Spunky and Pretty

 

This photo was taken by Lauren (thanks Lauren). Check out more of her photos www.facebook.com/LaurenBridePhotography

Weddings in your own home can be so much fun. Last Saturday 13^th October Sam and Brendan married in their backyard surrounded by near on 100 of their family and friends. The invitation said “spunky and pretty” and it certainly encouraged guests to come dressed in a vast array of colourful outfits. A highlight was the first row of guests, sitting in little chairs – their own children. Between them they have 7 children all aged 8 or under! Sam has 4 and Brendan 3. On one side were the 4 girls – Louelle, Hattie, Edie and Niah – all looking so very pretty in different coloured bright dresses and on the other the three boys – Archie, Edam and Darby in black waistcoats, black pants, white shirts and casual canvas shoes.

Sam and Brendan shared the most heartfelt of vows; certainly the best ever expressed formally in that garden; a couple of special people in their lives  shared reading (Paul Kelly’s lyrics – “Love is the Law” courtesy of Cindy and “An Irish Blessing” from Julie). The wedding was complemented by beautiful live music from friends Cal and Sharon.

 At weddings end there was a fun recession from the end of the back yard to the deck area during which time they were pelted with confetti, housed in brightly coloured cones. Fortunately no one tossed the whole cone. Seemingly for the next five years Brendan will be mowing confetti – each piece no doubt reminding him of that special day in October.

The yard was certainly decked out in that colourful theme (as the picture shows). What impressed me about the occasion is that everyone seemed to be so happy – there were many smiles and much laughter; indicative of how well Sam and Brendan were regarded by the guests.

Laughing at Someone's Hair Has Implications

Adam fancied Kyoko – they were colleagues studying together. One day Kyoko had a hair change – it was suddenly all frizzy. She walked into a room with many people  – Adam laughed; Kyoko was embarrassed – it seemed any hope of a relationship vanished for Adam. It was the end of the year and Kyoko returned to Japan.

When the next year arrived Adam felt he must apologise for laughing at Kyoko’s frizzy hair. He sent her an email with an apology for laughing saying he thought she was very beautiful. As a rider he said that if she “didn’t have a boyfriend, he’d like to be the one.” Happily she agreed and they came to know, respect and love each other over the years. There was however one occasion when Adam proposed on the top of Mt Cootha and Kyoko said “no.” Happily, after much prompting from Kyoko, Adam proposed again. He won some money in a cycle race, brought some flowers, came home and asked Kyoko to marry him. She was vacuuming at the time. On receiving his proposal she turned off the vacuum cleaner and began to cry. Luckily they were tears of joy.

Kyoko and Adam were married last Friday on the top of Mt Cootha. Guests came from Japan, throughout Queensland and some even from Brisbane to celebrate with them. Below is a Japanese poem that was shared on the day. I think it speaks beautifully of a very loving couple. One of the things that inspired me about them is that they do something special for each other every day.

Sublime

Two hands held tightly
Unconsciously welded together
Two lives now one
I am proud to walk with you
Overjoyed to share this world with you
My delight is abundant
My love sublime

Daichi Matsui

 

Linking Wedding Invitaions/Ceremony/Reception

Jess and Matt’s wedding was an interesting one. When they sent out the invitations they asked everyone when they responded to say “what are important qualities that make a great marriage.”

They collated everyone’s responses and gave me a spread sheet of peoples answers asking me to use a selection in my welcome. Later only in the ceremony, they held hands, some special words were said and a piece of ribbon draped over their hands. On the ribbon was written the most common responses that people gave to the question asked eg communication, trust, honest, friendship etc.

When the reception began and people were looking at a map of where they were sitting the tables were labelled with the major qualities mentioned eg some were assigned the communication table etc. This was truly a brilliant way to involve people and to link invitations/ceremony/reception.

 Below are the words that were used in the “ribbon ceremony.”

Celebrant Peter:

 These qualities, mentioned by all here, will no doubt be imbued in the marriage of Jess and Mark forever.

And

These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime of happiness. 

These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes: tears of sorrow and tears of joy. 

These are the hands that will comfort you in illness, and hold you when fear or grief racks your mind.  

These are the hands that will hold you tight as you struggle through difficult times.

