STACEY + ROHAN - NGV Nuptials

Stacey and Rohan are accountants.  They met at work four years ago.  Stacey arrived to audit a client and was advised that her senior was awaiting her.  When Stacey turned to find Rohan walking toward her, he took her breath away.  It was love at first sight.  Three years later, Rohan proposed on the balcony of their villa in Lake Como, Italy.  

Stacey and Rohan were married on a Spring evening amongst the sculptures in the Grollo Equiset Garden at the National Gallery of Victoria.  Stacey's family entered the tranquil setting ahead of her to Pachelbel's Canon in D.  Stacey, followed by her bridesmaids, entered to Wagner's Bridal Chorus.  Both pieces were beautifully played by Harpist, Hayley Erin.

Theirs was a ceremony that had a perfect blend of smiles, laughter and tears.  The sincerity with which Stacey and Rohan exchanged vows, the raw emotion that they displayed, was so very touching.   Within moments of commencing their personal pledges, spoken from the heart and without my assistance, guests reached for their tissues.  I've never witnessed so happy many tears shed. 

So moved by the beauty of what they had witnessed, their guests gave an audible sigh, some wiping tears away, before everyone burst into spontaneous applause.  It was something I shall never forget. 

We signed the certificates to Schubert's Ave Maria before the beaming newlyweds made their way back down the aisle and toward an exciting, and no doubt joyful, future together.

Congratulations Stacey and Rohan.  What an honour it was to stand beside you on your wedding day and witness such sincerity and depth of emotion.  
 

Celebrant: Sally Hughes
Photographer: Eye To Eye Photography
Venue: Grollo Equiset Gardens
Harpist: Hayley Erin

LAUREN + TY - Encore Evening

Meeting Lauren and Ty was like catching up with old friends.  We joked and laughed as though we'd known each other for years. In fact, such was their contagious energy, I don't think we began discussing their wedding until quite a while into our first meeting.  I liked Lauren and Ty immediately and I knew that we would have a ball planning their ceremony. I wasn't wrong.  

Lauren and Ty's ceremony was held at the über stylish Encore St Kilda Beach, a venue that has it all.  It's a large and versatile space with stylish decor, jaw-dropping bay views, friendly and attentive staff and oh, the trendy Republica is next door.  Lauren and Ty had wanted to hold their September ceremony on the rooftop, however Melbourne's weather God's had other plans for us.  Fortunately their plan B was equally as impressive.

When Lauren and Ty's guests arrived, after having mingled at Republica, they delivered an instant rush of energy and excitement.  A celebratory tone was well and truly set. Which was great, as an already excited Lauren seemed to enjoy her entrance even more so.

Lauren looked breathtakingly beautiful in her JasonGrech White couture gown.  Attended by four bridesmaids and her proud father, Lauren entered to Pete Murray's Ten Ft Tall, performed superbly by The White Tree.  As she walked towards Ty, her smile never left her face.

I was so fortunate to have witnessed the contrast in emotion between the beaming bride and her proud father.

Lauren and Ty met as teenagers at the local pool.  Their story, spanning twelve years to date, elicited both audible sighs and roars of laughter from their guests.  More so the latter. 

I loved that as I spoke of their overseas travels and Ty's perfect Santorini proposal, the pair enjoyed the moment, reacting so naturally to their guests' animated responses.  Together, they were relaxed in the presence of their family and friends.

Lauren and Ty's mothers each presented readings.

On Marriage - An excerpt from ‘The Prophet’ by Khalil Gabran. 
Let there be spaces in your togetherness,
And let the winds of heavens dance between you.
Love one another, but make not a bond of love:
Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.
Fill each other's cup but drink not from one cup.
Give one another of your bread but eat not from the same loaf.
Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each one of you be alone,
Even as the strings of a lute are alone though they quiver with the same music.
Give your hearts, but not into each other's keeping.
For only the hand of Life can contain your hearts.
And stand together yet not too near together:
For the pillars of the temple stand apart,
And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other's shadow.

