Thane - My First Ever Ceremony

It was December 15th 2007 and my first ever ceremony was for Thane, son of Anita and Neil, who had just turned 1(Thane that is). It was held at their property and about 15 of their family and friends attended. Below is the poem I wrote that day (if this was my first ceremony - perhaps my last will be Thane's wedding!

Thane

At this very hour a year ago

Watching the Ashes on hospital TV – you know

“well bowled Shane” the cry from McGrath

As Neil’s focus changed from cricket to cigar

Soon the soft sound of a new babe came

Parents bowled over by special bundle Thane

And through these months all have come to see

What a wonderful delight he has turned out to be

A happy observer, filled with the busyness of play

A social interactive whose smile just says “good day”

Older brother Riley – an artistic and literary delight

And middle son Blake whose sporting skills excite

Magic mother Nita – a vibrant raconteur, intelligent spirit grand

And proud father Neil’s wisdom and warmth continually expand

Stewart and Kim as Godparents privileged to be

With them happily in the wings he is in loved company

Now at this special place with folk who are so dear

We celebrate your coming – it’s been a brilliant year

As seasons pass and all come to know your name

May happiness forever have its origin in Thane

(by Peter Waterman)

Ring Warming

A ring warming ceremony is a nice way to involve everyone at the wedding and the idea behind it is quite inspiring. At the start of the ceremony I’d usually say “our bride and groom are going to exchange rings today as a sign of their love and commitment. We would like to pass the rings around; just hold them in your hand for a few seconds and wish them something that is good and beautiful for their marriage before passing them on to the next person. They ask that you don’t lose them.” This usually takes between 5-10 minutes and the rings always seem to be back at the front before the ring exchange happens.

My first daily quote (364 to go!)

My first daily quote (364 to go!): My first daily quote (364 to go!)

One in a Million Phone Call

Last year I received a phone call – the caller introduced herself as Cindy saying “this is a one in a million chance but three years ago I was travelling on a plane from Melbourne to Brisbane and I was sitting next to a celebrant and wondered if it was you?” Sure enough it was! At the time I had just conducted a wedding for a couple at the Botanic Gardens in Melbourne and was returning to Brisbane. Cindy happened to be returning to Brisbane after visiting her boyfriend Brian in Melbourne. Once it was established I was the person in question she exclaimed that she was now engaged and wanted me to be the celebrant at their wedding. She never knew my name but somehow found me online  and thought I looked familiar in my website photo. How special is that!

Cindy and Brian now live happily together in Brisbane and were to be getting married on the 10^th of the 10^th this year in the Glass House Mountains but the wedding will now be in Melbourne (on the same date) and they are still wanting me to attend and be their celebrant! Cindy kindly said that I was part of their story. It is indeed ironic that their wedding will be in Melbourne; I’m very much looking forward to it – I’m sure it will be a one in a million wedding as Cindy and Brian are both such engaging, warm, down to earth and fun loving people. Their story is a great one and I look forward to posting a photo of their wedding on my blog site later in the year. They have also invited Trish to attend but I guess on the flight back this time I won’t be sitting next to a prospective bride – I’ll have my very own as company!

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.