifetime trip - Hong Kong, Berlin, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Sweden, Lapland, London, Glasgow, Paris, Strasbourg and then home again!
I will attempt to fill in the gaps with some retro blogging as I did some fantastic weddings I haven't put up but in the meantime here's some advice from Madeliene Somerville in the Guardian. Having recently experienced all the trials of traveling with someone else I really appreciate the advice from Bill Murray she includes.

Getting married this summer? Stick to a small and simple wedding

Bleary-eyed from the late night before and inexplicably unable to find a single vendor selling coffee, my mind began reeling as we walked from stall to stall. Granted, it’s been a while since I planned my own nuptials, but has anyone else noticed that weddings have gotten insane?

Four-foot-tall cakes. Bronzed and immaculately groomed male strippers advertising extravagant bachelorette parties (“Last ride for the bride!”). Photobooths, custom-monogrammed chocolates and a 30-passenger Hummer limo in a violent shade of green.

The pursuit of perfection was suffocating.

As I examined a wedding dress which cost more than a year’s rent on my apartment, I wondered if I was just being a grumpy curmudgeon. Was I jaded?

I had a wedding of my own, after all, and I remember well my heady feeling of excitement. I, too, wanted it to be special, memorable, perfect. I’ve never been much of a traditionalist when it came to weddings (I opted for a pearl ring instead of a diamond) and granted, I’ve always been of the “less is more” mindset (we had 35 guests, my dress cost $250) but I do understand the excitement surrounding such a happy day. I get it, is what I’m saying.

Nonetheless, I wondered about the impact of the sizable financial burden so many couples were so eagerly signing on for. And, consummate hippie that I am, I wondered about the environmental cost of the innumerable parties that crowd our calendars each summer.

After coming home from the expo, I dove into the research. What’s the true cost of a wedding?

Well, it turns out that I’m not a bitter old hag after all – the astronomical price tag of weddings is terrifying, and it’s just the beginning.

The average cost of a wedding in the US now tops $31,000, and £21,000 for UK brides. Forty-five percent go over budget, and a further 23% didn’t even have a budget in the first place.

If this is disheartening, hold on to your veils because recent studies seem to suggest that these extravagant budgets don’t do much more than heap loads of stress on new couples, with wedding costs inversely correlated with marriage longevity.

Women who spend more than $20,000 on their wedding are 1.6 times more likely to get divorced than women who spend less than $20,000. And, sorry DeBeers, men who spend between $2,000-$4,000 on an engagement ring are 1.3 times as likely to get divorced when compared with those who spent a more modest $500-$2,000.

Now, as any student of statistics knows, correlation doesn’t necessarily indicate causation. Downgrading your diamond isn’t going to divorce-proof your marriage. What I do think these numbers speak to, and why this fluorescent-lit wedding expo struck a nerve with me, is the priorities of brides- and grooms-to-be.

When you’re lusting after more, more, more, and digging yourself into debt to pay for it, what is it all for? The wedding? Or the marriage?

TV reality shows overflow with angry, irritated women in white dresses making everyone else’s lives miserable so that they can have “one perfect day”. Fully one-third of couples go into debt paying for their wedding and six years later, 30% of couples were still paying off bills from the big day.

This is too much. This is insane.

The financial costs and corresponding stress many couples take on by going into debt for their nuptials is only the tip of the proverbial iceberg. Weddings carry a huge environmental cost, too. Travel arrangements for hundreds of guests, imported flowers, bleached and mass-produced bridal gowns, limos and extravagantly decorated venues – it all adds up. The average American wedding (of which there are a staggering 2.5m a year) contributes 62 tons of carbon dioxide and between 400-600lb of garbage.

For all the brides-to-be who feel like strangling me with their garters right about now, there is an upside to all of this. There are alternatives to this sort of wedding insanity, even for those who are understandably reluctant to have a minimalist city hall ceremony.

To reduce costs both financial and environmental, first trim the guest list. This is the easiest way to drastically reduce the price tag of your special day. Invite your nearest and dearest, those people you love most, those who have provided you and your soon-to-be-spouse with support and encouragement in your years together.

Next, streamline. Ditch the save the date cards, the programs, the bedazzled “bride” flip-flops, and any other optional or one-time use items. This also applies to wedding favours – no one will miss those miniature pots of honey engraved with your wedding date.

Make “small and simple” your mantra. Ring? Small and simple. Flowers? Small and simple. Venue? Small and simple. There’s a lot to be said for understated elegance and letting the joy of the day speak for itself, rather than getting crushed beneath the weight of meticulously coordinated color schemes.

If all else fails, may I humbly suggest that you follow the brilliant advice of my personal guru, Bill Murray, who has devised the perfect way to shift focus back to the person you’re marrying, rather than wedding you’re planning:

If you have someone that you think is ‘the one’, don’t just sort of think in your ordinary mind, ‘OK, let’s pick a date. Let’s plan this and make a party and get married. Take that person and travel around the world. Buy a plane ticket for the two of you to travel all around the world, and go to places that are hard to go to and hard to get out of. And if when you come back to JFK, when you land in JFK, and you’re still in love with that person, get married at the airport.”

  Sometimes I'll travel a little bit further to do a wedding and make a weekend of it with my family. It's a great opportunity to explore some of the beautiful south coast villages which all have their own unique character. Sera and James planned to get married in Tilba and I was lucky enough to find a house in Wallaga Lake on AirBNB for a great price for a great rate for just one night. Amazingly when I contacted the owner he knew me. I had  been the celebrant at both his son's wedding  and his mother in law's funeral. Wallaga  was gorgeous, very quiet,  very sleepy  little town, well at least until my two sons started exploring . Sera and James  made the call to have the ceremony at their own holiday rental due to predicted thunderstorms that day. The storm never arrive but it was a great call. What a great setting for a small wedding - just four guests and they exchanged their vows for all eternity standing beside the infinity pool looking out over bush  and beach.

I do so love being a celebrant, just being involved in such a life affirming event! Yesterdays ceremony was one of those extra extra special ones - you don't know when they're coming but when they do you are just buoyed by happiness for days after!
Angalea had been planning a surprise vow renewal for her and husband Toby's 10th wedding anniversary. Apparently he's the emotional, romantic one so she thought she would do something extra special for him. It was to have been in March but unfortunately Toby's grandfather got ill and died so the ceremony was delayed. Several months later Angalea managed to keep the surprise and she and her 4 sons waited with closes family and friends for Toby to arrive. He had been told they were going to have family photos taken in honour of their youngest son's 1st birthday. Toby, not knowing the plan didnt quite stick with it! He walked very very slowly up to the location and even stopped for a toilet break not knowing Angalea was hiding in the Ladies in her wedding dress. When he finally arrived, the music started and Angalea and her sons walked up to him it was one of the most beautiful images I've seen. So much love and happiness and quite a few tears! It was magic!
Great location too - Holden St Boat Ramp Vincentia, if you're looking for a quiet beach setting with fabulous views it's definitely worth exploring!

I realise that that the cupcake craze will likely go the way of bunting and mason jars soon but who could resist this beautiful creation? A bouquet of cupcakes!

Always exciting when a new wedding venue opens in this area. Especially a small intimate one for those not wanting a cavernous reception hall at the local RSL. Been driving past the rustic door  barn doors of the old Blacksmiths in Berry wondering what was inside and just discovered it's The Burrows.  

Love the little bit country, little bit vintage vibe which I think will be very popular!

I absolutely loved this article. So many of the brides I meet (and I was one of them) are desperate to lose weight prior to their wedding in search of some ideal so this is a really refreshing take.
The description of the actual wedding made me laugh and cry a little too :

I walked down the aisle to a recording of him playing Someone to Watch Over Me on the piano; my fiance wore a blue plaid suit; a bald eagle flapped over the ceremony; the food was transcendent; my sister’s fondant camellias slid off the cake; someone spilled red wine on one of the beds; I got my period; it poured after a month of uninterrupted sunshine, then abruptly stopped just as we emerged from the tent to dance; a friend of mine got confused about the route to the bathroom and walked into my mom’s bedroom naked. Oh, and Aham’s 100-year-old great-grandmother had a tiny stroke on the way to the wedding, went to the hospital, got better, AND STILL CAME AND PARTIED. It was a gorgeous, chaotic, loving, perfect day.

My wedding was perfect – and I was fat as hell the whole time

Aham and I got engaged on my birthday. He took me to dinner, suggested a “quick nightcap” at our neighbourhood bar, and then, surprise! Everyone was there – our friends, our families, the kids, four random people who were just trying to get a damn drink on a Sunday night without being accidental set dressing in somebody else’s raucous public proposal (sorry, dudes). I was so happy. He took my hand and led me to the back; there was a paper banner that said my name (the bartender made it – we go there a lot); there was a live string duet. I was confused. Why was there a sombre cello at my birthday party? Why was my boyfriend doing his Intense Face? Wait, it’s almost 10pm on a school night and we’re at a bar – why ARE the kids here? Then it all happened at once: the knee, the ring, the speech, the question, the tears. All the hits. It was a full-blown grand gesture.

Months later, I asked him why he did it that way – such a big spectacle, such an event, not precisely our style – and I expected something cliched but sweet, like, “I wanted to make sure our community was a part of our marriage,” or, “I wanted everyone to know how much I love you.” Instead, his response cracked me up: “One time when you were drunk you told me, ‘If you ever propose to me, don’t do it in the bullshit way that dudes usually treat fat girls. Like it’s a secret, or you’re just trying to keep me from leaving you. Thin girls get public proposals, like those dudes are winning a fucking prize. Fat chicks deserve that, too.’” I probably would have finessed it a bit if I’d been sober, but way to lean in, bossy, drunk past-Lindy!

It’s not that I’d ever particularly yearned for a grand gesture – the relationship I cherish lives in our tiny private moments (and, as I’d later discover at my bridal shower, I’m surprisingly uncomfortable being the object of public sincerity) – but the older I get and the longer I live in a fat body, the harder it is to depoliticise even simple acts. A public proposal to a publicly valued body might be personally significant, but culturally it shifts nothing. A public proposal to a publicly reviled body is a political statement.

I’ve dated men who relished me in private but refused to be seen with me on the street, or who told me, explicitly, that we had no serious future because they were afraid their friends would laugh at them. I’ve been eagerly approached by men who clearly saw me as nothing but an arousingly taboo body type, which I find equally demoralising (other fat people don’t mind, I know – that’s cool, too). I just wanted to be a person, and, if I was lucky, to fall in love with a person – neither in spite of my body nor because of it. Once I finally did, I wanted to crystallise that, make it solid, and broadcast it where younger versions of myself could find it.

“I grew up assuming that I would never get married,” I wrote back in November, in a piece called Why I can’t wait to be a fat bride, “because marriage was for thin women, the kind of women who deserved to be collected. How could I be a bride when I was already what men most feared their wives would become? I was the mise en place for a midlife crisis. I was the Ghost of Adultery Future. At least, that’s what I’d been taught. And that’s why I can’t goddamn wait to be a fat bride.”

And: “When I think back on my teenage self, what I really needed to hear wasn’t that someone might love me one day if I lost enough weight to qualify as human – it was that I was worthy of love now, just as I was. So I’ll be fat on my wedding day. Because being fat and happy and in love in public is still a radical act.”

We got married a week ago at my favourite place – a log cabin that my parents bought when I was a few years old and have painstakingly fixed up over the intervening 30 years.

My dad didn’t make it to my wedding, but even though I believed that death is a hard return, I can always feel him at the cabin. I walked down the aisle to a recording of him playing Someone to Watch Over Me on the piano; my fiance wore a blue plaid suit; a bald eagle flapped over the ceremony; the food was transcendent; my sister’s fondant camellias slid off the cake; someone spilled red wine on one of the beds; I got my period; it poured after a month of uninterrupted sunshine, then abruptly stopped just as we emerged from the tent to dance; a friend of mine got confused about the route to the bathroom and walked into my mom’s bedroom naked. Oh, and Aham’s 100-year-old great-grandmother had a tiny stroke on the way to the wedding, went to the hospital, got better, AND STILL CAME AND PARTIED. It was a gorgeous, chaotic, loving, perfect day.

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And I was fat as hell the whole time.

As a fat woman, if you ask for help or guidance on almost any topic, what you inevitably hear is some version of “Take up less space.” Diminish yourself. Feeling sick? Make your body smaller. Can’t find love? Make your body smaller. Undervalued at work? Make your body smaller. Can’t make your body smaller? Hide your body. Can’t hide your body? “Flatter” your body (ie make it look smaller). Choose an empire waist. Cover your arms. Your body is too unattractive. Your body is too expensive. Your body is too unruly. We want to see less of you, or preferably none at all.

“The first thing that a plus-size wedding dress must be in the eyes of the wedding-dress industry is ‘flattering’,” says my friend and wedding planner Alithea O’Dell. “Their primary concern is to hide your body, which is just absurd when you think about how much inspiration and thought and talent goes into designing straight-sized dresses. Those dresses can be many things – a show stopper, glamorous, beautiful, delicate, sexy – before they are ‘flattering’.”

Well, I don’t hide any more in my everyday life, and I definitely wasn’t going to hide at my wedding.

I skipped the bridal boutiques altogether. My friend, artist and designer Mark Mitchell, and I conceived of the most beautiful dress we could imagine, which, according to the old orthodoxies, just happened to be the least “flattering” dress possible for a fat chick: a strapless, skin-tight mermaid gown exploding with silk flowers. The flowers – my god, the wisteria! – added extra bulk in areas I’m supposed to try and “slim”. The silhouette accentuated my stomach instead of camouflaging it. My arms looked like what they are – strong, and big. I didn’t wear Spanx. I was beautiful.

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But “beauty” is a fraught concept. There’s an awkward three-way tension between wedding culture and feminism and fat acceptance – because of what “acceptance” demands of women in our culture, a lot of fat activism takes the form of fat women trying to “prove” that they can wear the trappings of male fantasy and traditional gender roles just as well as thin women. Fat women can be pretty. Fat women can get married. Fat women can “get” conventionally attractive husbands. But how is that constructive? Male approval isn’t where my self-worth comes from – and that realisation was a huge part of what made my current relationship healthy and fulfilling. Respectability politics might boost mainstream attitudes toward fat people in the short-term, but what does it do for women in general in the long-term? How can I simultaneously fight for women to be free of patriarchal standards and for fat women to be allowed to participate in those standards?

My short answer is that I am far more interested in expanding the realm of self-expression for fat people than in adding to the already extensive list of what we “can” and “can’t” wear. But I also asked Alithea how she reconciles that tension as a wedding planner, a feminist, and a fat woman. “I agree,” she said, “that sometimes women will still internalise these patriarchal ideas we are taught about how we MUST get married, we MUST be as beautiful as possible, we MUST be loved by a cis man, and if we don’t, we aren’t truly happy or successful. Obviously, this is bullshit. Of course a partner brings us happiness in so many ways that others can’t, but there is a fundamental structure of love, and happiness, and true peace most of us must find in ourselves before we find happiness with a partner, otherwise it’s like a beautiful house built on a shitty foundation. The strongest conflict I navigate is the one between feminism and the capitalism that is so deeply interwoven into weddings. Capitalism is not feminist – it is built on preying on cheap labour, by literally enslaving people to manufacture things so other people get rich. The wedding industrial complex has convinced us that the only ‘good’ weddings are the weddings that cost the most. But I see weddings as a tradition, a ceremony, and those things are important in all cultures. So I work with my clients to strip away the gross stuff that doesn’t feel right, the stuff they’re told they ‘need’, and rebuild a wedding into a ceremony and a party that is reflective of their values, something that they are proud of and feels like an honest celebration of their love.”

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Choose your rituals, but make them yours. If you want to look like a flower market ate fat Betty Draper and then barfed her up in the middle of a haunted forest (YEEEESSS!), great choice. If you want to get married to a burrito while wearing a barrel with suspenders, I’m cool with it. If you think the very concept of marriage is hot garbage, that’s legit. But regardless, remember that you absolutely do not have to “fix” your body, chase after “flattering”, be somebody’s dark secret, or beg for permission to be happy.

And to my 16-year-old self, if you’re reading this, listen to Alithea; she is wise: “When I enter into a relationship, I am not filling a hole that society has dug out of my soul, telling me that I am fat, and because I am fat I am ugly, and because I am ugly I am unlovable. I am there, in their bed and in their life, for the purest of reasons, not because I am insecure and need the external validation that a patriarchal society has taught us to seek. I am not seeking validation from a partner, I am seeking partnership in that partner.”

I have never in my life been fatter than I was on my wedding day, I have never shown my body in such an uncompromising way, and I have never felt more at home in that body. I was fully myself, and I was happy. We are happy. This life is yours, fat girls. Eat it up.

This article provides quite a few laughs and some excellent advice esp "There is something about having all the people you love in one room, celebrating your love, that gives you “a high like no other."

When weddings attack: adventures of a modern bride

And then the talk turned to the wedding.

“How about September?” my mum proposed.

“September 2016?” my very new fiance asked, tentatively.

“No, this September. Just get it done. A lovely, late-summer wedding. Obviously we’re not waiting until next summer.” My mother, as she had made abundantly clear over the previous six months, and most of my adult life, had waited long enough.

“That’s a bit quick,” we both spluttered.

“What do you want from your wedding?” my future father-in-law asked me, excitedly. “You must have thought about it.”

But the truth was, I really hadn’t. I had no tea-towel-as-veil sessions as a little girl. I was preoccupied with playing offices, or pretending to be a baseball player (a minor obsession with the film A League Of Their Own).

“Fairy lights?” I suggested, hoping this might pass as an answer. It didn’t. And so it began.

Fast forward four months, and I have been asked to choose one of eight chair designs at our wedding (in December: I managed to buy three whole months). I have never once paid attention to a chair at a wedding, and at moments like these I question who I have become. My friends assure me that this (along with a wedding hashtag, the colour of the dancefloor, appropriate mood lighting, sweets for the bespoke pick ’n’ mix table) is all part of what it means to get married in 2015.

But when did wedding planning get so complicated? There seems to be an endless stream of decisions to be made, from the dress to the flowers to the cake, to the flowers on the cake. Plus I’m bombarded by everyone else’s choices (thanks social media). I am just a rookie bride, making it up as I go along. Here is what I’ve learned so far.

You don’t have to have a Jewish mother to feel the pressure (but it helps)

As I write this, it is 172 days 6 hours 42 minutes and 26 seconds until my wedding day. I know this because my mother has a countdown app on her phone. It has a photograph of me and my fiance looking half decent at a wedding reception (where else?) with the countdown clock at the bottom, because this is how long she has to wait before she sees us looking that presentable again. She will occasionally screenshot the app and send it to me with messages such as: “Can’t wait until it’s 150 days to go!”

Of course, I love my mum. For me and my older brother, she is a best friend and a tower of strength. We call her The Marine. Together we endured 10 years in which my lovely dad was erased by Alzheimer’s, before he died last year. So it’s about time I saw her eyes brim with tears of joy.

But there is joy, and then there is mania. Earlier this year, an Instagram account called @crazyjewishmom went viral. In it, American producer Kate Siegel reposts her mother’s texts (in response to Kate asking her to guess what she’s bought for her dad’s birthday: “Is it a grandchild? Just kidding… we lowered our expectations a long time ago”). A number of Jewish daughters I know posted this account on Facebook, tagging their mothers with the comment, “Mum, is this you?” (We feel too guilty not to accept our mothers’ Facebook friend requests. It also means they know we’re alive when we travel.)

My own mother, when bored, texts me pictures of baby clothes. I have one grandmother who asked me what I was “going to do” about turning 29, and another who urged me to get blond highlights so I could “look like a Spice Girl” (it was the 1990s). So I get @crazyjewishmom. What happens when you throw a nuptial into that kind of a mix? My mother called the caterer within 24 hours of us getting engaged, and turned up to that first engagement dinner with two wedding planner diaries – one for me and one for her.

What has become clear to me, though, is that you don’t need a pushy Jewish mother to feel overwhelmed. Modern wedding culture will suffice. This year, I am attending 10 ceremonies, not including my own. Last year, it was six. Inevitably, we have spent the past two years surrounded by brides and grooms from different religions and backgrounds, planning weddings of all shapes and sizes, from farms in tiny rural villages to south London warehouses. The cult of the meticulously planned wedding has descended upon us all.

Nowhere is this more apparent than in the obsession with weight loss. It now seems to be a given that prospective brides are going to starve themselves silly. Aside from being a symptom of society’s corrosive obsession with thinness, which I haven’t got time to go into right now because I am really busy thinking about chairs, this is stupid. As one friend, exasperated by incessant questions about her “wedding diet”, tells me: “I don’t care about changing the way I look, to marry the person who sees me first thing in the morning. Makes zero sense.”

I have even had to sign a form to say that, if I lose too much weight before my wedding, and my dress doesn’t fit, it is my fault, not the dress shop’s (this, despite the fact I have no intention of #shreddingforthewedding – and yep, that’s a thing). My friend Sally, meanwhile, had little say in the matter: “My designer cut my dress too small on the assumption I’d lose weight due to stress,” she says. “I didn’t feel hugely stressed, so the weight stayed on. Then I tried on the dress and couldn’t do up the zip. That made me stressed.”

It could be worse. A friend in LA had to sign a similar form promising she wouldn’t get a boob job. God bless America.

Pinterest is not your friend

I thought I would be a fairly relaxed bride, not especially interested in the details beyond booze and music. I was wrong. And, for that, as with most things in life, I blame social media. If Facebook monitored my usage, which of course it does, there would be a big spike on a Monday morning, as I trawl through albums of weddings from the weekend. I wasn’t invited, I don’t even know some of these people, but thanks to any wedding hashtag that has been widely used by guests (sometimes dictated in advance by the bride and groom), it can sometimes feel as if I’ve hit the jackpot.

Why? Because Facebook wedding albums are not just lovely portraits of the bride and groom (although I recently heard of one bride who took a selfie at the altar. She had a special pocket sewn into her dress for her phone). On Facebook, you will also find photographs of table plans, flower arrangements and escort cards (which, I have learned, are those little cards with your name on that tell you your table number, not the sort you used to find in phone boxes).

If I really want to binge on wedmin, there is only one place to go: Pinterest, a scrapbooking site that is like crack for the right kind of bride. Here my research goes much deeper than simply entering “wedding”. One night, I was browsing “wedding favours” (yes, your guests need a present as well as a good party), and with one click found myself in a sub-category entitled “25 ways to make your wedding funnier” (when did weddings have to be funny?). Next up was “10 ways to keep your guests entertained”, including games such as “Guess when we will have our first kid”, and “Suggest some names for our future children”. It was time to get out of the wormhole.

