All posts by: Bride Columnist

We had the most beautiful day. Everything started relaxed with early glasses of champagne. We had a garden ceremony with 100 of our loved ones. I have never felt as happy as I did walking down that isle with him waiting. When I got close to him he mouthed "I love you" So romantic. We both wrote our own custom vows and poured different coloured sand into a vase to represent 2 families joined as one.

We wanted our wedding to be relaxed but unique and chose the last Sunday of daylight savings in March. The venue had a private jetty that was perfect for my arrival from Circular Quay. A small group, including my mum travelled the short trip across the harbour to Gladesville in the 'white' water taxi. I had both my parents escorted me from the boat, up the many sandstone steps to the garden path, all to the sounds of a Tibetan bell blessing. At 6pm on 28 March, in front of 60 close family and friends, we exchanged our marriage vows on the lawn of Banjo Paterson Cottage Restaurant. Our celebrant gave us an Apache Blessing and Michael’s 8 year old son presented us with our rings. Our mothers played a special part as official witnesses. Following the ceremony guests were captured by the beat of the african drummers,with amazing sunset over the water and plenty of drinks and canapes. As the night fell, guest kicked off their shoes and danced on the lawn while watching spectacular fire twirling entertainment. All this before sitting down for dinner! Dinner was held in the beautiful old sandstone cottage restaurant which was set up with four separate rooms, some with water views, for a candle lit dinner. After our meal guests were invited into an adjoining room for the formalities and more dancing. Our cake was particularly special being made by Michael down to the last hand made rosette. Our first dance was to the beautiful heartfelt sounds of Stephen Bishop “It might be you, all of my life”. We waved off each of our guests as they left the restaurant, then took a taxi back to the Sir Stamford Circular Quay for a candle lit bath. What an incredible day.

We wanted our Wedding to be a relaxed, casual affair. We chose a spot under some shade down by the lake at Yanchep National Park in Perth. It was a 32 degree day but the breeze off the mirror like lake cooled things down. Small signs which were placed along the pathway, guided guests to the ceremony. Both my parents walked me down the red carpet aisle as I wanted to symbolize both of their input into my upbringing. We stood in a heart shape made out of white pebbles during the ceremony. Each guest received a pebble at the start of the ceremony which they were asked to warm in their hands with well wishes for the bride and groom during the ceremony. When we signed the registry the guests came up and placed their pebbles in a large vase filled with water and rose petals. The vase is a focal point in our house today. The Guests greeted us with rose petals and bubbles as we ran back down the aisle as the happy couple. We had our own portable ipod playing song by Michael Buble’ before the ceremony, during the signing and at the end. The reception was in a Cabaret Cave at Yanchep National park. The cave is only used for private functions so is a well kept secret. The cave is lit by millions of fairy lights and candles. This cave was used in a music video by the Australian Band “Empire of the Sun-Standing on a Shore”.Place markers were pebbles with guests names on each. The favours were small brown paper bags with a small hand beaded African animal keyring. These came over with Marks family from South Africa.Our first dance song was and Bryan Adams “Inside Out".