A wedding in Lovely Lorne

Alex & Jono love to spend their time at the beach.  So you can understand their disappointment when due to bad weather, they had to move their wedding from the beach at Lorne to indoors.

Luckily for them, their "Plan B" was equally impressive.  Perched on the third level, with floor to ceiling windows, guests were able to enjoy the ceremony with breathtaking vistas,  from the warmth and comfort of the beautiful space at View, at the Lorne Hotel. 

Alex & Jono's families have known each other for years. But it wasn't until a night out at the Beaumaris hotel, 10 years ago, that their friendship developed into something more.
Fast forward 10 years with Alex and her mum Julie making their entrance to the sound of Boy & Bear's version of "Fall at your feet".  It was just like the night at the Beaumaris hotel, Jono couldn't take his eyes off Alex as she made her way towards him.

Guests listened to the fun and lighthearted account of their love-story before Alex & Jono made incredibly heartfelt and sincere vows to each other.   But the highlight for me was Alex's infectious enthusiasm bubbling over as she waited for me to announce them "husband and wife".  It was such a lovely moment as she eagerly waited for those little magic words.

After the wedding, guests enjoyed an evening of celebration and fun which included an absolutely stunning sweet & lolly buffet supplied in a joint collaboration between the fabulous Shania from The Occasional Table Boutique Sweets and Styling and Creme de la Cakes.

It was wonderful to work with Julieanne Perara Photography who captured the day so perfectly.

Alex & Jono it was an absolute pleasure getting to know you and I enjoyed every single minute of your wonderful ceremony.

Celebrant        Fiona Garrivan

Photographer  Julieanne Perara Photography

Cake               Creme De La Cakes 

Desserts         The Occassional Table

Venue             The Lorne Hotel 

Lauren & Christian's magical winter wedding

Lauren & Christian met 6 years ago at a mutual friend's party and recently they said "I do" overlooking the picturesque Macedon Ranges at Roombas at Mt Aiken. 

This venue is the perfect location for a winter wedding with its roaring fires, warm atmosphere, candle lights and a beautiful ceremony space hidden deep inside the wine cellar.  

The lovely Kat & Dean from Undivided Images captured the mood and beautiful memories of the special day.  

As Lauren walked down the aisle to Roy Todd's "There is no feeling like this" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNiBeRaNtHM) she could not contain her excitement at seeing Christian. 

While Christian watched Lauren walk towards him, his eyes brimmed with so much love 

Lauren & Christian enjoyed soaking up the atmosphere of their ceremony and enjoyed every magical moment. 

The mood changed temporarily as Lauren & Christian made their beautiful and heartfelt vows to each other.  

Lauren promised that "You will always be free to be yourself, never judged and always loved"

While Christian promised to be a "caring and devoting husband and to treat you with the love and respect that you so well deserved" 

Before they sealed their vows with a kiss

And signing on the dotted line....... 

With the formalities taken care of, the happy couple spent some time with Undivided Images before rejoining their guests for an evening of fun and celebration

It has been wonderful getting to know Lauren & Christian.  They are so perfectly suited to one another.  

This was the day that they both worked together to create.  It was a privilege to watch them enjoying the ambience of this special winter evening & sharing in the happiness of their friends and family. 

It was perfect in every way. 

Thank you to Undivided Images for sharing these beautiful images. 

Celebrant               Fiona Garrivan

Photographer         Undivided Images

Venue                    Roombas at Mt Aitken

Wedding Cars       Triple R Luxury cars 

Shhhhh its a secret........

This past week has been very exciting in the world of secret weddings.  It has seen Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux surprise guests with their top secret wedding ceremony in their home in Bel Air. 

And I officiated a very special wedding ceremony for Carol & Marc who also surprised their guests that they were getting married.

Photo credit www.thedivabride.com 

For Carol & Marc, who are expats enjoying a holiday in Melbourne, they used the opportunity to invite a group of people who mean the most to them, to join them at the beautiful Tea Rooms at the European Restaurant for a special catch up lunch.  Marc used his welcome speech thanking everyone for coming along and to surprise guests by announcing that they had in fact been invited to a wedding. 

Photo credit: www.theeuropean.com.au

Their guests were genuinely delighted and erupted into spontaneous sounds of excitement and delight.  

Their ceremony was deeply intimate and a very personal occassion.  Their meaningful vows that they made to each other were filled with emotion and honesty resulting in free flowing happy tears from everyone. 

Carols vows included “I promise not to take you for granted, and to have honest conversations, even when they are tough conversations”

While Marc promised “I will ask for help when I need it, and offer help to you always”

Photo credit: www.pinterest.com. Photo credit: www.pinterest.com

The last 6 months have been a little crazy for Carol & Marc.  It has seen them live in separate countries for a number of months and have a jam packed travel schedule for work. 

During this busy time, they didn’t had much time to organise wedding rings.  To allow them to enjoy the process and choose something that each of them really want, after the wedding they plan to take each other shopping!