People get weird about flowers

Personally, I see very little point in a bouquet. Why do I need to hold flowers to get married? So I’m amazed by objections to my objection. “But... what will you do with your hands?” people ask, forgetting most of us manage to get through most days quite nicely without clutching any sort of vegetation.

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“Please don’t make any decisions you will later regret,” warned my most intelligent and accomplished friend, who runs her own business, and who I wrongly assumed would agree with me on this. Eventually, I acquiesced. You have to chose your battles. I will be holding a bouquet on my wedding day, albeit a small one.

My friend Lily planned a beautifully simple and intimate wedding in London, in just five weeks. You would think she might have escaped this nonsense. She did not. “An evil man in a flower shop laughed in my face when I asked for a few bouquets of wedding flowers, with three weeks’ notice,” she tells me. “It made me cry. In fact, I still get teary when I walk past that shop, remembering how panic-stricken I was when someone didn’t want to take hundreds of pounds off me to assemble some flowers to look like they hadn’t been assembled!” As I said: people get weird about flowers.

Your wedding is not what you think it is

There is a line of thinking that a wedding should be all about celebrating a couple who are deeply in love and who have vowed to spend the rest of their lives together. These days, this line of thinking is wrong. Well, not quite wrong – it’s just not enough. “There is no greater visual representation of your sense of style than your wedding day,” says Jade Beer, editor of Condé Nast Brides, frighteningly. “If you are deemed not to have pulled it off, you’re going to take that very personally.” Which is fine with me, since my personal style is everyone-get-pissed-and-have-a-good-time.

But a friend who is getting married next week says this is, in fact, the biggest source of her stress: it turns out it’s not all about her and her boyfriend, it’s about how they come across. “I care so much more about how people experience the event as a representation of me and my partner,” she says, “than about the personal details. Hence I still have no shoes.”

For this reason, wedding “branding” is everywhere. It’s not just the hashtag (a portmanteau of the couple’s names; an in-joke), there is also the logo, which will appear on invitations, orders of service, as well as the photographs dispensed by hired photo-booths. I know one bride who has spent a fair amount of time thinking about how the positioning of a branded neon sign will facilitate Instagrammable moments of her big day.

Here I am wasting time on chairs. No one Instagrams a chair.

But it’s totally worth it

I know: this all sounds ridiculous, and largely because it is. All this time, energy and money would be better invested elsewhere, because this is only one day.

But every bride and groom I know tells me that, despite the fuss, the nonsense and the stress, it is, in fact, worth it. There is something about having all the people you love in one room, celebrating your love, that gives you “a high like no other”, one bride, two years married, tells me. And, yes, we care about getting all the elements right for the day, especially when other people take such joy from it. My mum hosted an engagement tea for us, and there was a moment when my fiance’s 89-year-old grandfather took my hand and said softly: “You have no idea how happy this day has made me.”

Whenever I feel like the planning is getting out of hand, and we are drowning in the detail, I cast my mind back to last year, when I was sitting shiva for my father after he died. It was the last time the whole family got together. After the obligatory condolences are given and awkward small talk navigated, there is a phrase Jews say to those in mourning: “On simchas.” It means, “The next time I see you, I hope it’s a celebration.”

I remember the look on our families’ faces as we walked into that restaurant in February, and imagine them on the big day, and I think, yes: “On simchas.” I think I might have just found our wedding hashtag.

Striped paper straws, bunting, hay bales, mason jars - they're over!
So what's new on the bridal scene???
Bride to Be magazine has just published a guide to what's hot and what's not so it looks like you're honeymooning in South America, striving for an architectural silhouette(poufy is out!) wearing a stained berry lip look and serving farm to table food on a mirrored table runner with Lucite engraved place cards and aiming for something that's  simultaneously organic and decidedly chic. Good luck!

We round up wedding aficionados to discuss the biggest trends coming out of 2015 - from destination weddings, bridal fashion, beauty, cakes , flowers, styling, plus much more!

DESTINATIONS

‘In terms of up-and-coming honeymoon destinations, it has to be Central America. There are so many places to choose from, all offering a great mixture of culture, adventure and relaxation. Costa Rica and Mexico are increasingly popular for couples wanting a bit more adventure from their honeymoon.’  – Mr & Mrs Smith

Mr & Mrs Smith: The classic honeymoon destinations are going nowhere. This year it’s all about Greece, particularly Santorini and Mykonos – they’re beautiful islands with the most stunning sunset views. The Amalfi coast is still the ultimate Italian escape for a honeymoon, too; Capo la Gala and Maison la Minervetta are favourites for their quirky design, ocean views and wonderful food. And of course, for couples who want to splash out on some all-out luxury, the Maldives is hard to beat.

RELATED ARTICLE Travel Santorini: A Greek Odyssey 

FASHION

‘For 2015, there is a move towards sleek, architectural silhouettes. Column and form-fitting gowns are a clear trend, and feel more modern. Fewer brides are being drawn to traditional “poufy” or high-volume styles. The new silhouette is more youthful, polished and effortlessly elegant.’ – Gilles Mendel

Gilles Mendel: While fur is always in style at J. Mendel in terms of the perfect bridal cover-up (you can never go wrong with an ivory fox or mink bolero, for example), I think capes are a very fashion-forward development in bridal trends, and are becoming something of a replacement for the traditional veil. A long, pleated silk chiffon cape can add an element of drama and movement, but still feels very ethereal and romantic (J. Mendel is available in Australia at annadafonte.com).

Abby Larson: We are seeing a tonne of really ethereal, lighter-than-air gowns. The detailing lends itself more to fabric textures – lace and cut-out applications – and less on heavy beadwork. Feminine, lightweight and utterly romantic gowns are the name of the game for the coming year.

BRIDAL BEAUTY

‘At Bridal Fashion Week, flawless, natural looking skin featured a matte finish. We created this pretty look for Carolina Herrera’s bridal shows using our new Skin Weightless Powder Foundation.’ – Bobbi Brown

Images courtesy of Bobbi Brown

Bobbi Brown: A stained berry lip is the perfect finishing touch to any bridal beauty look. To create, use a lip brush to apply  colour onto lips for more precision. Next, wait a few minutes so the colour really sets on lips and finish by blotting colour off for a deeply stained look.

Napoleon Perdis: I love the idea of buying and wearing a fragrance specifically for your wedding day. The connection between scent and memory is very strong, so what better way to remember your big day than via a spritz of perfume?! I’m a huge fragrance collector and have scents for different occasions and moods. Look for boutique fragrances that are made in smaller batches so it becomes your signature scent (and you’re not smelling it on every second person you meet!). Try brands like Frederic Malle and Nicolai.

I also love a statement lip on a bride! And since every bright shade works with white, cream, or ivory, it’s a relatively safe bet – though you can’t go past a blue-based red. Right now I’m really loving those vivid plum and wine colours, but as stains rather than full pigment. They look a little less obvious, while still adding impact to your look.

WEDDING FOOD

‘Seasonal Food, Served Family-Style. As we all know, people are much more conscious about what they’re eating these days so serving a good range of food (seasonal sides, salads, meats, crispy potatoes…) on big platters allows people to customise what ends up on their plate. It’s also a very social way to share and enjoy food.’ – Curtis Stone

Curtis Stone: This mightn’t be a hot bridal trend (yet!), but one way I made my wife, Lindsay, smile from ear to ear on our wedding day back in 2013 was to bake her our wedding cake myself. Any sort of personal touch, whether big or small, goes a long way! Start dropping hints, ladies!

Colin Cowie: Farm-to-table isn’t just the biggest trend in restaurants right now, it’s also the hottest thing in weddings. Nowadays, brides aren’t just asking for organic greens – they are asking for the exact farm that their greens came from. Caterers are working with local farms to create the best menu and experience for the new-age bride. 

WEDDING FLOWERS

‘India is a big inspiration for 2015 events – Indian colours, design elements and themes (such as sculptural floral elephants) are really taking off – it is about removing the rules and having fun. Colour is theme-oriented and bold, with acid colours taking centre stage.’ – Jeff Leatham

Jeff Leatham: Flowers free of vessels or decoration become the hero centrepiece on the bridal table; the natural florals accented by candles tucked within the display. Beautiful vases are used in the entrance of a room and around the exterior to create statement moments.

RELATED ARTICLE Wedding Styling: Floral Reinvention

WEDDING STYLING

‘Personalised everything! From bottles of Champagne to menu cards, from large scale seating charts to wedding signage, an emphasis on gorgeous calligraphy will be everywhere.’ – Abby Larson

Colin Cowie: Reflective surfaces add a big dose of style and glamour to any table – think Lucite engraved place cards and a mirrored table runner. For a luxe for less version, remove the frame from a simple back of door mirror and voilà – you have your mirrored runner.

Abby Larson: Organic Glam: where the season and setting – locally sourced menus, seasonal cocktails and flowers – set the tone but are glammed up with elements of metallic. From rose gold to platinum, everything feels simultaneously organic and decidedly chic.

RELATED ARTICLE DIY Wedding Bomboniere: Metallics

Curtis Stone: Oyster bars, cigar bars, whiskey bars—you name it. If the couple shares a passion for a food, drink or pastime, there’s a chance you’ll see a mini bar set up on their wedding day. Hanging out at the bar also makes a great place for guests to mingle.

MUSIC

Colin Cowie: Forget the classic band vs. DJ debate… why not have both? Go for a band in the beginning of the night, for first dances and while dinner is being served, then turn it over to a DJ to keep the party going on the dance floor. If you have a talented group get your band to do live mash-ups with the DJ. It’s the perfect mix of something for everyone!

RELATED ARTICLE Celebrity First Dance Wedding Songs

A little something old and a little something new, the top three first dance songs of 2014* were a mix of trend and tradition.

1. At Last, Etta James

2. I Won’t Give Up, Jason Mraz

3. You Are the Best Thing, Ray LaMontagne

It's very quiet on the wedding scene during the colder months. Most people who want to get married on the south coast want sunshine with their scenic location.

Buzzfeed have put together an interersting selection of vintage wedding looks :
however if you're not into lace you probably won't find many that appeal.
This one caught  my eye and before you say "no bride would wear that!" I did marry a bride who wore a string bikini once. The groom was in speedos! It was very memorable, not only for me but for anyone who was on the beach that day!

It's been a big month for my nephew Ian. He graduated as an officer in the Navy and then headed north to propose to his girlfriend Cat. While we were fairly confident she'd say yes we were still all waiting anxiously for the news. It looks like he waited until they were on top of Mt Tambourine and Cat did in fact say yes! Very exciting as he is the first of my many nephews to get engaged - even tho they are all of marriageable age and have easy access to a celebrant! Hopefully they will all now follow his example! Congratulations Ian and Cat!!!

Vantonian married his dream girl Natalie in a small ceremony with closest family and friends at Hyams Beach.
Photographer Debbie Fear took lots of beautiful photos that day but this is my favourite. The look on daughter Ellas's face is priceless!

Well I will stop berating myself for the lack of blogs - just counted and I've done 20 weddings since my last post! So many beautiful brides,  handsome grooms, cute ring bearers - hopefully I'll  be able to share a few with you now that the weather is cooler and I have some downtime between ceremonies!

Kangaroo Valley Bush Retreat is a really spectacular venue. Ceremonies are held in a natural bush "cathederal" which is reached by a slightly precarious path best which is best not attempted in heels. However the owners have thought of everything and have set up a little bush boudoir so that the bridal party can stop, change from thongs into their heels and do a little last minute primping before their big entrance.

I have peformed close to 350 ceremonies now and one of the things I most enjoy is just seeing the little individual touches couples come up with to make the celebration uniquely theirs. Often it's some little keepsake for the guests - handmade candles, or tea sachets or jam or - in the case of Nic and Daniel's glamfest at Jaspers it was the wooden box of vintage hankies - which must have been painstakingly collected throughout the year - to catch "happy tears".

I love flowergirls. They are wildly unpredictable but no matter what they do they are guaranteed to steal the show.
Wanted to share these photos of flowergirls at a wedding a Jones Beach - just outside Kiama - last week. They had gorgeous feathery wings and nearly floated away with the bubbles they were blowing!



Jones Beach was a new location for me, it was a secluded beach, perhaps because there is a shortish - but easy walk to get to it. It has a very dramatic backdrop Kiama is famous for - rugged rock formations, blue sky and sea - and a bonus on a really hot day is that you would still get the ocean background but have  a shady reserve as an  option for hte ceremony.

Bit of a wedding whirl at the moment, since my last bridal blog I've performed 4 weddings and in December I have 8.
Lots of last minute elopements for December with couples coming from Sydney and Canberra but also America, Germany, Switzerland, New Zealand and Turkey and combining a holiday with a wedding.  All very exciting.
November has been a great month with lots of Friday weddings for some unaccountable reason so it's been a bit strange having a few free Saturdays.
This is one of my favourite pictures for November, the look Kerryn is giving Colin - her partner for the last 19 years, the father of their three children and  now her husband -  says so much!

I love a Paperbark Camp wedding. Something very magical about the setting and the staff are fantastic, everything just flows and you go with it. Richard and Susannah were married down at "The Patch", a gorgeous bushland setting . t was just me and a couple of kangaroos when I arrived. Well me, a couple of kangaroos, and some of the most amazingly lush decadent floral decorations I've ever seen. The signing table and the arch were decorated with huge branches of orchids, roses and magnolia blossoms. The gold sparkly tassels on the arch are a nod to the brides dress which was gold and sparkly!! Susannah also wore a wreath of roses and was a stunning sparkly golden bride! Richard was in a navy blue suit with the special addition of gold fish cufflinks Susannah had made for him as a surprise, they were made from a doodle he'd done in their early courtship days.

Extra excited about todays Hyams Beach wedding as it was my first same sex ceremony. Looking out at their mothers and fathers and sisters and brothers and aunties and uncles and nieces and nephews and all their friends and soaking in the happiness and love and shared wishes for Janelle and Katrina's future happiness  really brought it home for me just how absurd the laws regarding marriage in Australia are! The only good thing was I didn't have to say the boring legal bits including the Monitum (where I am required to remind couples that marriage -according to law -  is between a man and a woman!)

I cover a lot of the coast, performing ceremonies from Bulli to Bateman's Bay but sometimes I'm tempted to go a little further afield. It's always nice to have a ceremony in a new location and this weeks was a bit of a revelation. Anna and Matt were originally going to have their ceremony at Callala but changed it to the Gold Creek Chapel.
I'll admit I was a bit dubious about a venue adjacent to the Dinosaur Museum and Cockington Green but all doubts disappeared the moment I walked through the large ornate gates into the beautiful garden. What a great location! Silver large trees, interesting and tasteful statuary, and the chapel itself was lovely, bluestone exterior, polished wood interior with huge windows. It felt really special and was a celebrants dream! Basically all I had to worry about was the actual ceremony, the music and all other details were the responsibility of the highly professional team and the acoustics were so good we didn't even have to mike up.
Bride Anna had THE most amazing bride dress, the only tiny hitch was at the rehearsal we'd done the day before we planned for bride, groom and myself to stand on the slightly raised stage but Anna's dress took up so much room there was none for me. Luckily I think it was even better with me standing with the bridesmaids, I was able to turn to the audience and turn to the couple and be a bit theatrical. If you live anywhere near the Chapel I'd check it out!

I do a LOT of beach weddings and have had to contend with a few issues in the past - beached dolphins, rotting seaweed, gale force winds whipping up sandstorms but surprisingly this is the first time I've come close to being washed away!
Cathal and Debbie were married on Callala Beach - which really should be a lot more popular as it has the same white white sand as Hyams and also offers a little more privacy - they rented a lovely beach house with direct access and Jen from As A Whisper worked her usual magic with a ivy wreathed arch , so everything was looking good until 20 minutes before the ceremony the tide started coming in, and in and in. The groomsmen were called on to move the arch and the first row of seats and we thought we were okay until halfway through the ceremony and an extra large wave came rushing in. Luckily Bride Debbie was very relaxed about the bottom of her dress getting drenched and the ceremony became very mobile with us moving further and further up the beach. Most of the guests were from Ireland so it was certainly something very different for them!

You can see from the watermark here that the relocation was a great idea!
However you can also see what a lovely location Callala Beach is for a ceremony - although check the tide charts first!

and of course if I ever were to get married again it would have to be to David Tennant!
and this was the one he chose to walk down the aisle to.

Sunshine on Leith has got to be one of the most feel  goodest of feel good film. I've rediscovered my love of the Proclaimers and found my new cheer me up film. So many lovely romantic songs but this one - "Let's get Married - would definitely be on my wedding playlist if I were to do it all over again!



We've been, going together Too long to be vague When there's something to say If it's not now, then it's never So I'll say it straight out 'Cos I have no doubt, no doubt Let's get married I love you and I want to stay with you Let's get married Have kids and grow old and grey with you Let's get married Hold hands, walk in the park You can get a cat as long as it barks We know, other people Who drifted apart Who broke each others hearts But we ain't other people So we'll do things our way We're gonna be O.K. We're gonna be more than O.K. Let's get married We're ready for tying the knot Let's get married Set the seal on the feelings we've got Let's get married We can make each other happy or we can make each other blue Yeah, it's just a piece of paper but it says "I Love You" For the good times For the days when we can do no wrong For the moments when we think we can't go on For the family For the lives of the children that we've planned Let's get married C'mon darlin', please take my hand And I'll be the one Who's by your side I'll be the one Still taking pride When we're old if they ask me "How do you define succes?" I'll say, You meet a woman You fall in love You ask her and She says "Yes" Let's get married I love and I want to stay with you Let's get married Have kids and grow old and grey with you Let's get married Hold hands when we walk in the park All right you can get a cat just as lang as it barks For the good times For the days when we can do no wrong For the bad times For the moments when we think we can't go on For the family For the lives of the children that we've planned Let's get married C'mon darlin', please take my hand

of course not all of us can count Donatella (the designer not the turtle) as one of our best buds but I think this absolutely brillliant design incorporating the Jolie-Pitt children's artwork is bound to catch on!

Easing my way into the wedding season. First one was last week, a very simple ceremony just the bride and groom and the groom's parents. One of the loveliest, warmest families! Scott and Fuyuko had  a Shinto ceremony exactly one year ago and from the photo they gave me it was amazing! Their Australian ceremony, on their one year anniversary also had its share of highlights, my very favourite being their little dog bridesmaid in a kimino! A dog bridesmaid! In a kimino! I love being a celebrant!!!! I do hope they send me a picture.

Lego love! Who would have thought it! Took my two sons to the Lego Expo in Canberra over the weekend and this was definitely one  of my favourites!

Some very cute wedding photo ideas here - http://www.buzzfeed.com/peggy/impossibly-fun-wedding-photo-ideas-youll-want-to-steal?bffb&s=mobile
While the couple don't look entirely comfortable with the kiss I love the idea of incorporating their parents wedding photos.

ColinAndMaryTieTheBowTie.com:

DRESS CODE: Think Wes Anderson’s characters as they’d dress if they were being interviewed by Howard Stern, and Teddy Roosevelt if he were displayed in a taxidermy museum, mixed with Audrey Hepburn as she appears in everything. Children are welcome to dress as their favorite woodland creature. Canines, come as you are. There will be red-velvet dog cookies.

For those of you currently practicing “free the nipple,” we will supply robes for the ceremony.

PaulAndChrisBecomeOne.com:

We trust that the saplings we sent you two summers ago are now blossoming under your attention and care. We appreciate the time it took for you to sing Bon Iver’s “Skinny Love” to them daily. We will be planting them during the reception in what will henceforth be called The Love Forest. (For a tree-hauling service near you, contact 1-800-BIG-HAUL)

SaraAndGabeJoinTheClub.com:

A short eight-hour drive from your lodgings is an air shuttle to the summit of Mount McKinley. Please grab an emergency protein bar before entering the Cessna. Because of the D.I.Y. nature of this affair, you may have to share an oxygen mask with your neighbor. (Remember: three breaths, then switch.) Update: Because of an avalanche that killed four tourists last week, we ask that you not make any quick or jerky movements during the ceremony.

FelixAndBettyMadeAWebsite.com:

We do not believe in weddings, as they are exclusive, unjust, and essentially a means of societal and governmental control. In order to take back ownership of our relationship, we are supplying you with a new lexicon to use at our nuptials complicitous gaining of a life partner:

Wedding = The gathering

The Big Day = The Great Day

Ceremony = The show

Vows = The important word exchange

Bride = Woman of the gathering

Groom = Man of the gathering

Cocktail hour = Time chunk of spirits

Cutting of the cake = The sacrifice

Reception = Shebang

Honeymoon = Maplesaturn

We appreciate your adherence and look forward to mingling with you after the sacrifice.

WhatIfYouWereAChinchilla.com:

As many of you are already aware, the bride and groom are currently on a hunger strike to show their support for The People Against Chinchilla Farming. We will not be supplying food. Please do not bring food. Love will fill us up. Long live chinchillas.

SamAndGretaUntilEvenAfterDeath.com:

Our signature cocktail, the Heart Thumper, will feature vodka infused with the tears that Greta shed after I asked her to marry me. We are so thrilled to share real artifacts from our courtship with you, our closest friends and family.

LittleSpoonBigSpoon.com:

The bride and groom, as you know, are community-minded and believe foremost in philanthropy. They ask that you not bring gifts, but ask instead that you honor their union by coming prepared to donate your hair.

Certainly hope not for the organisers of the Milton and Ulladulla  wedding expo!!!

Bit of over eager but not terribly well thought out promotional placement.

Some really lovely vintage wedding styles in this Buzzfeed article
I don't like play favourites but Audrey and Lulu's gowns take the (wedding) cake!

Goodness has it been that long? I am really looking forward the warmer weather and wedding season! A few weeks to go yet  though. Meanwhile if you're a groom wondering what on earth to wear you might like to read these suggestions from The Guardian: http://www.theguardian.com/fashion/fashion-blog/2014/jul/21/-sp-what-men-should-wear-to-weddings-lessons-from-six-celebrities-in-pictures
My favourite groom was the ever gallus Bobby Gillespie.

Yesterdays wedding was a bit of a destination wedding in reverse, while travelling to Bali and combining a holiday and ceremony is becoming an increasingly popular option (in fact my favourite photographer Nora Devai is about to move over there to live for a while!) yesterday’s couple came from Bali to Berrara for their ceremony.

