Romantic wedding in the vines

Romantic Wedding in Harcourt Valley!

Gabrielle and Daniel's Romantic Wedding

Harcourt Valley Vineyards is a romantic wedding destination less than 30 minutes from Bendigo. It was the setting of the wedding and reception for Gabrielle and Daniel.

It was a  sunny day,  although a bit breezy, and the rustic setting for the ceremony was delightful. Harcourt Valley Vineyards staff had organised barrels for each side of the arbour and it looked gorgeous. One of the barrels held the bride’s bouquet and the signing documents during the ceremony.

The rest of the seating  and tables for guests were decorated with jars of colourful flowers and I can just imagine what a  beautiful sight it would have been in the evening with the twinkling fairy lights above!

Music by Luke Owens

Luke Owens played the music for the ceremony. For the brides arrival and   walk down the aisle he sang  a new song from the John Butler Trio. Luke sang and played acoustic guitar during the signing of the wedding certificate. He also provided music for the guests before and after the ceremony. 

Gabrielle and Daniel's Love story ...

Dan and Gabe met at school and have been together for over ten years now. It was a privilege to tell their love story during the ceremony as they pledged their love to each other. 

The Ceremony...

The groom and his attendants chatted to the guests until the prompt arrival of the bride and bridesmaids in classic Toranas. There was a slightly nervous moment for the groom when the best man revealed that no one remembered who had the rings. A quick check with the bride and the best man was back with rings in hand. Catastrophe averted…although one of the groomsmen and I had already offered to lend our rings if need be!

The bridesmaids and tiny flower girl entered then. The bridesmaids were wearing blush pink dresses with splits… which turned out to be quite handy as they made their way up the last few steps. The little flower girl did her best to throw petals on to the aisle.

Gorgeous Gabrielle arrived on her father’s arm. The breeze caused a few dramatic moments with her veil but her dad was able to reattach it and they laughingly continued to meet her handsome groom in front of the arbour. Gabrielle’s two sisters presented readings during the ceremony and Dan and Gabe  read personal vows and made promises to each other. Before long they were united in marriage and heading back down the to be greeted by their guests.

It was a romantic  wedding but full of fun and laughter…particularly the heckling from the bridesmaids as I battled the wind to try and get the Marriage Certificate into the envelope! Cries of “Hold onto it, Vicki” and “Don’t let it go! It’s irreplaceable!” proved they had read their Rehearsal Tips! Well done, ladies!

Celebrant: Vicki Coghill

Venue: Harcourt Valley Vineyards

Music: Luke Owens

Photographer: Shaun Guest

Chrystal and Matt’s Family Wedding

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

Rachel and Corey’s Country Wedding

Plan A or Plan B at our Country Wedding?

 

Rachel and Corey planned their Country Wedding for February 1st 2020 thinking that it might be 44 degrees but they could cope with that! Little did they expect that instead they would be hit with thunderstorms, torrential rain and even hail!

However, our gorgeous, but equally practical, couple had a plan for every eventuality! They also had a stand by team of family and friends ready to step in and save their country wedding!

The afternoon before their Country Wedding was hot and dusty and, when the forecast looked threatening Rachel and Corey discussed their Plan A and Plan B. I was overjoyed to find an outdoor area set up with archway etc but also an inside area with a plain white wall. Wine barrels, hay bales and florals were able to be moved between locations as the weather dictated. AND WERE WE GLAD!!!

Ten minutes before the ceremony the sky darkened and the rain fell in sheets in the distance. The quick thinking groom and guests ran out and hauled the decorations and seats inside and the guests gathered out of the weather! Corey was soaked but a quick change of his shirt saved the day!

The weather cleared long enough for the beautiful bride and their equally beautiful daughter Indie, to make their way down the aisle accompanied by Rachel’s proud dad.

The ceremony  venue was humid (my hair suffered badly) but nothing could detract from the love, emotion and pure beauty of this beautiful country wedding!

Congratulations Mr and Mrs Sharp!

Celebrant: Vicki Coghill

Photo courtesy of Bec Gray Photography 

Garden of the Future

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

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

Secret Garden Wedding

Kayla and Harley’s Secret Garden Wedding

A secret garden wedding immediately appealed to Kayla and Harley! Kayla and Harley are the most lovely couple. They have already been together for twelve years and have two of the most delightful little daughters imaginable!

When we started chatting  Kayla  was very unsure about what style of wedding she wanted or where it could be held. She knew she wanted a very private, intimate ceremony with immediate family and a few of their closest friends but couldn’t think of anywhere that would suit. Thankfully, I was able to suggest the secret garden of Bishop’s Court Bed and Breakfast. I had been there before and knew just how private and romantic it could be! Even better is the fact that it is right in the heart of Bendigo and within walking distance of restaurants and accommodation. As a Bed and Breakfast , Bishop’s Court also provided accommodation for our couple during their dressing and overnight.

 

Style and inclusions for a Secret Garden Wedding...

Kayla described her idea as a cross between vintage and boho. We brainstormed some ways to make that happen.We decided to have a hand fasting in the boho/ traditional style.  Then we decided on some ways to include their little angels. I suggested that the girls were each given a role to pass the rings to mummy and daddy. They could also   “sign” a Family Certificate after the official signing.

I  found out after the ceremony that Kayla wore the same wedding dress that had been made by her grandmother for Kayla’s mother 40 years ago! What a beautiful honour! Kayla looked absolutely stunning and it was the perfect blend of vintage and modern styling!

It was a magical day at Bishop’s Court for Kayla and Haley’s secret garden wedding!

Celebrant: Vicki Coghill

Venue: Bishop’s Court Bed and Breakfast

Photographer: Christine Treacy Photography

Reception:The Rifle Brigade Hotel