CLEMENTINE + JACK - Storybook Love

September 1, 2020

By Sally Hughes, Melbourne Marriage Celebrant

“Come my love, I'll tell you a tale

Of a boy and girl and their love story

And how he loved her oh, so much

And all the charms she did possess…” ‘Storybook Love’ (Mark Knophler)

Clementine and Jack were married in Melbourne’s grandiose Mural Hall in a ceremony that celebrated their modern day love story. Clementine, with her porcelain complexion and balletic poise, wore a beautiful blush tulle Moira Hughes Couture gown with a dramatic cathedral length veil. She immediately reminded me of a ballerina from Giselle or A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Jack complemented her handsomely in his classic black tuxedo.

Clemmie & Jack by Tess Follet - Pre ceremony 3.jpg

Clemmie & Jack by Tess Follet - Pre ceremony 8.jpg

The evocative song Storybook Love, from ‘The Princess Bride’, accompanied the procession of six beautiful children the day Clementine and Jack wed. The song gently faded and Peter Gabriel’s stirring orchestral arrangement of the Bowie / Eno classic Heroes gently filled the space.

Four elegant attendants then entered the hall and greeted a smiling Jack. After they had taken their positions alongside him and his Groomsmen, all guests turned to the back of the art deco ballroom in anticipation of Clementine’s entrance.

As violins and violas reached their crescendo, Clementine appeared at the top of the long aisle. She walked with confidence and joy, laughing with her much-loved father while rarely shifting her gaze from Jack. She took to the first flight of stairs and joined her Groom on the landing without a traditional “hand over”.

Flanked by sweeping staircases and surrounded by candles and blooms in hues of red, burgundy, pink and violet, the stunning couple stood hand in hand as parents were honoured and important friendships were acknowledged. They grinned and laughed as I shared stories of their courtship and other pivotal relationship events.

As a learned english literature devotee, and as the daughter of celebrated Australian film and television screenwriters, it came as no surprise that Clementine chose to include words penned by Shakespeare, Margaret Atwood and E.M. Forster on the day she’d marry her Jack. The pair listened intently as guests delivered readings with gusto and then turned their full attention to each other as they exchanged vows and rings with sincerity.

As we signed the marriage certificates, guests were transported to a dancehall in Dover in 1976, when a recording of Clementine’s Nanny Elsie’s band played. Sadly, Clementine and Elsie never met, so having Nanny Elsie play at her grand-daughter’s wedding was a meaningful inclusion.

After a happy snap with yours truly, the accomplished and sweet-natured couple received an almighty cheer, a shower of colourful confetti and a serenade by Florence + the Machine.

The newlyweds and their wedding party then took to the streets with highly sought-after photographer Tess Follett, before returning to Mural Hall to kick start their reception with Horns of Leroy - the coolest brass band in Melbourne.

Clementine and Jack’s celebration was a perfect union of romance, sentimentality, elegance, joy and humour. The combination of traditional and contemporary elements ensured that their ceremony reflected their values, passions, personalities and of course, their very special love story.

Love Note…

“Sally, we can never thank you enough for our beautiful ceremony, which was everything we dreamt of and so much more, and for all your expert help and advice.

We valued your experience and input in the whole process - you always had the perfect answer to any questions we had. Initially I was really set on having a ceremony that was very serious, because I thought of giving vows as a serious thing, and I'd been to few weddings where I'd found the whole thing a bit too 'jokey', but I am so glad you were able to show us how our ceremony could also be fun and happy and warm, and funny, whilst also being serious and meaningful at the appropriate times. We wouldn't have been able to achieve this without you, and I'm so glad we did!

… we remember all your thoughtful touches that meant so much and the warmth that you brought to our day. We can remember throughout the reception, and the next day at the pub, so many people coming up to us to say how wonderful you were!

We really agonised over just about every wedding decision we had to make, big or small, except for hiring you! As soon as I saw your website, I knew that you were the only celebrant we wanted! You really went and above and beyond with fitting in our wedding rehearsal, planning ceremony seating charts, and I was so amazed when you greeted all our family by name!

Thank you again, Sally. … You made our wedding something that was so meaningful to us and we’re so grateful.”

Clementine + Jack

Celebrant: Sally Hughes // Photographer: Tess Follett // Videographer: True Story Wedding Films // Venue: Mural Hall // Catering & Event Management: The Big Group // Floral Stylist: Victoria Whitelaw // Clementine’s Dress: Moira Hughes // Clementine’s Shoes: Kate Sylvester // Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Shona Joy // Groomsmens’ Suits: Peter Jackson // Flowergirls’ Dresses: Arabella and Rose // Hair: Valentina Arjona // Make Up: Jasmyn West Beauty // Rings: Larsen Jewellery & Keshett // Jewellery: Alex Monroe // DJ: Dan Hall // Band: Horns of Leroy // Cars: Triple R // Cake: Zephyr & Bloom Cakes

RENATA + NICK - A Wedding of Distinction

July 15, 2017

By Sally Hughes, Melbourne Marriage Celebrant

Meet Renata, a Director at Weddings of Distinction, a premiere wedding and special events company based in Melbourne. I’ve seen Renata style and manage some epic events, so I knew that when the time came for her to marry her Nick, their celebration would be beautifully styled and managed with the precision I have come to expect from WoD. I knew Renata and Nick would bring together a very large team of Melbourne’s most sought after suppliers too, industry professionals I very much admire.