I’ve often driven past the rather cute little Community Hall but got a look inside yesterday. Cal and Lara opted for a very simple – but stunning approach. Great to see the much maligned and forgotten Baby’s Breath making a comeback! The Baby’s Breath and a few balloons transformed the hall into party paradise.

It was a little chilly (snowing in Orange!) in the reserve and we had to stop the ceremony to get Lara a wrap but it was lovely. Men were very in vogue, brown trousers, blue shirts, brown braces, the bridesmaids in blue with beige pashmanis, bride Lara in a very retro short but full skirt and blue wrap. What I noticed most was the look on Cal’s face throughout the ceremony, sometimes you just feel so intrusive standing so close and being involved in something that is intimate but public at the same time.

Lara emailed me (the next day! – very sweet of her!)  to say “H Dallas, Thank you so much for the ceremony yesterday, it went just how we had hoped.

This was my second wedding at Minimbah Farm and,  like my first, rain meant that the ceremony planned for the garden in front of the old homestead had to moved to the marquee. One thing I really like about this venue is that their plan B still offers amazing misty mountain views and a very special setting.
One of the many lovely touches at Mitch and Bree's wedding (they must have been VERY busy the day before setting up the marquee which had a Victorian garden feel about it) was the candles they'd made for the guests as gifts. Lovely!

Another was the donut laden table in lieu of the  more traditional cake.

Down to Durras for Cathie and Grahame's wedding, while they live in New Guinea,  they have a caravan in Durras and it's been the scene of many happy holidays over the years so they erected a marquee down near the lake and celebrated with family and friends.
I particularly liked this sign as I am often asked which is the brides side and which is the grooms. A good thing about a beach wedding is that you can ignore these traditions, another tradition that was ignored was the bride in white, Cathie wore sage green and the guests were asked to wear white instead.

Bewong River side Retreat that is!

Fiona and Grant eloped to a dramatic headland at Kiama. The view was amazing and Grant had just happened to stumble upon the little reserve when he was walking one day and knew straightaway it was the perfect spot for their ceremony.
Jen and the As A Whisper Team set up a marquee and  decorated with deep dark red roses (to match Fiona's bouquet) and green, velvetty moss (an amazing combination)
Photographer Nora Devai also mutitasked and was the second witness. But there were some uninvited guests - hundreds of them! Tiny irridescent bugs. I'd never seen anything quite like it luckily they were very well behaved and we called them "living confetti". It was a really lovely ceremony, a touch of humour and lots of romance and of course the confetti!

Yesterday was Mick and Ella's Golden Wedding Anniversary! This picture was taken on their honeymoon in Currarong and is where they celebrated this momentous occasion with a vow renewal ceremony yesterday. Their two childrenand  their partners and their 4 grandchildren were their only guests, apart from Ella's brother Bob who missed the ceremony 50 years ago but made up for it by walking Ella down the (rather sandy) aisle.
50 years provides a lot of memories and we revisited a few of them in the ceremony. We also tried to recreate the picture from above, Mick held a book and we found a fringed beach umbrella but Ella drew the line at wearing a bikini. Obviously a couple who took their wedding vows very seriously and great to see such a fantastic examply of long lasting love.

Bit of blog lag here as I coped with the endless summer. Boys back at school today so I'll try do a catch up.
January has had a slow start but 2014 looks like being a bumper year for weddings -  I already have over 20 bookings!
We flew back from Christmas in Mandurah on 2nd January and I had my first wedding on the 4th. It was a simple country wedding at Gnilda in Kangaroo Valley. Bride Alesha had done a great job with the decorations - very rustic, very romantic complete with a haybale for the signing of the register - and she achieved that country chic look that is very popular at the moment all by herself.


On the 7th I married Chris and Christine on Hyams Beach.


The couple were in the last days of their big Australian adventure before flying back - as a married couple - to Germany.
I had a lot of fun at the naming ceremony for Amarli and Baylan at Paradise Park on the 19th and really hope they enjoyed their party!.
Then on the 28th I was back at Hyams for Laura and Casey's wedding, just a small gathering of their family with a really interesting ceremony that focussed on them as individuals as well as a couple.
I'm kicking off February with a vow renewal for Mick and Ella who are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary and really looking forward to it - and all my ceremonies for the next 11 months.
December does seem like a lonnngggg time ago but it had lots of highlights. Marko and Laura were married beneath a canopy of carnations on Hyams Beach. A nice touch was the sand ceremony which featured sand from Marko's home in Croatia, Laura's birthplace in Coffs Harbour and Hyams Beach where Marko proposed.

I like to get to a wedding well before the guests arrive as I like to be all set up and good to go but also there's something about just being in the space and watching guests arrive and just feeling the atmosphere build. Yesterday's wedding was at Silo's Estate and for a while it was just me and the view of the vines and some really beautiful birdsong. Then the florist arrived and attached yellow daisy bouquets to the chairs, the colour of the flowers just popped - something about the yellow and the greenery. Then buses started pulling up and I realised someone had forgotten the cushions for the chairs so I started attaching them and was joined by a few of the aunties so we had a nice time busying ourselves. Then it was groom Chris and his bestmen, one of whom said "Chris I still don't have the rings" and there was a bit of swearing as Chris dashed back to the cottages for them. Then the storm clouds started to gather as things got a little tense and guests pulled out their umbrellas and then I heard Chris say Öh shit they're here"and sure enough there were all the bridesmaids - if the yellow on the chairs popped their yellow dresses were amazing. It was such a beautiful procession, each one in a dress of different design carrying white daisies and then there was Lauren and her dad and then it was ceremony time. Lauren and Chris had a very simple ceremony with some lovely highnotes, in particular the two readings, each from their mums so they were both sweetly emotional moments. There were occasional drops of rain but just as I asked them to turn and exchange their vows the sun broke through! If only you could plan moments like that!
One of the definite high points was the singer they had for the ceremony. I really have to get his details as he was fantastic. He did a version of Al Green's Let's Stay Together which KILLED me. I stood for a while watching everyone congratulating Lauren and Chris, enjoying the atmosphere which was one of total happiness and which stayed with me the rest of the evening.
Äll the best Lauren and Chris!




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNzsYKjIchg
I'm so in love with you
Whatever you want to do is all right with me
'Cause you make me feel so brand new
And I want to spend my life with you

Let me say that since, baby, since we've been together
Loving you forever is what I need
Oh let me be the one you come running to
I'll never be untrue

Oh let's, let's stay together
Lovin' you whether, whether
Times are good or bad, happy or sad, alright, oh yeah
Whether times are good or bad, happy or sad

Oh tell me why, why, why, why, why, why
Why people break up, turn around and make up
I can't see, you never, never, never do that to me
You better not do, staying around you is all I
All these eyes will ever see

Why won't you say that me, everybody says
That let's, let's stay together
Lovin' you whether, whether
Times are good or bad, happy or sad

Everybody says, "Let's, let's stay together
I'll keep on lovin' you whether, whether
Times are, oh times are good or times are bad
Whether, whether good or bad, happy or sad
Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah

A quick catch up of what I've been up to, right in the eye of the wedding whirl storm and still have 7 weddings between now and Christmas. That's a lot of joy and excitement,  a little stress and hopefully at least 14 happy couples!!
The picture above is one of Nora Devai's taken at Rianna and Michael's Hyams Beach Wedding. I imagine Michael was breathing one huge sigh of relief, not only was he facing into the rather relentless sun during the ceremony but the glare from the white white sand was a little intense and of course sunglasses are considered a no no during a wedding. While Michael and I were suffering a little for some reason Rianna managed to look cool and elegant throughout!
Jen and As A Whisper did the set up which looked like this:


Another beach wedding on the Sunday for Sonia and Endel, this time at Greenfields. They left very little for me to do when it came to writing their ceremony, having very definite ideas about what they wanted and they composed a really lovel, romantic, and funny! -  ceremony. They were also the first couple who insisted that they did not want to be presented with their certificate after the signing. Definitely wild crazy rulebreakers! They said it felt like a novelty cheque presentation or a graduation which was pretty funny. I must remember to make this optional in the future!
Then there was Hayley and Anthonys ceremony at Silos Estate with the grapevines and Llamas in the background. It's interesting the little details that stay with you - I was very admiring of Hayley's mum slighlty retro look complete with glomesh handbag!

And Saturday's wedding was at Ocean Farm in Gerringong. Quite an amazing house with views to die for.,
Samantha and Blake chose to save the views for the reception and held the ceremony under a huge Moreton Bay Fig. The weather held off although I was checking the grey skies throughout the ceremony hoping we wouldnt have to make a mad and undignified dash.
Samantha had set up the room in the most imaginative, beautiful, glorious overthetop salute to Victorian romance. It reminded me of a very glamorous take on Miss Havisham's wedding feast. The table was adorned with music rolls and chandeleirs - LOTS of chandeleirs - and unicorns and horses and beautiful sweet things. Completely over the top but completely gorgeous. 'Luckiily groom Blake is an electrician and festooned the room with lights. Amazing!!!

I was on the treadmill at the gym last week when one of those ïnfomercial segments came on the TV. Usually its for pet insurance or wonder anti-aging creams so I zone out but I was quite interested in this one for Henry Roth's Bridal Dress Factory Outlet.
I always regret not even having tried on a big white dress, I was very adamant that it wasn't for me but surely it would have been fun to have immersed myself in a few??
Anyway Henry definitely seemed like a man who knew about frocks and it did seem like a very fun way to while away a few hours and his site offers a lot of helpful  advice on topics such as.

TOP 10 TIPS TO FIND YOUR DREAM DRESS

1. It’s all about positive attitude
2. Start from the very beginning
3. Budget?
4. Instore or Online?
5. Let’s go shop for a frock – by appointment
6. Setting up your appointments for success
7. Lining up your dream dresses all in a row
8. Expect the unexpected, go with an open mind
9. Don’t forget the dress plus
10. How do I know it’s my dress and when do I know when to stop?

In the interests of research I looked at quite a few frocks. A search for "retro" turned up this slightly scarey suggestion:



but I ultimately decided "Zoe" as the the dress for me.

RoIth’s Hot Tips

lovely day lovely venue lovely setting lovely family absolutely lovely wedding!!

Daniel and Claie's 7pm wedding had been planned to take full advantage of the sun setting on one side of the ceremony while a full moon rose over the ocean on the other side. They got half way there, a spectacular orange sunset, thanks in part to a lot of haze from the nearby bushfires also obscured the moon which couldn't be seen but I doubt if Daniel and Clare cared too much as everything else was fantastic. The guests laughed in all the right places (the mention of Daniel's idea that their cat Tenzing act as ring bearer) and got a bit teary in all the right places too. I'm totally loving the new craze for the retro full skirted bridesmaid dresses and as an extra lovely touch - and a nod to the evening wedding - the bridesmaids carried lanterns! The ceremony was at Batemans Bay and the Coachhouse Marina Resort which has three different wedding venue options catering for intimate cocktail parties for 20 to big sit down in a marquee for 200 guests affairs.

What shoud have been the view of the full moon!

The day before I married Gina and Mike at Sussex Inlet. A bit breezy and the bushfires resulted in a few no shows with guests. Gina's parents flew from Hong Kong for the ceremony and Gina looked fabulous in a red Chinese style dress with definite cheong-sam(?) influences but the bit I liked best was her hair!! Her mother had spent hours adorning her hair with the most fabulous array of bling. I soooo wanted to get a picture of it but thought it might be unprofessional of me to hover behind the bride trying to get photos of her hair. You'll just have to trust me on this one - it looked amazing!!!

It is a historic day and I have to allow myself to enjoy this moment despite the clouds on the horizon.
Yes, the closeness of the vote was depressing, as is the imminent high court challenge but isn't it a huge step in the right direction?
You can read more about the days events here:

and here:

I've seen couples opt for a wide range of wedding transport - horseback, harley davidson, golf cart, tandem bike are just some that come to mind but I have to say Aaron and Jody's retro bus was the  most stylish mode ever, all gleaming chrome on the outside and red leather gorgeousness inside. A definite showstopper!
Jody and Aaron opted for a very sweet simple wedding on Collingwood Beach, with a set up from As A Whisper. Proud dad Beresford was postively BEAMING as he walked Jody up to Aaron. There were mini bottles of bubbly to toast the couple with before they boarded the bus to do a series of "mainies" up and down Huskisson before their reception at the Huskisson.

Celebrants are not allowed to get sick. It's a fact. If you succumbed to bubonic plague you may be able to ask another to celebrant to stand in but given that October is the busiest time for weddings finding another celebrant may be tricky. I'm not usually a "soldier on" type of person, more a take to my bed with a hot toddy and trashy magazine type but soldier on I did when I somehow returned from holidays in far north Queensland with something rather flu like and unpleasant rather than a tan.
Wedding number one was Erin and Paul's at Blenheim Beach. My biggest worry was my cough but luckily there were two readings in the ceremony both providing me with an ideal opportunity to step discreetly into the background and do so. A lovely wedding with a canopy from As Whisper and lots of native flowers.
I had a glass of medicinal champage to toast the happy couple and then was able to head home to bed for that hot toddy.
Saturday was incredibly blustery. My second wedding of the weekend was at Callala Beach House. I've done a few weddings here and its always interesting to see how couples use the space. Rachael and Scott put a marquee on the lawn which still eeabled Rachael to use the stairs for an entrance (the stairs were designed for a great entrance!). It was a very small ceremony, just the immediate family and then friends invited for the reception- hence the marquee. It was also a little unsual as I performed the legalities but Rachael's brother Peter performed the ceremony. It was very sweet and intimate with a ring warming ceremony included. One of the grandmothers was nearly blown over during the ceremony such was the force of the winds but luckily she grabbed her walking frame in time!
Then it was over to Shoalhaven Heads where Jen and the As A Whisper team were again doing the set up. What troupers what stars!! Where mere mortals would simply give in they refused to accept gale force winds as a reason not to give the bride and groom everything they'd planned. Chairs were pegged down and wet sand and industrial tape used in abundance and somehow, miraculalously, floral arrangements and decorations were held in place. I was there forty minutes early so I'm probably the only one who knows what it took and as I was leaving I saw them huddled in the warmth of the van getting ready to face the elements and take it all down again!
It was so extreme I did wonder how the guests coped but I heard people commenting on how emotional the ceremony was which was great as I was so busy concentrating on keeping my papers together (and not coughing too much) that I wasn't able to make the usual eye contact with guests to see how everyone was going.

Another contender for the most gorgeous view and wedding location in Kangaroo Valley is Minimbah Farm.
I met with bride and groom Xavier and Clare yesterday for the rehearsal, Gorgeous sunshiney day and we ran through the wedding under a beautiful  old tree outside one of the cottages on the property. Well of course it poured during the night and we had to abandon that location. Fortunately Xavier and Clare had a great plan B - higher up on the hill in the marquee with brillian views over the valley. Nothing was quite as we rehearsed it - we'd even placed sticks showing everyone where to stand at the other site - but everything was brilliant, I was one of the first to arrive so had lots of time to admire all the personal touches I love. Lots of native flowers, an old typewriter for writing messages to the newlyweds on, a cascade of cupcakes (courtesy of Clare''s siser who was fresh off the plane from Seattle with a baby in tow), little packages of "love tea"for the guests to take home and of course the views over the valley. Clare and Xavier entered together hand in hand, Clare in a gorgeous retro Audrey Hepburnish frock and Xavier - well sorry Xaver, your suit was nice but I wa very busy admiring Clares blue shoes and can't add too much detail except to say you were a gorgeous couple and the song choice - Nick Cave - was brilliant. The mood was - jubilant? joyful? just incredibly enthusiastic? - all of these and more. The kind of atmosphere you can't create on purpose but makes for magic. Clare's dad was in tears for most of the ceremony - there were quite a few wet  eyes - and I had to look away during the vows as I felt like I was intruding on a very personal moment. Can you tell I loved it?

It's always very gratifying when brides and grooms drop me a line or email to thank me for being part of their wedding.but usually it's after the honeymoon when they've had time to relax after all the challenges of planning a wedding so I was very surprised to get this text from Friday's bride the very next day. So utterly sweet of her - she made me one happy celebrant.

Hi Dallas! Just wanted to thank you for the amazing job you did yesterday! You were great! James and I were very grateful xxx

Two weddings this weekend. The first was at Panorama House at  Bulli Tops which is usually a little further than I go for ceremonies but I really couldn't say no to this one due to the nature of the recommendation. The bride's grandmmother's butcher apparently recommended me. I have no idea who this butcher might be, I've never had a butcher groom but perhaps he was a butcher father of the bride? Anyway butchers are well known for their friendly natures and honest demeanours and I also admire the fact that the bride followed up advice from her grandmother.
It was a gorgeous day, Panorama House is pretty aptly named with a view that takes in a large chunk of the south coast. The ceremony was held in the little gazebo and was on the large side with abour 120 guests.
My favourite part of every ceremony is the bride's arrival, I get to see the bride, the look on her dads face if hes giving her away and also I'm right next to the groom so get to see his reaction. James's reaction was an "Oh my god!" and Samantha was worthy of the adoration. Her dress was very traditional, long sleeved, lacy with a long long train and the most amazing veil I've ever seen, very regal. All the bridesmaids (5? 6? I lost count) were in deep red and the three flowergirls were absolute scene stealers. They pranced and danced endlessly up and down  the aisle while we were waiting but come time to do it for real the littlest one was overcome and had to be led by the hand. Samantha and the bridesmaids entered to a bagpiper which is always a great touch.

Today's wedding was in my hometown - or home village - of Currarong. It was small, sweet and special. Carly and Noel, their son Ty and close family and friends. Carly wore a retro dress with a 70's feel, a halter neck with a daisy bodice and came in to B.B Kings Stand By Me. The weather was soooo kind and obliging, a perfect beach wedding day. Carly and Noel wrote their own vows and they were lovely, Noel had to take a few minutes to take in Carly's beautiful words and his were every bit as lovely. A nice surprise as neither knew what the other was to say.

Saturdays wedding was a very special event. Truckdriver Matt planned the entire ceremony as a surprise for his fiance Julie. They've been together 20 years and engaged for 10 of them and have four children and one grandchild and they've been meaning to get around to getting marrie, done the paperwork, bought the rings, but just never got together in front of a celebrant.  Julie's big birthday bash presented the perfect opportunity to finally just do it. The birthday also presented a perfect cover story as Matt arranged cakes, flowergirl frocks, songs, ceremony and catering. I was really honoured to be involved in such a huge romantic gesture. I don't think Matt would mind me describing him as a total bloke, and at risk of offending total blokes everywhere, you just don't expect something so sweet and magical and momentous! Matt really wanted the ceremony to say all the things he holds in his heart but just cant get into words and I think he achieved all this and more. He rang me the next day to say thanks (I told you he was a sweetheart) and told me the ceremony was everything he and Julie had always wanted and Julie was still over the moon. I think he earned himself 500 husband bonus points and is deserving of breakfast in bed for at least five years!!

You could argue forever about the best views in Kangaroo Valley and the setting for today's elopmement   would certainly be a contender. High high high high up a very windy road (watch out for wallabies,ducks and wombats) sits The Heavens, home to three cottages Aurora, Innana and Elysium all with what I would describe - with no hint of hyberbole - majestic - gobsmacking even - views. The ceremony was a an elopement and it was pretty much perfect. Simple and sweet and stylish. Michael and Natalie ran away together for two days devoted pretty much entirely to having the wedding they'd dreamed about. Some lovely touches, Michael's purple tie (he'd emailed Natalie several options while he was on his tie buying excursion but finally just went and ahead and got the one he liked) created a great splash of colour and Natalie's bouquet then designed to match. Natalie wore a slightly retro cream dress topped off with a fantastic fascinator. Photographer Nora Devai multitasked as witness as did  Heavens hostess Jan who was witness and ring bearer. It was one of those lovely weddings where I floated home on a little cloud of wedding bliss!

If you've never heard of the song in my bad pun blog title you can check it out  here. 

Bit of a weekend wedding whirl! Its been very quiet on the wedding scene so it felt like a real flurry of activity.
Today I was at Hyams for my 301st wedding! Claire and David's elopement,  very relaxed, very intimate and very sweet and special. The only guests were Claire's sister and her husband and their two children and we had the ceremony at the Chinaman's Beach end of Hyams which we pretty much had to ourselves., It was a lovely start to my day and hopefully Claire and David's married life!

On Saturday I was at Bewong – probably best know for the Roadhouse and it's quality burgers,  but right next door is the rather idyllic Bewong River Retreat. 

Since it’s a couples retreat it’s never been on my radar (mainly because I have a couple of children who would totally destroy the ambience!) – but Jen from As a Whisper has taken over weddings there and had an Open Day for curious celebrants and couples and anyone else who wanted a peek. It’s a great location and Jen set up a few marquees with different options.The property offers lots of different choices for ceremony and reception -  I particularly liked the Bali-esque pavilion perched over the river as a ceremony location – and since specialty is bringing your ideas and inspiration to life – anything is possible.

I'm not even sure who the "Dancer Katye" is who's sharing the front page of Hello! with Alec Baldwin but will definitely have to track that issue down to find out how she made the stretch from her wedding being the best DAY of her life into a trifecta.


The mystery bride trying to upstage Alec and his Spanish love"" was part of a Vanity Fair 10 Best Dressed Brides feautre which you can check out here.
Sorry Dancer Katye but Keirá Knightley gets my vote,in this gorgeous dress which is simply, and elegantly, perfect. .

I recently performed my 300th wedding which was a very exciting milestone. A very quiet affair, just the bride and groom and the only guests were his parents who were witnesses. This was entirely fitting, as my very first wedding way back in March 2006 also had just the  two witnesses, a perfect first wedding really as I was a little bit nervous. No nerves for this one and it was very lovely. Rush and Shaune had been planning on getting married for a long time and had even filled out the paperwork over a year ago. They just couldn't get it together to plan the ceremony and I got a phonecall on Sunday  saying "let's just do it"and so we did. Rush spent the rest of the Sunday making her dress and then made 3 wedding cakes, one for the ceremony, one for the guests and one for me which really was the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me. I had hoped we would have the ceremony  inside the house  next to the giant stuffed bear Shaune has (continuing on the taxidermy theme from Alison and Nate's wedding under the moosehead a few months back) but instead it was on the balcony and I guess the ocean views were better than the bear. The bear does have a very interesting history having once been the mascot of Norths football club but now in Callala. Anyway, I am very much looking forward to wedding 301 which sadly won't be until July when the weather gets a little warmer.

