Modern Love Ceremonies

22/08/2024

Vale Mic Mac. 💔
After a very short battle with lung cancer, my dad died on Saturday night.
I talked to him in the hour leading up to his death - I was due to fly down to see him this next morning and sit with him while he had chemo. He told me that he loved me and that he’d see me the next day.

I have really been feeling some feelings this week.
This grief thing sucks - the worst rollercoaster.

I’m relieved for my dad that he doesn’t have to go through cancer treatment and a painful death, but he really wanted to live, and I really, really wanted that too.

If you are a future couple of mine, and you haven’t heard from me about transferring your wedding to a new celebrant, then I will be at your wedding - but my response times in the next fortnight might be sporadic.

A big thank you to , , , and for their support this week, to my very kind and understanding couples and my incredible village of family and friends.

Love you, Dad.

04/07/2024

Kim and Brady got married almost 10 years after their first date.
Brady joked that he waited through 2 leap years for Kim to propose, but in the end he had to take matters into his own hands.

Kim made the most wonderful promise in her vows.
“I’ll bring the 80% in the times you only have 20 in the tank….and I’ll meet you on the side of the freeway with a jerry can when your tank’s at zero.” 💔🥰

She is quite the wordsmith and also emailed this gorgeous message to me:

“We really can’t thank you enough for the beautiful energy you brought into our wedding, thank you for making everything so fun and so easy for us.
A lot of our guests asked if you were an old friend of ours, and were surprised when we said you weren’t. I think that really speaks volumes about how fantastic you are at what you do, and how lovely and genuine you are as a person.” 💗

Images by the wonderful and they followed their beach ceremony featuring florals from with a party for their nearest and dearest at the .

26/06/2024

There are so many “best parts” of being a celebrant, but hearing that you helped make the ceremony one of the best parts of a couple’s day is right up there.

Being texted a hug photo with a virtual hug message is pretty great too. Thanks .

Beautiful images of Stephanie and William captured by .

18/06/2024

Lucy and Jessie eloped with a small number of family members along for the ride.

Lucy’s parents, siblings, and their partners stayed at where I joined Lucy and Jessie one Saturday morning to say the words that made them married, and then they lunched at .byronbay.

Later this year, they will celebrate with Jessie’s family in Switzerland.

Lucy’s talented sister took these beautiful photos - including the cover snap - but that one was captured on my phone.

Lucy and Jessie are incredibly talented, kind, and lovely individuals. As a celebrant, it’s bittersweet how swiftly couples enter and exit my life, but I’m excited for the wonderful adventures that lie ahead for both of them.

Makeup:
Bridal Fit: .varma
Flowers:
Couple: +

Thank you so kindly for the google review Lucy and Jessie.

14/06/2024

Remote witnessing is back, baby!
Celebrants can once again witness your Notice of Intended Marriage form via FaceTime or video conference! Woo hoo!

13/05/2024

The lovely bride you see here is Karlee, a radiant blast from my past from Coffs Harbour. We were high school friends who managed to keep in touch through the magic of social media, even though we’ve been scattered across different towns and cities since then.

I was so excited when Karlee contacted me to see if I was available to help her and Mike get married - even more so after meeting with them and hearing how incredibly compatible and in love they are, and what a loving “bonus parent” figure Karlee has been to Mike’s daughter, Savannah.

Karlee made vows to Mike, but also to Savannah, saying that she promised to always make sure that Savannah got enough time with her dad and that she would always support her and cheer her on in all that she does.
Everyone got pretty emotional at that point.

Whilst the wet weather sent us indoors at the Kirra Hill Community Centre, it was a truly special ceremony that no one will forget in a hurry.

Always a lovely day spent with .





.bakes

07/05/2024

Hannah and Finn’s wedding ceremony was just incredible - their family and friends were so happy for them and it was an electric celebration.

A sprinkle of rain came over during their vows, but after a quick mid-ceremony consultation with Hannah and Finn and their guests - we chose to forge on and the rain swept past us.
(Their guests were actually shouting “keep going!”).

Check out slide 6 for the lovely review they left me. 🥹🥰

Great crew on the ground at Frida’s with shooting for , , .lochhead.music, , , and

02/05/2024

Ten years ago today I had the absolute pleasure of marrying a life changing couple, Tatum and Fletcher, at the most incredible .

The year before had left Sydney and moved to Mullumbimby with my husband, our toddler and baby, thinking that I was leaving my voice over career behind to raise my family in the country and hadn’t really considered celebrancy as a viable career path.

