Saturday, October 03, 2009
Bev and Brent were married in the rainforest at Bonville International Golf Resort. A beautiful setting underneath a big old gum tree.

The last few days have been hot and the air filled with smoke. Last night it rained which freshened up the air and brought a few patches of blue sky. The day was perfect for getting married in the garden with not a rain cloud in sight.
Bev and Brent's little boy, Jedd, looked handsome in his mini suit and he was held by Bev's family during the ceremony. I did see grandma at some stage after the ceremony taking him for a little walk to get him off to sleep.

They had a beautiful ceremony that suited them to a T and then they were heading back to Bev's parents place for the reception. The clouds have come over but I think they will be blessed with a dry night for partying under the stars.

Congratulations Mr and Mrs Dyer!

Friday, October 02, 2009
Chris and Jean had planned to have their wedding at 3.30pm at the end of the Jetty in Coffs Harbour.  A great spot but prone to the wind coming from either direction. It was pretty blowy the day of the rehearsal but we had fun pacing it out and working out how Jean's three children were going to escort her down the aisle to Chris alongside her brother.

I received a call at 2pm today to say they had moved the venue to under the casuarina trees just on the northern side of the jetty foreshores. A lovely little spot which is quite sheltered and also shady. When I arrived at 2.50pm there were a couple of tall white Bali flags flapping in the wind and a long white carpet to walk down the aisle. There was also a fabulous trio playing.

Thursday, October 01, 2009
Shannon and Lee's wedding was held two hours after Bev and Brent's wedding at the rainforest at Bonville. I had a lovely quiet time sitting in the forest waiting for their guests to arrive. The friendly resort staff arrived and set up the vases for the sand ceremony on a separate table and the big bubble machines. The decorators came and put another ten metres of red carpet down the aisle and some white flowing fabric on stands to define the walk in.

We held onto the bag of rose petals until all the guests were seated. I then invited Dianne and Judy (the mother of the groom and the mother of the bride) to scatter the petals along the red carpet as they called out blessings. I heard Judy request a couple of times, 'lots of children'!

Lee and the girls had been running a bit behind schedule and then when they were leaving to come they realised they had left the bouquets behind so had to turn back to get them. We received a text message saying they were running half an hour late so I advised the guests. Many of the guests took the opportunity to grab a cold drink and use the bathrooms. They were all back in time for Lee's elegant arrival. The girls were in bright blue dresses which looked very fresh against the green of the forest.

During the ceremony we invited the mums to come forward to share a sand ceremony with blue and white sand being poured into one vase that had Lee and Shannon's names engraved on it. Dianne, Judy, Lee and Shannon all poured one container each into the big vase. The coloured layers looked really lovely and will be a great memento of their special wedding day.

We all received another special memento -  a beautiful order of service booklet which was different to any others I have seen. There was a small paragraph included about each of the bridal party - how they had met them and why they had been chosen - it added a very personal touch.

I also was blessed to meet up with Claire and Jack (and young boy, Joshua) who I had married a few years ago down on the beach not far from here - they are about to move into their new home - congratulations!

Shannon and Lee headed off down to the golf green to have their wedding photo's taken as I took my leave to head to the Jetty.

Congratulations Lee and Shannon!

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Beach weddings at this time of year are such a treat. It's not too hot in the sun and there is a gentle breeze blowing from the north.

I was just cleaning up some files and I found these words that I wrote for a ceremony a few years ago.

The grains of sand under your feet represent the countless moments that have brought you to this place in time: your experiences, your friendships, your family, your journeys. They also represent the many days you will share together.

The ocean represents the endless supply of love that is present and while at times things may get wild and woolly like crashing waves, your love, like the ocean, is always present, and calm will come again.

The changing ebb and flow of the tides represents the inevitable changes within the constancy of your love.
The rocks represent the strength of your individual self that you can both rely upon in times of need.

Let the gentle breeze remind you not to take things too seriously and to let your hair down and laugh often.

The sun represents the warmth and passion of your friendship and love. Let it shine on!
(or if its cloudly/rainy... even though today it is cloudy, your love like the sun will always shine)

There are lots of inspiring ideas in my latest e-book on creating personalised and unique blessings and readings. Read more here.

Hope you have a great day today... I am in spring cleaning mode... clearing up 15 years of wedding files on my computer. Yay!
Cheers, Wendy

Monday, September 28, 2009
In my file clean-up I rediscovered another part of a ceremony that I had written some time back:

Since you first met your friendship has grown from strength to strength. You have shared many wonderful moments and created a fabulous history together. In the planning towards your wedding day and the writing your own vows you have become aware of your intentions and values that give meaning to this ceremony and also to the marriage itself. You have considered the direction you wish to travel and the vision that you wish to sustain.

