All Things Weddings, Ceremonies & Planning
Lauren and Max - Modern Romance
Creating a ceremony where everyone is made to feel special sets the tone for the entire day.
Early on in the wedding planning process, I try to encourage my couples to think about who they would like to include in their ceremony; an inclusive ceremony is warm and memorable and honours the people that you care about the most.
Lauren and Max's ceremony was a testament to their love for each other, their family and their friends. They had their twin nieces as cheeky, smiling flower girls, invited their four sisters to do a couple of beautiful (and slightly teary) readings, asked both sets of their parents to give them to each other in marriage and even recited shared wedding vows; they each read one sentence at a time.
Brianna and Chris - Elegant Garden Party Wedding
Chris and Brianna absolutely adore their family and friends and really wanted their wedding day to be just as much fun for their guests as it was going to be them.
Brianna rocked her fitted and romantic, lace Alexis George gown and Chris was decked out in a modern navy Joseph Uzumcu suit.
After their inclusive and moving ceremony in the rose garden, guests made their way through the sumptuous gardens of Al-Ru Farm to the main lawn where they enjoyed pre-reception drinks, canapés. Lawn games and acoustic guitarist, Israel Amoy, provided the entertainment until the guests were ushered into the regal and elegant reception.
Photos are courtesy of the bubbly and talented Maraya Verdonk Photography.
Enjoy!
Nicole and Hung - rustic elegant winery wedding
Nicole and Hung first met over 10 years ago when they worked as ushers at Greater Union Cinemas in Arndale.
They were grateful to be given the tedious task of cleaning out the cinema rubbish bins one night because it gave them the opportunity to talk and find out a little more about each other.
Their hopes for the future are quite simply to raise an army of sausage dogs and to grow old and wrinkly together.
Photos by Luke Simon Photography.
Hannah bug's Naming Ceremony
Amy and Mark already had the bright and beautiful Hannah-bug present with them at their wedding ceremony in October 2015. So when I received an email a couple of months ago it wasn't the 'we're pregnant' kind of news, but rather 'Hannah is turning 1 (!) and we would love to arrange a joint birthday party and naming ceremony'. Where has the time gone?
Amy set about planning an adorable woodland themed celebration, complete with a little red riding hood cloak for Hannah and magical toadstool cake.
Enjoy!
Confetti - c'mon, you know you love it..
Weddings have changed a lot in the last 40 odd years, but the need to celebrate and mark the occasion with memorable moments and demonstrations of love and hope, hasn't.
While I can acknowledge (albeit, begrudgingly) that it's not 1977, I still challenge anyone not to appreciate the childlike fun of a good 'ol confetti toss. I mean, look at this awesome photo by Kate Pardey - it simply oozes happiness and joy, right? And who doesn't want an extra big helping of that on their wedding day?
Hey, I'm Camille..
I've been meaning to make a celebrant video for my website for ages.
You know, something simple and to the point, just to say hi and let people know a little of what I'm about. And I am well aware that if I were 20 years younger, I'd be snapchatting my way through most weekends.
But when I tried to take a handful of short videos for Bridechilla Club last week at Luke Simon's studio (thank you again, Luke), I discovered that it wouldn't be the walk in the park I hoped it would be.
But then, I had a revelation.
Do we have to include religious content in our wedding ceremony?
In Australia, there are three different ways to get married. The Marriage Act 1961 allows for marriages to be solemnised by:
1. Ministers of religion of recognised denominations,
2. State and Territory Officers (most commonly at a State or Territory office of Births, Deaths and Marriages) and
3. Commonwealth-registered marriage celebrants. This category contains both civil (non-religious) celebrants (like me!) and ministers of religion who are not aligned with a recognised denomination.
London calling - Leonie and Lee
Lee and Leonie value their families and close friendships above everything else; in fact, this was one of the qualities that first attracted them to each other. With all of Lee's family in England and all of Leonie's family in Australia, they decided to chase this sunshine with an Adelaide hills winery wedding and timed it to maximise the number of friends and family who could make it from overseas.
It was imperative for them to be able to relax, laugh and truly enjoy their guests' company on their wedding day and Barrister's Block in Woodside was the perfect backdrop for their laidback celebration. So much love and warmth.
I hope you enjoy their photos from Leonie's very talented brother, Pete Thornton and Karina from What Pete Shot.
5 cool gift ideas for Mother's Day
I'm not entirely sure what the link is (or if there is one) between weddings and Mother's Day, but here are 5 cool presents that any Mum would love to receive! And while I'm at it, Happy Mother's Day to all the hardworking, sleep deprived, chocolate scoffing, wine swilling Mums out there. We love you and thank you for all you do.
Festival of fun - Kat & Matt
After almost 8 years as a celebrant in Adelaide, it's rare that I get the chance to visit a new wedding venue. But when Kat and Matt first met with me and told me about their ideas for an outdoor extravaganza of activities and dancing at The Oaks in Hahndorf (2202 Mt Barker Road), I was excited to check it out.
It's a beautiful, undulating property with lots of trees, a little stream and several open grassed spaces for marquees. The owners are lovely and accommodating too which just added even more ease and goodwill into Kat and Matt's unconventional celebration. I mean, the confetti cannon fist bump when Matt collected Kat from the top of the aisle was just the beginning!
I could try describing their wedding to you, let alone the beautiful and generous people they are, but I think these shots by Akil Madan Photography do the job so much better than I ever could. Congratulations again, Kat and Matt ox.
Enjoy!