Tara Merillo Life Celebrant

12/03/2025

To watch your friend fall in love with a man who embraces her, understands her, treats her like a queen, gives her a family, joins hers without hesitation and then helps her chase her dreams - you know that there is nothing but a radiant love all around them.

Jody, you are such a gorgeous person and you emanated your beauty from the inside out on your wedding day. I was so happy to be there to get you and Toby married.

Kangy Gardens offers so many areas to utilise - rustic ceremony space, lush gardens perfect for hiding a magic ticket for guests to find, lawn area for games and a grazing table, a reception space and party marquee. Throw in a tequila bar, a donut station, and some and you’ve got the elements for a great night! The BEST!!

22/02/2025

Tylah and Nath were married by Newcastle’s Ocean Baths at the Tramway Reserve. They wanted a comfortable, laid back party with some legals. They were surrounded by generations of love making it a big hearted and wholesome affair.

Nathan’s grooms-woman suited up, live tunes brought the energy and the floral arbour was eye-catching with the metallic painted monsteria leaves. The sunny afternoon rays were present only adding to the love glow of the Murray’s 🫶🏻

20/02/2025

To lose a mother is life-altering. Their imprint is everywhere. The glue that holds us all together, the giver of advice, the sounding board for life, your best friend who always offers guidance, and support, your number one defender and provider of warmth and nurturing. Then when they become grandmothers it’s another loss again. They become vintage little girls, always happy to play, provide cuddles and wisdom, surprises and gifts, baked goods and a beautiful and pure ability to instill confidence and self belief in their grandchildren. It’s a disorientating loss to endure because Mums are the ones that tell us everything is going to be ok. And then they are gone….

It’s ok to miss them hard, but remember that you are their legacy, and when you are ready - your way through grief will be to celebrate and honour them by loving others the way she loved you.

I helped my friend and her family say their goodbyes this week. I know right now it’s sad and it hurts, but there are so many beautiful traditions that you will be able to include her in, making new memories with her surrounding you from above.

Take care darl ✨🕊️💜

20/02/2025

Kiara and Mark surprised all their guests at their engagement party turned backyard wedding!!

It was a casual love fest with all the trimmings. Bbq spit roast, slushie machines, marquee in the garden and magical fairy lights by the pool. Their beloved dachshunds Snags and Wally were by their ankles and they had custom coolers made for all to remember the good times.

Kiara is a cancer care nurse and is a total legend of a human, I love seeing her around the hospital and getting updates of her and Marks adventures! Two legged bambino incoming 🤫🤰🏼🫶🏻

20/02/2025

Meet the Howells. The most complementary couple I’ve met - talk about positive synergy ☯️ Jamie is a loose cannon, spontaneous wild and glorious in every way. His cheeky grin and lanky arms are full of love and warmth and Em is equally as warm, but she is centred, considered and chill.

These two put together a rustic hoedown with a touch of boho for the most special company. Their hope was for everyone to feel looked after and celebrate their joining in marriage as a collective togetherness. It was nostalgic and unpretentious fun - add in the hottest cowboy boots, a tipi, open bar, a few drops of rain and Georgie the goat as a page boy! Yess and yessss X

20/02/2025

After 13 years side by side and three beautiful babies, Bonnie and Adam celebrated what they had already established with a nice mushy, sentimental wedding. Their cheeky, fun and light hearted personalities shone through with their genuine love and appreciation for their family.

A trip to Port Macquarie all because told Bonnie and her mum about her friend the celebrant.

Best job in the world! 🙏🏻

20/02/2025

Nic + Winston a few moons ago (I’m hopeless at posting on here).

They thoughtfully planned an elegant and memorable wedding for their family and friends. When families come from different continents and Covid comes along delaying plans, they had to pivot and really wanted to take care of their guests.

I’m talking luxurious garden soiree, fantastic music, champagne flowing, delectable food, and super cute bonbonniere of locally crafted gin from and Firescreek Winery wines 👌🏻

It’s the ultimate highlight when people I know ask me to marry them. You are both naturally beautiful, kind, generous and sophisticated and I adored helping you execute your dream day. Much love🤍

23/01/2025

❤️‍🔥⚡️⚡️💒⚡️⚡️❤️‍🔥

We are buzzing here at City Hall, it’s only 8 more sleeps till our next Viva Gos Vegas wedding…. Stay tuned, we are anticipating a blaze of passion to sweep through the CBD 🤘🏻🐆💒⚡️❤️‍🔥

11/11/2024

Recently I was asked to be the funeral celebrant for my friend’s daughter. It was a celebration of a beautiful life that just wasn’t long enough making it profoundly sad.

Some funerals can be full of really raw emotion and sadness and the ceremony gives space for people to come together and fall apart.

When enduring such a devastating loss we must hold on tight to our cherished memories for comfort, and lean on friends and family for strength. Things may never make sense, but the sun will shine again ☀️

30/10/2024

Geoff and Nok met at a Thai treatment centre when Geoff had injured his back after a game of golf. Geoff knew instantly that something was there, yet Nok who was a cool cucumber was not so impressed with Mr Robinson. She didn’t want a bar of him. With some persistence and a knack for more injuries meaning more appointments Geoff found out it was soon to be her birthday and he asked her out. She affirmed that she did not date clients and that was that.

A few weeks later she sent a text with an address to meet in Sydney for dinner. Geoff arrived at a rather ritzy restaurant soon realising that she had in fact reserved a table at a Michelin 3star French restaurant. She put him through the paces ordering a number of dishes and he rose to the occasion only to happy to spend time with her, he had realised that it was her birthday. Nok soon warmed to Geoff’s affections and 4 years later, it’s their wedding day.

Geoff is easy going, and Nok is drama free which works great. They are same same same but different. Geoff talks too much and is obsessed with golf, whilst Nok walks too slow and is addicted to TikTok!

I am so happy to see you light up in each others presence! To Mr + Mrs R 🥂

24/10/2024

Sometimes in this little thing called life, you find a best friend and a soul mate, the one that makes you smile on the inside, lights up every corner of your world and simply feels like home. The Mitchell’s created a thoughtful, fun, relaxed and rather stunning wedding at Tocal Homestead in the Hunter.

I was in awe the moment I drove onto the property, there was the beauty of the vast farmland, a rustic hay shed turned reception venue, the most majestic fig trees in front of the heritage listed Georgian country house with its ponds and fountains that transports you back in time…. if it weren’t for the music duo Paparazzi performing live tunes for all on the verandah. There was their wedding arbour adorned with a meticulously created floral arrangement that captivated the eyes and complemented the magical feeling of the surrounds. Possibly the beautiful-est blooms I’ve seen, set my hayfever off good and proper. There was a horse rolling in the paddock during the ceremony, Tesla wedding cars, and a cocktail cart serving Margs to kick off the Newlyweds celebrations!

And that, is how you can get married!!
❤️‍🔥🌳🎸🍸🏠🐴

28/09/2024

Andrew’s clients invited him to visit their display at the Orange Agricultural Show. He brought his father with him and soon after they found themselves at the food and wine festival, and then the Hotel Canobolas.

Nazli was in her final year of dentistry - in the middle of an exam period. She popped into town to grab dinner after an arduous week of exams. She bumped into her uni friends who were out for the food and wine festival. They pestered Naz to join them for a drink, of which she eventually, reluctantly, agreed…

They were already at the hotel and after several beers, two handsome men sat beside them and struck up a conversation. Three became four when an elegant brunette walked into the fray, seamlessly placing herself amongst her friends and catching up, barely noticing Andrew and his father were there. The girls asked where they were from, and when Andrew replied the Inner West of Sydney, he caught Naz’s attention, as she too was from the Inner West.

Naz found Andrew warm and easy to talk to, making every effort to make her laugh - they hadn’t even noticed that everyone had left, and it was just the two of them. With time the conversation became deeper. They felt rather comfortable with the other.

Andrew asked if Naz would be open to having dinner in Sydney upon her return. She saved her number on his phone under a cryptic pseudonym, to gauge how well he had been listening to her as he had consumed a few beverages by this point. It took Andrew some time to determine that “Ashfield” was the attractive brunette in the glasses.

Life is joyful and curious and today they wed in the gorgeous outdoor grounds of The Woodhouse Wollombi with their Turkish and Italian families - cross pollinating their lives and cultures with the people they hold close.

Big Congratulations to you both 🤍

14/08/2024

Rochelle + Chris had a connection that felt right from the get-go. It was easy, fun, adventurous and full of love. Getting married seemed like the natural progression for their little family and they hosted a modest merrymaking gathering of family and friends.

Their future is full of stars - literally, Chris loves peering through his telescope into the night. It is their hope that their tomorrows will involve evening walks as a family, playing boardgames, reading books and holding hands

Much Obliged
TM x







centralcoastwedding

13/08/2024

Senor’ Thiago and Senora’ Lucy bringing not only the heartfelt ‘Sunday Love’ kinda vibes, but the personally distilled spirits, the colour, style, and brightest poppies you’ve ever seen, a pair of bangin’ bow shoes made by Lucy’s big sis and many sentimental touches for Thiago who was missing his family back home in Brazil. All this and a whole lot more in the most honest and relaxed space - mum and dads backyard.

Twas’ an unforgettable one for me - two genuine AF, truly loved up, good humans bouncing off one another and sharing their joY!!! 🇦🇺 💃🏽❤️‍🔥🕺🏼🇧🇷

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12/08/2024

Rowan and Ellen’s wedding was a chance to catch up with some of my previous couples and share all the laughs and cuddles! Here I am with Bri + Will, Lauren + Rowan, and one half of Alex and Georgia (she was on wedding squad duties). Its always a great feeling to see married couples a lil’ further down the line and hear about all their life adventures, travels, property acquisitions and bambinos!

NOTE - Chuffed that my celebrant dress code request involved wearing sneakers!! So of course it was a fab excuse to get me some Nike Blazer Mids 77 Vintage kicks for the occasion …. from the youth section I might add which were $60 bucks cheaper !

12/08/2024

“Mawwage - mawwage is what brings us togeder today. Mawwage that bwessed awangement, that dweam wifin a dweam”.

Rowan and Ellen paid homage to the Princess Bride in their ceremony with a reading and it was hilarious!! My favourite reading ever tbh 🤣

There was a few interrupting rain drops towards the end of the ceremony, however the rolling country views, grand gums, impressive silk flowers, amazing cocktails, donut tower, cake and lolly bar, snazzy sneakers, fine friends and good tunes only added to the success of the day.

Ellen and Rowan are the fourth couple from an amazing group of friends that I have had the pleasure of marrying 😊 Weddings are now a reunion that ai thoroughly enjoy!

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30/05/2024

Did you know that Atticus chooses to remain anonymous as a symbol of spreading art with fame after losing a celebrity friend to addiction.

Beautiful, powerful and simple are Atticus’ thoughts on love. Story and observation - just like a celebrants craft weaving the tales of lovers in ceremony….

23/05/2024

Meet the McBrides 🤍

You can only dream of finding the one to go on a late night maccas run for you when you feel like glorious fried potatoes…. It means a lifetime of looking past mutliple online purchases for the caravan arriving at the door and tolerating the golf on the tv…

A fun, lax and modern celebration was had for Cherie and Ryan as they relished it all in the moment with their much adored family. They are creating their dream life side by side - watching their children blossom before their eyes, planning their pHat lap around Australia, drinking all the coffee and watching all the sunsets 🥂