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Handfasting wedding ceremony
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Vintage wedding down at the homestead
…and here comes the beautiful and totally happy bride, Jessica, to her wedding ceremony. The story continues.
Jess and Joel are a relaxed couple who planned their DIY wedding at Kenilworth Homestead on the Mary River. There was plenty of space down on the farm to feel like the rest of the world had melted away. The homestead grounds could accommodate the entire guest list, with onsite cabins, cottages and a long river flat for tents if necessary. But the centre piece for this wedding was the old rustic barn, with weathered boards, old farm features, transformed by this creative couple into a vintage paradise for an evening of fun, games and rock’n’rollin.
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Arriving at the wedding
But I digress, first the ceremony.
Under the huge tree they met to wed.
Jessica arrived on the arms of a proud Mum and Dad. She needed them there so she wouldn’t bolt too fast to her darling Joel. The guests watched with glee as she strolled across from the cottages to the altar under the tree
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Another name for tie the knot
Jess and Joel had told me that they have a very tight knit group of friends, and that family is really important to them. They describe family as a mixture of unconditional acceptance, lots and lots of love and happy chaos; a delightful combination!
So their wedding was planned as a retreat for everyone, not simply a honeymoon for two, although I’m sure they’ll find time for that too!
Since ancient times couples have stood together in a ceremony of marriage. For Jess and Joel’s ceremony they also decided to embrace an age old tradition, with a rope! I rewrote what is sometimes called a handfasting ceremony, in which a cord is tied about a couple’s hands as they take their vows. It is from this tradition that we know of the expression to “tie the knot”. Making it uniquely their own handfasting, we played with words, and wove their vow sentiments into the handfasting format.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”39713″ img_size=”large”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
Handfasting
During the ceremony under the large tree, I wound the cord slowly about their hands as they made their promises to each other. For each line a binding, for each binding a promise, and as the hands were bound together, a set of promises bound their lives and their futures. But once done, the bindings can be unwound for the promises they have made will keep them together, no rope is needed!
Photos by Brisbane & Melbourne based photographer, Elleni Toumpas and a couple by myself!
If you enjoyed this story, you may like the first chapter of Jess and Joel’s DIY vintage themed wedding, down on the farm, by the Mary River.
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Vintage wedding at the homestead
Thank you Jessica and Joel for your inspiration, and congratulations on your marriage. Where does one start with such a delightful vintage style wedding?
Kenilworth Homestead
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Kenilworth Homestead provides a classic farmyard or vintage wedding, with rolling paddocks of horses and animals, a classic barn, a huge tree for the ceremony, a relaxed river for guests camping ground, cabins to stay in, and plenty of vintage farm relics for photo opportunities galore.
Kenilworth Homestead
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DIY vintage wedding elements
Or does one begin with the vintage wedding DIY components; hours of shopping, sourcing, and making with aunties and mums and friends?
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Handfasting wedding ritual
Or does one concentrate on a unique handfasting ritual which was part of their wedding ceremony?
It is simply not possible to cover everything in one story. So today I’ll lead you into the tale with a look at where we found ourselves the day after the storm the night before, on a glorious sunny day out in the country.
Setting the stage for a wedding retreat weekend, we begin at Kenilworth Homestead, by the Mary River, on the Sunshine Coast hinterland, a gorgeous farm setting for a wedding.
Jessica had spent hours with Mum and aunties and friends, sourcing country style fabrics and making bunting. Bunting was strung up around the old barn and garden verandas. Then there were blackboards with handwritten menus, directions for the guests, an enticing cocktail list, and lawn games.
Then a wander inside the rustic barn itself brought oohs and aahs. Hours had been spent sourcing vintage crockery for the table settings, and old enamel teapots for the flower arrangements on the tables. Each table was named for the colour of its teapot! Outside were lawn games; croquet, badminton…and an old enamel bath! And of course the horses. The yard was a playground full of delights, and the stage complete for the entry of a bride.
Photos by Kari with a couple from Elleni Toumpas
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Arrive with panache to your wedding
…just like Jo and Len did to their wedding ceremony along the riverfront at Noosaville.
Congratulations to newly weds, Jo and Len, your wedding was such fun.
Here is how their wedding began….
Before the wedding began, guests were a little surprised when the Groom unbuttoned his shirt. Dressed in just singlet and rolled up pants, he wandered away from the wedding canopy (by Splash Events) set up by the banks of the Noosa River. His purple shirt hung on the canopy and he disappeared!
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How the groom arrived to the wedding
To our surprise he returned 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. Was purple going to be a colour theme today?[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”39810″ img_size=”large”][vc_column_text]
How the bride arrived to the wedding
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, and with her bridesmaids. Several girls stepped onto the zebra crossing and held up all traffic for the bridal party to cross over.
Abbey Road
Reminiscences of Abbey Road, more cheers ….. and tears, and laughter. And the ceremony had not begun yet![/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”39802″ img_size=”large”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
Back to the wedding
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.
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~ with Sunshine Coast wedding celebrant Kari ~
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!”
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.
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~ with Sunshine Coast wedding celebrant – Kari.
“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.”
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
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!
