Monday, October 26, 2009

Sunday, October 25, 2009
I met Adrian and Jenna for the first time on Friday at the Casay Bar at Aanuka. They were very excited to be over from Griffith with all their family. Both families are involved in the wine industry following family tradition so needless to say, so are Adrian and Jenna.

We chatted about the big weddings in Griffith... its nothing to have 500 guests. A little different to here in Coffs Harbour, which on average, a wedding reception would be considerably smaller... around the 80-100 mark.

We added a few more ideas to their vows which made it perfect for them.

It was 3.30pm and the afternoon thunderstorm that had been threatening for the last few days started to spit. Big fat drops but not enough to call it off... yet.
There were patches of blue sky pushing the clouds forward north and everyone was hoping that, just maybe, it might pass. Neither, the wedding decorators, the resort staff, the photographer nor myself could decide to make the call to move it to the indoor venue because it could have gone either way. They really wanted to have it outdoors.

We waited until 4.10... the bride was happy to wait for a moment... and then sure enough it was OK. In fact, the sun came out and it was rainbow material!

It was a beautiful ceremony with both of them saying their vows looking deeply into each others eyes.
One of their lines was: 'I look into your eyes and I feel a sense of calm and reassurance'. All around them was quiet when they spoke that to each other. I could see how moved their parents were.

It was with great pleasure that I pronounced them to be husband and wife.

Congratulations!

Three weddings at Aanuka -  a busy day and on the count down now as my days as a full time celebrant are coming to a close! I am so going to miss the beautiful staff and people that I see out there. I have conducted a few ceremonies for some of them and made good acquaintances as well, that I love to say hi to.

Sunday, October 25, 2009
Cool Photographer!   Scott Carle

I arrived at the Aanuka beach-side lawns at 2pm and it was still clear skies although the clouds were building up on the horizon. It was hot and humid and pushing for a thunderstorm but still an hour or so away. The boys had three piece suits on so we stayed in the shade for as long as possible. When the time came to move out to the ceremonial area a big cloud passed in front of the sun. Yay! It was so much more bearable and there was a nice breeze from the ocean.

We had a few hiccups with no bubbles for the flower girls and page boys - fortunately I carry a supply in my bag so they were happy - they zig zagged across the lawn until finally they were guided safely down the aisle. Then Bec's bridesmaids, in brilliant sky blue dresses, joined us at the front followed by Bec and her dad.

They had another little page boy bring forward their vows which were on cards, and another brought the rings forward. It was great to have so many young people involved. Josh, Bec's nephew, 10 years old, was amazing. He memorised the Apache Wedding Blessing and recited it clearly and loudly to Jon and Bec at the end of the ceremony. It was beautifully presented - I take my hat off to him for putting in the practice - it certainly paid off. He then stepped forward and shook Jon's hand and kissed Bec. He got a well deserved round of applause.

Jon and Bec were relaxed and enjoyed a good laugh during the vows when Bec thought she was going to break down in a mass of tears... she responded with a funny, 'hello, what's going on here' comment which allowed a bit of lightheartedness to come.

Jon dropped Bec's ring as he was about to place it on her finger and it landed on the grass... to which I spontaneously responded that we were now going to do an earth blessing, to bring strength and a sense of being grounded into the marriage... which they both loved.

Rings on and vows exchanged... it was my pleasure to pronounce them husband and wife!
Kiss,kiss and more kisses. Congratulations!

Monday 26.10.09
I just had a great message from Bec and Jon...

'Thank you for a wonderful day. We have had endless comments about how beautiful our ceremony was! You truly made our day special.
Thank you, thank you, thank you! Love Bec & Jon.

Sunday, October 25, 2009
It is a glorious day here in paradise ... blue skies and flat ocean. I have just come home from Sue and Wayne's wedding at Aanuka Beach Resort. It was lots of fun - they have been such a friendly couple to work with. They just wanted something very simple and no fuss. After a few discussions with them we finalised the ceremony and it was perfect. They included the hand holding ceremony:

Sue and Wayne you have had your fair share of challenges and an abundant amount of joy, and after all these years, I know you love each other even more than when you first met. It is in this spirit that they now stand before us.

Your hands together will nurture your love and your relationship. Hold each other and gently hug one another often. In times of struggle, may they help you to relax and feel safe and loved. In times of joy, may they join in celebration. May these hands that are given to the other freely and without reservation be blessed with strength and tenderness. May these hands continue to build a relationship founded in grace, rich in caring, and devoted to loving. May they always be held by one another for many more years to come.

Sue and Wayne, may you have many more years of holding hands!
Congratulations!!

