~ with Sunshine Coast wedding celebrant Kari ~

Congratulations to newly weds, Jo and Len, your wedding was such fun.

But here is how it began….

Before the wedding began, guests were a little surprised when the Groom unbuttoned his shirt. Dressed in singlet and rolled up pants, he wandered away from the wedding canopy set up by the banks of the Noosa River (by Splash Events).  His purple shirt hung on the canopy and he disappeared!  Was purple going to be a colour theme today?

Ah, only to return a little while later from the water, paddling a canoe with energetic young Best Man, Ben.  Cheers greeted them as they beached the canoe and redressed in their handsome finery.

But where was the bride?

Guests were invited to step this way and wander over to the roadside; bemused looks, puzzled questions ensued.

It all became clear when the bride arrived on the arm of her dashing son, Max, with her bridesmaids.  Several girls stepped onto the zebra crossing and held up all traffic for the bridal party to cross over.  Reminiscences of Abbey Road, more cheers ….. and tears, and laughter.  And the ceremony had not begun yet!

Returning to the bridal canopy, the guests were in for another surprise, as indeed was the bride.  Len took up a microphone and sung to his bride as she walked down the aisle.  We forgave her tears.  We all cried.  It was too beautiful.

That was simply the beginning to a delightful wedding ceremony by the river, …..

and finishing as the sun was sinking over the still water, on the top deck of the Boathouse floating restaurant.

Ah …. it doesn’t get better than this!

Photos by Andrea Thompson

Jo & Len 4 Jo & Len 3 Jo & Len 0 Jo & Len 1 Jo & Len 2 Jo & Len 5 Jo & Len 6 Jo & Len 7 Jo & Len 8 Jo & Len 9 Jo & Len 11 Jo & Len 12 Jo & Len 13 Jo & Len 14 Jo & Len 16

Congratulations to Fanny & Tommi married in both French and English at Flaxton Gardens in brilliant sunshine.

Fanny contacted me to request a marriage ceremony on the Sunshine Coast Hinterland Range, that both her family and Tommi’s family could understand.  In fact they wanted the entire ceremony in both languages!  Now there’s a challenge I love.

I always offer to create bespoke ceremonies to suit each couple, so that part was not difficult.  For Fanny and Tommi, I simply had to translate the custom ceremony into French as well.  Now whilst I converse in passable French, I will admit to seeking guidance from my dear French friends, to ensure the grammar was all correct.

The outcome was a delightful ceremony ….read twice, as French & English took turn about during the ceremony!  On top of the usual wedding day nerves, both bride and groom made their promises to each other, first in their love’s language, then in their own.  It is not an easy task when one of those languages is not your mother tongue.  The guests were particularly encouraging, and warmly congratulated them for their efforts.  It made for amusing times as half the guests would laugh then moments later the other half got the joke!  As long as everyone understood, in the long run.

Fanny surprised us all arriving in a retro red Kombi with her two beautiful sisters and her charming father, all of whom had travelled from France to be here for Fanny’s day.  She walked down the aisle on the arm of her Dad, under brilliant blue skies to her waiting groom, Tommi.  Their ceremony was not complicated; simple and chic, elegant yet relaxed, with some laughs and I noticed some tears of emotion too.

Tommi and Fanny I wish you well in your future lives together and congratulate on including both your mother tongues in your wedding ceremony.  Thank you for the opportunity to use your poetic and musical sounding language.

One of the specialities I can offer couples, is a ceremony with other languages.  Some of the requests I have fulfilled are a French poem,  a prayer in Afrikaans, and a blessing in Sanskrit, to name a few.  My background as a musician means I have a trained ear for catching sounds.  So even when I do not speak the language, I will learn something in your tongue for you.  I’ll try anything, and with a bit of practice I have delivered so far.

However two languages are my specialty.  I speak fluent Indonesian, having lived there for years in my youth, and Fanny says my French was perfect. Well at least her family who flew out from France for the wedding day could understand the whole ceremony, and not feel at all left out.

It simply helps to know that a wedding in Australia can encompass whatever tradition or culture you wish to include.  Languages are no barrier, and I welcome customs from other traditions.

