Fun and laughter at this beach wedding

Peggy and Jeff have made a very deep commitment to each other and wanted their family and friends to share in their joy as they made their formal declaration of their commitment in marriage and celebrated in their style!  I just loved being a part of this fun-filled day.

Many couples have petals thrown at the end of their ceremony but Peggy and Jeff chose to have their guests throw beach balls.  What Fun!

I loved this gorgeous couple!

Northern Beaches couple - Liz and Sam

One of the best spots on the northern beaches for a wedding ceremony is  Governor Phillip Park
at north Palm Beach.  Many couples choose to hold their ceremony here, and then move to nearby Dunes Restaurant for their reception.

This is what this delightful couple, Liz and Sam chose as their wedding day plan, with a beachy, casual feel to the day.  Sam is English and his family were delighted to find that not only were they at beautiful Palm Beach, but right near where Home and Away is filmed!  Matt Read, from Reedy Photography took most of their pics and a few were taken by guests. Bride and Groom both arrived in Kombis, true to the feel of this casual, northern beaches wedding.  And of course, their dog was there to offer his congratulations after the ceremony.

What a pretty bride - & I loved the bridesmaids choice of mint green gowns.

They presented their mothers with a rose during the ceremony

The newlyweds - so happy to be married.

The special guest

Snapperman Beach Reserve on Pittwater at Palm Beach - what a hidden treasure

When I met Samantha and Jarrad and they told me they had picked Snapperman Beach Reserve for their ceremony, I was intrigued as I had never conducted a wedding there.  Once I saw it, I really understood why they had chosen it.  It's a small reserve on Pittwater and just perfect for their wedding with about 100 guests. (You'd be surprised at how many guests can fit easily into a fairly small space!)  I cant begin to say how delightful this couple and their families were.  They were just a joy to work with and I loved every moment of discussing their ceremony options, writing their ceremony and most of all, being their celebrant on their big day.  Sugarlove Photography
was their photographer and they headed off to Dunes Restaurant  at Palm Beach for their reception.

Sam and Jarrad make their vows

The bridal party

The groom and his men

Husband and Wife

After the ceremony on Snapperman Beach

setting up before the ceremony

What a beautiful bride!

Contact me at Elaine's email to have a chat about your wedding plans and how I can help you, as your celebrant, have a happy, stress-free ceremony!

A morning wedding by the sea in June

When I met Jett and Andrew, they told me that they wanted a simple and sincere wedding ceremony in a place which was very special to them.  It is a cliff top park near their home at Dee Why, and a place where they had often walked together, and it held some very precious memories for them.  They wanted a "beachy" feel for their wedding and Jett chose to dress in blue and white to represent that.  Jett's family lives overseas and were unable to travel for the ceremony, but Andrew and Jett were joined by a few close friends, who gave their loving support.  It was a touching and heartfelt ceremony and I wish them every happiness in their life journey together.

I enjoyed a glass of champagne with the newlyweds after the ceremony.

Go to my website Elaine's Marriage Celebrant website for help in arranging your wedding ceremony, large or small, formal or informal.

Beach, Beach, Beach

As soon as I met Simone and Steve, I really liked their relaxed but focussed attitude to planning their wedding. They are both surf enthusiasts and wanted to have their wedding on Shelly Beach, a place which is special to both of them.  The ceremony was beach themed and was one of the most perfectly planned and styled that I have ever worked with.  They managed to keep the feel of the afternoon relaxed and happy, while they had a ceremony which was sincere and lovely, and so true to both of them. Steve's mother read the moving words of The Apache Blessing (see the words at the end of this article) .   Slide McBride played his ukelele before and during the ceremony on the beach, and the band played at the reception. The newlyweds and their many family and friends partied on at Le Kiosk afterwards. Romeo's Chair decorated the ceremony space on the beach for them.

Simone and her bridesmaids walked from Manly to Shelly Beach

Simone and Steve exchanging their vows

I loved their attendants beachy wear

Ring exchange - isn't Simone's gown exquisite

Husband and wife! Such a happy couple.

Blessing of the Apaches 

Now you will feel no rain,

for each of you will be shelter for the other.

And now you will feel no cold,

for each of you will be warmth to the other.

Now there will be no loneliness.

You are two bodies,

but there is one life before you, and one home. 

When evening falls,

You will look to each other and there you will be.

And you will take each other by the hand,

And you will turn together

And look at the road you have travelled to reach this,

The hour of your happiness.

It stretches far behind you and your future lies ahead,

A long and winding road where every turning means discovery.

All your hopes, new laughter, shared tears.

The adventure has just begun.

Email Elaine

Go to my website for information about arranging your wedding ceremony

Your Perfect Outdoor Wedding Ceremony

Outdoor Wedding IdeasMany couples want to marry in a beautiful outdoor location, whether it is in a park, on a beach, in the bush or lake or river-side.  A lovely natural setting can really enhance your wedding ceremony but there are some things to keep in mind when you are making your arrangements.

