Tag: Bendigo Marriage Celebrant

Chrystal and Matt’s Family Wedding

Posted on by Vicki Coghill

A Great Venue for an Intimate Family Wedding

Bendigo Botanical Gardens

A Family Wedding is a very special event! This gorgeous area of the Bendigo Botanical Gardens provided the back drop for Chrystal and Matt’s Family Wedding. The pond area was a lovely  feature behind the ceremony. The little ones enjoyed the ducks and searching for “dinosaurs”! Seating in the shelter was used by the guests who were then able to hear and see everything. It is a great option for a smaller, more intimate Family Wedding!

 

Children at Weddings

Children at weddings!!❤️❤️❤️

Matt and Chrystal’s wedding was a true family affair . Their  boys  had  roles of  carrying  the rings and a sign. They  were right up in the action to hear and see everything! At one stage, the whole family formed a circle holding hands! So cute!

Pledge to Children:

 Chrystal and Matt made a special pledge to the boys. They promised to care for and nurture them as long as they needed their parents!

Ritual: Sand Ceremony

Chrystal and Matt chose to include a Sand Ceremony into their Family Wedding. It provides a visual reminder of the family. Each family member poured a layer of different coloured sand into a jar. Something new and beautiful was created. Just like sand…this family would be difficult to separate! It is a perfect way to involve children in a wedding.

Ritual: Family Certificate

It is often asked whether anyone extra can sign the Wedding Certificate. Unfortunately, because this is a legal document, it is illegal for anyone but the couple, witnesses and the celebrant to write on it! But what I can do is create a Family Certificate that anyone can sign.  The children, bridal party, guests can all be included .And the bride can use her married name for the very first time!

Family Certificate This Family Certificate was created by the children for Chrystal and Matt’s Family Wedding.

What a wonderful memory for the whole family!!!

Celebrant: Vicki Coghill

Photos courtesy of Bec Gray- Bendigo Wedding Photographer

Garden of the Future

Ebony and Simon’s Wedding at The Garden of the Future.

Posted on by Vicki Coghill
Garden of the Future

An unusual love story...ending in a Wedding at The Garden of the Future!

Ebony and Simon share an unusual passion for young people…lawn bowls! It is becoming a more popular pasttime for the younger generation and it is very important to these two…

They met during a lawn bowls tournament.

They initially started chatting about lawn bowls.

Lawn bowls gave them the opportunity to keep meeting.

Simon proposed on the balcony of a lawn bowls club.

Simon works as a greenskeeper.

The wedding day

After stormy weather the day before Ebony and Simon were lucky to have a near perfect day for their wedding at the Garden of the Future! Simon looked handsome in his navy attire and, although a little nervous he enjoyed chatting with family and friends as he awaited the arrival of his bride.

The first to arrive were a very cute trio…little Allira was escorted  down the path of the Garden of the Future by her two older cousins as page boys.  They held tightly to a hand each which was probably a good idea as Allira had enjoyed exploring the vast gardens during the rehearsal .

Ebony looked stunning in her gorgeous gown as she arrived on the arm of her proud dad. The picture she made was enough to bring a tear to Simon’s eye.

Just as we started the ceremony a strong breeze began to blow Ebony’s veil all over the place. I put my hand out to brush it back and the whole lot came off in my hand. Thankfully Leah came to the rescue and a crisis was averted! Ebony just laughed…she was such a gem to work with!

Ritual: Sand Ceremony

The rest of the wedding at the Garden of the Future was less eventful, although Allira had to be coerced to take part in the Sand Ceremony. If the finished product is indeed a symbol this little family will never be separated as Allira gave it a really good shake and mixed the layers to create a unique blend. Room was also left for any future additions to this lovely family!

It was indeed, a magical day!

Celebrant: Vicki Coghill

Photographer: Rick Bentley

Hair and Make Up: Zoe from Teaze n Tanglez

Reception: All Seasons Resort Bendigo

Wedding at the Rifle Brigade Hotel

Sheena and Scott’s Wedding at The Rifle Brigade Hotel

Posted on by Vicki Coghill

The Rehearsal for the Wedding at the Rifle Brigade Hotel 08/01/2020

Sheena and Scott are one of the funniest couples I have had the pleasure to work with…absolute crack up! Sheena is an accomplished talker (code for never shuts up!) and Scott has a dry sense of humour that comes out at often inappropriate times. Together they are hilarious!