Photos by Alan Hughes

Fanny&Tommi0 Fanny&Tommi1 Fanny&Tommi2 Fanny&Tommi3 Fanny&Tommi4 Fanny&Tommi5 Fanny&Tommi6 Fanny&Tommi7 Fanny&Tommi8 Fanny&Tommi9 Fanny&Tommi10 Fanny&Tommi11 Fanny&Tommi12 Fanny&Tommi13 Fanny&Tommi14 Fanny&Tommi15 Fanny&Tommi16 Fanny&Tommi17 FannyTommiKari Fanny & Tommi

“Thanks Kari for everything you have done.  We had a great day and the ceremony was amazing; your french was perfect Thanks again” Fanny

Ever dreamed of being married at your favourite surf break?  Congratulations to Rob and Beck who chose just that.

Rob wanted to be able to see his two favourite girls on his wedding day; Beck in the foreground, and his favourite Caloundra surfbreak in the background.  Beck is easy going and loves the outdoors.  When looking for a celebrant they sought “relaxed and laid back”, to suit their style, and their desire for a casual and simple wedding, just a fun day for them and their guests to enjoy.

Many a wedding day on the Sunshine Coast is celebrated by the beach.  We are a beach culture after all.  And on this special day of your life it is natural to wish to join the natural scheme of life with a wedding on the beach. In this case, in view of Rob’s favourite surf spot at Dicky Beach; a place which also reflected their favourite colours; green for Rob, and blue for Beck.

The park was a casual place which suited their love for outdoors, a place perfect for their union. I would not have been surprised if we had all been requested to kick off our shoes in honour of the informal nature of this wedding.  And what a day.  It had rained solidly all night, but cleared up totally in time for the wedding ceremony, with blue skies and warm air.

What surprised us all was when the groom and his best man turned up to the blaring sound track of Eagle Rock, carrying a surfboard!  Hmm …  had we got the date wrong?

Rob proceeded to create a signing table from the board and board stands.  A perfect wedding altar!  Suitably sacred, yet a place to rest the wedding certificates, and high enough for all to witness the signing and need no chairs.

So a surf themed wedding is possible.  I’m even happy to wed you on your boards if that is your perfect wedding!  But I think Rob and Beck found the perfect balance; finishing on a high five, and photos with the board…then off home for a BBQ with the wedding party.

Photos by their friends.

surfwedding surfwedding1 surfwedding2 surfwedding3 surfwedding4 surfwedding5 surfwedding8 surfwedding6

Don’t we love vintage for weddings?  It’s cosy, it’s close, it’s timeless, individual; like marriage.

Harking back to the nostalgia of a time when families were the centre of social life, vintage style lends itself to weddings.  And what is there not to love in a classic frock, a vintage table setting or a retro car?

As Deb from the upcoming  Vintage Wedding Fair says “Slowly we are seeing more and more brides and grooms incorporating more individual and unique aspects to their wedding day, as they throw tradition out the window and decide to make their wedding day more ‘them’.”

More and more small businesses are cropping up to fulfill your individual wishes.  And of course supporting a local small business gives so much more pleasure than watching our dollars fly away overseas or into larger-than-necessary pockets.

I have been honoured to be the wedding celebrant at several vintage weddings on the Sunshine Coast, Qld.  I’m lucky to have a couple of original 50′s frocks from my mother’s wardrobe; a time when she had a dressmaker sew an original piece for special occasions.  For one wedding I wore my hair in that classic Audrey Hepburn up-style.  I’ll go the extra mile to make sure your vintage style wedding photos fit the theme, all the way from ceremony to shoot.

If you haven’t had enough of vintage yet, then perhaps this coming weekend, March 24-25 is just the time to browse at A Very Vintage Wedding Fair  in Brisbane.  Creative, quirky, unique offerings to tempt your vintage soul and fulfill every retro dream from small local suppliers.

I think I’ll go have breakfast at Tiffany’s now…..

vintage 1 vintage 2 vintage 3 vintage 4 vintage 5 vintage 6 vintage 7 vintage 8 vintage 9 vintage10 Johns2 Johns3 Johns9 averyvintageweddingfair

Many a bride wishes to arrive at her wedding in a glamorous car.  However when I was a bride, I arrived with my husband-to-be in a retro wooden canoe …… but that’s another story.

Cars have been the traditional wedding arrival vehicle for as long as the car has graced our lives.  And many modern weddings hark back to that early era of cars with classic vintage wedding cars and lovingly restored retro beauties for their wedding day.

I have had the privilege of working with some absolute classic wedding cars.  Today I’d like to share some Sunshine Coast classic cars with you, one totally vintage and two definitely retro.

First cab off the rank, actually is a cab!!!  It’s a genuine London cab, residing in Australia, at Maleny.  Classical with poise.