You Share Today the Joy of Deep Commitment. Author Unknown.
The most precious gift of love
Treasure it, nurture it and encourage it
With all the honesty you used in creating it
You are sharing something rare and beautiful
Always speak the truth and listen attentively
So that you may understand each other’s thoughts and intentions
Inspire each other by sharing your accomplishments
Say I love often to retain the warmth between you
Laugh a lot too, even when you are angry
Remember you are each other’s best friend
Stand together and for each other always
May each day be special
And the fulfillment of your dreams
 

Lauren and Ty wrote their own vows, promising to always to always laugh with and love each other.  They promised to grow old by each other's side, as each other's love and best friend.

The bridal party debriefed as we signed the certificates to I'm Yours (Jason Mraz) and Just A Boy (Angus and Julia Stone), performed by The White Tree.

Mr and Mrs H left the building to a huge roar of applause and the song Sweet Disposition.  They were photographed on St Kilda Beach by the very talented duo Mish & Oli.

Congratulations Mr and Mrs H.  Thank you for sharing your very happy day with me.  I loved every minute spent planning and conducting your ceremony.  Don't ever change - your positive outlook, energy and sense of humour are inspiring. 

Oh and Ty, may you continue to always cook your way out of any argument!

Click here to view footage by TMC Media

Celebrant: Sally Hughes

Photography: Mish & Oli
Footage: TMC Media
Lauren's Dress: JasonGrech White
Musicians: The White Tree Band

RAEMA + KIRE - Lakeside Love

I can't recall the last time I laughed so much during a ceremony.  Perhaps having attended a Macedonian Orthodox service earlier that day, Raema and Kire, their bridal party and guests were in a particularly celebratory mood. Perhaps this in turn led to a highly interactive ceremony, one in which guests felt comfortable participating.   Whatever the reason, the pre-ceremony atmosphere was fantastic. As the first guests arrived I sensed that the evening would be a highly enjoyable one.   

Never before have I been heckled as much (with good humour, I might add) as I had during this ceremony!  From the wise cracking Father of the Groom to the "special comments" Best Man and a few interjections from the back row, the sense of energy and excitement from all present was palpable. Raema and Kire smiled and laughed the evening through and their joy was most certainly contagious.  When you look through their beautiful photos and view their fantastic wedding video, you'll see what I mean. 

As we stood on the deck at the super stylish Carousel, located in the middle of Albert Park Lake, with its impressive views of Melbourne's city skyline, a radiant Raema, wearing a lace overlay gown from Annette of Melbourne Couture entered with her very proud father.  Her processional song was Make You Feel My Love.

Though Kire, in a suit tailored by Pernac,  had spent most of the day with Raema, he was still clearly excited to see his beautiful bride walk toward him.

As the sun began to set, I told the story of Raema and Kire's first meeting - at their Best Man Nick's 13th birthday party at Pizza Hut.  Despite their mutual fondness for Hawaiian pizza and the soft serve dessert bar, sparks didn't fly for the then-teenagers that day.  I described their next meeting some eight years later, at yet another birthday celebration, their many and varied travel experiences and Kire's very romantic Otway Ranges proposal.

Raema's mother read a poem she had composed especially for the occasion and then the pair exchanged the vows they had written for one another.

Before they exchanged wedding rings, I recited an adaptation of  The Blessing of The Hands.

These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow and forever.

These are the hands that will work alongside yours, as together you build your future.

These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes; tears of sorrow, and as in today, tears of joy.

These are the hands that will tenderly hold your children, the hands that will help you to hold your family as one.

And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged, will still be reaching for yours, still giving you that same unspoken tenderness, with just a touch.

Prior to the ceremony, Raema and Kire wrote love letters to one another, detailing the qualities they have come to value in each other and their hopes for their marriage.  The letters were sealed and placed in a box, along with two bottles of wine.  The letters and the wine will be opened on their 10th wedding anniversary.  A romantic way to celebrate such a special milestone.

Raema and Kire signed their certificates to I Will Follow You Into The Dark (Death Cab for Cutie), Here Comes The Sun (The Beatles) and First Day Of My Life (Bright Eyes).

Having been introduced to their guests for the first time as husband and wife, the beaming newlyweds danced back down the aisle to Gotye's In Your Light.