You both deeply value the honesty, trust and respect that you uphold in your friendship; and your intentions are that you wish the very best for each other; that you will be kind and considerate in the ways in which you communicate; that you will be generous in giving thanks and, if conflict comes, that you will strive to fight fairly; that you will respect each other as the very best of friends; that you will share and care for each other through all that comes - the good times and the challenges; and that you both wish to have a beautiful family and grow old together holding hands for many years to come.

Wendy Haynes

Sunday, September 27, 2009
Simone and Phil have two beautiful children, Stephanie and Quinn. They moved up to Coffs Harbour from Sydney a few years ago - so they had to find a new celebrant to conduct Quinn's ceremony - I was very happy to be able to work with them. They gave me so much to work with and the naming ceremony was fantastic. The ceremony was held at Boambee Reserve which is a popular spot for naming ceremonies as it is so protected from the winds. It has also become a very special place for the Evans family as they have had many family picnics here.

Phil and Simone asked me to open the ceremony with a reading that comes from my book on being an inspiring godparent/mentor

Children are truly fresh beings

They come to us as shining lights

With their innocent faces and open hearts

No story, no words can convey where they have come from

and their future is as yet untold

They place in us a great deal of trust

Trust that we will hold them close and care for them

Trust that we will treat them with respect

and honour them for who they are

It is our duty as parents and supporting adults

to offer them our love, care and support;

and to help guide the way

Like a fresh canvas

or a new song waiting to be sung

children carry within them an awesome potential

We, as supporting adults,

also carry an awesome potential

to enrich a child’s life in a heartfelt and meaningful way

And in return receive the precious gift of a child's trust and friendship.

They had chosen three godparents, Susan, Nick and Shelley, for Quinn who all accepted the responsibility willingly and with such enthusiasm. They had prepared a few words to share after they had formally accepted the role. Susan read out a reading called, A child learns what he lives, by Dorothy Law Nolte. The reading finishes with: If a child lives with acceptance and friendship, they learn to find love in the world.

Nick then declared, on behalf of Shelley and himself, their promises of care, support and love to Quinn which was also really touching.

The blessings from the godparents was followed by a candle lighting ceremony which comes from one of the ceremonies in my book, How to Create an Inspiring Naming Ceremony

Simone had bought six smaller candles that had Quinn's photograph and name on them as well as a big 'family' candle. Each person read out a special blessing as the candle was lit. Phil and Simone had had a candle ceremony at their wedding and Stephanie's naming day.

Everyone clapped and cheered as I formally welcomed this beautiful young child, Quinn, to his family and friends.

Congratulations to the Evans Family!!

Stephanie took her role of signatory on Quinn's certificate very seriously.



Congratulations also to Simone for taking third place in the Physie women's comps the night before!

Saturday, September 26, 2009
Jeff and Jayne are a fabulous couple - enthusiastic, fun, grounded, playful ... It was Jeff's 50th and they were having a party to celebrate... and while they had all their dearest family and friends around them they wanted to get married.

Surprise weddings are great if they are planned well... and if you can keep a secret.

I always recommend that couples tell immediate family - parents, siblings and children. It can be such a shock otherwise. I will never forget my first 'surprise' wedding which happened when I was a very green celebrant. (Note: it can only be a surprise to the guests not to either of the parties to the marriage - this is not legally allowed).

A couple asked me to turn up to his birthday party and make the announcement that in actual fact, it was a wedding. They hadn't told anybody - not a soul other than me and their two witnesses. They had five teenage children from their previous relationships and one of the daughters went into total shock - she cried and was angry and could not be consoled. It was an eye opener for me.

It made me aware of the need to tell those closest to the bridal party and those who may need to know for travel arrangements or ... turning up on time.
At another surprise wedding we made the announcement before the 'bride' arrived at her 'engagement' party. The dash for mobile phones was hilarious as everyone texted their friends to get to the party NOW as it was going to be a wedding not just an engagement party.

Back to Jeff and Jayne ... I arrived to the hotel in my party frock and not my usual celebrant attire - I had all the documents in a present bag and tucked it way somewhere safe behind the counter. Then I proceeded to chat around the room - first port of call was another couple that I had married a few years earlier who also had a surprise wedding!  Ross and Jeannette shared with me after the ceremony that she thought something was up when she read the birthday party invite asking everyone to turn up at 5.30pm SHARP! She said that made her suspicious ... and then seeing me confirmed it!