How sweet it is! My very own wedding cake!

Kangaroo Valley Bush Retreat is a really unique venue. Most couples have the ceremony in the cavernous “Cathedral”.

 With its rustic wooden chairs and towering rock walls and trees and sense of rural isolation it makes for a wonderful setting. From there guests ascend to the viewing platform to enjoy canapés and drinks the amazing outlook and then it’s a short stroll to the function centre for some serious revelry before heading back to your cottage or tent for the sweetest of dreams.

The only logistical consideration is the ascent into the Cathedral. Even in sensible hiking boots (and who wears them to weddings?) the rickety rocky steps have to be negotiated with great care so of course the entrance is quite a challenge in bridal gown and heels. Yesterday’s bride – Anna – had obviously put a lot of thought into how to negotiate this. As I was leaving I found a stash of comfy shoes under some bushes beside the path. Anne and her bridesmaids had obviously made the precarious trek down the hill in flats and then, just before they came into view of the guests, changed into their heels!

Very sweet wedding today. Chloe and Joel had their ceremony on Callala Beach - an absolutely stunning, relatively secluded, stretch of sand. If you're considering a Hyams Beach weddings, and lots of people do, I would really recommend checking out Callala too. It's directly opposite the bay, same pristine water, gorgeous backdrop and the whitest of sand but a lot less crowded.


I loved their set up, the vintage sewing machine table for the signing looked so good I momentarily considered getting one but then realised the weight of the wrought iron legs and decided to stick with my folding card table - a white table cloth can cover a lot of sins! The suspended white shells looked amazing but they did make a bit of noise when the wind came up and  luckily we had the PA as it would have been such a shame to miss the vows. I think I can say that Joel surprised us all with just how beautiful and moving his were. Another sweet touch was a box of tissues on each of their mums chairs - very thoughtful as they were used not just by the mums a few aunties and even Chloe had to ask for one at one stage.

An extra special guest at Rosemary and Troy's Hyams Beach wedding was the sun! The weather hasn't been entirely cooperative for my last few weddings so it was great to wake up to blue skies. Hyams is such a popular beach - and seems to be getting more so every year - that it is not the place if you want total seclusion. Jen and the team from As A Whisper started doing the set up a few hours before the wedding and even this attracted keen interest from beach goers. One couple even got me to pose with them under the arch so they could post the picture on their Facebook page and surpirise their familly and friends.
It was a low key, simple ceremony with a few special touches, Rosemary's mother had flown in from Shanghai and bought large paper, folding fans for their guests which everyone adored, Jen searched very hard to find the frangipani blossoms Risemary particularly wanted  in her hair and Troy's two daughters were very adorable flowergirls, All smiles at the rehearsal but very serious and conscious of their duties on the day.

Stripey sippy straws are definitely in vogue at the moment! I've seen them at quite a few weddings, here they are at Jay and Jen's Blenheim wedding. The yellow colour scheme was stunning and you can see it included the straws.
I also loved the quote they had from the movie Juno:
"Ïn my opinion the best thing you can do is find a person who loves you for exactly what you are. Good mood, bad mood, ugly, pretty, handsome, what have you, the right person will still think the sun shines out of your arse. That the kind of person that's worth sticking with".

Perfect!

Stripey stippy straws were also at Nat and Allison's Kangaroo Vally wedding the next day but their wedding also featured on thing I had never seen before and am not likely to ever see again - a stuffed moose head!


The ceremony was held directly under this beast in a barn on their friends property. Sadly the rain which had just held off for Jen and Jay's wedding the day before poured down but did nothing to dampen anyones spriit. It was such at amazing atmosphere and their vows a real emotional high point (That was INTENSE! Nat kept saying during the signing).

I am curious to know if the guests were stranded for the night at the water was washing over the tiny bridge I had to cross on my way home.

Apologies to Adele for the rather bad Rollonin pun but it was irrisistible!

Rustic country chic is definitely in vogue at the moment and Paul and Jill definitely captured this vibe when they were married at the Rollonin Cafe at Bowning.
When Jill first contacted me it did seem a long way but she was very keen to have me (which was flattering) and I figured I'd never been to Yass - or Bowning - before and thought I would take a walk on the country side.
Very glad I did, it was such a great location, as well as the 30 guests we had a horse, a sheep and a llama watching the ceremony from over the fence!
Jill was quite painstaking with the ceremony, every word mattered to her and it was a lovely ceremony with each of their children playing a role, the eldest doing readings, the youngest as ring bearer.
A definite highlight was Paul's uncle Bede, an Irish folk singer, who sang two acapella songs during the singing (and told one rather risque joke after).
The weather was a bit temperamental and we had just finished the vows when it started to rain, I asked Jill and Paul if they wanted to move undercover "We're country people they said, we can take a bit of rain!".

February already and two lovely ceremonies.
The man in the photo  below is possibly the most romantic man on earth.
Darren is standing outside the rotunda at Currarong waiting a little nervously for Jane, his wife of 20 years, to arrive for the surprise vow renewal he has organised to celebrate their anniversary. 

A LOT of planning went into the ceremony and Darren was onto every detail, catering, platinum rings, music - and a ceremony that celebrated all they had shared in the last 20 years and all they looked forward to.
Very much a family affair, - one son played guitar, their daughter did a reading and only a very small circle of close family and friends were there to see a very surprised and overjoyed Jane exchange vows with Darren.
The setting was a very special choice as Jane and her family had holidayed at Currarong their whole lives and the village has many happy memories for her - one more very happy memory to add to that collection now and I loved being a part of it.
Yesterdays wedding at Bannisters was another smallish affair - only 40 guests gathered to celebrate with Alycia and Hamish and their son Kobi.

There's something about the infinity pool at Bannisters that makes me long for a deckchair and a drink with a paper umbrella in it. Even on a grey day like yesterday. The recent storms had really whipped up the ocean which made for a very dramatic backdrop and unfortunately the weather wasn't as cooperative as we would have liked. I really have to say how fantastic the staff were as within the space of about 30 minutes the ceremony was moved from the pool deck to the lawn to the pool deck again!

The brides entrance was a real highlght, Alycia's mum had made her dress - a very fitted satin sheath with a long elegant train, and the bridesmaids as well which had fantastic sparkly silvery bodices (hope I get a picture to share soon!) The bridesmaids carried white lilies (also on the table at the reception) while Alyciá made a dramatic and exotic choice with Bird of Paradise.

Another favourite moment was when groom Hamish - a VERY long drink of water at 6'infinity - became a little choked up when making his wedding vows to Alycia and of course, lets not forget ringbearer Kobi who took his role very seriously and did a fantastic job!

Here are some of Nora Devai's gorgeous pictures of the day - see what I mean about a beautiful dress!

My first wedding for 2013, Hannah and Ali eloped from London to get married on Hyams Beach. Unfortunately the day they were to get married on was one of record breaking temperatures bush fires highway closures and messages to evacuate the area. After a few panicky phone calls we decided to postpone the wedding until the next day rather than risk being stranded. It was a good move as the next day was a lot more pleasant to be outdoors. It still wasn't completely smooth sailing for the couple d they went on dolphin watch cruise in the morning only to have he boat break down and have to be towed ashore! Thankfully the ceremony went perfectly. Hannah and Ali were straying at the Huskisson B & B and owners Kate and Steve doubled as witnesses and photographers. Hannah - a model - was a gorgeous bride and musician husband Ali has plenty of material for some new songs! 

Here they are on Hyams:

The Shoalhaven Zoo (http://www.nowrawildlifepark.com.au/weddings.html) may not sound like a romantic wedding location - especially if the directions are: head for the camels and turn left - but Shoalhaven Zoo is in a perfect location with fantastic views over the Shoalhaven River and some very dramatic rocky escarpments which made a really interesting backdrop.Brittany and Colby were married here on a very steamy Saturday afternoon. It was a very special occasion for me because this was the third wedding I had performed for Brittany's family so there were quite a few familiar faces.

Apart from the dramatic background and river views the best thing about having a wedding here is Corinne Schilko who looks after events. Corinne has a background in hospitality and was great to work with, exceptionally organised without being at all officious, Corinne really went out of her way to make sure everything flowed perfectly.

I was very excited to see Brittany and Colby's ceremony in the South Coast Register's wedding features - she was a gorgeous bride!

Natalie and David were married at White Sands at Hyams Beach.There was a bit of déjà vu as it was the second wedding I'd done in the house that month and they were also using the same caterer The Butter Factory.A winning combination!

David, pointed this out to me after he read my blog - I was very pleased hat someone actually reads this!

Both weddings were very intimate affairs with a big focus on family. Natalie and David  had some lovely words to say about their parents within the ceremony:

I was very excited when I heard Natalie and David were making their own wedding cake.

I was every more excited when they cut it early just so I could take a piece home with me. I have to confess that it didn't even make it to the car as I ate it on the way! They were such a sweet couple, very genuine and it was a real pleasure to be involved in their ceremony.

I had a five hour drive the next day to do a naming ceremony for little Alice Rose in Seven Hills. This is a little off the map for me but since I married Mike and Renaye and performed first daughter Chloe's naming I couldn't say no - I'd even married the godparents last year! - so am definitely the family celebrant now! Alice was wearing a gorgeous little pink dress with a Parisian cafe print which made me very sad that I have boys and can't dress them up - well not in little pink parisian dresses.

Julie and Tristan had a whirlwind wedding planning session - Tristan has been on a fishing boat in Antarctica leaving Julia and baby Jasper at home and as Tristan's brother Tim was leaving for Antarctica for a year and Julia's best mate Jess was going overseas they decided to get married before they left - which gave them just 4 weeks. Everything came together perfectly! The ceremony was held at Gerringong Boat Harbour with just their mums and friend Lucas (who doubled as photographer) as guests. I didn't meet Tristan until just before the wedding and have to admit I was expecting some big, burly, bearded fisherman type but instead he was very stylish, slim, unbearded and reminded me of Pete Doherty plus he was wearing THE most stylish shoes. I complimented him on them saying it was the first time I had ever even noticed a grooms shoes. The entire family has the same stylish taste in footwear it seems - baby Jasper was wearing vintage leather boots with bright red laces and Julia had very cute brown sandals which set off her blue pedicure. Julie also wore this fabulous strapless retro green dress with appliquéd doilies. Another very sweet touch was the handfuls of jacaranda blossoms the groom sprinkled the ground with and best man Tim set off on a bushwalk and came back with some bright orange gladioli which we used to decorate the table. Simple, stunning and sweet!

Their vows were also wonderful - bit of humour, bit of romance.

Tim: I promise to make you breakfast in bed at least once a week.

Julia:  I promise to get up early with you at least once a week.

Tim: I promise to always keep the fridge stocked with soft cheeses.

Julia: I promise to always keep the pantry stocked with crackers.

Tim: I promise to make you laugh as often as I can.

Julia:  promise to laugh at your jokes at least once a week.

Tim:  promise to always take you on adventures.

Julia: promise to always follow you wherever you roam, except the southern ocean.

Tim: I promise to help you be a wonderful Mama.

 Julia:I promise to always tell you how amazing you are.

Tim: I promise to dance with you when you’re healthy.

 Julia: I promise to take care of you when you’re sick.

Tim: Above all, I promise to love you for as long as love is possible.

Two lovely weddings, both very small and intimate with about 30 closest family and friends and both with spectacular ocean views.
Shannan and Geoff came from Newcastle to get married at 87 Cyrus St, Hyams Beach, what a house, what a setting, what a view!
 I actually did one of my very first weddings at this house several years ago but I don't think how many times you walked through the front door you would still have to stop to take in the view.


The ceremony was held on the front deck and Geoff's daughter was bridesmaid. A special part of the ceremony came after the ring exchange when Olivia received a necklace from Shannan and Geoff. After the ceremony the reception dinner was going to be held on the deck with catering from The Butter Factory and it looked like everyone had a sensational evening ahead of them.

And today's Rememberance Day wedding was on the headland at Black Rock Reserve in Gerroa, it was sensational, you couldn't have created a lovelier setting or backdrop.
We were surrounded by 100's of white butterflies and the ceremony was held in a bamboo archway the groom Steve had built. Kylie looked amazing in a Lisa Ho filmy,  fluttery dresss with tiny native flowers in her hair. It was perfect!
Kylie wrote a poem for Steve which she read and the vows they created were also very lovely.

Kylie:

Steven, you are one of the most special events in my life,

And I feel very blessed that I am loved by such a beautiful, kind, deep and compassionate man.

Your heart is so strong and grounded and sensitive,  and most of all your heart is not afraid to love.

You bring love, happiness and freedom into my life. I am so happy to share my life with you and to dare create beyond the limits of our imagination.

I want to fly with you and create our own web of love in our reality and share it with the world.

I love our life together, in its simplicity

It makes our moments magic, purposeful, happy and free.

I want to grow and evolve as a part of the event in life that involves loving and sharing with you.

Steven, I make a promise to you that I will honour and respect you for who you are and the choices that you make in life and that I will love you as fearlessly as I can.

I love you

I give you this ring to symbolize the force of love from within me to you.

 Steven, i see you, I know you, I feel you.

Thank you for allowing us to be who we have become right now.

Two people in love, who believe in supporting each other’s growth and potential. Helping each other find our chosen paths to happiness, and live our dreams. Thank you for sharing your love and life with me. Thank you for loving me for who I am, and for sharing moments in time together.

Thank you for having the courage to be yourself and choosing love as the center of the creation of our future. I’m sure we will find a beautiful earth revealing herself to us as we learn and grow. I think all of our moments add up and get stored in the planet for eternity as a beautiful diamond, so let’s help make eternity fun and live life while we can.

I promise to uphold our values in love and life. I will be the best me I can, and I promise to support you in being the best you, you could hope to be, whatever it is you dream.

I do see you. I do feel you and I do love you.

I give you this ring to symbolize the force of love from within me that shares with you - me.

Tim and Leah were married at Riversdale. This beautiful setting really appeals to couples with an appreciation of design. As Leah and Tim are both town planners this certainly applies to them.  Tim and Leah met on their very first day at university at their very first lecture where they were told that statistically two couples out of the 50 students present would get married. Tim and Leah laughed this off at the time but 11 years later here we were. Tim's mum made yards of gorgeous bunting and did all the dried floral arrangements. It was a very stylish affair!

The weather has been sooo unpredicatable lately that a few "Plan B's" have had to be put into action. Olivier and Jasmine had hoped to be married on Blenheim Beach but torrential rain put an end to that. Luckily they were having their reception at The Butter Factory  at Pyree so could have the ceremony there. It may not have been the blue skies in the background and the white sand beneath their feet that they had hoped for,  but it was a really lovely ceremony with a green, rural backdrop - there were even a few cows! - and I don't think Jasmine and Olivier really noticed where they were. The look on Jasmine's face was priceless - halfway between overawed and overjoyed - she said afterwards that it was amazing standing there looking out and realising that everyone she loved in the world was gathered there in the one room.

Brooke and Daniel also had very uncooperative weather (the highway had been closed due to flooding the day before and my drive to Mollymook was a nightmare!) but again they had a brilliant Plan B in the Mollymook Golf Club which has amazing views out over the ocean. The windows are tinted so that guests inside have a great view out but those on the beach can't see inside the club which can lead to some unusual situations. Event planner Jen from As A Whisper had to go outside to move along some young surfers who were getting undressed directly in front of the window not realising that 120 guests were witnessing their struggles to get into their wetsuits. It was a really happy atmosphere and I really believe guests are truly grateful when couples change the setting to an indoors one and they don't have have to endure cold winds and wet sand. Brooke and Daniel chose a song as a reading for their ceremony and I did think it a little unusual but did my best. It wasn't until after the ceremony that someone told me it a bit of a hard rocking  number.

And happily it was clear skies for Bianca and Bryce who had already been through enough hardships with Saturday's ceremony being their third attempt at getting married (an ex had thrown a very spiteful spanner in the works when she rang up the venue for the first wedding pretending to be Bianca and cancelled everything!). It was a lovely evening and it was just Bryce and Bianca and her two children Anthony and Danielle. Bryce was moved to tears when he saw Bianca and she looked amazing in a very full skirted gown which Danielle told me she intends to wear to her wedding one day. Danielle also had some really lovely words to say about Bryce welcoming into their family. It was a really emotional ceremony, everyone very relaxed and happy - including myself! I really wanted Bianca to have a gorgeous wedding after all the hurdles they had to finally get there!

How cute is this letterbox?

Sheridan and Blair were married in her family home on the Shoalhaven River. The house is rather remote but amazingly there were three weddings on that one stretch of road that day! Sheridan's definitely stood out for its letterbox dressing! Most people only experience the river as the cross the Nowra Bridge which is definitely not the best vantage point! Blair built this platform for the wedding ceremony and it was truly lovely, standing in the bush, overlooking the river.

It is peak wedding season on the south coast and I've been busy with every kind of ceremony from simple elopments to stylish extravaganzas.
Michael and Zorana had a very simple and special ceremony at sunset on Bosom Beach. Zoran's family in Serbia were unable to attend so they kept the guest numbers very small. It was a bit breezy down the beach but the sun put on a wonderful display just as they were exchanging their vows. Michael read a poem he had written for Zorana as part of the ceremony and it was a very special and moving moment.
Martina and Steve didn't even have witnesses when they eloped to Greenpatch Beach. Luckily Astrid and Andres who were holidaying from South American were happy to oblige. Martina looked gorgeous, very elegant in a sheaf, chiffon dress with a gardenia fascinator in her hair. They were pleased to discover that technically they were married in teh ACT so it felt more like an elopement.
Ava Rose celebrated her  naming ceremony and first birthday at  Shoalhaven Heads with just her closest family - but with such a, extended family it was still a large gathering. A moment of drama when dad dropped Ava during the ceremony - altho it did look more like Ava Rose hurled herself out of her arms. Ava was picked up dusted off and we hardly skipped a beat!
Catherine and Daniel both work for Darrell Lea so there was no shortage of chocolate at their wedding! They had their ceremony and reception at Sylvan Glen at Penrose which was a gorgeous setting, the Highlands at its blossomy spring best. Catherine and her bridesmaid carried tulips which was also very fitting. Catherine managed to break her ankle in the leadup to the wedding and had to wear a large orthopedic boot which her dad sprayed gold for her!
Ben and Belyssa were married by the bay at Kullindi Homestead. The weather was not cooperative and there were quite a few challenges. Wind was the main problem. Huge gusts of it! I had to abandon the micorophone but at least the wind was blowing the words towards the guests. Belyssa's stepfather Luis had mother Isabel Venezuela (where Ben and Bely met) for the ceremomy. Ceremony over the reception was held in a large marquee - out of the wind!- and I'm sure everyone was in for a fantastic time. It looked amazing!
Daniel and Kylie were married on her parents farm at Brundee. The chooks were scratching around and the cows were in the next paddock and it would have been very rural if it wasn't for the abundance of glamourous girls in some very short skirts. Thye bridegroom and his best man and ring bearer nephew looked soo handsome in Brown RM Williams pants and Blue striped shirts. Stylish and comfortable. Kylie made her entrance with her dad who was obviously a combination of proud and emotional and Kylie wore a fantastic 50's look knee length  dress - very Dior, very Grace Kelly, very gorgeous. She also had killer eyelashes.
And that's been my life for the last few weeks!
 

Andrew and Janelle opted for simple beach wedding at Lake Conjola.

. I hadn’t been here before, what a pretty little village. I am always amazed at how many lovely little south coast villages there are and how each has a totally different character. To get to the beach is a bit of a trek – especially if you have a very heavy PA – over a wooden bridge but well worth it as the beach is spectacular. There were a few tears in the ceremony – some of them from the best man, which was very sweet and also from Janelle. The flowergirl was a little alarmed and her mum had to explain to her afterwards that they were happy tears not sad ones. Janelle emailed me afterwards to say that their wedding was everything they wanted it be which was very nice to hear!

Benny and Olivia had originally planned an elopement but the wedding grew a little as we got closer to the date. They had the most amazing venue, hiring the Beach House at Vincentia which had a path leading down to what turned out to their own little private beach

. Theirs was THE perfect beach wedding, the weather was exceptionally kind to them! It was another very simple ceremony with some lovely touches and then back up to the house to enjoy food and wine and a sensational view.

Music is one thing that’s never really used to its full advantage at weddings but Olivia and Benny had Steven Verney Smith singing and playing guitar and it really set the scene.

I particularly liked Benny’s song choice which Olivia walked in to, Johnny Cash’s Rose of My Heart:

We're the best partners this world's ever seen Together as close as can be But sometimes it's hard to find time in between To tell you what you mean to me
You are the rose of my heart You are the love of my life A flower not fading, nor falling apart If you're tired, rest your head on my arm Rose of my heart
When sorrow holds you in it's arms of clay It's rain drops that fall from your eyes Your smile is a sun come to earth for a day You brighten my blackest of skies
You are the rose of my heart You are the love of my life A flower not fading, nor falling apart If you're cold, let my love make you warm Rose of my heart
So hard times or easy times, what do I care There's nothing I'd change if I could The tears and the laughter are things that we share Your hand in mine makes it good
You are the rose of my heart You are the love of my life A flower not fading, nor falling apart If you're cold, let my love make you warm Rose of my heart
You are the rose of my heart You are the love of my life A flower not fading, nor falling apart If you're cold, let my love make you warm Rose of my heart

Two weddings over the weekend, very different settings and styles but both romantic fun.

My first wedding was at Bowral's ye olde put  Briars. The ceremony was in a little Rotunda perched on the lake. 

It couldn’t have been simpler or lovelier. Just Lauren and Mark, their two children Kalem and Charlee and two close friends as witnesses.What totally made the wedding – in fact it made my whole day – was five-year-old  Kalem’s abundant happiness. He was BEAMING from ear to ear. He’d been told he was going to a wedding but did not know it was his parents wedding until he walked into his mother’s room and saw her in her wedding dress.

Such a lovely boy! Such a lovely dress too! Knee length and very swishy and girly. It suited Lauren perfectly. Lauren read a poem to Mark before their vows, it was very moving and I noticed her truck driver husband discreetly wipe his eyes as she was reading it.

Wedding number 2 was far more boisterous. Russian Valentina was marrying Aussie Christopher at the Kangaroo Valley Bush Retreat.

Russian and Australian flags marked the entrance and I arrived as they were in the process of kidnapping the bride. A Russian tradition which everyone seemed to enjoy but while the ransom was being paid I was nervous about my language skills as I was going to welcome everyone in  in Russian.