Saturday, October 24, 2009
Josh and Nicole chose the magical forest setting out at Friday Creek Retreat for the Saturday afternoon wedding. They opted to hold the ceremony under the shade of the Casuarina trees by the creek that winds past the front of the property. There is a beautiful island however it is the full sun. Rob, their photographer, took them over there for photographs later in the afternoon.

Nicole arrived in a beautiful old 1926 Chevrolet which was perfect for the setting and her bridesmaids were in a pear green coloured Armstrong Siddeley.

They were running a bit late after a slow trip up Red Hill which was perfect as the iPod had been left behind so it gave us time to retrieve that and have it ready just as she was turning the corner into the property. Perfection!

The ceremony was simple and elegant with beautiful flowers by Bonnie - stunning roses, orchids and oriental lilies. (I married Deon and Bonnie a few years ago!)

You could sense their nervousness as they said their vows which were beautiful, and then exchanged their rings, which Nicole's brother, Michael, presented.

Congratulations Josh and Nicole!!

Thursday, October 22, 2009
It was a hot afternoon out in the sun at The Betting Tee, at Novotel Pacific Bay when we did the rehearsal on Wednesday, so it was a relief that the afternoon storm clouds crept over today. It's always lovely to see local photographer, David Moore, who was there with a big smile on his face!

Nathan and Aleisha's wedding was a small gathering which just their closest family and friends joining us. It was beautiful. Their bridal party, Frazer and Belinda, walked down the aisle first, followed by Nathan and Aleisha holding their beautiful daughter, Isabel. They joined me at the front under a beautiful bamboo canopy that was covered with soft white floating fabric. The lagoon behind us sparkled with the mountains as a backdrop.

Sherryn, Aleisha's cousin, asked me to read Judy Beilecki's poem about Friendship which they enjoyed. The first two lines are:

It is often said that it is love that makes the world go round. However, without doubt, it is friendship which keeps our spinning existence on an even keel.

Nathan and Aleisha are on a very even keel and share a beautiful friendship which flows through to their daughter, Isabel.

After the signing they were served champagne and nibblies on the golf green.
Congratulations!

Tuesday, October 20, 2009
I found this quote on the site 'Heavenly quotes'

'Cartoonist Arthur Brisbane once pictured a crowd of grieving caterpillars carrying the corpse of a cocoon to its final resting place. The poor, distressed caterpillars, clad in black raiment, were weeping, and all the while the beautiful butterfly fluttered happily above the muck and the mire of Earth, forever freed from its earthly shell.

Needless to say, Brisbane had the average funeral in mind and sought to convey the idea that when our loved ones pass, it is foolish to remember only the cocoon and concentrate our attention on the remains, while forgetting the bright butterfly.'

Sunday, October 18, 2009
7am: Walking along the south Coffs Island is just one of the treats of living here in paradise. I could be miles from anywhere... a tropical island, cliffs of Scotland, Ireland, south of France, northern Queensland... and yet, here I am in my backyard. I love the wilderness and quiet spaces we have here in Coffs Harbour. I met up with my close friend, Beth, and we walked and chatted about life... and the funeral book that is nearing completion. She had been proof reading my work and I deeply appreciate her input. We sat in the early morning sun in lee of the wind watching the whales pass by and the magnificent ocean reach for miles and miles. Following the path around the foreshores we headed to the Sunday markets at the Jetty.  I bumped into Marisa, who I have conducted a ceremony for her and her beautiful daughter two years ago.

Time to go home and have breakfast on the deck with my daughter, Naomi...

2pm: I met with Sue and Wayne at the resort to sight their certificates and finalise the details with them for next weekend's wedding. They are a very funny couple so we had a few laughs about possible options ...with Wayne's new denture and the kissing!

It was a day of catching up with couples I had married... Michael and Donna (who I married yesterday) and their families were enjoying Sunday Jazz at Aanuka - they had a great night last night and Michael and Donna surprised everyone with a great wedding dance... they have promised to email me the clip so I will post it to the blog when I get it. I also got to hug Chonny and Russell who I married a few years ago ... on the beach side lawns at the resort - they both work at Aanuka and I love seeing them nearly every weekend. Jamie Martin one of the band members in Coastal Soul was there as well. I had the pleasure of marrying Amy and Jamie also a few years ago. I also caught up with a very beautiful young teenager, whose step fathers funeral I had conducted last year. We shared a very quiet but special relationship so I enjoyed giving Tess a big hug as well as she was on her way down to the beach.

A very social day... and it's only just beginning.

The local photographer, David Thorn arrived so I knew the bride was not far away. I invited the family to come to the ceremonial area. We removed the big shade umbrella as the threatening storm clouds had rolled over and they now provided us with relief from the sun. Without the umbrella it makes photos and movement so much easier. Now as long as it doesn't rain!