And so you can image how thrilled I was when Renata and Nick asked me to conduct their marriage ceremony at The Glasshouse in Melbourne.

Not surprisingly, Renata and Nick decided to do things a little differently to the norm. They wanted the transition between ceremony and reception to be a seamless one and so decided that the spaces would be one in the same. They envisaged a formal and traditional ceremony, one that would incorporate humour, theatricality and elements of their Russian and Greek heritage. I couldn't wait to get started.

While guests enjoyed pre ceremony cocktails and canapes, Renata and Nick met for "first look" photos at the stylish Crown Towers.

They then made their way to The Glasshouse together and waited in their bridal suite for their guests to enter the room. When the doors opened, allowing family and friends to be seated at their tables, I lost count of the number of "oohs and aahs" I heard. The room looked nothing short of spectacular.

Before 200 guests, all seated in the round, Renata and Nick stood under a magnificent suspended floral chuppah (which, to the delight of the crowd, slowly descended from the ceiling as Renata entered the room) to celebrate a relationship that came about as a result of a Groupon voucher, a rather persistent matchmaker and a touch of Facebook stalking.

Not withstanding the jaw-droppingly beautiful floral arrangements, the many crystal chandeliers and candles, the perfectly placed table settings in gold and crystal, the cigar and cognac station, the champagne and dessert bar, the chilled vodka carts, the fantastic live music, the exceptional sound and lighting design, the motorised ceiling installation and the highly courteous and impeccably dressed staff, it was the love between two people and the strong sense of celebration in the room that impressed me most that evening.

Renata and Nick, thank you for inviting me to play a role in your big, fat, theatrical, romantic, joyful, loud and utterly beautiful Russian / Greek wedding. I wish we could do it all again (says the person who didn't spend countless days and nights planning it!).

Celebrant: Sally Hughes

Photography: Warrenphotography

Videography: C2 Films

Venue Styling: Weddings of Distinction, Lulu Bird

Venue: The Glasshouse / The Big Group Melbourne

Decor: Weddings of Distinction, Place Settings, Complete Function Hire, Harry The Hirer, Dann Event Hire

Sound & Lighting - Prolight and Sound

Ceremony & Reception Music: Rumours Band

Cars: Always Classic Cars

Renata's Gown: Leah Da Gloria

Renata's Make Up: Beauty By Julie

Renata's Hair: Frankie Salon

Nick's Suit: Hugo Boss

OLIVIA + NATHAN - Kisses in the Rain

April 10, 2017

By Sally Hughes, Melbourne Marriage Celebrant

Liv and Nath shared their very first kiss in the rain. Six years later, in the Italian Garden at Coombe Yarra Valley, history repeated itself (fortunately to a far lesser degree) as they shared their first kiss as Mr and Mrs.

When Liv arrived at the beautiful Yarra Valley estate and stepped outside her black Mercedes wearing a Pallas Couture gown, I wasn't the only person to gasp. She looked absolutely breathtaking. She beamed as she stood with her bridesmaids, dressed in classic white, excited to be marrying the man she had known for over a decade.

Liv, her proud father Vincent and six attendants entered the Italian Garden to Little Buster Brown's evocative rendition of Angels by XX. Vincent warmly embraced his beautiful daughter and future son-in-law before Liv and Nath together walked toward the magnificent green hedge. They stood before a white screen (made by the Father of the Groom), artfully decorated with the classic combination of white and green flowers and foliage by Sugar Bee Flowers.

And so began Liv and Nath's romantic, sentimental and joyous marriage ceremony. It was a ceremony that honoured family and friendships and the very deep love and respect they have for one another. We sighed and laughed interchangeably as I told the story of a friendship that began in their teenage years, the bond that was strengthened during university study dates and the romantic relationship that they were destined to realise. The story of Nath's well planned Royal Botanic Gardens proposal was particularly well received. It was a proposal which included both a surprise performance by an acoustic duo the moment Liv said, "Yes", and photographer friends hiding in bushes.... until an oh-so-excited Nath outed them!

Midway through Liv and Nath's ceremony distant rumblings of thunder sounded and spectacular bolts of lightning pierced through the clouds. Fortunately, we only experienced a few drops of rain so decided to continue as planned. Liv and Nath exchanged vows and rings; rings that were contained in a wooden box carved by Nath's Nunnu, blessed by immediate family and brought forward by a rather charismatic Best Man! And then, to a tremendous cheer, Nath and Liv were declared to be husband and wife.

Given the likelihood of rain, we decided to move the marriage certificate signing to a sheltered area after the ceremony. While guests happily made their way to the cellar door for canapes and refreshments, the bridal party, parents and grandparents gathered under the canopy of tall trees to witness Liv and Nath's final step toward newlywed status.

Liv and Nath, the relationship you have is so very special. Your kindness towards one another and the importance you place upon family is clear to all. It was an honour to share your day with you. Congratulations Mr & Mrs L.