I needn’t have worried as my “Dobro Pozhalovat’! got a round of applause from the guests!

The natural Bush Cathedral at the Retreat has some very precarious and rocky steps  to get down but Valentina (who was wearing a rather snug fishtail dress which she looked sensational in) and her father Sergei made a stunning entrance to one of Sergei’s favourite songs, Nat King Cole singing LOVE. Lovely choice!! It was a ceremony with lots of romance, splashes of humour, some very personal and moving vows and this great reading:

Union by Robert Fulghum.   You have known each other from the first glance of acquaintance to this point of commitment. At some point you decided to marry. From that moment of yes, to this moment of yes, you have been making promises and agreements. In all of those conversations that were held riding in a car or over a meal or during long walks, all those sentences that began with "When we're married"and continued with Ï will" and ÿou will" and "we will"- those late night talks that included "someday" and "somehow" and "maybe"- and all those promises that are unspoken matters of the heart. All these common things and more, are the real process of a wedding. The symbolic vows that you are about to make are a way of saying to one another "You know all those things we've promised and hoped and dreamed, well, I meant every word. Look at one another and remember this moment in time. Before this moment you have been many things to one another, acquaintance, friend, companion, lover, dancing partner and even teacher, for you have learned much from one another in these last few years. Now you shall say a few words that take you across a threshold of live, and things will never be quite the same between you. For after these vows, you shall say to the world, this is my husband, this is my wife."

Life is certainly a lot less hectic in the wintry months but looking back it seems I have performed 5 weddings!! I did one at the revamped Nowra School of Arts which is looking really lovely. It was very much a family affair with everyone helping out setting up the day before. I don't have any photos - except these of the hall - to share as there was a "no photos during the ceremony clause". It was really interesting as you don't realise how busy everyone is snapping away until you experience the absolute silence of a no photography wedding. I know I am often so busy taking photos of something like one of my sons birthday parties or a family outing that I am not always fully in the moment. The other weddings were at beaches along the south coast, Washerwomans at Bendalong - a very small wedding just the bride and groom, their son and parents, Murrays Beach at Jervis Bay, James Oates Reserve at Minnamurra. A really nice touch at Minnamurra was the brides entrance. She had five brothers and each one of her took it in turns to walk her down the "aisle".  Sadly there was a funeral as well. I don't actively seek out funeral celebrancy but if I have a  connection with a family I like to do what I can to assist at such a difficult time. It was a very sad occcasion and I really felt for June's family - her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren - she seemed like such a wonderful presence in all their lives. Ä really lovely mum" was how her daughters summed her up and really I couldn't aspire to anything more as an epitaph!

Yesterday's ceremony was at Bullaburra Farm at Gerroa which was pretty jaw-dropping when it came to the view. Perched on the headland the farm looks out over 7 Mile Beach and beyond and beyond. Sadly the weather did not cooperate and it was very blowy and the chill factor fearful. Declan and Mairead flew out from the UK for their wedding and must have been a bit disappointed in the weather we provded for them.

Whirl of weddings, all with very special touches. Lindsey and Dave got married at Hyams Beach - it was a perfect day for it.





















Jen and her team from As A Whisper did the set up and it looked lovely. Those big pom pom flowers led the guests down the bush track to the ceremony setting. The vows were a real  high point with  Lindsey promising to always remember to recycle the empty toilet roll but  to "try to be and be as kind and thoughtful as you are even though that's actually impossible - you are a giant heart with arms and legs!"




Wedding number two was another beach setting, Culburra this time with the  reception held at the revamped Surf Club which looked lovely festooned with blue lanterns. The beach set up was really lovely, huge white magnolias and the surfboard that James was getting in instead of a ring. Lucy looked fantastic in a strapless silky gown and it was a great atmosphere -140 guests so a large one. The scene stealer was their dog Mylo who had his own bouquet!

























And number three was at the Upper Kangaroo Valley Hall which had been completely transformed. Erin and Adam exchanged their vows before a macrame backdrop Erin and her mum had made and Erin looked absolutely stunning - THE most amazing gold high heels, a veil and a very 60's short dress which she had crocheted the sleeves for. The ceremony also included a great reading which I'll paste here later - no Shakespeare or Bible or Elizabeth Barret for them, it was a podcast they heard, loved and transcribed and it worked brilliantly.

Merribee is one of the loveliest locations in the Shoalhaven area. I never get tired of performing marriage ceremonies in the gardens there and I guess one of the reasons is that the gardens look different every time I go with something new in bloom or the bride and groom adding some unique personal touch. I married Michael and Deirdre in the gardens there on Saturday and it was a perfect autumn day. Both bride and groom are originally from Ireland and they had a church ceremony for their families during the week but Saturday was just for them. Deirdre wore this lovely, long veil and carried a bouquet of white peonies - the effect was really breathtaking. I also have to ask about the song Deirdre entered to - I haven't heard it before and it was a great wedding song. Two of the touches I liked were the little bunches of flowers hanging from the trees and the framed seating arrangements also suspended from a tree in the  garden. You can tell by the names a lot of the guests were Irish!

Last day of March, the sun is shining and I have two lovely, small weddings on. Keiran and Allison are having a small gathering of closest family and friends at her mum's house in Sanctuary Point. A few special touches, all the family will make an entrance, his and then hers and they will light candles for the grandparents and family members no longer with us, they have included a ring warming ceremony and a bracelet for their daughter Jade as well and they have written very lovely personal vows. Keiran talks about Allisons enthusiasm and love of life as being an inspiration to him and Allison says Keiran grounds her and makes her a better person. She is also going to promise to turn a blind eye to the Homer spot Keiran carves in the lounge during his weekly Xbox sessions.
Wedding number two is 30 guests at Greenwell Point. They've really done some work on the foreshore down there and it's looking gorgeous. Tony and Jema have chosen a really nice grassy corner with great views over the river and the mountains making a gorgeous backdrop. I married Tony's parents a few years back in a very romantic ceremony. It was a "remarriage". They had been divorced for some time but decided they really were meant to meant to be together after all so it was very very sweet.
Before I dash off on my wedding whirl I have just enough time to tell you about yesterdays wedding which was DIVINE. Another family connection as I married the bride's brother a few years ago. It's always so nice to be asked back for family events, it really is an honour and one of the best things about being a celebrant is these connections you make. Mollie's brother was there yesterday and he and his wife had just had a little boy two days ago - baby Quinn who was sweetness personified in the photos. "Mighty!" is how his proud dad described him.
The ceremony was at the Wharf Restaurant in Sydney so I caught the train up the day before and got to have a Sydney haircut and do some shopping and catch up with friends at groovy wine bars.
It was a glorious Sydney day for the wedding and the setting was perfect, the bridge and Luna Park in the background and of course the harbour. Groom Chris had chosen the setting as he had spent a lot of time performing at Sydney Theatre Company and it was like home for him.
Mollie and Chris were to be married in the UK where they now live but Mollie's dad was unable to travel so they had a small family ceremony here and will have a big party in the UK when they return. Mollie's dad surprised her when they were leaving their Balmain home, Mollie had thought they were hopping in a cab but a stretch limo pulled up outside. "As if I'd put my daughter in a taxi on her wedding day" he said to me later.
It was such a beautiful ceremony, Chris had written most of it on the plane ride home. When Molly hopped out of the taxi she really was such a vision of glamour and downright gorgeousness. She wore this amazing retro look pale green dress with little bows down the back with THE most amazing pink shoes and little pink veil over pin curls. Absolutely stunning! I am trying to think what glamazon movie star look maybe a mix of Rita Hayworth with a bit of Grace Kelly if you can imagine?? Drop dead beautiful but very very elegant.
There were lots of tears during the ceremony and plenty of laughter too and during Chris's vows, which he memorised - that actor background! - I really had to concentrate on not crying myself. It was such a lovely day and I really hope I get a photo of them to share with you. Meanwhile I did take one of the cake with Chris's mum made. Sadly there's no more weddings in the family however when baby Quinn is or marriagable age I do hope I'm still celebranting!

How beautiful is this shot?

On Saturday I married Kate and Warren at Valinor Park.

Kate is a horse trainer and one of those lucky people who works doing something she really loves.

I was a bit disappointed she didn’t arrive on horseback but there was time for some horseplay after the ceremony.

It was a spectacular day, after so many weeks of wet weddings it was great to see the sun. Valinor Park provided a spectacular setting with views over the mountains and out to sea but the loveliest part of the ceremony was Kate and Warren’s vows, which did mention making time for horses and fishing,  but were also incredibly romantic.

Another  lovely moment was when the grandchildren came forward to light a candle in memory of Warren;s mother and the teeny tiny flowergirl really stole the show at one point when the ceremony was interrupted by a loud “THUMP THUMP THUMP” everyone turned to see what this noise could possibly be and it was only the flowergirl coming up some wooden steps which seemed to have amplifiers built in to them.

So there was a lovely mix of tears, laughter and of course horses!!!!

Bannisters is such a gorgeous location, the retro vibe, the infinity pool and the spectacular views all make it a perfect wedding location.

Linda and Tony had a very intimate, relaxed and fun wedding. It was just the two of them and two guests and a very nice woman from the hotel who stepped in to take the photos.

 They had originally planned on having the ceremony on the pool deck but the blue skies and sunshine meant that it was a very popular spot with the other guests so rather than risk being splashed by kids bombing each other they changed locations to the hilltop overlooking the sea.

Linda wore a gorgeous blue silk dress which perfectly echoes the sea and sky and bride and groom were both contagiously happy!

A nice touch was the bell on the table which represented Tony’s naval background, and also represented their hopes for the future – they engraved their names and their wedding date on it and plan to add their children’s names once they start their family.

Linda was in the RAAF and they met in Afghanistan which doesn’t sound terribly romantic but I guess love was in the air somewhere  there.

They headed off to Hawaii after the wedding for Tony’s new posting which sounds like a nice place to start working on names to add to that bell!

How cool is this?
Sadly I'll never get to do an Elvis wedding but could probably do a Priscilla if anyone was interested.

A WEDDING like no other took place on Saturday.

Most brides like to think their wedding is unique in some way but this one was unique in every way.

The bride, Trista Kyriacou (nee Thorpe) arrived in a bright red garbage truck. In fact, she drove the truck.

The ceremony at Hanging Rock in Nowra was conducted by an Elvis impersonator complete with some of the King’s popular numbers.

The bride’s brother took on the role of bridesmaid and the family and guests on the bride’s side were asked to dress in red while those related to the groom, Knick Kyriacou, dressed in purple.

The bride’s dress of skulls and roses was complemented by her bright red hair, extensive tattoos and skeleton shoes.

The bouquet featured black roses with tiny skulls.

“It was a fun wedding. I knew there would never have been a wedding like it,” the bride’s mother Shell Thorpe said.

“Not many people would choose to show up to a wedding in a red garbage truck, let alone drive it.

“They always said they wanted something different, then one day Trista said she wanted to get married by an Elvis impersonator.

“He was great. He sang Can’t Help Falling In Love With You as they walked from the truck to the ceremony.

“He did the official ceremony and married them. Then he did an Elvis ceremony, where he read the vows using titles of Elvis songs,” she said.

Mrs Kyriacou said it was “the best day ever”.

“It had to be completely what we wanted, different and entertaining,” she said.

“I think the highlight was my arrival, but the whole thing was pretty overwhelming.”

Mrs Kyriacou, who lost her grandfather to cancer two weeks before the wedding, took the opportunity to encourage people to donate to cancer research.

Today is the day that traditionally women can propose marriage – of course nowadays a woman is free to propose any day the fancy takes her – but that hasn’t always been the case.  

The giant leap for womankind is believed to have started in the 5^th century in Ireland when St. Bridget (patron saint of babies,
blacksmiths, chicken farmers and dairy maids to name just a few)
complained to St. Patrick about women having to wait for so long for a man to propose.

According to legend, St. Patrick said the yearning females could propose on this one day in February during the leap year.

This may have been because according to English law, February 29th was considered to have no legal status.

In 1288 it’s believed  Scotland passed a law allowing women to propose and if the man declined he must pay a fine that could be a kiss or pair of gloves.

I did sort of propose to a man once but can’t recall it was a leap year. I was very young and he was my first real boyfriend and I think it shows a very sweet mixture of optimism and realism that I said “If we are still together in a year do you want to get married?”. I can’t remember what his answer was but since we weren’t together in year it wasn’t put to the test – and thank God – or even St Bridget for that!!!

If there are any brave females considering taking the leap today my only advice would be to choose your moment – and location – otherwise you might end up on the Guardians list of worst public marriage proposals which you can see here: (be warned though, some of them are like watching a train wreck!)

The worst one -  and what was he thinking proposing in a food court with a Neil Diamond song is here. 

In the words of the guitarist "That is brutal!

I love elopements.

As I was driving home from today's gorgeous beach wedding I was thinking about why I like them so much and one of the conclusions I came to was that it’s because you are so much more in touch with the happiness of the couple.

Usually at a ceremony there are dozens – or sometimes even hundreds! – of family and friends standing by ready to step in and congratulate the couple as soon as they are declared husband and wife and the celebrant stands to one side enjoying being part of the excitement but mainly watching.

At an elopement however it’s just you, the couple and two witnesses who may or may not know the couple so the Celebrant has a huge responsibility.

You have to make sure the couple – who are usually a little self conscious – feel totally at ease and you have to represent their family and friends in wishing them all the best for their future life together so you are directly in touch with their happiness. Does that make sense? Anyway that was my conclusion for today!

Today’s elopement was not without some dramas – two days before the wedding Rob and Leila’s house was struck by lightning which managed to destroy the computer which held their painstaking crafted wedding vows.

Then there was the absolutely torrential storm last night but come time for the ceremony at Greenpatch this morning and it was clear skies with even the sun making an appearance in time for their kiss!

Rob and Leila first met 7 years ago under the cherry trees in Young, and as farmhands, they estimate they have picked over 1.2 million apples together since then!

They also managed to survive living together in a 16 foot caravan for 5 years – so I think they can weather anything!

Sometimes it’s the smallest - and often the unplanned - details of a wedding that are the most striking

Who could have planned the mother kangaroo and yoey who sat happily on the beach in the background for the wedding photos? (Leila’s family in Germany will love those!) And as I was leaving photographer Nora had Rob and Leila standing on an old wooden bridge, it was such a gorgeous scene, but what was really striking was the dark red of Leila’s bouquet of roses against the deep blue of Rob’s shirt, a really small but really beautiful detail. Hope I have a picture to show you soon!

And here they are - you can see some more of the gorgous pictures by clicking Nora Devai:

Heidi and Tom were incredibly organised with so many tiny little exquisite details - Heidi an interior designer produced the most stunning invites and has a real eye for those lovely touches that make a wedding unique. They opted for a beach wedding at beautiful Blenheim. We did a speedy rehearsal in the pouring rain on the Friday but on the Saturday it was nothing but blue skies and sunshine. Tom and his groomsmen went down to the beach early Saturday and raked the sand, erected a bamboo archway and constructed an  aisle from sticks and ribbons. By the time we got there for the ceremony start at 2.30 all their good work had been undone. There had been another wedding party that morning who couldn't believe their luck at having such a gorgeous ready made space and sadly only the archway was intact and sunbathers were using it to dry their towels on! Luckily there were a few hands on deck and we were able to rebuil and re-rake before Heidi's entrance. Some friends wrote and sang a song especially for their day which was soooo lovely. The Heidi Tom love story was one of being totally thunderstruck by love when it was least expected and I especially liked Heidi's vows:

Tommy, as I stand here, my hands in yours- I  promise to inspire, encourage,and  nourish your dreams. I promise to fill our lives with playfulness, laughter and contentment. I promise to calm and comfort you,  treasure and respect you for the person you are and the tommy boy i fell in love with. I promise to kiss you the first and last second of every day. I promise to not leave my shoes out so you trip over them as you hop into bed. I promise to strive in partnership to make our dreams come true and to love you endlessly until the end of our days.

and the reading by her Aunty Di:

A soul mate is someone who has locks that fit our keys, and keys to fit our locks. When we feel safe enough to open the locks, our truest selves step out and we can be completely and honestly who we are; we can be loved for who we are and not for whom we're pretending to be. Each unveils the best part of the other. No matter what else goes wrong around us, with that one person we're safe in our own paradise. Our soul mate is someone who shares our deepest longings, our sense of direction. When we're two balloons, and together our direction is up, chances are we've found the right person. Our soul mate is the one who makes life come to life.

Not sure how anything is accomplished anywhere once the school holidays start. You can tell they're nearly over as my two are used to sleeping in and getting around in their pyjamas most of the day and I cannnot get tempt them out The Smurfs and eating fairyfloss and all those other things good mothers don't allow I can get around to some blogging!
So where did the rest of 2011 go? A quick rundown of the last few weddings of the year - didn't realise how busy I was until I went back to them.
Jannah and Ben were married in Cooke Park in Gerringong. Gerringong is definitely a popular spot for weddings as I passed quite a few that day - every church and park seemed to contain bridal parties.
Isabel and Pete got married in their stunning backyard with so many special little touches - it all looked amazing - even the layout of the cushions!





Cassie and Adam were married on Narrawallee Beach - it was such a hot day and someone (no names!) forgot the groomsmens flowers for their buttonholes and then the PA didn't want to cooperate with the music but once we started it was all smooth sailing.
Tegan and Barry eloped to Hyams Beach for a simple - but special - no fuss wedding
 - we asked a nice lady who was sunbathing nearby to be a witness and she was so happy and emotional she cried during the ceremony! Nora - the photographer doubled as the second witness and you can see more of herstunning  photos here.
Rebecca and Steven also chose  Hyams for their December wedding but they had a few more guests so we didn't have to enlist witnesses! Rebecca wore a really unusual dress and it's rare that you comment on the poor groom -but loved what Steve wore for the day. Donna-Maree took the photos.
Charles and Fleur were married at celebrity chef Rick Stein's beach house at Mollymook. What an amazing location. Great venue for a small wedding, Rick actually just had his own wedding there. There were just a  handful of guests, mostly their children who ranged from teeny toddler to tall teenager! Fleur bought her gorgeous accessories and decorations from etsy, if you like really original bits and pieces and online shopping click here.
Noticed Rick keeps a painting of Chalky - his dog from the TV series - on the wall.He also had a photo of himself with Prince Charles but I wasn't as taken with that.
Dean Dampney of Cloudface took some gorgeous - and more romantic  -  photos which can be seen here.
Then we kicked off 2012 with a wedding on Collingwood Beach for Sean and Lisa who came all the way from Victoria - in a car that broke down 3 times! - and Mia and Clinton again at Hyams. Mia wore the most amazing fishtail dress which must have atracted a few looks when they had to stop the limo at Bomaderry McDonalds so the bride could run infor a nervous wee along the way!
I also did a vow renewal for Melisssa and Joe at Callala - the Community Hall there is such a great secret, a fantastic venue and Jen and her  team from As Whisper created a gorgeous setting.

Yesterday was soooo hot and today? 13 degrees and nothing but rain!  Nick and Leyla had chosen offers very little shelter. Leyla has come all the way from Hawaii and guests had flown in from New Zealand, Cairns and the States but no one remembered to pack some sunshine!
Nick's beaming face more than made up for it I have never seen SUCH a happy groom. It was a really interesting wedding for me because both Nick and Leyla and many of their guests were deaf. One of my major stresses is ensuring that everyone can hear me so it was really unusual for this not to ne am issue. What I did have to do  was pace myself so that the interpreter could sign to the bride and groom and the guests what I said.  Where this got a bit convoluted was the vows. I would say the vows, the interpreter would sign what I said, and then tell me what the bride and groom were signing back.
Photographer Nora Devai took some beautiful shots - Nick was worried the rain would make this tricky but the few I saw on the day looked fantastic.
Not sure if Nicks mum made the cake but it looked amazing, adorned with pink rose petals that perfectly complemented her dress. And as a final touch, a little wallaby lingered in the background as one extra guest.
Completely the opposite weatherwise was Ben and Naomi's backyard wedding on Saturday where we all came a little close to melting. Ben and Naomi wanted a very simple, untraditional wedding so there were just 40 or so of their closest family and friends. Son Xander and daughter Tasmin did great jobs as ringbearer and flowergirl. Xander did let out an amazing - considering his size - belch at a key moment of the ceremony which took us all a while to get over laughing at. The surprised look on his face was hilarious! On a sad but lovely note was Ben's mum who has been very ill but there she was in a wheelchair wearing her hospital wrist band in the front row and looking very proud of her son who wrote THE most beautiful vows.

What a busy weekend!! Great fun tho. 3 weddings over 2 days and a few rehearsals squeezed in too. Great for me they were all local but lots of angst in the lead up as the weather has been so unpredictable.
Wedding number one was at Dolphin Reserve which has a gorgeous backdrop of sea, sea and more sea. The couple were Indian and wanted the most basic ceremony possible which, as a celebrant, can be a bit disappointing. It was just them and two local friends obliged by stopping off home renovations to come down and be witness and photographer. So happy they could do it as the grey skies meant that there was no one else around. The bride Jaswinder wore the most amazing golden yellow sari, the word sumptuous might just  begin to cover it. I would have been very disappointed if she had hopped out of the car in a white gown!
Wedding number two was Steven and Corinne at one of my favourite spots, Merribee House, I have  never seen the gardens there looking lovelier, foxgloves and water iris all in bloom. The morning had been chaotic with weather changing every hour but come 3pm - and Corinne - had insisted she was going to be exactly on time (refreshing change!) and the sun couldn't have been more brilliant. They had written their own vows and sent them to me separately so neither knew what the other was going to promise them. Steven's arrived a few days late and, being a landscape gardener and not a word man, he was a little worried about them,. They were brilliant and had everyone in tears.  The last line was "I love you like a bee loves pollen". Another highpoint for me was the little ring bearer who took his job sooooo seriously and did a fantastic job.
And finally Virginia and Adam who had a bit of unusual stress in the lead up with a dead dolphin washing up on the spot where they planned to get married, Days went by and no one came to remove it so a change of location was called for. We moved over to Bosom Beach and it was perfect. An early evening wedding, with vintage French champagne and a very glamorous group of guests who all looked stunning. Among the guests were Mike and Renae who I married several years ago and also had the great honour of being invited back to do their daughters name giving ceremony. Very excited to hear they have a second on the way!
Adam was so relaxed and happy and Virginia, who I knew was going to be a beautiful bride, was absolutely stunning. She arrived with her two sisters as bridesmaids and her mum and dad on either side and - it's not a word I use often - looked absolutely radiant, She said later she had just felt really really excited and instead of being overcome by nerves just took everything in. My favourite moment was when I heard Adam tell his father he loved him. I'm tearing up as I type it - just a beautiful emotional moment, a simple statement of fact from a son to his father. What a lovely man Adam is - what a lovely wedding!!

