10 Things I Love About Weddings

1.       Meeting a new couple for the first time and finding out their story.

2.       Talking over ideas for a couple’s wedding – running through my wedding pack.

3.       Discussing and drafting the ceremony with a couple at the second meeting.

4.       Asking a couple questions in order to write a personal poem of their journey together. By doing this I feel that I really “get to know” a couple. I am amazed and humbled at the openness of couples in sharing their journeys with me.

5.       Writing the ceremony or receiving written ideas from the couple, particularly the couple’s vows. While the basic structure is often the same, each ceremony is different and each couple usually include something unique in their ceremony.

6.       Meeting a couple in the week before the wedding – they are filled with excitement and it is enjoyable to run through the ceremony with them and ensure they are comfortable with it.

7.       Arriving at the ceremony – greeting the groom and enjoying the space while setting up. Weddings are always in magnificent settings and I get to see them all while working in them!  Greeting the bride on her arrival is always special.

8.       Performing the ceremony - this is the most enjoyable part.  The hard work has been done and everyone can enjoy and celebrate the occasion. I like to use a bit of humour to help set a relaxed mood.

9.       Pronouncing a couple as “husband and wife”.  There is always a warm and lovely feeling at this time.

10.   Taking in the congratulatory spirit at the end of the ceremony; farewelling the couple and their families; and always thinking “wow, I really do have the best job in the world!"

THE CHOCOLATE PROPOSAL

While travelling Sarah and Lucas called in to Koko Black Boutique Chocolate Shop in Melbourne. They happened to be Sarah’s favourite chocolates. Lucas had previously arranged with the owner to arrive on a certain day, wearing certain clothes and asking for a box of their chocolates. Lucas told Sarah that a friend of theirs had asked him to buy a box for them. They then proceeded on their journey, travelling the Great Ocean Road and they stopped for the night at Apollo Bay (Beacon’s Point) This was to be the romantic night Lucas had planned.  Even though Sarah was unwell he plugged on regardless!

He purchased a bottle of wine that cost over sixty dollars but Sarah was in no mood for drinking (so Lucas had to drink it). It was a cold night so Lucas lit a wood fire nearly smoking them out. Things were not going well! Then he asked Sarah if she would like a chocolate. Now this she could not refuse – especially her favourite Koko Black. He presented her with a box, she opened it only to find letters piped on the individual chocolates. She turned the box to read them – “Will you marry me?” they asked. There was a ring too – it was everything she ever wanted; she happily said yes (although not via chocolates) and Lucas happily polished off the wine.

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