Stacey and Nick’s Wedding Ceremony at Cammeray Waters

Cammeray Waters Wedding and Conference Venue was a new venue for me! Just minutes from Woodend it is a stunning, yet very private, complex with ceremony locations, permanent marquee for the reception, accommodation, lakes and a nine hole golf course! A Wedding at Cammeray Waters is absolutely beautiful!

On Saturday February 22nd Nick and Stacey stood on the steps of the rotunda overlooking the lake. The weather was cool but sunny…perfect wedding weather! 

Guests chatted and enjoyed some beverages amid the picturesque grounds prior to the ceremony. The bride and her attendants arrived in three classic cars ( I think a Rolls Royce and 2 Jaguars but not totally sure) which were elegant and stylish!

The bridesmaids were pretty in pink and the groomsmen in blue suits. Stacey, arrived on her father’s arm, resplendent in a slim fitting dress which suited her perfectly. Their two small sons also arrived at this moment.

Nick was suitably impressed with his beautiful bride as he met her and assisted her up the steps to his side. 

During the ceremony their smallest son spent much of the time sitting on his mum’s feet! He was very quiet and it added to, rather than detracted from, the ceremony.

A highlight of this ceremony was the Love Lock Ceremony. Nick had made his own large metal wall hanging of the Tree of Life. In turn the family members locked engraved padlocks – signifying their love and commitment to the whole family. It was a perfect moment  for Stacey and Nick to include their children.

Stacey and Nick chose to stay for the weekend with their friends and family after their wedding. I imagine a great time was had by all!

Alicia and Steve

Alicia and Steve married in an afternoon ceremony on January 25th 2020 on beautiful Mt Alexander.

It was a particularly sweet moment for me personally as Alicia was a former student and it is the most wonderful feeling to be a part of the next step in their life journey.

Steve and Alicia have known each other for about 15 years but it was not until they met again as adults that they really connected and a relationship began. Love followed quickly and they celebrated their marriage in a truly romantic and joyous ceremony before family and friends.

Before the Ceremony:

When I arrived prior the ceremony the handsome groom and his groomsmen were sitting comfortably under a tree having a cold beverage and listening to “tunes.” They were relaxed and having a good time and this set the tone for the afternoon as they chatted and greeted their guests.

Arrival of the Bride:

Alicia and her ladies arrived in style in vintage Fords with a throaty rumble. Nothing quite like the burble of a V8 engine to get attention. The gorgeous bridesmaids stepped down the red carpet before Alicia made her way on the arm of her very proud dad! Her stunning dress had a long train so one bridesmaid followed the bride to assist.

A highlight of the ceremony was the Hand fasting ceremony which used a cord made from the colours of the family tartans of both the bride and groom to symbolise the joining of families.  The ceremony continued  without incident and it didn’t seem long before our couple were being greeted as husband and wife by family and friends.

It was a great honour to be part of their day…even if I am afraid of heights!

 T

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.  It wasn’t hard to see that this ceremony needed  ideas to include as many family members as possible.

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 daughter 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.

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 the family! 

Elley and Aaron

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!

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. 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 rain cannot dampen true love!