BLACK LONDON CAB

Steeped in history and full of stories this shiny black Taxi Cab was originally used by the London Metropolitan Police as an ‘undercover’ vehicle.  Then he was used as a cab in London.  If you’ve ever been to London, you’ll understand how iconic these cars are….  and how roomy they are in the back.  I nearly sat on the floor when I jumped into one the first time!  So there’s heaps of room for a large bride dress, train and bridesmaids.

But back to the tale of the car….the cab was next brought out to Australia by Lumley’s Insurance to be used as a chauffeur cab for their directors. They restored the cab, together with a new engine. It was next purchased at Shannon’s Auctions and driven to the hills of the Sunshine Coast hinterland.

“After many years of working in London, I now live in Maleny. My name is Dickens. Boris is my uniformed chauffeur. He provides a professional service to our clients. Let us roll out the red carpet for you!” email me for Dickens’ contact.

If you have chosen a classic hinterland wedding location, this car will enhance your wedding photos with absolute class and vintage English style.  Your love story will add to Boris’ already colourful tale.  See Dickens in the background here:

Next is for the Elvis within you.  A topless car treat.

RED MUSTANG

As I promised in another story, here is the Red Mustang.  Absolutely immaculate, shiny as new, upholstered in creamy white leather, this car is a classic wedding car with attitude.  Matt, the young handsome chauffeur brings his pride and joy to put the rock’n'roll into your wedding day.  The fellas will adore a ride in this car, and the girls can’t wait for their turn.  Shiny and red, with the top wound down, this classic car is a hoot.  Please can I have a turn?

And for the laid back and casual beach wedding for the surfing spirit within you.

A CLASSIC KOMBI

If you’re into red car or classic car how can one go past the newly restored 60′s Kombi from Kombi Deluxe.  Rescued from a car graveyard and restored over four years by a local family business with a passion for Volkswagons, this van has most of its original features and is maintained impeccably.  You can hear it coming with its classic VW sound, and watch the guests smile.  This classic and genuine Kombi car is beautifully finished in lotus white over salmon red.  Hm-Hmmmmmm.

As a Sunshine Coast wedding celebrant I’m in love with retro weddings or vintage wedding style.  My own car is a retro Pt Cruiser, so it is no wonder that I adore this Kombi.  Many of us dream of a surf themed wedding, so here is the car to match.  Hey I’ll even wed you on your surfboards if you wish, at your beach wedding!

On the other hand, up in the hills overlooking the coastal view, I have seen this car draw up at classic Hinterland wedding locations and cause the awaiting wedding party to go,”Awwwhhhhh” with delight.  What a way to get the guests in a happy mood before the ceremony starts.

I can’t wait for a ride.

*********

“With this ring I thee wed…..”                talking about wedding rings

Many a wedding is not complete without an exchange of wedding rings.  A ring is not technically part of the legal aspect of a wedding ceremony.  However, in my celebrant experience 98% of couples choose to enact this traditional ritual, and place a ring on each other’s fingers.  Although, I have had one Bridegroom who chose an earing in is left ear rather than a wedding band on his left hand!  And one couple made their rings from woven fibres.  BUT none that I know, have elected for a ring on the nose like the one chosen from the Piggy-wig by The Owl and the Pussycat.

diamond ring by John Bexon

a circle with no end…

A ring, as we know is a circle with no end, symbolic of a completeness, or a union with no end, a marriage to last forever; the unbroken circle of love between a husband and wife.   Worn as a reminder of wedding vows made by one to the other, the wedding band holds great importance to most wedded couples.

It can be said at a wedding, “A circle is the symbol of the sun and the earth and the universe. In these rings it is the symbol of unity, in which your lives are now joined in one unbroken circle.  Wherever you go, you will always return to one another and to your togetherness.”

The ring may or may not have enormous resale value but becomes absolutely precious to the wearer, an enduring and valuable symbol of promises made on their wedding day.  It takes but a moment to say I love you, it takes a second to place a ring on the finger, but marriage is the promise of forever, and that is why most couples choose a precious metal – gold or platinum, reflective of the preciousness of their rings in their married lives.

I know of many women of my mother’s generation who have never taken their rings off after their husband first placed them on their third finger of the left hand at the marriage altar.

Some modern women may take their ring off now and again whilst doing jobs that may scratch of damage their wedding ring.  But always it is a ring that one would wear constantly.  Whilst other jewellery may come and go, or be worn for special occasions, the wedding ring endures as a timeless treasure.