While it's been quiet on the wedding front I've done quite a few naming ceremonies in the last month. Usually I might do 3 or 4 a year but I've done 3 in the last 3 weeks.
I love naming ceremonies, they're just really happy occasions and a little less stressful than weddings can be. As a Celebrant you have to work extra hard tho to create a sense of ceremony about the day. With a wedding that seems to come built in but namings are different. Perhaps it's because people don't know what to expect?
Another thing I like about namings is that you get to see the food - usually theirs a picnic involved - and I am happy to report that little marshmallows and biscuits fashioned into tea cups are in vogue amongst the toddler party set.
First naming was for one year old Knox Cruz Wade who was combining his birthday bash with his naming. This was to be outdoors but was switched to Manyana Community Hall when the weather looked like it wasn't going to cooperate, it was a lovely old building. We were able to have the naming under a tree outside but inside was kids party central. Knox really seemed to enjoy being the centre of attention and accepted his new name,  and his families best wishes,  with good humour, giggling and gurgling throughout.
Sisters Ariah and Kalara had a picnic at Paradise Beach for their ceremony. We had the lake in the background and the girls wore incredibly cute outfits by local childrens designer - will have to remember the name so I can tell you - in pink and green. As part of the ceremony all the guests were asked to play fairy godmother/father and bestow their own wishes on the girls. Health and happiness were in abundance but there were also comments about what anyone possibly wish 2 little girls who were already blessed with fantastic parents - which was really sweet.
Baby Iylah Indigo Kyraciou slept through her entire naming ceremony which was such a shame as we didn't get a good look at her gorgeous outfit and baby bling - she had a lovely little silver name brooch and necklace for the occasion. Everyone gathered by the Shoalhaven River for the ceremony and then it was home for Iylay's  1st birthday party. I'm sure she  woke up in time for her cake - and maybe some miniature marshmallow teacups.

About to move in the the flurry of spring weddings so better report on what went on in winter! Always a very quiet time for weddings here on the south coast as most people choose to have a wedding here as they want outdoor wedding with some bush or beach ambience.
There were a few couples who braved the cooler months however and  these included:
Amy and Tim who were married at the lovely little seaside village of   Cudmirrah.   There was a small delay with the ceremony as Tim forgot the music and someone had to be sent back for it - if you're a bride and you've always wanted to make your entrance to one particular song then what's a few minutes? - but once we started it was all smooth sailing. The ceremony was at the lookout with a spectacular ocean backdrop.
Jessica and Adam were married in Apex Park in Berry. There was some  torrential rain in the leadup but sunshine on the day. We had to make a small change to Jessica's entrance due to mud - not a good look on a wedding dress - but it was fantastic entrance, a scene stealing flowergirl and Jess arrived in a VW Combi so you could hear the bridal party coming from several blocks away.
Kim and Brent came all the way   from Puckapunyal to get married on 10th June in Kim's mums yard. Again the rain turned the yard to slush but mum had put up a marquee as a wedding present and it was very welcome! The ceremony was doubly special as it was also Kim and Brents birthday - and mine as well. What the chances are of that?? Check out their daughter in the gorgeous little faux fur cape.
Daniel and Emily were married in brilliant sunshine in the amazing setting at Cedar Vale in Jaspers Brush. What a fantastic location, not a venue that usually allows weddings, but because it was such a small group they were able to persuade the owners. The toughest decision was where to have the ceremony, on the rolling lawn with mountains in the background? or the deck with the picturesque dam behind? In the end we opted for the dam for the ceremony and the lawn for the register signing. It was such a warm day that the resident python came out to lounge in the sun - thankfully not where the ceremony was conducted!
Melanie and Giovanni - or John as he prefers - had a small family ceremony at Wonoona. A large house with a balcony overlooking the beach no one had to get sandy feet to enjoy ocean view. It was a really heartfelt ceremony with all the atmosphere that a large close family brings to these occasions, there was even a grandchild sleeping in the travel cot beside where they exchanged their vows.
John had been in hospital in the weeks leading up to the ceremony, in fact my first meeting with Melanie was at Royal Prince Albert hospital it Newtown and I think these   trials added extra meaning to their vows, everyone there knew that Melanie and John wojuld most definitely be there for each other in sickness and in health and anything else fate decided to throw at them, but hopefully it will all be health and richer and all good things. Another spectacular entrance wtih Melanie on the back of John's bike and some "coldies" in the saddle bag for after the ceremony.

While yesterdays wedding at Hyams Beach was a little more laidback than Will and Kate's it was just as exciting. Paz and Renata came all the way from Isreal and chose Hyams after looking through a book on Australian beaches - and they couldn't have chosen better. It was just them, Dean the photographer and me. The weather behaved for once and we walked down to Chinamen's Beach which was quite deserted except for some dolphins just off shore. I was only person worried about this as we needed to find another witness - the dolphins wouln't do. Luckily Maree came walking by and was happy to oblige. Her sun visor was the only hat amongst us and while it didn't compete with Eugenie's, Maree was the perfect witness. The ceremony was very simple and after fulfilling all the legalities in English they exchanged vows in Brazilian - Renata's birthplace - and while I had no idea what they said the emotion was easily understood. I bet the Archbishop never has to race down beaches chasing up witnesses but its all part of the fun of an elopement and we all had great fun.Paz summed it up for when he kissed his bride saying "This is happiness!
"Some gorgeous pictures from Dean Dampney can be seen here:http://southcoastwedding.com.au/2011/05/19/paz-renata-jervis-bay-wedding/

• Thoughts on the royal wedding which of course I had to watch - deeming it research! Philip Treacy can probably retire now.
  
• Those flowergirls must have been sedated - they were SOOO well behaved.
• Not sure if anyone should ever wear yellow - sorry primrose.
• Pippa is such a good sister. I would have been tempted to tug the train out of jealousy.
• Harry is only just escaping the family baldness gene.
  
• I was very sad when I realised that I would never drive through London in a landau with the free wind in my hair!
  

Don and Megan's ceremony was at Hyams Beach at sunset that evening. The mornings torrential rain had turned into a light drizzle by then so we decided to go ahead with the beach ceremony. There were only a few close friends and they lit candles and sprinkled rose petals as the sun went down and Don and Megan read the incredibly sweet poems they had written for each other.
No rain on the day of Lukas and Shamala's wedding at Yadboro Flat but the rain the day before was bit of a worry as it is a bit of a trek to get to and too much rain would have made the road impossible if you didn't have a 4WD (I don't) The location was the scene of many childhood camping holidays for Lukas and something he and Shamala do with their own two children now.
The ceremony was held on the river bed and everyone was asked to hold one of the river stones throughout the ceremony and invest it with their wishes for Lukas and Shamala's future. The stones were returned after the ceremony and now the location has even more resonance for them. It was a lovely relaxed atmosphere and I loved watching them walk across the old wooden bridge to their wedding ceremony. Possibly the most remote wedding location I've done but well worth the (bumpy) drive!
Steve and Sarah had to have a complete change of location due to even more rain. Originally the ceremony was going to be held at Iluka Beach the scene of an early romantic camping trip (is there such a thing a a romantic camping trip) but was moved to Kullindi where the reception was to be held. The invitations were gorgeous and had a very colourful Japanese rice paper lantern theme which was carried through with Sarah's bouquet. All the guests were given gauzy ribbon wands to wave which was also a lot of fun. Sarah's laidback brother made a speech which started out very light hearted and funny but he got hijacked by the emotion of it all and got very emotional which was incredibly sweet.
Charles and Erica had a very low key ceremony at Callala Beach House - the perfect venue for small groups. Their daughter Darcy was a bit of a scene stealer and somehow a game of ring-a-rosies was incorporated into the ceremony.
Matthew and Lauren were married on Hyams Beach in glorious sunshine. What a great change! He was an incredibly happy groom - just elated! Even more so when Lauren appeared in her gorgeous dress - it had the complete va va va voom!  factor, slinky and silky and cut incredibly daringly low at the back - Lauren is a phys ed teacher and carried it off!
Ian and Katherine were married on Hyams Beach too. The As A Whisper team had their work cut out for them as the rain had shifted the creek so it ran right through where the bridal procession was planned to be. Nothing daunts Jen and they constructed a bridge over the creek. Katherine and Iain live in London and had flown over for the wedding so Katherine's 92 year old gran could be there and Katherine's mum surprised her by having a bagpiper - a nod to Ian's Mackintosh heritage - arrive as the certificate was being signed.
Hayley and Chris were married at Merribee House. It stormed the night before and drizzled in the morning but stayed clear for the ceremony which was very fortunate as Chris, a carpenter, had built an arch for them to be married under and - what a sweetheart! - had carved their initials in it and the date. Hayley had the most amazingly bridey dress with a billowing gauzy skirt and incredible purple heels which Chris had bought her when they got engaged. The look on Chris's face when he saw Hayley was priceless.
Then to Callala Beach House for another very small family wedding for Toby and Susan. Very simple and very sweet with a few tears from mum and lots of jokes from his brother, a reading from Winnie the Pooh from niece Mandela while her little sister - not to be left out - stood beside her holding a picture she had drawn of Toby (in a red cape) and Susan getting married.

but I don't believe it!
It would be nice if it was true as I would have a LOT of very lucky couples in the last few months. The weather has definitely been unkind but the good thing is that every couple who had a wet wedding handled it well and didn't let a a few raindrops dampen their day.
Anna and Steven were married at Bosom Beach and the weather for the rehearsal the day before was perfect. Not so the next day!! Anna was a very laidback bride but the one thing she had always wanted for her wedding ever since she was a little girl was to arrive by horse and carriage. Sadly the rain made this impossible. Anna didn't even care about getting wet but apparently there's a few safety issues with wet horses harnesses.
























As A Whisper did the set up and the lanterns in the trees were gorgeous and everyone was very happy to see the marquees set up so they stayed dry. Anna was a stunning bride and danced down the aisle with her dad. She's a veterinary nurse and an animal lover her two handsome dogs were included in the wedding party - they even had little tuxedos and flowers in their boutonnières !
Nora Devai took these fabulous photos - gotta love that cake!

Two weddings in the last two weeks, both of them a little further from my home turf. Number one was Caroline and Vivek at Mount Keira. I had the bomby old ute (husband had to go to Canberra so he got the Bora!) which is not airconditioned and the 35 degree heat meant I almost poured myself out of the car on arrival. Luckily I was there early enough to find a patch of shade to cool down for the ceremony. Felt very sorry for the groom and his party in their suits, thankfully it was a very short sweet ceremony so no one sweltered for too long. I hadn't done a ceremony here before and wondered about all the padlocks attached to the railings. It's a bit of a tradition for couples to get their names engraved on them and then they attach them to the fence. Would have been nice to work into the ceremony but I didn't know about it until I inspected them. I really like the use of new technology at weddings - we had Skype guests all the way from the UK sipping champagne and enjoying themselves.

Yesterday it was down to Berrara for Johanna and Joel's ceremony. Berrara is a really pretty, very retro little seaside town. Johanna wore a gorgeous silk dress that she'd modelled on her grandmothers 1940's wedding gown. Another touch that I loved were the parasols. Johanna had bought a lot of multi coloured little Chinese parasols. She and her bridesmaids each carried one and they were also handed out to the guests. As well as providing some much needed shade it made for a really fabulous thematic. No such luck for the groomsmen but at least they weren't in suits!

Despite it being 36 in the shade (if you could find some) I had two weddings on New Years Day. Luckily my party days are over and I was able to spring (well almost) out of bed without reaching for a Berocca.
Also helped that our visitors from Sydney barely made it til midnight so I didn't have any bad influences! I did do all the wedding paperwork the day before just in case but didn't really need to be so prepared.
First wedding was at Barefoot Springs in Kangaroo Valley. Glen and Donna were eloping - and this is a great spot to do it. Tim and Kay are great hosts and happy to double as witnesses. The ceremony was held under a big, shady tree in the gorgeous gardens. Sometimes with an elopement the couple can feel a little awkward and it can be hard to set the mood, but Glen and Donna were both really in the moment when it came to their vows. It's very hard to explain but sometimes the emotion surrounding the vows can become really vivid and tangible, and this was one of those magical times. Even though it was just the two of them Donna still had a bridal gown and professional make up and hair and the fact that she is expecting their third child also added to her all round gorgeousness, I love a pregnant bride  there's something something so abundantly lovely and bountiful about them.
Wedding number 2 was at Hyams Beach. Daniel and Van had flown out from Germany with Van's family. Her parents are from Vietnam originally and spoke no English , only Vietnamese and German, Daniel spoke German and English, Van's sisters and brother spoke Vietnamese, English and German and the photographer and I had only English but somehow we all understood each other - if not perfectly - then well enough, The beach was packed - well packed for a south coast beach! - and we had to walk a fair distance to find our only little piece of paradise. The walk was a lot of fun however with sunbathers wishing Van and Daniel well. Van was a lovely bride, gorgeous caramel skin and long dark hair and elegant white sheaf dress with a huge bouquet of roses. We found just the right spot and set up and Van and Daniel said their vows in English and again in German so her parents could understand. Her dad cried which was really moving. I had a glass of spakling wine with them and then left them to their beach picnic but not before they had given me a bottle of gluhwein (I'd mentioned how much I loved it at the Christmas markets in Germany) and a box of chocolates - Ferrero Kusschen - which Daniel said they give to friends in Germany and they considered me a friend. I was really touched!

The snow storms in Europe played a bit of havoc with December weddings. Couples arrived but luggage - containing the wedding gown! - didn't, couples arrived but witnesses were stranded and there was a 16 hour stopover for another couple but thankfully come the wedding everything went okay!
Skye and Marc got married at Orient Point near Crookhaven Head nd while their overseas guests weren't too impressed by the grey skies they couldn't complain about the views which were spectacular. A very chilled out low key ceremony with an atmosphere  of sheer happiness. Skye carried a hydrangeas and wore this fantastic floaty frock in matching colours.
Sophia married Phun in her mum's backyard at Canberra and since they came from Thailand snow wasn't an issue for them! Hydrangeas featured again (I think they're making a comeback) with two large pots of white ones on the verandah where we held the ceremony. Sophie mingled with the guests until just before the ceremony and then made a fantastic entrance to Bette Midler's "Going to the Chapel". Everyone seemed poised to join in! Phuns two beautiful daughters accompanied Sophie and they were a spectacularly gorgeous group. Phun was really nervous about saying his vows in English but killed it when it came to him.
Alex and Jade flew out from Wales to get married at Shark Net Beach in Huskisson. Their 2 guests were snowbound and didn't arrive but we had Alex's Aunty Rita and the photogapher as witnesses. Aunty Rita had enough enthusiasm for a crowd of 100's!
Jade looked fantastic in the traditional white bridal gown - I love it when a bride materialises on a beach in all their finery - even when it's just the two of them, it looks fantastic. I hope she wore it all day! Jade also had an amazing blue glass tiara, it was the colour of the ocean and looked incredible. As I was leaving I heard a little girl telling her dad that when she got married she was going to wear a dress just like that one.



That afternoon it was off to Cupitts Winery in Milton to marry Kate and Matt. It threatened to pour but held off while we held the elegant, traditional ceremony outside. Kate made spectacular use of the very rustic doors to the wine cellar making a fantastic entrance - the look on her dad's face was priceless. It was in intimate dinner for the 10 guests at the Restaurant after the ceremony and it all looked really gorgeous and inviting.




















and then yesterday it was Leon and Francesca at Bayvista in Callala. Drinks were served at the Callala Beach House where they were staying and then the guests wandered down the beach to the ceremony. Francesca is a ballet dancer, based in Holland where she and Leon live. She had that gorgeous posture and body you expect of a dancer and looked divine . Guests had flown from all over the world to be there and it was a really happy occasion. Her two sisters sang as she arrived and created real magic. Some friends had come down earlier and raked the area clear of weed but when we arrived a fishing party had staked it - probably because it was so pristine! Luckily they were very obliging about moving when asked. I was watching Francesca hug her mum at the end of the ceremony and hope the photographer caught the look on her face, it was just one of sheer love. Their vows were very beautiful too, they wrote them in secrecy from each other and neither knew what the other was promising until that moment. Francesca said: There is one special dutch word I learnt from you that describes the beauty of the soul shining through your eyes. You taught me this word "uitstraling" because you said mine was beautiful. That's one of the reasons I fell in love with you. Your "uitstraling". There is no word in english to describe this beauty. Not one word. Just like I have no words to describe how much you mean to me. So I give you no words today, I simply give you me. Very definitely an "ahhhhh" moment! I'm going "ahhhh" as I read it again myself!

How cute is this?














No matter what kind of  frock you were going to insist on your bridesmaids wearing there is no way they could refuse after receiving one of these gorgeous little DIY Bridesmaid cards. You can individualise them especially for each of your special gal pals and can down load the instructions by visiting here:
http://www.oncewed.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/diy0819_10.jpg

I really have to admire people who can plan a wedding at this time of year. Perhaps they're all heading off on extended honeymoons afterwards and avoiding Christmas completely?
Small, sweet and simple is how I would describe Richard and Helen's elopement to Greenfield's Beach. It was ja grey, but still lovely, Wednesday morning and the beach was deserted. It was ust the two of them, Nora the photographer (who also doubled as a witness) and Rod the bushwalker who was happy to stop and oblige as witness number 2.  Helen and Richard are childhood sweethearts and already have a 12 year history together. It was a very elegant elopement and Richard shook Rod's hand at the end of the ceremony and told him he'd never forget him.

Laura and Paul and their families drove from Griffith for their destination wedding at Blenheim Beach on 20th November. Everyone is always in such a great mood on these weekend away weddings. There's no real rush to be anywhere, you get to spend lots fo time with everyone in some fantastic settings and - most importantly - relax!

Sarah and Matt got married at the Shark Net Beach - that's a great location to have on your wedding certificate. One of the good things about this beach is that it has a grassy reserve, so you still get the spectacular views and beachy vibe but you don't get sand in your shoes. One of the highlights for me was the look on their daughter Sienna's face as she entered scattering rose petals - probably only myself and her dad noticed it, such a picture of pride and concentration. Very sweet! From there they were taking everyone cruising on Jervis Bay.

Diane and Joe were married on 7 Mile Beach at Gerringong surrounded by their extended family and a few friends. One of Joe's neighbours approached me before the ceremony as he had a surprise for them. He's bought 2 white doves along for them. This may have been too much of a surprise for Diane who it turns out is scared of birds but it did look fantastic. Just after their vows and before I declared them husband and wife the neighbor gave them each a dove to hold and then release. It did look fantastic.

Alex and Ruth got married on Huskisson Beach on 3rd December. Alex is a copywriter and Ruth an art director so the ceremony itself was put together really well and there was a lot of attention to detail. The ceremony was very funny and romantic. It included a reenactment of a scene from Punch Drunk Love not a movie I'm familiar with but I'm going to have to see it now. I have never done a wedding with the word "fuck" in it before so I was glad I wasn't doing the reading! Also a little nervous about parents reactions but everyone loved it. If Alex put together the words it was probably Ruth who came up with the look, very simple, a coir rug to walk on, wooden chairs, native flowers tied with string, very much in keeping with the setting. From there it was across the road to the Jervis Bay Guesthouse for the reception and it also looked wonderful, there had been a last minute dash to put marquees up but as it was they were needed more to keep the sun off that the rain out.


And on the 4th December it was to Merribee for Craig and Gillians ceremony. Gillian really has a career ahead of her as a wedding planner - if she could contemplate tackling another one. So many fabulous details. Merribee is situated on a little country road with lots of roadside fruit and veg vendors so they had a little cart out the front with :Gillian and Craig" on it and some exotic fruits inside -  Gillian got personalised swizzle sticks all the way from the states with their names on them (I got to stay for a cocktail so have one as a momento!), a string quartet, a marquee that was pure fantasy and an array of flower patterned tea cup sets which they'd hired from The Vintage Kitchen I imagine the trip to Sydney to collect and return them was a bit nerve wracking but well worth it.

Bit of a busy weekend!
Wedding number one was Karlie and Nick at Hyams Beach. Torrential rain in the days beforehand put a bit of a dampener on everyones mood. Lots of guests flew in from the UK and were pretty disappointed with what we call Spring. Luckily it was clear - if not blue - skies on the day. Karlie and Nick met at a friends wedding a few years ago when they were in the bridal party. Nick had flown out from London with no idea he was going to meet his future wife and move countries to be with her. Nick was a bit of a nervous groom but was all smiles once Karlie made her entrance.
Saturday started wtih baby Phoenix's naming ceremony. This was a real pleasure for me as I  married his parents Blake and Maree a few years ago and I also did an interment ceremony for Maree's uncle Dave so I have been with the family at some of their real highlights and also a sad moment too.
From there to Casey's Beach to marry Jules and Heather in a very relaxed beach ceremony. Jules and Heather arrived together strolling along the beach hand in hand. I hadn't done a ceremony at Casey's before. Such a spectacuolar backdrop - check it out!

I married Kevin and Karen at a beautiful beachside house at Manyana yesterday.Stormy weather meant a change of plans - instead of the beach wedding we gathered on the balcony instead.
The views were so spectacular and the guest numbers so small  this wasn't a problem. There were some great touches, Karen - is there such a thing as a Scotsophile? - had always wanted to be piped in to the Skye Boat Song and bagpiper Ken Fraser obliged while her son gave her in marriage on behalf of the family. Kevin's two sons were ring bearers and Karen's daughter Marissa wrote and sang a song especially for them. It was beautiful! The wedding documents were signed to Amazing Grace and then we went inside for toasts. The guests had Veuve Cliquot but Karen and Kevin toasted each other with whiskey Karen had bought back from Orkney. They drank from a quaich which had also held the rings earlier. The only awkward moment was mine - halfway through the ceremony I had a minor wardrobe malfunction when I popped a button on my dress! I had to hold my ceremony booklet very discreetly in front of me while I tried to locate where exactly the button had popped from and if I was in danger of exposing myself to the guests. Not something you want in your wedding dvd!!