It was a small wedding with 12 guests attending and they were very relaxed and waiting in the Casay Bar as Dave hadn't arrived yet. At 3.30pm Charlie and his best man, Dave, still weren't there.. I didn't feel concerned about whether he would or not... just when? I went to see Lauren up at reception and she just laughed not believing she had got there before him! She was relaxed and took a seat. All was well, Charlie and Dave arrived and we began. Lauren walked in to the soundtrack, 'When a man loves a woman...' It was beautiful.

We wrote a beautiful reading for the ceremony that captured the meaning of love and marriage based upon their thoughts on the same.

Love is enjoying one another
giving generously and openly
Love is exciting and wondrous
It is intimacy and a close friendship
It is cherishing each other

Love is wondrous
Love is inspiring
Love is blissful

Marriage is love
It is devotion and consideration
Marriage is companionship and unity
Love and Marriage are for eternity

They exchanged their wedding rings and vows as their little boy, Jai, played in the front row with his uncle. He was very happy. Charles and Lauren were very happy!


Charlies and Lauren may you be blessed with good health and a vibrant friendship. May you continue to enjoy the love and support of your family and friends. May you continue to expand the family tree and enjoy watching your family grow (they are expecting a second baby in five months). May you be blessed with lots of love, laughter, peace and happiness. Congratulations Charles and Lauren!

Saturday, October 17, 2009
Married at Breakfree Aanuka Beach Resort, Coffs Harbour

I met Michael and Donna at the resort on Thursday  just for a quick chat and to touch base with them both. It was lovely to meet them and their ten month old son, Jag. A quiet and serious looking bub.

We completed all the legal paperwork, sighting their original certificates and signing the required statutory declaration. All of their friends were starting to arrive at the resort so we closed our meeting and confirmed the rehearsal time for Friday.

Friday afternoon was glorious so we were able to run through the ceremony on the beachside lawns at Aanuka. Donna was walking into Regina Spektor singing Lennon's song Real Love. Donna had five little ones walking in and five bridesmaids so the timing had to be perfect to ensure there was enough music for the bride. We went through it four times until they were happy with how it unfolded. It makes such a difference to rehearse the walking in - pure elegance and also confidence.

Today, the wedding day, was yet another glorious day in paradise with a slight breeze from the north.

The eldest flower girl, Hope, pulled a little trolley down the aisle that had been covered in white fabric and lined with a cushion... with Jag relaxing in the back. He was mellow and enjoyed the ride to the front where his dad, Michael was waiting.

The ceremony celebrated their friendship and also their family union. They honoured both of their parents which touched the four parents deeply.

They exchanged their rings declaring: 'I place this ring on your finger as a symbol of my love for you, and my commitment to you. Please wear this ring with faith and trust that i will always love you and respect you'.

LittleJag joined them after they had kissed and signed the register and certificates.

Congratulations to you both

Saturday, October 17, 2009
Married 17th October 2009 at Nautilus Beach Resort, Coffs Harbour, NSW

I had only met Chris very briefly once during the eight months they had me booked for their wedding. Chris is a truckie, on the road a lot away from home, so I worked primarily with his fiance, Kim. Kim is a beautiful mum of their two gorgeous girls, Kayla and Hailey and they would come around to discuss the wedding plans.

Kim knew what she wanted so it was a pleasure to create the ceremony together. One of the important things she requested was giving Hailey, their 6 year old, the opportunity to say a few words if she felt comfortable, so I wrote the following reading based upon my conversations with Hailey.

My mum and dad love Kayla and me
And I jump for cuddles when I hear the door
My dad is home and we wrestle and play
and my mum tucks us in at the end of the day
I love my mum and I love my dad
Today, their wedding day, makes me very happy
Forever and ever we are a family.

At the rehearsal yesterday, Hailey was very shy and changed her mind  - she didn't want to read it. We agreed that was OK and we would see how she felt on the day. Today was a different story. Dad was there (Chris had only arrived back from a trip to Sydney last night at 11pm so he wasn't at the rehearsal with us. I arrived early to their ceremony today to rehearse his vows and discuss the lay out). Hailey ran over to her dad when I invited her forward, Chris knelt down and she climbed into his lap and read it clearly and slowly. It was beautiful. Everyone gave her a big round of applause when she finished. It was a special touch.

Kayla, their three year old, had her moment when she walked down the aisle before mum, basket in hand. When it came time to scatter the petals, she unceremoniously delighted in just turning the basket upside down and shaking them onto the carpet. It was precious as she was so enjoying it.

Kim and Chris had perfect weather, blue sunny skies and a slight breeze from the north. They exchanged their vows and rings (with Chris adlibbing, 'Kim please don't lose this ring!', which made her laugh).

Drinks and nibblies were served by the friendly staff at Nautilus Beach Resort while Kim and Chris went for photos on the beach.

Congratulations!