  

In the meantime, the rings that they exchanged during the ceremony were 2 rings  that they had made, on a memorable holiday in the Philippines a few years ago.

They were holidaying on an idyllic tropical island where they spent their days diving and disconnecting from the rest of the world.   A local man with a reputation as the Island Jeweller made these particular rings for them -  Marc’s was ‘hand forged’ out of a 50 cent coin, and Carol’s out of a 20 cent coin. 

So even though these wedding rings didn’t have great monetary value, their sentiment was priceless. 

Photo credit www.etsy.com

This wedding wasn’t a typical wedding for many reasons.  But it achieved what Carol & Marc wanted – a memorable, relaxed, intimate and romantic wedding.  It certainly maintained the meaning of it being about two people sharing a special day with their closest family and friends  – without the expectations or pressure. 

Celebrant   Fiona Garrivan

Venue        European Restaurant 

Nerma & Mark's Chateau Wyuna wedding

There is something very special about late summer weddings....

Nerma and Mark were married in March when the days were still warm but sliding towards Autumn, given their beautiful venue at Chateau Wyuna such richness of colour and warmth.  

Located in the foothills of the Dandenong Ranges, Chateau Wyuna is not only a beautiful reception venue but it offers so many varied and picturesque photo opportunities.  Making it the perfect venue for Nerma and Mark to say their "I do's"

Nerma and Mark spent the morning with their respective bridal party relaxing and enjoying the pre wedding preparations

Nerma's bridesmaids gowns complimented her dress which suited the beautiful bridesmaids perfectly and suited the natural surrounds of the ceremony venue.

Nerma is extremely organised and thanks to Enrik Limosines it was no surprise that she arrived on time, very eager to marry the love of her life.

Nerma was the epitome of elegance as she walked down the aisle with her very proud brother Norm.

Their ceremony was relaxed and lighthearted and guests responded with great interaction as they listen to stories from their journey over the last 8 years.

There is something very special about a grooms excitement on his wedding day.   I loved how Mark declared his excitement when he triumphly punched the air, when I invited the happy couple to "seal their vows with a kiss"

After the wedding, the happy couple and their bridal party spent a bit of time with their very talented photographer Jon from Millgrove photography, making the most of the late afternoon sun.

Nerma and Mark rejoined their guests for an evening of celebrations including heartfelt speeches, romantic first dances and a farewell circle.  

This wedding had it all.  Everything was perfect and all the planning and effort was worthwhile.   It was an honour to be part of this wonderful occasion.  Thank you Nerma and Mark for inviting me to play a small part in your special day.    

Thank you Jon from Millgrove photography for beautifully capturing this truly radiant wedding

Celebrant                Fiona Garrivan 
Photography           Millgrove Photography
Venue                     Chateau Wyuna 

Kassy & Gareth's Werribee Mansion Garden Wedding

With fading memories of warmer days, Kassy & Gareth's wedding takes me back to a beautiful sunny afternoon earlier this year. 

Friends & family gathered in the peaceful surrounds of the manicured gardens of Werribee Mansion for the wedding of this well respected and loved couple.

As guests mingled in the sunshine, Kassy & the girls put the finishing touches on getting ready at the Mansion before making their way to the gardens where the excitement levels were building, awaiting their arrival. 

Kassy was every inch the beautiful bride, looking radiant and stunning in her elegant and delicate gown 

On the arm of her proud father and with her bridesmaids, Kassy walked down the aisle to the haunting sounds of XX by The Angels.  Such a beautiful entrance song including the words 

"And with words unspoken

A silent devotion

I know you know what I mean

And the end is unknown

But I think I'm ready

As long as you're with me"

A picture can tell a thousand words.  This beautiful picture captures the very special moment between Kassy and her dad arriving at the top of the aisle to meet Gareth.  

During the ceremony, we acknowledge their parents as their greatest source of inspiration with each couple being married for over 30 years.  

I also recounted many significant moments from their journey together and the many special qualities that they love about each other.  

Then Kassy & Gareth recited sincere & personal vows with a touch of humour.  

Following their exchange of vows and rings, it was such a pleasure for me to announce them husband and wife.

This wonderfully stylish but relaxed wedding set the tone for the rest of the day.  

The newlyweds then spent some time with their very talented photographer Brown Paper Parcel who captured the essence of the day beautifully.  

Congratulations Kassy & Gareth and thank you for inviting me to play a part in your beautiful wedding.  It was truly an honour to conduct a ceremony for such a loving and warm couple.

Thank you for also taking the time to leave a review on Easyweddings.

"Fiona was warm and welcoming from the very start.  She made us feel comfortable through the whole process and most importantly on the day.  Fiona was very accommodating of the style of ceremony we wanted and worked with us to keep it light hearted and fun, which was the feedback we received from all of our guests".

Thank you to Jess from Brown Paper Parcel Photography for sharing these special moments from the day. 

Celebrant                         Fiona Garrivan

Venue                              Werribee Mansion 

Photographer                   Brown Paper Parcel Photography