Three weddings in the last week - and one more on Sunday - so it's been a bit of a wedding whirl. All of them incredibly different and all of them fun.
Wedding number one was Richella and Todd at Upper Kangaroo Valley Hall:
My second wedding there and it's a fantastic location, a great find. Really pretty, a little bit isolated, well set up for caterers and a bit of blank canvas to create whatever you want it to be.
Richella originally approached me over a year ago but then found out she was pregnant so delayed the wedding plans. Not a  bad idea I think given some of the stresses involved in both joyous events. The ceremony was held along the river in a really pretty location. Richella wore this gorgeous slinky silvery dress and  carried an amazing bouquet of exotic ginger. She made her entrance to the Dr Who theme which was hilarious.  Richella and Todd spoke directly to the guests - usually I welcome everyone on their behalf - and while I did feel a little redundant it did make perfect sense.
Wedding number two was very traditional - no Dr Who here - but a string quartet which was lovely.. It was at Mollymook Golf Club and I was sooo happy they didn't opt for a beach wedding as it was very blustery and chilly. The club offers fantastic views and a beach feel without the sand and chill lfactor. There's a very popular beachside track along the glass panels which means fantastic views for guests but it can also be a bit worrying being so close to everyone strolling by. Just before the ceremony started an elderly woman stopped just outside where we were assembled so her dog could have  a toilet break - so glad it didn't happen during the "I dos". Andrew and Melinda are almost childhood sweethearts having known each other since they were 15 and it was very sweet ceremony. I don't often get to do the big traditional style wedding so I really enjoyed the teensy toddler flower girls, the gorgeous veil and abundance of roses.
Wedding number three was at the very grand Peppers Manor Tree House at Sutton Forest and it was a very small group of family and close friends. The ceremony was held in the gazebo in the gorgeous gardens. Such a glorious day - the sun really shone just for them I think.
I really adored Briana's nana who was looking very swish in bright blue with lots of matching bling. A very sweet touches were the roses they placed in the gazebo, one for each of their grandparents who are no longer with us.

Well scrabble featured more than bingo but there were beach blankets aplenty at Alesha and Stefans wedding picnic. Everything was in their favour, the grey skies cleared and  the tide which was threatening to wash us all away turned just in time.
There were so many fantastic touches, a gorgeous blue colour scheme, blue signs pointing the way, blue blankets and pillows - bride wore a stunning blue gown. Very relaxed, with individual picnic baskets, beach buckets and spades (blue of course) and a big blue wading pool held the champagne. The vows were really lovely and the story of how they met very romantic - they were cast as the lovers Lysander and Hermia in a production of A Midsummers Night Dream amongst the tulips at Bowral. One of my favourite touches was Stefan's gesture with the scrabble tiles - proper wooden ones not tacky plastic  - he spelt out "May our sweet love continue until life's end" in the tiles along the aisle, a little love note for her as she arrived. Alesha's mum also read "The Owl and the Pussycat" and when the rings were produced they rested on a little cushion in a clam shell and her mum had embroidered the Owl and the Pussycat on the cushion. Gorgeous!

Gorgeous day for a wedding! Married Tim and Beth on Bosom Beach. They created a fantastic space using 3 surfboards as backdrops.  Tim and his brother had stories for each of the boards which they swapped as they dug them in and hung leis around them. Tim was in boardies when he arrived and since it was a very casual wedding I wasn't surprised but he disappeared up to the car and returned 20 minutes later looking very gorgeous in a suit. Barefoot but in a suit. The big surprise was for the 7 guests who didn't know they were attending a wedding. Tim's dad had been in the middle of painting his car when the boys nabbed and told him to change his shirt. His mum arrived shortly after still without any idea of what was going on. It was all very exciting. Lovely ceremony with some really beautiful vows. Tim had his on a tiny scrap of paper in his pocket but in the end he decided to "wing it" and dis so beautifully, so beautifully, all the women got a bit teary. Dolphins even appeared in the background in time for the kiss and everyone drank champagne and waded back across the creek -  the tide came in so fast we were nearly stranded there!

I married Khuanta and Connor at Wollongong and the day wasn't without a few (minor) dramas. I wasn't sure where exactly the venue was so arrived in plenty of time. I saw a group of people obviously going somewhere special - and maybe Laotian (Khuanta was born in Laos) so didn't really need Sherlock Holmes deduction powers to figure we must be going to the same wedding. Turns out Khuanta's mum was one of the group - but they weren't sure where they were going. So parked the car and got my - really heavy - PA out and set off in the direction they thought I should be going. Halfway up the hill and another group in wedding finery coming down, yes they were going to the same wedding and they knew where we were going. Kind man agreed to play roadie for me and lug the PA, just as well as it was a bit of a walk across a soggy field. Found the venue, found Connor's dad, set up inside. The functions manager insisted the ceremony was going to be outside so walked outside in the gale and started setting up there even tho chairs were blowing over. Functions  manager still insisted this was the spot as it made for the best photos. Backdrop may have been gorgeous but guests would have blown away! Luckily Connot's mum came out to say it did not matter about the photos we were going  back inside.Everyone was dry and warm and very happy to be there too. What a gorgeous group of guests. I have never seen so many pretty girls in such high heels and flimsy dresses! The male guests must have been very happy! Khuanta was a stunning bride, very simple elegant dress and gorgeous fascinator.The ceremony was very simple, but very personal, you got a real sense of them and their beliefs. A big tribute to their families "Connor and Khuanta have both woken every day of their lives, knowing that beyond all doubt,t hey have the support and love of their amazing, inspirational families". and mention of their commitment "living an ethical life", a personalised hand ceremony and a really beautiful reading from Connor's mum:
I Ching
When two people are at one
in their innermost hearts
they shatter even the
strength of iron or bronze
And when two people
understand each other
in their innermost hearts
their words are sweet and strong
like the fragrance of orchids

Lovely yes??? I got very excited during the ring exchange when the best man produced a Tiffany's box. There is something about that duck-egg blue, I didn't even care about what was inside, I just wanted the box. Luckily they didn't entrust it to me! Ceremony over and time to lug the PA back to the car, no roadie this time! The glamorous life of a celebrant!!

My first wedding for the season and it was alarmingly lose to a wash out. It's always a disappointment when after months - in this case 18! - of careful planning the weather won't do what you want it to!
Bride Marissa was great to work with, very easy going and super organised but unfortunately the one thing you can't control is the weather  and I really felt for her when I was woken by a huge storm on Saturday morning.
Luckily the skies cleared on the 20 minute drive to Merribee and while the sun didn't make an appearance we had a nice little window of opportunity for the ceremony which was held under a large tree (which provided some shelter) with the  lavender hedge as a backdrop.
The flowergirls were gorgeous in pink and green and the page boy who had been most reluctant at the rehearsal was perfect.
The reception was on one of the big verandahs at Merribee and Marissa had added some great touches, the very elegant white paper lanterns looked fantastic. With River Deli providing the catering it promised to be a pretty swish affair.
 It was my first wedding at Merribee and it was lovely, Marissa showed me the "bridal suite" after the rehearsal, it's a converted silo/granary which is a little bit "Grand Designs" and had views that would be hard to leave. 

I love Tracey Thorn.

Had some great times on the dance floor to her music but a few tearful midbreakup afternoons wallowing on the couch feeling sorry for myself too. She's been supplying a portion of the soundtrack to my life for a long time now and her timing is impeccable. Her latest album - Love and Its Opposite - is right on track with songs such as Hormones (her daughter's are kicking in while hers are checking - out) and Oh the Divorces (Who's next? Who's next? Always the ones you least expect). My favourite - and it may be more of an antiwedding song - is The Long White Dress - if you've ever been the slightest bit ambivalent/confused about THE dress, marriage and relationships in general you should give it a listen.
Tracey only recently married Ben Watts - her partner of 28 years, and it was a very stripped back occasion. They went for the bare necessities which boils down to about one and half minutes. It doesn't seem like Tracey has been planning her "big day"" all her life, rather planning to avoid it! In a recent interview she said:"There's still a side of weddings that really, really puts me off. I think I wrote about it on that song and almost got it out of my system. It allowed me to step back and think, you really don't have to do any of it at all. You can absolutely do it completely on your own terms. We did have the tiniest, most un-Long White Dress wedding imaginable."

The winter wedding break is almost at an end. Getting myself into gear with lots of great weddings planned and no more lazy Saturday's at home.No more reading in the sun - well not for long anyway! One afternoon was spent with Dawn French's autobiography which I didn't even mean to read, I picked it up one day and started sifting through it and then finished it in one afternoon. I liked what she had to say about the adoption/infertility experience having been there myself, laughed out loud in empathy with her first tampon encounter and I thought the advice she received from her brother on her wedding day invaluable: "I was left for a the last few single-girl moments with my lovely brother who was being you Dad. He poured us both a gin and tonic and urged me to have a few calm moments to gather my thoughts. He wisely reminded me to clear my head of all the extraneous fuss and clutter (of which there is plenty for any bride on her wedding day) and to focus on what it was really all about. It was about me and Len, and he told me to concentrate only on that, to look at Len and to be there in the moment and remember what I was saying and why and how very important it all was. It was such good advice, which I always try to pass on, because otherwise my memories of that day would have been full of unimportant nonsense about arrangements and shoes and buttonholes, and veils and napkins and cake deliveries. Instead, I remember Len. And his face. And how happy I felt, how in love. 

Did such a gorgeous wedding ceremony yesterday evening at Honeymoon Bay. .
One of my favourite beaches, it  was a million dollar setting and an atmosphere money just couldn't buy. Just the couple and four close friends, as they wanted something very simple and relaxed. Everyone was camping there overnight - you have to honeymoon at Honeymoon Bay I guess - and the friends had arrived early and transformed one of the picnic areas into a gorgeous bridal bower complete with dangling silver hearts and solar powered lanterns. We had the ceremony on the beach and we had it all to ourselves. Afterwards they were having a barbecue up in the bower. It was such a lovely ceremony particularly the vows which they wrote themselves:
Ben, I promise to love you with all my heart mind & strength. I am very grateful & blessed that we have each other & created the family we have today. I will trust you with my dreams & support you in fulfilling your dreams. Together we will have a life of love, laughter & friendship .
Lisa, I promise to love and care for you, I will cherish every moment we share with each other. I thank you for the beautiful family we have created. You are my soul mate & I am blessed to have you in my life. I will love you forever.
Sometimes with small weddings it's hard to create a mood but not this time, everyone was so happy and relaxed and it was just perfect. 

I have a bit of a fondness for Australia's BIG things and the big trout at Adaminaby is one of my favourites  so imagine my excitement when I found this at the local history museum on a recent trip to the snow.
Picture number 2 is an exboyfriend of mine in front of the big spud at Robertson.
Kurt was Belgian, so I was showing him Australian culture.- he may have returned to Belgium shortly after this.

Seen some great wedding scenes lately. Two incredibly sad movies but with fantastic wedding scenes were Rachel Getting Married which apart from the family dramas (and what's a wedding without them?) had my dream wedding. More of a mini music festival with the groom even serenading the bride in the ceremony.
Another great wedding, made all the more joyous by the rather harrowing nature of the movie was The Kite Runner
I especially liked the couple gazing into the mirror and seeing their future.
On a totally uplifting level there's the latest Youtube sensation: Jill and Kevin's entrance to their wedding. Check it out! Don't know how the celebrant resisted joining in!

I abandoned Grey's Anatomy once Mad Men started showing on SBS, so hadn't been keeping up with the story lines. With Mad Men Season 1 over for now I thought I'd see what they were up to at Seattle Grace and it was a wedding!! I got a little annoyed with Derek when he chose Izzie's brain surgery over being on time for his wedding but it turned out to  be Izzie's wedding anyway. A few questions better not asked - like how come Merediths wedding dress fitted Izzie so well when they seem to be different sizes? and what about the guests?  - surely they were all Meredith and Derek's family and friends?? But that's quibbling, Izzie did look gorgeous and you can get your very own Kenneth Pool one-size-fits-all gown complete with crystal embroidery for US$7,250 and Alex's off-the-cuff vows were the stuff TV weddings are made of:

“Today’s the day my life begins. All my life I’ve been just me, just a smart mouthed kid. Today I become a man, today I become a husband, today I become accountable to someone other than myself, today I become accountable to you, to our future to all the possibilities our marriage has to offer. Together, no matter what happens, I’ll be ready, for anything, for everything, to take on life,  to take on love, to take on possibility and responsibility. Today, Izzie Stevens, our life begins and I for one can’t wait.”

You can check out the whole wedding here  (but grab a tissue first especially for when George walks her down the aisle!)

A weekend of wet weddings.Luckily the couples involved didn't let the bridal showers dampen their enthusiasm and there were really lovely moments in both of them. The first bride made her entrance with her dad rowing her up  Currarong creek and I think it was THE most beautiful entrance I've ever seen a bride make. When she alighted from the boat and lifted the skirt of her wedding dress she was wearing a pair of white gum boots to match. Most of the guests, many who'd  been crying, burst into laughter. Another really beautiful touch was the tiny bouquet of violets her grandfather had picked for her which she carried with her bouquet.
Couple number 2 had their rehearsal on Friday and the two very reluctant ring bearers and tantrum throwing flowergirl were transformed into a dream wedding party - so good they threated to steal the scene! - especially when the teeny little flowergirl got to the end of the aisle and locked her brother in an embrace.
Yes it was cold and it was wet and nothing was quite according to anyones vision of a dream wedding but it's those tiny touches of magic and humour that everyone will remember.

I've done quite a few weddings at Bannisters and it's always been one of those places I've been desperate to stay myself. It's a 60s/70s old style motel given a total revamp but keeping a bit of the retro vibe. The pool does look fabulous (never heard the expression "infinity pool" before but it makes sense) the views are amazing and  the cocktail bar is adjacent to both. I have heard great things about the restaurant too but the closest I've come to indulging was a glass (or was it two?) of wine while I waited for a couple who were running late for their rehearsal. Anyway, I was interested to see what the Sydney Morning Herald had to say:

Infinite appeal

Cocooned ... Bannisters lodge, restaurant and day spa provides luxurious time out by the sea.

Angie Schiavone spoils herself on the South Coast.

There's something about infinity pools that makes me swoon. The one at Bannisters is no exception and acts as a big drawcard when I'm planning a South Coast sojourn.

Of course, it's a little too cool for swimming when we arrive but I can't help myself.

It's fairly small and triangular, the rippling water appearing to join seamlessly with the huge Pacific Ocean beyond. The view is amazing enough on its own but the pool, framed by gums either side, makes it all the more dramatic.

Bannisters is a lodge, restaurant and day spa in sleepy beachside of Mollymook, the type of place people go to spoil themselves. Room names such as ocean deluxe, spa retreat and pinnacle penthouse are a clue this place is all about relaxation and luxury. Having said this, Bannisters does seem to pitch itself a fraction too high. Photographs on the website dazzle, showing everything polished and perfect. In reality, while still lovely, parts of Bannisters are looking slightly tired and little things (like low-quality toilet paper) seem out of place.

From the balcony of our room (an ocean deluxe, the least-expensive option), we see the ocean from a slightly different angle. A little higher up now, we watch the waves crash on the headland rocks below the noise quite loud but therapeutic and calming.

An hour before dinner, we head to the poolside bar and bistro to kill some time. There are cushion-strewn lounges and lots of private nooks, with candles and lanterns here and there. Staff are friendly and accommodating, while soft music and quietly conversing patrons allow the sound of the waves to filter through.

The restaurant soothes, too. In crisp whites, the room is divided by strips of sheer fabric. Again, service is efficient and smiling as impressive as leek and potato soup, poured from a jug at the table over a poached free-range egg. For main, jewfish fillet with saffron gnocchi is a conversation stopper (too busy eating), while green-apple sorbet served with apple parfait for dessert starts us talking again (compliments only).

Rain sets in as we leave the restaurant, so we're glad to be only a short saunter from our room and that we've kept our big red Bannisters umbrella close at hand. Earlier, we'd trawled through the massive DVD selection and selected the night's viewing. Too easy.

We wake early, hoping to catch sunrise over the Pacific. It's a little overcast but still the sky lights up, pastel pink and purple at first, with bright orange slowly taking over. Sun up and spectacle over, we head out to explore Mollymook Beach, a 10-minute walk. It's a lovely stretch of sand, marked only with a few lines of footprints and the odd bluebottle. We add our own prints up and down the shore, then head back to Bannisters for breakfast.

Included in the tariff, the breakfast buffet features pastries, good breads, juices, fresh fruit, T2 teas and coffee (you can also order a cooked breakfast but this isn't part of the tariff). We take a complimentary newspaper, load up our plates and head to a table on the veranda. The eucalypts sway as we graze and read.

By now it's almost time to check out and we haven't had a chance to put the Bannisters gym and pool table to use. We haven't visited the day spa, either, yet it doesn't seem to matter.

We check out without fuss and hit the road to explore the surrounding area: Milton's cafes and shops, the main strip of Ulladulla and up to the scenic Cupitt's Winery on Washburton Road. It's a gorgeous, chilled-out area and definitely worth a visit, come rain or shine.

Weekends Away are reviewed anonymously and paid for by Traveller.

VISITORS' BOOK

Bannisters

Address 191 Mitchell Parade, Mollymook.

The verdict Relaxation unavoidable.

Price From $290 a night, minimum two-night booking on Fridays and Saturdays.

Bookings Phone 44553044 or see www.bannisters.com.au.

Getting there A three-hour drive south of Sydney.

A HEAVY-SET young man slumps in his chair, looking bored and disengaged, as his wife ticks off a list of complaints about him. In particular he had forgotten a plan to go on a picnic, which was typical of his failure to listen to her.

As the wife whined on, the man's eyes shifted, as if searching for an escape route. But he was trapped in John Gottman's love lab, behind a one-way mirror, being filmed and recorded as part of a 30-year research project. The study has explored what most of us want to know: what distinguishes happy, lasting marriages from those that disintegrate into bitterness or loneliness.

Just over 10 years ago, Dr Gottman published some startling findings of longitudinal research that made him famous. After watching couples interact for a mere 15 minutes in the love lab, he could predict with about 90 per cent accuracy if they would divorce within six years. This week Dr Gottman and his wife and therapist partner, Julie, were in Sydney to run workshops organised by Relationships Australia. "Look for the repair attempt made by the husband and see if she rejects it," he tells the audience of 150 relationship counsellors as the miserable couple loomed into focus on a big screen. "Gottman is the guru of marriage research and counselling," says Anne Hollonds, chief executive of Relationships Australia. "It's like the Pope coming to Sydney."

The former mathematician and rabbi's son from Washington State was the first to apply hard science to the study of marriages, and more recently of gay and lesbian relationships. Some of his findings have been controversial. For example, he found a strong predictor of a happy marriage was a husband's willingness to compromise in marital disputes and accept his wife's influence. It was twisted to imply that only weak men could win in marriage.

But that has not stopped thousands of couples from subjecting themselves to a scientific assessment of their relationship in the love lab or in their homes.

As a couple bats a hard subject back and forth, staff monitor their expressions and body language. Electrodes attached to their bodies measure heart rates and other responses, like the tendency to jiggle with impatience.

Through statistical analysis, Dr Gottman has named what he calls the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse that predict an ailing marriage: criticism, defensiveness, stonewalling and contempt. And the worst of these is contempt.

"You know what it looks like," says Julie, "when you roll your eyes and curl the corner of your lip up. It's a very good indicator a couple will break up."

The couples headed for disaster evince too many of these negatives in dispute. But the masters of matrimony, as the Gottmans call long-term successes, evince a ratio of at least five positive interactions for every negative.

"In a good relationship, people do get angry, but in a very different way," Dr Gottman says. "The masters see a problem a bit like a soccer ball. They kick it around. It's 'our' problem."

They deal with conflict gently and are also more responsive to "sliding door moments" - bids by one partner for an emotional connection. It can be as simple as a husband drawing his wife's attention to the sunset. Does she look up or keep reading her book? Enough positive responses build emotional intimacy.

For the heavy-set man and his whiny wife, the prognosis did not look good. He had thrown out a "repair attempt" - "I'm not remembering things important to you and you're not remembering things important to me," he says. But alas his wife ploughed on with her litany of complaint.

"Every marriage is a mistake," Dr Gottman tells the audience. "The question is what you do with it."

The whole issue of asking for money instead of gifts does have to be handled with tact. If you've been together for a few years chances are you will have at least one of everything and after the expense of a wedding a discreet cheque can be very helpful. It also reduces the risk of receiving 4 identical coffee makers (which we did!)l. Of course there are cultures that embace the concept of cash as a present, pinning it to the brides skirt or proudly presenting fat envelopes but not us stitched up anglo saxons.  Some couples go down the wishing well route which is a polite alternative to a straight out request but obviously there are always going to be people offended that you don't seem to trust their judgement or who consider you a bit mercenary. Morally repugnant does seem a bit harsh tho!!

My friend Jan made this amazing Barbie cake for my wedding. She even fitted Ken out with a little kilt (in Anderson tartan of course) she whipped up out of a tartan napkin and made him a sporran as well - the outfit matched my husbands - tho that's probably where the resemblance to Tom and Ken ends. Jan  gave Barbie a black veil like mine too and as I wore black the cake had to be chocolate. It was perfection - and tasted just as great as it looked!
So I was very excited to see this life size Barbie cake Sweet Art in Paddington (have often pressed my nose against THAT window) made for Barbie's 50th  - it was pretty spectacular but not quite as special as mine.

I'm not usually a Neighbours Fan - I usually watch it when I'm visiting relatives in the UK as they'ere all fanatics - but I didn't do the usual channel switch at the end of the Simpsons this week as the fact that it was a wedding episode caught my interest. That it ended in tragedy can't have been a real surprise for regular viewers as I think the last time I saw it Toady was getting married and I seem to recall the bride being killed in a car accident? Anyway he seems to have moved on as he was best man for Libby and Dan. I probably paid more attention to the celebrant than any other viewer, I really liked what she was wearing. It's the kind of look I aim for. I always avoid bright colours, looking too much like "the celebrant" or even worse the mother of the bride. The mother of the bride in this partcular episode - Susan? - seemed to be displaying the kind of cleavage you usually only see on Desperate Housewives or the cover of Ralph magazine. I really liked the vows, the white hydrangea decorations were great and the way that the groom made the declaration: "Ladies and gentleman this is my wife!". I may steal that idea!! Shame about the bride collapsing in pain before the reception!! You can catch episode highlights - including the celebrants earrings - here!