So given it is something to cherish for many many years, most couples will take their time to choose the perfect ring, or even have them custom made.

finding the perfect wedding ring…

I’d like to introduce some ideas of where to go to find your perfect wedding ring.

Wedding rings can be ordered online these days.  One can find classic wedding rings in a variety of profiles.   Try 77 DiamondsUK for example.  They custom make wedding bands in classic styles or with inset diamonds.  Send in your size and await your rings in the mail. Voila!

local Palmwoods jeweller…

But if you’d prefer the personal touch, here on the Sunshine Coast we have several fine jewellers who make bespoke products to fulfill your design wishes.

In the sweet town of Palmwoods, the family business Bexon Jewellers  will create any ring you wish.  The shop is a charming heritage building, with wooden floors and old fashioned style; a pleasure to visit.  Specialising in jewellery design and manufacture, they also do repairs and remakes.  Take in your inherited jewellery and have it remodeled for your own wedding.  You could have Great Grandmas rings remodelled in a modern style.  Something old, something new?  Perhaps you’d prefer order a set of wedding rings to a custom design.  Bring John Bexon an idea or a picture and he can make it a reality for you.  Watch him work your piece for you and bask in the warmth of something made locally AND professionally.

rings with a difference…

There are so many wedding venues in and around Montville on the Hinterland Range above the Sunshine Coast.  If this is your dream wedding location, you may like to visit Bold In Gold in Montville, while you’re planning your wedding day.

Bold in Gold  offer you the chance to have your wedding rings individually designed and handcrafted by a team of highly skilled designer-goldsmiths. Their designers ensure your finished  wedding rings represent your individuality in beautifully finished rings in the materials of your choice.

If  you have no firm  idea on your wedding rings, don’t be too concerned,  you can first view many different designs to get the feel for your likes and dislikes and then use the ideas this generates to design your very own unique wedding rings, even unusual, yet always exquisitely hand-crafted.  

The work of Bold in Gold is often different to classic styles, featuring unusual shapes and settings, or a mix of precious metals.  Get a matching pair made.  My husband and I did.  Our rings are unique!

Awwwwhhh it makes want to get married again, just to rediscover the joy of choosing my wedding ring.

*************

Rumi

Congratulations Belinda & Biju, married in an Australian Hindu wedding ceremony on the Sunshine Coast Hinterland.  

Belinda and Biju came to me requesting an unusual wedding ceremony.  Biju comes from India and wished to include several Hindu elements into the ceremony.  Belinda is Australian and wanted a wedding ceremony that reflected this land and the traditions of Australia. And so we wove a truly multicultural ceremony, an occasion to honour both cultures.

The Golden statue was centre of the setting; an altar to Ganesha.  Around the statue were placed several ceremonial objects; a candle, flowers and fruit in offering to Ganesh.  The theme colours were vibrant and alive; deep pink, bold red, fragrant yellow and burnt orange.  Gerberas in all these flame colours were placed around Ganesh.

And for the fun of colour and festive atmosphere, paper lanterns in deep orange and pink were hung in the branches of the centuries old fig tree; an ancient witness to the sacredness of the celebration.

Biju was very confident when he asked me, the celebrant, to sing the essential incantations in the Sanskrit language.  For who else would do it, he asked.  And so I did!  His trust helped me to learn the appropriate blessings, and the role they played in the ceremony.  And I sang for this lovely couple, to bless their married lives.

Photos by Darren Frankish of Kish Photography

B&B130 B&B133 B&B176 B&B202 B&B203 B&B229 B&B430

In any culture marriage is a sacred and treasured union.  According to Hinduism, marriage between two persons is a sacred relationship that is not limited to this life alone.  It extends across seven or more lives, during which the couple help each other progress spiritually.  The adage that marriages are made in heaven is very much true in the case of Hinduism.  Two souls come together and marry because their karmas are intertwined and they have to resolve many things together upon earth in order to ensure their mutual salvation.

In an ancient Hindu text it is said that when the one man loves the one woman and the one woman loves the one man, the angels abandon heaven and go sit with the couple and sing for joy.  Just looking around the guests we could see the angels present.

In Hinduism every auspicious occasion begins with an invocation to Lord Ganesha. Blessings are sought for a ceremony that will be free from impediments and for a marriage free from all hardships and obstacles.  Ganesha’s grace is invoked for the health, happiness, prosperity, and peace of the bride and groom and their families. The offerings included flowers for beauty, coconut for fertility, rice for sustenance, and sweets to ensure a sweet life! 