Their wedding was originally scheduled for Rosalind Park but the forecast of inclement weather combined with bats literally dropping from the trees (due to extended heat wave) there was a quick rethink of venue. Thankfully the Rifle Brigade Hotel were able to host the rehearsal and wedding on their beautiful balcony!

The rehearsal progressed smoothly until we got to the part where I move away out of the frame for the first kiss! What a kiss! As you can see Sheena is quite athletic and Scott quite strong! I have a feeling they may have done it before!

The Big Day: 10/01/2020

Waiting for the wedding at the Rifle Brigade Hotel to begin I was chatting with Scott’s family. The love that flowed from his mum, Rosie, for her son was beautiful. She is so proud of the man he has become!

It was very humid and steamy on the balcony of the Rifle Brigade Hotel  although a random breeze threatened to take off with my paperwork! Scott would insist that he was drinking vodka from his water glass! I probably could have done with something other than water myself!

Before long the bridal party arrived and the ceremony was underway! My husband/roadie, who was enjoying a beverage downstairs, told me that one of Sheena and Scott’s little boys handed him the sign he was carrying. If it was the one that said “I’m still single” …too late!

It was a very emotional ceremony! Both cried during the vows which were very personal and meaningful! Scott mentioned how he had fallen for Sheena physically and literally (he fell out of a tree) but it was obviously one of the best things that happened to him! Sheena made references to Doctor Who and how much she loved Scott and what real love looks like!

A sand ceremony followed that included both boys, as well as their mum and dad. It was a very special moment.

I wish Scott and Sheen all the happiness possible as their love story continues into their future together! 

Celebrant: Vicki Coghill

Venue: Rifle Brigade Hotel

Photographer: Christine Treacy Photography

Videography: Twenty-four 18 Productions

Reception: Marong Family Hotel

Wedding on the River

Ange and Adam’s Wedding on the River at Moama

Posted on by Vicki Coghill

A wedding on the River:

On December 7th 2019, Ange and Adam married on the idyllic river bank of Murray Gums Estate in Moama.

 

 

The Rehearsal

When we first drove up to this magnificent property #murraygumsestate for the rehearsal I had no idea how to get in. I was surprised to find an intercom on the electronic gateway. After announcing myself to the owner the gate slid back and we were on our way. But where to? The driveway seemed to go on for ever…past the sheds, the house, down a track …until it opened out into the most beautiful lush, green a river bank. Perfect for a wedding on the river!

After meeting the bridal party and having a few laughs the rehearsal all went as planned

The Big Day

The next day we (my roadie Greg and I) set up the PA and  documents amid the hustle and bustle of the girls from #eventsmatterhireandstyle setting up. The florals and styling looked magnificent. The videographer, Ellena of #ellenalouisefilms and I chatted about the ceremony.

The groom and his men looked resplendent in their navy pants and white shirts. Adam also looked the part in a pale blue jacket and was doing well to keep his nerves in check. Ange’s Nana Mary joked with Adam that she was single and would step in if Ange failed to show!

Guests Arrive by Bus

The bus arrived with guests and I was thrilled to get a big hug from previous bride and groom, Matt and Kate. It is always so lovely to see old friends…particularly the ones with a new bub on the way!

The Bride arrives...

The burble of a V8 engine signalled showtime! Ange and her girls were on their way!! The bridesmaids were gorgeous in their navy blue dresses but nothing could diminish Ange’s beauty as she floated in on her proud dad’s arm. I think Adam may have been a bit overwhelmed by the picture she made!

The Ceremony

The ceremony commenced…with a few laughs, lots of emotion and a whole heap of love! The  highlights of the day were the two readings chosen by the Nanas, Jill and Mary. They each researched and read  poems…The Magic of Love and Marriage is Madness. 

After the ceremony there was a group photo taken by LJM Photography before the guests moved to start the celebrations.