I announced that I was going to be the MC for Jeff and Jayne and then said a few words about Jeff's 50th and got everyone singing 'Happy Birthday' and then it was also Jayne's mum and dad's 55th Wedding Anniversary so we also applauded them. This acknowledgement made it very easy to lead into announcing the surprise. Everyone laughed and cheered!

It was a great evening and I bumped into Max later (Max had been the instigator of their relationship many years earlier when he introduced Jayne to Jeff) and he said that he and he wife had never guessed what was coming but that it was a such a beautiful way to celebrate.

Congratulations Jeff and Jayne! Keep on laughing together!

Friday, September 25, 2009
I love conducting ceremonies and catching up with couples I have married before. Today, at Renee and Greg's wedding, I had the pleasure of meeting again with the bride's sister, Sarah (who was one of the lovely bridesmaids) and her husband Dane, and their two beautiful boys, Jack and Luke. As soon as I get the photo from Scott Carle I will post it here. I conducted Sarah and Dane's wedding ceremony nearly three years ago on the same beach as Renee and Greg.

They are such a lovely family - parents, grandparents... all there with big smiles..

Big hugs to your beautiful family and congratulations on moving into your new home at Griffith!

Friday, September 25, 2009
I met Dave and Kristy on one of my trips up to Brisbane earlier in the year. We chatted in the 'Jam 4012 Cafe' in Nundah about their wedding plans and what they were looking forward to. Over the following months we emailed ideas back and forth - they had some great thoughts about what they wanted. They had two very close friends sing during the signing so I ensured that, when Dave and Kristy sat down at the register table, they took the time to listen to Allison and Susan sing before starting. It was very beautiful and everyone gave the ladies a big round of applause when they had finished.

Dave and Kristy had planned their ceremony to be near the waters edge at Charlesworth Bay. However, with the big dust storms and gusting winds, we decided to bring the ceremony under the casuarina trees - it was protected from the wind and quieter as well.

Kristy arrived in an Coffs Classic Car - an old Armstrong Siddley. You couldn't ask for a nicer chauffeur than the owner, Warren. Kristy and her bridesmaids dresses were highlighted by the two beautiful cars - the same soft green tones!

It was an emotional wedding and there were tears all round. The girls walked into the music of Pachabel's Canon so there was plenty of time to come from the car park along the beach track to the ceremonial area. Kristy's dad walked beside her and then as they came to the front row of chairs Kristy's mum stood up and walked the last small section to where Dave was standing. There were hugs and kisses all round and as Kristy's parents took a seat I walked over and escorted Dave's mum to the front where she too, was able to give them both her blessings. It was really lovely... and Pachabel's Canon was playing throughout adding a softness to the moment.



It was with lots of applause that I pronounced David and Kristy to be husband and wife and they were showered with lots of love and rose petals on their way out!



Congratulations Dave and Kristy Muchow.

(PS Tip for celebrants: always ask the pronunciation of your couple's name ... even if you think you know.
David's surname is pronounced Moko (as in smoko!). Dave's mum and brother shared with me, when we were chatting after the ceremony, the many variations they have heard of their name. She was delighted I got it right! I always write names like 'Muchow' phonetically in my wedding ceremony sheets).

I remember when I married a young Maori gentleman, I walked around the house singing his surname so I would get it right on the day. It was very long and a trick for me to get my tongue around it... by the time I had a few days of speaking it out aloud I was fine!)

Friday, September 25, 2009
Today was the perfect day in paradise. The ocean was bright blue and flat, there was a slight breeze from the north and the sun was warm. Renee and Greg's wedding down on Sawtell beach was playful and fun. Renee's cheekiness shone out! Greg and Renee complement each other well.

Renee looked stunning in her taffeta dress with long train and veil - the wind gently billowing them both out behind her. Renee's bridesmaids were dressed in the most beautiful green short dresses. Greg and Renee chose three readings for their wedding today: Love by Roy Croft and Some Friends are Forever by Laurieanne Kelly.

The last reading, by an anonymous author, was called True Love. A close friend, Caren, read it out after they had signed the certificates and before I closed the ceremony.

True love is a sacred flame
that burns eternally
and none can dim its special glow
or change its destiny
True love speaks in tender tones
and hears with gentle ear
True love gives with open heart
and true love conquers fear
True love makes no harsh demands
It neither rules nor binds
And true love holds with gentle hands
The hearts that it entwines

As I write this Greg and Renee are out on Sawtell Headland having their photos taken with local photographer, Scott Carle, and enjoying the sunset and getting ready to party tonight!

Congratulations Renee and Greg!!