Fletcher’s sister is a friend of mine, so they trusted me with their wedding ceremony and it was one of those truly magical days. It was rainy, we were all crammed into the undercover space and the ceremony was touching and funny and just everything you could hope for (even without perfect weather).

I made such valuable contacts at that wedding - but has been one of my biggest cheerleaders as a celebrant. She has shouted my name to the rooftop and I have actually lost count of how many couples I have married because of her.

Thank you Tatum and Fletcher!
Have the most amazing second honeymoon. ❤️

Photos

11/04/2024

A tiny excerpt from Phoebe’s epic vows to her beautiful Scotsman and their kilt-wearing baby.

Colour pics from and black and white film shot is .

The most wonderful day.

25/03/2024

Amy and Lawson did things a little differently. ⁠
On the morning of their wedding, they had a simple elopement style ceremony on the beach with just their gorgeous daughter, Sadie, and their immediate family family present. ⁠
Both of their lovely mums shared a reading during the ceremony.⁠
⁠
They then hosted a fabulous Under the Tuscan Sun styled lunch at the beautiful and partied on into the night with their nearest and dearest.⁠
⁠
I do love a bridal costume change at a wedding - especially one that means you can spin out some sunset cartwheels with your besties!⁠

Photos by the incredibly talented ⁠.
⁠
⁠
Planning & Coordination: ⁠
⁠
Catering: ⁠
⁠
Caravan bar: ⁠
⁠
Furniture hire: + .seated⁠
⁠
Lighting: ⁠
⁠
Florist: ⁠
⁠
Hair & MUA: + ⁠
⁠
Music: + ⁠
⁠
Photography: ⁠
⁠
Videography: ⁠
⁠
Gelato cart: ⁠
⁠
Celebrant: ⁠
⁠
Transport: .byronbay⁠
⁠
Stationery:

07/03/2024

Tahnee and Bec had the sweetest ceremony in Bundjalung National Park at Woody Head.

They had a handful of their family and favourite people there as witnesses, and even though Bec hates getting rained on, the tiny sprinkles that showered us during the ceremony weren’t enough to dim her smile.

It was such a wonderful moment shared with and captured by .
Couldn’t have loved this day more. ❤️🥰

24/02/2024

A little pic of myself and Kihi (Māori for kiss) to celebrate any kisses you might be giving and receiving today.

I’m off to a small wedding in Iluka, and my couple appreciate their privacy - so there won’t be many updates on the wonderful world of weddings from me today.

Kihi is Rach and Rob’s adorable dog and and captured me stealing some cuddles from Kihi on their wedding day.

19/02/2024

Just married a gorgeous couple who met at a festival.
Definitely what you would call a relationship accelerator.
Here is a tiny excerpt from their ceremony:
“The beauty of meeting at a 3 day festival was that they didn't have to make plans to catch up, they were both just there and there wasn't any pressure, only fun times to be had together.”

Judy and Jerry Griffin at Woodstock 48 hours after they met and 50 years later.

22/01/2024

MEANINGFUL ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF COUNTRY

Jason and Brigid had a beautiful wedding at .field over the weekend - and one of my favourite parts of the ceremony was the meaningful Acknowledgment of Country they wrote for me to share. The words below followed the acknowledgment of the ceremony taking place on Bundjalung Country.

“Connection to country and culture means a lot to Brigid and Jason. The lands of the Bundjalung hold a special significance for them and an ongoing connection they have both grown to love.

As many of you know, Brigid and Jason spent a magical time in this region when Archie was born and started their early days as a little family together through the height of COVID.
Archie’s Aboriginal name is Iluka meaning ‘by the sea’ in the local dialect.
Perhaps co-incidentally – but Brigid and Jason believe it is more than this – there is a connection between the Bundjalung and Gunditjmara - Jason’s Aboriginal ancestors from Southwest Victoria.

The whale dreaming story is shared between the Bundjalung and Gunditjmara, as well as other Aboriginal communities who live in the migratory path of the whale along the southeastern coastline of Australia.

The whale dreaming story runs as deep as an ancient songline and while the story can take many forms, central to all is the role of the mother as the carrier of life and knowledge, and in protecting her young so they too can become family Elders for future generations.
So the land we are all standing on here today is not only beautiful, but it holds a very special place in Brigid and Jason’s hearts.”

It was such an honour to share this incredible Acknowledgment. Thank you Brigid and Jason.

18/01/2024

COLOUR IS BACK!
One of the trends I'm so excited with for 2024 is that we are seeing lots of colour coming back to weddings.
Don't get me wrong, neutrals will always have their place, but oh, how I love a bit of colour.