Forget arriving in a horse-drawn carriage, perching on Posh'n'Becks-style thrones or releasing doves: the must-have accessory for a truly magical wedding is to have your rings delivered by owl.

Ollie the barn owl has been practising his swoop across the great hall of Peckforton castle in Cheshire, in preparation for delivering the rings for a number of weddings this year, including the marriage of Manchester United defender Wes Brown and his fiancee Leanne Wassell.

To have a ring-bearing owl land on the arm of the best man sounds like a risky strategy for your special day, but it is probably no dodgier than entrusting the rings to a bloke who is normally expected to give an embarrassing speech about how the groom was handcuffed and left naked in a brothel in Bulgaria.

Ollie's handler, falconer Mike Roberts, insists that the owl will not fly off with the jewellery and there is no need for guests to forego ostentatious millinery (although a bird's nest hat might not be a great idea). Roberts has taught the owl to respond to his whistle and land on a falconry glove held out by the best man while Roberts stands in the background and rewards the owl with a tasty snack. "Birds of prey don't come back for any affection. It's food they want," he says. "She knows that when I whistle, if she comes to the glove she'll get a reward."

Ollie's wedding banquet could be anything from day-old chick to rabbit, mouse or rat. The idea of an owl choking down dead rat as the newlyweds seal it with a kiss might be enough to make some brides or grooms nervous, but Roberts insists the guests won't notice. "Everything is tucked away in my hand quietly so they don't see or smell anything at all."

According to Roberts, falconers have long used birds of prey at their weddings. Their flight into mainstream weddings may be due to the charms of Hedwig, the snowy owl in Harry Potter.

Trends and charting provided by theWeddingReport.com
In 2009, we estimate the average wedding cost to be between $21,000 and $25,000.
Additional trends we expect:

• Smaller weddings with fewer guests
• Destination weddings or destination type weddings closer to home
• Accent colors on dresses and cakes with the most popular being greens and blues
• Increased reliance on family and friends to help plan, pay, and provide some of the services
• Increased use of green and echo friendly products and services
• Simplified decorations, centerpieces and wedding invitations
• Increased use of on-line RSVP's vs. traditional mail-in RSVPs
• Off-peak weddings; Mornings, Afternoons, Fridays, Sundays, October becomes the new June
• Buffet meals, Hors d'oeuvre, and cocktail receptions
• Cheesecakes, cupcakes and miniature cakes
• All-inclusive packages

Just back from a farmstay holiday. Not sure if real farmers have time to loll around reading old issues of WHO but that was a highlight for me. Even found a wedding special issue which featured this dress. Sadly no one got to eat it!

I'm just back from 2 weeks in the Philippines and one of my great finds - besides the designer Crocs store on Boracay Island  - was 2006 Filipino Weddings. Lot's of great articles which I'll  no doubt be sharing!

This photo captures a rare occasion where the Bride is definitely out-blinged by the Groom. It was in Saturday's Australian accompanying an article on Iran's declining birth rate. I'm not sure what exactly the picture had to do with the article - and the poor bride doesn't even rate a name except "his third wife" but it's a great 50's wedding shot!

The Shah does look pretty pleased with herself while the bride seems more concerned with her earrings! 

The "she" being Isabella Blow whose May funeral featured 6 bay horses, each with a plumage of ostritch feathers drawing a Victorian funeral carriage bedecked with white gardenias and surmounted by a black galleon hat - a Philip Treacy creation of course.

It was, according to this months Vanity Fair "the perfect dramatic exit for English fashion icon Isabella Blow."

Isabella certain understood the place of ritual in our lives. Her wedding had taken place in the setting 18 years earlier and - poignantly - her wedding page boys now acted as pallbearers.

 I achieved a long-term ambition this week. I was mentioned in the Weddings Feature page in the South Coast Register! Not as a bride - that would be exciting news especially for my husband, but  as an "officiant".

So many of my couples are from Sydney or Canberra they don't have the same interest in letting the Shoalhaven know about their wedding.

Christine and Jason were married on June 30th and, after weeks of winter chill and rain,  I truly believe the sun shone just for them that day! May it continue to do so!

Not so desperate housewife Eva Longaria is this week's celebrity bride.  A civil ceremony in Paris sounds relatively modest until you read on and it was conducted by the Mayor of Paris, Bertrand Delanoe and was actually just a prelude to a more full blown affair to be held later in the day followed by a "lavish feast for Hollywood friends at a 17th century chateau".

Mayor Delanoe said he was delighted to officiate "For me they are Eva and Tony, two very likeable young people who love each other and are enjoying an important moment in their lives".

You rarely see Eva's name appear without the word "dimunitive" somewhere nearby and I do wonder if it's not a reference to her choice of dress length.

We'll have to wait until OK! magazine comes out with full wedding coverage to see if Eva opted for full wedding coverage for the church ceremony.

My parents just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. An impressive milestone, usually known as the "Golden Anniversary". My mother broke with tradition on this occasion though and gve my father a document shredder. Since he's been retired for about 20 years and his home office is really just a place for the grandchildren to play computer games, I was worried that he planned to use it on the marriage certificate. A friend pointed out that paper shredders are actually a "must have" item for the 70 set. Apparently they all live in fear of identity theft.

I can't even begin to think what this utter lack of romance says about their relationship, mainly because my husband gave me gardening tools for our anniversary this year!

It's always  nice when you see a familiar face in the social pages, somehow some of the glamour is bestowed on you merely by having known the person 15 years ago! Taking up nearly a whole page in Sunday's Herald was Eugenie's wedding. Eugenie Harvey (daughter of "much-loved television maestro" Geoff Harvey)  and I went to uni together.  

I'm not sure what classes we shared - perhaps it was the very popular "Sex, the Body & Writing"? -  I do remember Eugenie delivering an entire tutorial on Freud's theory of the "I.D" before someone pointed out that it was actually supposed to be "id". Most people would have wished for the floor to open up and swallow them,  Eugenie had us believing that she's discovered a lesser known theory of Freud's. A lot of Sunday morning was spent ringing other uni mates to discuss important details, she wore a "dusky pink satin gown", she  met the groom - who looks slightly older (but then don't we all?) in the UK,  the reception was a medieval feast reception at the family property in Berrima (property sounds sooo much better than backyard doesn't it?) and they honeymooned in Dubai, and yes she looked fantastic.

If Greg Evans isn't the celebrity celebrant for you perhaps John Waters is?

John was ordained Universal Life Church when Johnny Depp and Winona Ryder were planning to get married. Sadly that marriage never took place but John still performs the occasional marriage - at $7 per ceremony which I'm guessing is a lot less than Greg Evan's fee, though Greg may get more job satisfaction than John who says he heates going to weddings. You can read the entire full article at: http://www.newyorker.com/talk/2007/03/26/070326ta_talk_mead

Yes, Greg Evans has become a celebrant. A logical career move I guess and one which might put Elvis weddings out of favour. . He hasn't been registered yet and there is a 3 year waiting list but he could be worth waiting for. If you think there's no one you'd rather hear you say your "I dos" to you can contact Greg here: http://www.gregevans.com.au

Long blog break there! One of our newest Christmas toys was an ipod which we are supposed to share - though there does seem to be a lot of football-related podcasts on there which definitely aren't mine.  We're rather late to this bit of techno-whizz and probably haven't explored the full potential yet. One of the more popular podcasts is apparently Wedding Podcast Network (http://podcast.com/home.php) which is very Dr Phil - in fact as I type I'm listening to Dr Judith and Dr Jim are sharing a wealth of information such as why it should be "your day" and not "her day", the importance of setting up romantic playdates to see caterers, and suggesting you arrange for the bridesmaid to come up every half hour tap you on the shoulder and say "look around this is all for you".

Another wedding-related holiday link was Confetti  - a very low key mock-umentary with three couples competing for a new home and 500,000 pounds with the catchphrase "Not everyone wants their special day ruined by a cheap gimmick - but some do"  All they have to do is come up with the most original wedding concept . There's a nude wedding, a tennis-theme wedding and a Busby Berkely tribute. The nudists get my vote for bravery - that tandem bike can't have been comfortable! The wedding planners Hough & Heron "Your dreams are enough" are definite highlights. Possibly more entertaining than the movie is the websit - http://www.foxsearchlight.com/confetti/  which features nude trampolining , Dr Nez's DIY Facelift "Press the button and let's get cuttin'" and my favourite Hough and Heron's guide to planning your day, according to their online quiz my perfect wedding theme would be "Bride 'em cowboy" which I quite like the sound of and may use for a vow renewal sometime soon! (after a few romantic playdates of course!)

I've heard some really fantastic wedding music choices lately. Number one was Declan O'Rourkes Galileo, you can actually download it for free by clicking here. It's been on constant rewind since I heard it. The bride made such a stunning entrance to this song, it really captured the mood perfectly. Paul Weller is quoted as saying it's the song of the last 20 he wishes he’d written which is interesting as Paul's You're the Best Thing" was our choice for bridal waltz.

Another fab choice was I heard on Saturday was The Carpenters , We've Only Just Begun - you can see the whole clip on youtube by clicking here - I actually got a bit teary when it started wafting around and it was amazing the way a song suddenly transformed a suburban backyard into a really romantic setting.

Even sadder this ad from todays South Coast register -  

Finally got around to watching my tape of ABC's  Stepfather of the Bride. My personal review  is nowhere near as rave as the one that appeared in The Age, but for a Sunday-viewing-seen-on-Tuesday it was fun. The highlight for me was the closeup of the budget as the Bride tried to lever more money from her parents - $2000 for a celebrant! Either the parents - who  had been married 6 times between them and should know a thing or two about costs - or even the ABC research department, should have picked up on the fact that you could probably get 4 celebrants for that amount.  Not convinced that the bride looked $6000 worth of beautiful in that dress either. Even more unconvincing was Noni's  terrible treatment of husband William McInnes , while he never quite replaced Diver Dan   (cue for totally gratuitous use of picture of David Wenham)  in my affections he certainly wouldn't get the same treatment at my house.

Another wedding-related pleasure was the discarded New Idea in the coffee shop - I told myself I was going there to do some work - but pounced on the magazine as the Paul and Heather bustup was front page. Even more entertaining was the news ofKyle Sandiland's $100000 (is that enough noughts?) engagement ring he presented fiance Tamara . Apparently that's more than he spent on the Mercedes he gave her for her birthday. Tamara was initially a bit worried about Kyle's taste in bling, she needn't have been. "I love it",  she cooed," it's so big!".

Well according to the fashion pages in the Sunday paper anyway. This seemed like a very Mia Farrow wedding look - tho the groom has nothing of Frank. I tried to find a picture of Mia in her wedding dress but didn't have much luck. I did find a very handy guide to Las Vegas weddings (more than 120,000 marriage licenses issued annually)  and a list of couples who opted for Vegas Vows: * Elvis and Priscilla Presley * Jane Fonda and Roger Vadim * Bruce Willis and Demi Moore
* Cindy Crawford and Richard Gere * Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward * Britney Spears and Jason Alexander * Frank Sinatra and Mia Farrow * Ann-Margaret and Roger Smith
* Billy Bob Thornton and Angelina Jolie

Also of interest for those who can't have too much bling is The Remember Ring which contaings a microchip programmed to warm up 45 degrees the day before your wedding anniversary so you don't forget the roses and dinner reservations. "The idea is to remind people they started wearing it for an important reason" says inventor Cleve Oines.

I'm drawn to the wedding features in the Sunday papers. This week it was radio guy Mike Carlton marrying journalist gal Morag Ramsay. Morag wore a cream silk creation which featured a bustle - a details which leaves no room for the "does my bum look big in this?" question. Of special interest were some of the presents, ownership of a koala at Taronga Zoo and drumming and piano lessons.

I encountered an even quirkier wedding present in an autobiography I'm reading by - Let me Finish by Robert Angell. Angell is best known as a sports writer but my interest in him is connected to his wonderful articles in the New Yorker and his relationship to Charlotte's Web and Stuart Little author E.B White. In one of my favourite chapters "We Are Fam-Ilee" he talks about an impressive list of slightly eccentric and downright wacko relatives. His Aunt Elsie managed to straddle both and when Angell's brother Joe was getting married she presented the couple with a nice copy of "The Life of Nietzsche" .There's also a lovely comparison of marriage and martinis: "You can no more keep a martini in the refrigerator than you can keep a kiss there. The proper union of gin and vermouth is a great and sudden glory; it is one of the happiest marriages on earth and one of the shortest".

Meanwhile on the Thursday night Sex and the City reruns Princess Charlotte is spinning out just a little. When she reminds Miranda that this is after all her week, Miranda reminds her "It's your day, you get a day". And when the gal pals don't take her gown shopping seriously enough and get distracted by purses in the bridal magazines, Charlotte snaps:  "No purses! There's no time for purses! This is gown-specific!" to have Miranda ask "What's your theme again? A Nazi wedding?" (I can relate entirely, my own wedding Super 8 looks a little like Triumph of the Will.)  Finally about to head down the aisle Charlotte is having serious doubts about marrying someone with impotency issues but as Carrie says "Charlotte was 34, single and standing in a $14,000 dress - she got married".

Our local lighthouse at Point Perpindicular is the lighthouse of the month in the latest bulletin from Lighthouses of Australia Inc.  It is a beautiful lighthouse and the view over Jervis Bay is fantastic. It's a great spot for weddings and, amazingly given these times of user pays, the Navy who administer the land don't charge for use of the site. You do have to pick your dates though as the Navy close the site for bombing practice on occasion and missiles can be a real distraction to a ceremony! Sadly, even though there are three lighthouse keepers cottages on site you can't stay there. I stayed in the cottages at Cape Willoughby   on Kangaroo Island a few years back and it was fantastic except for the ghost and the sign out the back that said "Warning Snakes Inhabit This Reserve". 

I'm attempting to read Virginia Woolf's To the Lighthouse at the moment. I'm halfway through and beginning to suspect that they are never actually going to get to the lighthouse which for a lighthouse spotter is a little disappointing.

Two very nice musical moments over the long weekend. A Sydney wedding where the couple's seven year old son was playing DJ and quite unrehearsed or planned, chose a CD to start the ceremony  I'd never heard the song before but it's one to look up  - Eric Bibb "A Ship Called Love " (you can hear a snippet by clicking the link). Not sure of the exact lyrics but it went something like "There's a ship called love getting read to sail .....so get aboard .....and loves the right stuff to get us over".  It was SUCH an amazing choice and the kind of timing wedding planners would die for. Thanks Zuhri for such an amazing moment.

The other marriage-music-moment was a little rockier. Driving back from a ceremony in Bowral and Wave FM was doing a Rocktober countdown of the top 562 (not sure why it was 562) rock songs, well round about number 262 (beating out Ted Mulry's Jump in My Car ) was Roxy Music's "Let's Stick Together", I turned the radio right up and it was great cruising through Kangaroo Valley singing along.  If you've forgotten  how it goes:

"And now the marriage vow is very sacred
The man has put us together now
You ought to make it stick together
Come on, come on and stick together
You know we made a vow to leave one another never

But now you never miss your water till your well runs dry
Come on now baby give our love a try
Let's stick together, c'mon c'mon let's stick together
You know we made a vow to leave one another never"

I remember seeing the video clip on Countdown, who can forget Ferry's then-fiance Jerry Hall strutting her considerable stuff in a tiger suit complete with tail. 

I often don't get to see many movies until they get to video. This is due mainly to two things. I spend a lot of time in the country where the local movie theatre is 35ks away and not really into anything arty. (Also not into Michael Moore as they refused to screen Fahrenheit 9/11 on patriotic grounds) and also I have a four year old so although I have seen Cars twice I never got around to seeing Tim Burton's Corpse Bride on the big screen (the local theatre shs also liced up it's big screen to make five very small poky screens).

Anyway I got to see it on DVD last night. It's right up there with Father of the Bride as one of my all time favourite wedding movies. It's macabre, it's funny and it's also very beautiful. A very quick synopsis goes like this: Victor who cannot get his wedding vows right is wandering through a forest practising them, he places the wedding ring on a tree root that bears an eerie resemblance to a human hand (it is actually an eerie human hand) and after getting the vows right comes face to slightly mouldering face with Emily the Corpse Bride. Emily was mysteriously killed on her wedding day and has been waiting for her groom ever since. It certainly sounds macabre and you may wonder where the funny and beautiful come in - the last scene where Emily leaves the church and is transformed into hundreds of butterflies is really stunning and while a butterfly release has become a feature of weddings I don't think we've seen one like this before!

Another great find - a site devoted to celebrity wedding vows with the added excitement of being able to rate them. Some are a little sad, I think Julia and Lyle's ceremony may have lasted longer than their weddings and not all parties seem to have taken the "Til death to us" part seriously, except perhaps Kurt and Courtney. The site can be found here: http://www.myweddingvows.com/celebrity-wedding-vows

High Society was the Sunday midday movie last week. Perfect rainy afternoon viewing and what about those frocks? Grace's wedding dress was a dream, gossamer white embroidered organdy over a taffeta underdress. I tried to find a picture of it to show you but sadly haven't been able to locate one. Helen Rose designed both the High Society dress and the one she wore when she married for "real". The Monaco dress was "a creamy confection of antique Valenciennes lace and peau de soie"  which hugged her curves above the waist, while boldly billowing below. Demurely high-necked and long-sleeved, a suggestion of transparency was created by lace over a bodice of silk net which was then lined with silk gauze. Grace also wore a Juliet cap decorated with seed pearls and a veil made from some ninety yards of tulle.The frock has starred in it's own exhibition at Philadelphia  Museum of Art's "Fit for a Princess: Grace Kelly's Wedding Dress". The dress cost $7,266.68 (1956 prices) in materials, not factoring in the six weeks of labor but Grace received it gratis from MGM, where Rose and Kelly were both under contract. Helen Rose also designed the Liz Taylor's Father of the Bride gown as well as two of her real-life wedding dresses. (Liz was a great income source for the wedding industry).  

I can't wait til the next one of my friends announces their engagement. I found two fantastic retro cards today, new in the pack so I won't need liquid paper. Feast your eyes:

A bride-very-soon-to-be emailed me these vows,  taken from traditional Indian wedding vows, this week. They are sooo beautiful, full of sunshine and honey and wonderful sweet promises and cows of course!

The first step is to provide for our household a nourishing and pure diet, avoiding those foods injurious to healthy living. Let us take the second step to develop physical, mental and spiritual powers. Let us take the third step, to increase our wealth by righteous means and proper use. Let us take the fourth step to acquire knowledge, happiness and harmony by mutual love and trust. Let us take the fifth step, so that we be blessed with strong, virtuous and heroic children. Let us take the sixth step, for self-restraint and longevity. Finally, let us take the seventh step and be true companions and remain lifelong partners by this wedlock."

We have taken the Seven Steps. You have become mine forever. Yes, we have become partners. I have become yours. Hereafter, I cannot live without you. Do not live without me. Let us share the joys. We are word and meaning, united. You are thought and I am sound. May the night be honey-sweet for us; may the morning be honey-sweet for us; may the earth be honey-sweet for us and the heavens be honey-sweet for us. May the plants be honey-sweet for us; may the sun be all honey for us; may the cows yield us honey-sweet milk. As the heavens are stable, as the earth is stable, as the mountains are stable, as the whole universe is stable, so may our unions be permanently settled.

I'll admit to being a bit of a sad nanna and reading the TV guide to plan my week although I try to resist the urge to circle items in texta so I don't miss them. A few must sees this week had me reaching for the felt tip though! On Thursday "Dr Phil talks to brides-to-be who are so out of control their loved ones call them "Bridezillas". They're a new breed of engaged women who terrorise their fiances, bridal parties and family members with their outrageous demands". Can't wait! Kath and Kim meanwhile (ABC 10.00) are serving punch from a plastic bin and throwing a tarp over the Hills Hoist for a marquee. A lot like Nicole and Keith's do... or maybe not.

One of my big treats is a subscription to the New Yorker and it's the highlight of my week when Albert - the postie and I are on first name terms - drops it off.  I think I may have found a way to make it pay for itself as this week it's a wedding special. One of the must reads in this issue is an article on wedding planners. There's a great "doh!" quote: "I think our taste has gotten better since the eighties" from Julie Erlichman a wedding planner who features a picture of her deceased poodle on her website. "If you need your dog to be in your wedding call me" Julie says. So if you do need your pooch as part of your posse you can find Julie's number - and Romeo's picture - at www.juliaandfriends.com  You can also read the entire article by clicking here or you can pop round and borrow mine.

I'm really interested in readings and what they can add to or convey during a ceremony. I'm always scanning magazines or anthologies for poems I like and particularly on the look out for work by Australian authors. In the recent Australian Federation of Civil Celebrants there was this rather alarmingly Aussie poem by Ruth Van Gramberg:

An Australian Wedding Blessing

May each step you take in the future be filled with gladness and song

With the sound of the Lyrebird and Kooka to lift and guide you along

May gum leaves tenderly whisper, as life's highway in excitement you stride

Taking time to rest by a campfire, with a swag and your mate by your side

When you travel the east with apostles, just hum the Matilda song

Then roadmap your desired future, whilst the ocean and waves roll along.

Where the roos and koalas roam freely, in a land that's so vast and so wide

With love in your souls and sweet music, let passion and dreams be your guide

May prayer be your answer in hardship and blessings surround you so grand

With a warm welcome waiting at doorway when friends feel the need of a hand

May your journey be freshened with dewdrops each winter thru until spring

With smiles and handshakes and laughter that only true friendships can bring.

Don't worry if troubles surround you just rest by the Murray serene

With freshness of spirit,  your face to the cross, you'll be sharing the Aussie dream.

Six Feet Under wedding episode where Nate and Brenda finally get married. A real catalogue of disasters, a psychotic stepfather, hysterical mother offering underwear advice, a seagull on the wedding cake, not to mention the ghost of Nate's first wife making an appearance. 

The vows were nice though. Brenda accepted Nate with all his weaknesses and strengths and offered herself to him with all her weaknesses and strengths (no small ask given Brenda's weaknesses!) and promised "from this day forward I will be there when you need help and turn to you when I need help".

Nate was a little more traditional, "I vow to trust, honour and cherish you, to support your hopes, thoughts and dreams".

I didn't quite approve of the celebrant as she looked a little like a deranged munchkin and seemed to be wearing a purple cabbage for a hat. I think they dug her up from the same casting agency where they get the frumpy librarians in the big black glasses. As I used to be a librarian it was doubly insulting.