These are the hands that will give you support and encourage you to chase your dreams. Together, everything you wish for can be realized

Today we bind these hands with this ribbon and tie a knot symbolising your connection to each other which will be coloured brightly forever

Laughter - That's What's On

One of the traits I see as a key indicator of their future success of a couple is the ability to laugh and have fun with each other. I must say also that I have rarely not seen this. To see couples laughing together, and sometimes at their own foibles makes you want to laugh to. One such couple were Lara and Brenton Watson who were married in the Broadway Chapel, Woolloongabba. They epitomised that spirit of fun, both have a great sense of humour and their wedding ceremony certainly captured that spirit; their vows emphasising the importance of fun in their relationship. Along with family and friendship the three F’s no doubt provide a foundation for their marriage. Here are their vows:

Brenton:              I wanna make you smile whenever you are sad

Carry you around when your arthritis is bad

I’ll get medicine when your tummy aches

Build you a fire when the heater breaks

I’ll give you my coat when you are cold

Even let you hold my remote control

So let me do the dishes in the kitchen sink

Put you to bed if you’ve had too much to drink

I will be the man who grows old with you

All I wanna do is grow old with you

Lara:                                      Brenton, eight years ago you captured my heart by being exactly who you are. The sweetest, most loving, compassionate, and funniest person I have ever known. You have been my best friend through the good and the bad. You have been the reason that I smile and you have given comfort beyond measure when I have cried. I’m not sure a lifetime is long enough to return all you have given to me, but I promise the rest of my days I’ll spend by your side: to laugh with you and cry with you, to believe in you and support you. Together we are better than we could ever hope to be alone, and today I give you my love, my trust, and my fidelity forever. You will ALWAYS be the best part of my day.

The family that laughs together, lasts together.

Ode to Billie Jean - Our Feline Queen

Billie Jean - our feline queen

sleeps contented - dappled sunlight bathing her amidst the rosella bushes

A ginger tiger, leaping so fine

Purring so proudly, cat friend of mine

Family with Trish since 12 weeks old

The outdoors and garden where she slept and she strode

The age of 19, not good for this cat

Fits, infections, eye popping out, losing all fat

A heart wrenching decision to curtail suffering

Putting her down life’s cruellest ending

The kindly cat clinic receptionist to a vacant room ushered us  through

Our watery tears hidden from public view

“is it time up for this little Lady?”asked dear Alison the vet

We nodded and stroked Billie Jean filled with regret

Billie had a tube inserted into the vein

Alison  placed our loved cat on Trish’s lap numbing the strain

Into the syringe the purple liquid like lava down the tube flows

Billie’s head drops  and sudden death shows

 “she’s gone” Alison caringly remarks after checking her heart

The silence of sadness speaks of no more

Purring, or dribbling, or patting  or leaping into laps

Wrapped in a sheet and placed in a Robins kitchens bag

We brought Billie home  and busied ourselves preparing her place

Burying her under the rosella bushes

Farewell  Billie Jean – our feline queen

sleep forever in your paradise

RIP 10^th May 2012

Couple and Both Sets of Parents Married on Same Day

Michelle and Joe were married two weeks ago (14th April) at Siromet winery. Amazingly Joe's parents( Kim and Petsie) were celebrating their 33rd wedding anniversary that day and Michelle's parents (Greg and Debbie) were celebrating their 28th anniversary. Michelle and Joe had not planned to get married on their parents' wedding anniversaries but when Siromet said they had 4 dates available for weddings in 2012 and one was April 14th how could they resist! The parents have vowed that in future they will not be doing baby sitting on their anniversary!

(Picture above shows from left Kim, Petsie, Joe, Michelle, Debbie and Greg with halos of sun beaming down; no doubt blessing this almighty of coincidences)

Trevor Sings His Vows

The wedding of Jane and Trevor happened in the beautiful front garden of Jane’s parents house at Burbank in Queensland. They live on a five acre property so there was room aplenty and, in fact, several different locations were discussed for the ceremony, including during the week some indoor options if it rained.

They decided not to share their vows with each other beforehand (many couples do). Trevor let me in on a secret – he was going to sing his vows – the only people who knew these were his groomsmen, myself and the guitarist/musician. So, when it came time for the vows I introduced Trevor to say his. To Janes absolute surprise, and probably everyone there, he began singing, accompanied by the guitarist. The words were meaningful but also funny. There was much laughter as Trevor continued singing. I must say he has an excellent voice and thoroughly entertained everyone. The surprising finale came with the singing of the last chorus; the groomsmen reached behind them and grabbed musical instruments, like maracas, shakers etc and enthusiastically joined in with Trevor; singing the playing. There was great applause after the song and Jane just had this beaming smile all over her face. She then said her vows and it started pouring with rain. I told everyone that we would vacate and resume the wedding out the back under cover and 10 minutes later they were able to exchange rings, do their compulsory vows and I was able to pronounce them husband and wife.

As a celebrant, Trevor is the only person that I have witnessed that has sung the vows but I think surprises and something different can make a ceremony special. (In the next blog I will talk about my wedding with Trish).