Elisa and Greg got married with just their parents as witnesses at with the lovely team from - and all this delightful colour was put together by and captured by .

THE DREAM TEAM:
Bride and groom .travel all the way from the UK
Venue
Celebrant
Florist
Make up
Photographer
Private in-house chef .chefs.pocket
Company

05/01/2024

Happy new year from me and my man who apparently wants to keep my 100 x class pilates arms to himself.
💪
Catch ups with a fave past couple and last night and running in to visiting past couples as well!

20/12/2023

That’s it!
Officially done for the year and excited about all the amazing stories I’ll get to hear and share next year.

Hoping everyone reading this has an incredible holiday period spending time with loved ones, and that you get a break.

Thanks to my wonderful friend, who always manages to capture my shy and retiring nature perfectly.

We are heading in to peak proposal and wedding planning season while couples have time off work together, so feel free to contact me to tell me your story.

10/12/2023

Wow. This would have been a pretty incredible wedding to be at.

Tony Hawk has posted the first photo from Frances Bean Cobain’s wedding to his son.

27/11/2023

It's that time in the social media cycle for me to remind you that next year is booking up quick and you can schedule a video chat or a real life catch up to see if I'm the right celebrant for you.

Like - look at that storytelling captured by - not sure what story I'm telling with that open palm - but it looks interesting... 😆

Complete the enquiry form on my website and let's chat.

21/11/2023

Feathers + Disco Balls + Crocs = PARTY!

Mel and James clearly had the best celebration after their wedding ceremony at the Orchard Estate.

Obsessed with Mel's party outfit.
⁠
Photographer: Tom Hoy
Planner: Creative Weddings Byron Bay⁠
Disco ball installation by Byron Audio and filmed on my phone.
⁠

14/11/2023

INCLUDING VIP KIDS IN YOUR CEREMONY

Amelia and Alan had a very intimate elopement on their family property, before they broke ground building their dream home.
It was just them, their 4 daughters, Amelia’s mum, and Ebony from Mamakind Studio and their friend, Nich, from Rolling Dawn Films.

The ceremony itself was very simple, however after they exchanged rings, they chose to gift their daughters with a token of their promise to always love and care for them as well.�
The gifts were personalised bracelets created by Brock Fitzgerald Jewellery with their names engraved on them (slide 2).

Amelia shared some beautiful words with her daughters (see excerpt on slide 4).

Their eldest daughter, Arlo, chose to tell her mum and dad how much she appreciated them too - and we were all a mess of happy tears after that. (video excerpt from Nich’s incredible wedding film in the comments).

09/11/2023

Emmie and Sam included the Greek Stefana Crowns ritual in their ceremony which symbolises that they are now the Queen and King of their family, and of their home; which they will rule with wisdom, justice and integrity.

When I am helping a couple include a cultural ritual in their ceremony that needs physical assistance, I always ask that they pick a friend or family member to be part of the ritual, to give it more significance, and I narrate from the side.

Emmie's sister, Madi, helped by placing the crowns on Emmie and Sam's heads in this ceremony.

A huge happy 4th anniversary to this King and Queen today!

A beautiful day captured by .

08/11/2023

DEE LOVES SARAH LOVES DEE

Some lovely qualities these two gorgeous women love about each other:

👯‍♀️ Dee says Sarah's tenacity to have a dance party, no matter what, is something to be admired. Gets home from work, dance party. On the couch after her show has ended, dance party. Sometimes she will just go into a room with her headphones and dance for a bit.

✨ Sarah loves the way Dee always matches her energy when she's doing something silly, like dancing in the kitchen without music, and she loves that it often goes on for way too long!

🤗 Dee loves Sarah's constant optimism - she is like a beacon of light and is so positive about everything. Even when things don’t go as planned, her response is always an optimistic one.

😂 Sarah loves how Dee can always make her laugh, especially when she's scared or doubtful – Dee will say and do things in the perfect mix of bizarre comedy that can break any tension.

😌 Dee loves Sarah for her patience, it is her superpower. She could literally outlast anyone in waiting for something. Dee reflects that she is the complete opposite.

😭 Sarah loves how Dee isn’t afraid to be vulnerable and say I love you, to Sarah and all of her friends and family, and how Dee has silently recruited everyone in their lives to express their love for each other more.

Images captured by Rach from .

02/11/2023

Thanks so much for the kind words Danielle and Andrew - it was such a pleasure hearing your love story and sharing it with your friends and family!⁠
⁠
⁠
⁠
These gorgeous frames and memories captured by the wonderful Kristen from .Films.⁠
⁠
Ceremony // ⁠
⁠
Celebrant // ