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Something very French
How about something very French for your wedding ceremony.
You may be French.
You may want a little something French for the sheer chic of it.
You may simply wish to toast your love with champagne.
Whatever the reason there are many French marriage traditions that are delightful. And of course others that you don’t want your friends to find out too!
As a Sunshine Coast Hinterland wedding celebrant I am always seeking new ways to create ritual within ceremony; finding ways to show something, rather than say something. And there are so many multicultural rituals to draw from, and rework to fit two people getting married, like Lucy and Neil did.
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Lucy and Neil had spent a long and memorable holiday in France. They remembered it as a very special time in their relationship; in their burgeoning love.
So when they decided to marry they wished to include something a little French in their marriage ceremony. In fact they had brought some special Champagne back from France, from the real Champagne region where they make the only true Champagne. (Everywhere else produces sparkling wine did you know?)
Champagne and roses
Now in the region of France where champagne is created, the traditional vineyards often cultivate roses at the ends of each row of grape vines. They look wonderful, yes, and smell fabulous when in flower, but it is not for the romance that the grape growers plant the roses.
Why the roses in French vineyards?
The rose plays a special and important role in the production of the grapes. Being extremely sensitive to changes in the soil, reacting quickly to disease or invasion, they are the canary in the vineyard. The same diseases attack the grape vines, but the rose gives an early warning that something is amiss. The grower gets a head start in making the necessary changes. If the blooms are beautiful and abundant, then everything is fine. Should the rose wither or wilt, grow mould or develop leaf curl then the growers know something is amiss and they take action before their grapes are affected. The rose works for its keep!
A partnership between rose and grape
We have therefore a partnership between the rose and the grape. What does this have to do with wedding ritual? We’re getting there….. and read on.
The Rose de Reims biscuits
In the district of Champagne France, there is another culinary tradition. In a typical French style where food is closely linked to every aspect of life, the rose petals are used to flavour special biscuits, les biscuits rose de reims – a crisp sweet treat that melts in the mouth. It is not your usual Sunday afternoon tea cookie. The Biscuits Rose de Reims are twice baked and become crisp and not crumbly, delightfully crunchy without falling apart.
A tradition used to celebrate special occasions is the partnering of the les Biscuits Rose de Reims and real Champagne.
Imagine the crossroads of bubbles and roses.
On a special occasion the biscuits are dipped into glasses of champagne and eaten with the celebratory drink.
Individually they are unique and very special, Rose de Reims and Champagne.
But put them together and WOW! What a pair.
What a pair
Is this the kind of symbol you could have to celebrate your union in marriage?
So having decided on something a little French, where else to be wed than the Spotted Chook Ferme Auberge, a French provincial styled country Inn in Montville on the Sunshine Coast Hinterland Range.
Congratulations to Lucy and Neil, married in Montville, with Champagne and Les Biscuits Rose de Reims.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column][vc_column_text]Kari is a special person with a beautiful spirit and a unique gift of putting people at ease. She was so adaptable and knew when to step in to help us and offer some creative and fabulous ideas; however, she also knew when to listen to what we wanted. We were a little nervous about the whole process but Kari made us feel comfortable and excited about our ceremony. On the day, Kari created a loving and relaxed atmosphere amongst all of our friends and family and our ceremony was a dream. Both my husband Neil and I agree that the ceremony was the most special part of our day. We are so happy that we worked with Kari as we now have beautiful memories that last a lifetime. Thanks, Kari. Lucy and Neil
Photos by AWPP of Montville
Read another story about a French wedding[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
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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
[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”39667″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]Shall I begin with the choice of venue?
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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~ with Sunshine Coast wedding celebrant Kari ~
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.
~ 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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