Savage and Deelighful Wedding

The wedding of Dee and Nick was held in an amazing chapel at the Hyatt Regency, Sanctuary Cove, Queensland, Australia. To see the wedding in full go to my vimeo site (link below)
http://vimeo.com/34211987
It was a wedding with a difference! Enjoy viewing

Wedding Welcomes

The welcome is an important part of a wedding ceremony.  It sets the tone/theme  and a good welcome makes all those present feel part of the ceremony. After chatting to the groom I then, at the designated time, gather the guests, introduce myself (usually using a bit of humour) and then go to meet the bride. One thing I usually say to the bride that leads to a bit of laughter is “oh by the way , the groom’s here.” I then return to tell the groom the good news of his bride’s arrival.

These questions that I ask the couple help me to organise an appropriate welcome:

-          What tone would you like for your wedding? I asked this of a couple, Christine and Claude, yesterday and they said “cruisey” – they are being married on the Dawn Princess in January.

-          What values are important to you as a couple?

-          Anything significant you like me to say in the welcome?

Some things that I may speak about in the welcome include:

-          Mention of those who have come a long way

-          Remembering those unable to b e attend

-          Honoring the parents

-          Community approval

-          Introduction of a ring warming

-          Some thoughts on the nature of marriage/love

-          The couples’ values and the importance of those in a relationship/marriage

-          A short reading

A Beautiful New Babe Chanelle

Naming ceremonies are thruly wonderful. I had the privilege of performing one recently at Forest Lakes. A theme involving a candle shining a bright light to the world permeated the ceremony and was a focus utilsed by Chanelle's parents, godparents and grandparents. (Picture above - presenting certificate to one set of grandparents). Garth and Catherine, Chanelle's parents, had organised a brilliant day at the lake - the ceremony was followed by a cooked lunch for over forty guests. Below is Chanelle's poem I wrote for her special day.

Chanelle

Born on 6^th August in the year of 2011

A babe who is to all a little touch of heaven

Chanelle Sophia Krumins – just a beautiful name

To mother Catherine and father Garth she sets their pride aflame

Long in size, so active and energetic

A fast grower, a smile that’s just magnetic

Entertains herself in her bouncer, bobbing on the spot

Trying so to talk, letting all know her lot

Good at making animal noises, like a peacock on the track

Bum scoots up till the end of the crib – nothing holds her back

What of the future for this special baby do we see?

A beautiful child and then adult, filled with constancy

Catherine would like her to be happy, Garth reckons fulfilled

On whatever path she chooses her loving parents will be thrilled

I see joy and excitement, times to make the heart swell

May you be a bringer of peace and love to all, dearest Chanelle

Peter Waterman

Mary and Tom - Out of the Ashes

After the tragic accident that led to the passing of Mary's three brothers and sister Mary's mother received letters from all over Australia offering help. Some offered free holidays. One was from a Mrs Grace who had flats at Surfers Paradise. Mary's mum decided to take up the offer and so Mary headed down there with her Mum, younger brother Gerard and friend Sharon who had also been through tragedy of her own.
 
At the flats also at the time was Mrs Grace's son and daughter and their son Tom. Mary was 15 at the time and Tom a few years older. Tom befriended Mary and Sharon and they spent time together often, the three of them, going to the movies or just walking along the beach. It seems that initially Tom was sweet on Sharon but on the night before they all left Tom held Mary's hand. Mary and her family then left for Melbourne and Mary decided to send Tom a postcard. That was way back in 1971. They corresponded and eventually married in 1975. They recently celebrated their 36 year wedding anniversary - out of the darkness of Mary's tragedy at Cleveland, sunshine returned with the brilliance of a romance with Tom.