The ceremony included many traditions and customs from a Hindu Wedding in India, involving the family, water and fire, and song and walking circles around Ganesha and the altar.

A special moment is when the bride and groom take seven steps; steps towards their lives together, a set of wedding vows,

On the first step;       Together we shall cherish each other in sickness and health, in happiness and sorrow

On the second step;       Together we shall be lifelong friends

On the third step;       Together we shall share each other’s ideals

On the fourth step;       Together we shall nurture each other’s strengths, talents, and aspirations

On the fifth step;       Together we shall make each other happy

On the sixth step;       Together we shall love, provide and care for our children and our families

On the seventh step;       Together we will look forward to the mysteries of the future with awe, open-mindedness, and inspiration

We have taken the seven steps.  You have become mine forever.  Yes, we have become partners.  I have become yours.  Hereafter, I cannot live without you.  Do not live without me.  Let us share the joys.  We are word and meaning, united.  You are thought and I am sound.  I am the words and you are the melody.  I am the melody and you are the words.

These vows are poignant and poetic.  They are not dissimilar to vows from an Australian ceremony. Walking around the altar added an extra poetry to the steps of marriage they undertook.  I congratulate Belinda and Biju on blending their two cultures seemlessly and with great love and patience.

As a marriage celebrant I am often requested to accommodate the unusual.  This is my specialty.  I have sung in sanskrit, read in Afrikaans, waxed poetic in French, and played my wooden flute or lap harp.  Just ask me, you never know what I will agree to!

Wedding decorations can be fun.  They can really make your reception reflect your style, AND invite your guests into a playful world for your wedding day.  Ideas for theming and decorating your wedding reception abound.  Possibly you want to design something unique and different, something to make your wedding guests say “wow”.

Perhaps you want some cheeky fun, or to stimulate  a creative atmosphere at your wedding.  Personally I love the hand made look, the creative spirit that only one person can achieve. You.

Here are some fabulous creative decorative ideas, ranging from the sweet to the sublime, the crazy to the ridiculous, but always the fun.  There’s bides shoes and wedding jewelry, even a unique green wedding ring.  There’s flower arrangements with a twist, recycled containers for the decorations, living table settings, green ideas, and unusual candles.  Find family portraits, unusual lighting effects, green themes, and other wonderful creative touches.  Let me know if you use any of these ideas on your wedding day.

c&c 0 c&c 1 c&c 2 c&c 3 4 c&c 5 c&c 6 c&c 7 c&c 8 c&c 9 c&c 10 c&c 11 c&c 12 c&c 13 c&c 14 c&c 15 c&c 16 c&c 17 c&c 19 c&c 20 c&c 21

Congratulations Lisa and Rupert, married on the family property in Obi Obi, Kennilworth.

The Groom doesn’t have to wait for his bride at the altar, he can arrive in style too! This Groom planned to arrive on the motorbike he had spent many loving hours renovating.  For on their first date, he had whisked Lisa away on a bike to a country village lolly shop…..and….

However on the awaited day, the starter motor was not happy.  His brother knew the answer; kick start it down the driveway of the family property near Kennilworth, then burn up behind the house to collect the Groom on this perfect wedding day.  We had a sneak preview of what was to come, and Rupert’s dream of arriving by bike was manifest.

His brother Jake rode behind tossing frangipani flowers in a path for the bride; a masculine bent on the flower girl theme.  The bride, Lisa chose to walk on the arm of her Dad behind her bridesmaid.

Lisa and Rupert wanted a fun ceremony, yet one with resonances of their lives together, and as a part of an extended family.  It was a wedding day of relaxed family fun and friendly games and joy in the spaciousness of a private garden.  Beside the dam, the marriage ceremony was held in a gentle breeze, under the shade of the trees.

As part of his vows, he promised to “have as much fun as possible..no matter what.  I can’t wait.” And she answered with  ”what I’m promising today is to love you with all I have to give in the only way I know how, completely and forever.”

The guests were part of the ceremony too, having rehearsed their lines before the couple arrived, then everyone had a chance to water in the olive tree with their warm wishes for the couples future.

As the newly weds walked away from their ceremony they invited all to share in lawn bowls, badminton and croquet with champagne.

You can have the ceremony you wish for, just ask!

Photos by Calli B

RL_050 RL_105 RL_067 RL_156 RL_206 RL_219 RL_227 RL_576 RL_237 RL_523 RL_579 RL_180 RL_183 RL_308 RL_278