It looked like it was to be an epic night! Thank you for letting me share your joy!

Celebrant: Vicki Coghill

A Family Wedding at Home

A Family Wedding at Home for Kasie and Dean

Posted on by Vicki Coghill

A Family Wedding at Home

A family wedding at home (Kasie’s parent’s home where she grew up) seemed the perfect option for Kasie and Dean. Since I had known Kasie and her family since Primary School it came as no surprise when our first meeting included her partner, Dean, two of their children and Kasie’s mum and dad. Not only would the venue be the family home but  It wasn’t hard to see that this ceremony needed  ideas to include as many family members as possible.

Including the family

To start with Kasie and Dean included many family members in their wedding party. Kasie had her two sisters, Dean’s sister and their four daughters as bridesmaids, junior maids and flower girls. The groomsmen included Dean’s brother, Kasie’s brother , friends and young son and nephew as pageboys.  Kasie’s mum and Dad both walked her down the aisle to meet Dean. Both sets of parents were then called upon to welcome their children’s marriage partner to the family.

Involving the children...

During the ceremony Kasie and Dean made a beautiful pledge to their children which promised to nurture them and care for them as long as they need them. The family was visually represented by creating a beautiful sand bottle  into which each family member poured a layer of  coloured sand. In doing so, they made something  new and beautiful but like any sand, difficult to separate…just like their family!

The ceremony concluded with a short reading by Kasie’s sister in law.

What a memorable day for all at  this special  family wedding at home! 

Celebrant: Vicki Coghill

Rainy Day Wedding

A Rainy Day Wedding for Elley and Aaron

Posted on by Vicki Coghill

A rainy day wedding is the last thing on your mind when planning your special day!

A Very Special Wedding...

All my weddings are special but when you have known the bride since she was a chirpy two year old coming into your classroom it becomes even that little bit more exciting!

I was overjoyed when Elley first contacted me…wondering if I still remembered her! We caught up and got the ball rolling to plan their dream wedding. They wanted to create a simple, romantic but personal ceremony so that is exactly what we did!

The Rehearsal...

At the rehearsal we were worried because heavy rain was forecast! The set up was so gorgeous with a large marquee with  dance floor, gorgeous gardens with fairy lights in the trees and the ceremony area with an arch, hay bales and decorations to go in. The rehearsal went seamlessly!

That night the rain set in and it did not let up.

Rain, rain, go away!

Upon arrival the hay bales were covered with tarps, there were three more marquees set up and everyone was trying to be optimistic. 

We set up the signing table  and PA system under the marquee and waited. Messages were being relayed via phone. Guests arrived and took shelter under the marquees and started enjoying the refreshments. I caught up with some people I knew (including the amazing Matt Giri who was handling the music) and the rain came down.

After a while the message came to take the tarps off in 10 minutes! The family were obviously watching the weather radar and our moment had come. The tarps came off, the shepherds hooks and decorations went in and we were underway!

Our handsome groom Aaron and his trusty groomsmen entered, guests assembled. The bridesmaids made their way down the slope and then our beautiful bride, Elley arrived on the arm of her proud dad, Garry. Mum, Annemarie cried happy tears and the ceremony was completed just as a shower came over!

It was such a romantic and emotional wedding and it showed that even a rainy day wedding  cannot dampen true love!

Celebrant: Vicki Coghill

Music: Matt Giri

Makeup:Gemma Simmons

Catering: Soul M8’s Food Truck

couples are happy

Why my couples are happy!

Posted on by Vicki Coghill

Why are my couples happy? There is one very good reason why my couples are happy and I get good reviews…

I listen carefully and do what people want!

Simple…

You have a particular idea in mind…I help you to implement it!

You don’t know what you want…I offer suggestions and guide you!

You get as much or as little help as you need with things like writing your vows, adding readings and inclusions …things that make your ceremony special!

You can have ANY style, Any venue and I will help you make it work.

The one thing I won’t do is pressure you to have anything you don’t want!! That’s not me!

My couples are satisfied and that’s all that matters!

Reviews: website

Reviews: Facebook