1.       Firstly, it is most important to have a wet weather plan.  If you haven’t made provision for having a back-up plan for an indoor ceremony, it can be very stressful leading up to the wedding day and no-one wants to be drenched with rain during their ceremony. Many reception venues will allow you to hold your ceremony there if the weather is wet.

2.       Make sure that your wedding invitations include the wet weather option, directions to it, and a phone number to call if they are uncertain of where the ceremony is to be. You can leave a voicemail message on the day with details of the location.

3.       If you are happy to go ahead in light rain, or even if it looks like light rain, provide large umbrellas for your guests, and of course, for the wedding party.  They can be hired in a range of colours to suit your colour scheme, or you can borrow golf umbrellas from family and friends.

4.       Make sure that you have permission to hold your ceremony in the spot of your choice. Most outdoor locations require a permit from the local council or national parks. This usually involves a fee. Make sure that you book your spot as early as you can to avoid being disappointed by it not being available on your day.

5.       If your wedding is being held in the summer, you will need to think of a few things to make sure that your guests are comfortable.  Think about whether there is natural shade at the site and whether your ceremony can be held in the shady area. Again you could hire umbrellas or you can purchase pretty parasols quite cheaply & give one to every guest.  Fans can be bought quite cheaply too.  It is really thoughtful to provide bottled water for your guests as they will be at the ceremony venue well before the wedding party and may become hot and thirsty.

6.       In cold weather it’s a good idea to provide knee rugs on every chair.

7.       Check where the sun will be at the time of day your ceremony is being held.  Make sure that the sun isn’t directly in the eyes of the wedding party or in the eyes of the guests.  Nobody wants to be squinting into the sun.

8.       Find out if your chosen venue has public toilets nearby. 

9.       It is considerate to provide seating for older guests even if most of your guests will be standing for the ceremony.

10.   If you are having musicians, you may need to provide chairs for them.

11.   Walking on grass on high heels can be very tricky!  Stiletto heels with sink into the grass which is an ungainly look and will ruin the shoes.  There are several products on the market which are a clear plastic cap which fits on the heel of your shoe with a clear wider base, and which makes walking or standing on grass easy and possible.  Some of these products names are:  Starlettos, Heeline, The Soul Mates.

12.   Check the prevailing winds for your site.  You don’t want the bride and bridesmaids’  hair being blown over their faces or the bride’s veil flying off. 

13.   If you are getting married on the beach or on the water’s edge, check the tide schedule.  You don’t want to be washed away!  Also, it’s worth knowing that incoming tides can be quite noisy, and outgoing tides are less so.

14.   Make sure that your celebrant has a good PA system if you are getting married on the beach. The waves and wind can make it difficult for your guests to hear the words of your ceremony if a PA is not used.

15.  Check with the venue owner or local council etc. to see what decorations are permitted.  Most places allow rose petals, a carpet, chairs, bridal arch, balloons etc.  Most do not allow confetti or rice.   Make sure your styling is well secured so that it doesn’t fly off in a sudden gust of wind.

Parasols are a great idea for a sunny, beach wedding

16.   If you ceremony is very early in the day, or late in the afternoon or evening, it’s a good idea to have citronella candles to keep insects away.

Summer Weddings

Andrew & Yuliia married at North Palm Beach on a sparkling, Summer's day.

A lovely shot of the newlyweds at Rodd Point after the ceremony by Rachel Muller

Dale and John married in the Devil's Coach House at beautiful Jenolan Caves - Over the Moon Photgraphy

Eric and Kylie wed at Doltone House at Pyrmont Point - an elegant harbourside setting for the wedding ceremony and reception.

Wendy's Secret Garden was the magical setting when Kathryn married Stuart. Their wedding decorators were Belle-Laide.

Jarina and Julian married on a windy afternoon at Giba Park, Pyrmont Point. What fun when the rose petals got caught up in the wind!

Josphine and Amit married at Waterfront in the Rocks in a ceremony which honoured Amit's heritage by using garlands as part of the wedding ceremony. Photograph by Radiant Bride

Emma and James were lucky to have sunny weather for their wedding in a wet week in February. They were surrounded by many family and friends for their joyous wedding ceremony at Nielsen Park. Photograph by Curly Tree

Sneak peak photograph of when Janet & Barry married on the harbour view lawn in the Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney. Family and friends came from near and far to be a part of their special day. 

Peppers Manor House, Sutton Forest in the Southern Highlands, was the magic garden setting for the wedding of Trinh and Adam.  They incorporated a Tea Ceremony into their ceremony to honour Trinh's heritage.

Summer Weddings

 Claire & Aaron married in a beautifully themed wedding ceremony at Palm Beach.

 Many family members and friends were there to celebrate with the newlywed couple.

Sydney Harbour National Park, Gap Bluff Centre, Watson's Bay was the delightful venue for this joyous wedding day for Claire & David.

Late Spring weddings

Lindsay & Kevin on Warriewood Beach, photographs by Harwood Photography

Angela and Dave at Watson's Bay, photography by Mint Photography

Irol and Pete married at beautiful Narrabeen Lake

Mona and Ray get married at Balmoral