Styling idea:  Raema and Kire placed white frames on each table. Each frame noted a location that they had visited together and the significance of that place.

Congratulations Raema and Kire.  I enjoyed every moment I spent with you.  Your kindness and enthusiasm was contagious.  I'll always remember your celebration as one of the most enjoyable ceremonies I've ever had the privilege of conducting.  Keep smiling! xx

Celebrant: Sally Hughes

Click here to view footage by C2 Video

Photo Credits: 1-10 Jerome Cole Photography
Photo Credits: 11 & 12  Food & Desire 
Flowers by Bouquet Melbourne

Beautiful Blooms

Have you always dreamed of carrying a bouquet of pretty peonies?  Sweet smelling jasmine perhaps?  If you're a Spring bride marrying in Melbourne, you're in luck as your dream flowers will be in season!  If you plan to be married in Summer, you may need to reconsider.  Perhaps hydrangeas instead?   Take a look at what's on offer during your wedding season.

All Year Round
 
Alstroemeria, Anthurium, Asiatic Lilies, Chrysanthemum, Carnation, Crab Claw Gardenia, Gerbera, Gladioli, Gypsophila, Iris, Leucospermum,  Leucadendron, Lilium, Lisianthus, Longiflorum Lilies, Lotus Pods, Oriental Lilies, Phalaenopsis Orchid, Singapore Orchids, Silver Suede, Status, Succulents, Roses.

David Austin Roses

Phalaenopsis Orchids

Summer Bride: December – February

Agapanthus, Amaranthus, Aster, Banksia, Belladonna Lilies, Blackberries,  Celosia, Calla Lilies, Canterbury Bells,Cosmos, Dahlia, Delphinium, Freesia, Garden Roses, Gardenia, Ginger, Grevillea, Hydrangea, Hypericum Berry, Iris, Larkspur, Lavender, Lisianthus, Mollucca Balm, Pineapple Lilies, Queen Anne’s Lace, Sea Holly, Stephanotis, Singapore Orchids, Smoke bush, Tuberose, Vanda Orchids, Veronica, Water Lilies.

Hypericum Berry

Lavender

Autumn Bride: March - May

Amaranthus, Aster, Bird of Paradise, Bixia, Bouvardia, Brunii, Cymbidium Orchids, Celosia, Chillie, Daphne, Delphinium, Freesia, Garden Roses, Gardenia, Hyacinth, Hydrangea, Hypericum Berry, Iris, Ivy Berry, Kale, Lavender, Lisianthus, Lotus Pods, Peppercorn, Privet Berries - Green, Protea – King and Queen, Sea Holly, Sedum, Soke Bush, Stephanotis, Stock, Tuberose, Tulips, Water Lilies.

Hydrangea

Tulips

Winter Bride: June - August

Anemone, Bird of Paradise, Bouvardia, Blushing Bride, Daffodil, Daphne, Dogwood, Earlicheer, Hyacinth, Iris, Jonquil, Kale, Lisianthus, Poppy, Ranunculus, Rhododendron, Rosehip, Sweet Pea, Tulip, Violet, Wattle.

Poppies

Ranunculus

Spring Bride: September – November

Andromeda, Arum Lily, Azalea, Blossom, Blushing Bride, Boronia, Chincherinchee, Corn flower, Cosms, Daffodil, Delphinium, Dogwood, Erica, Gardenia, Garden Roses, Hyacinth, Iris, Jasmine, Lilac, Lily of the Valley, Lisianthus, Mollucca Balm, Peony, Peppercorn, Poppies, Rhododendron, Stephanotis, Stock, Sweet Pea, Tulip,Viburnum, Warratah.

Peonies

Lily of the Valley

Floral Designer Jessica Higgins from Floral Concepts warns that flower availability may also vary depending on weather conditions.  She advises brides to select a bloom that is in season in order to ensure vast supply, excellent quality and greater affordability.

David Austin Rose and Hypericum Berry Image courtesy of Style Me Pretty
Lavender Image courtesy of Samm Blake Photographer
Poppy Image courtesy of Jose Villa
Lilly of the Valley Image Courtesy of Tanya Tribble Photography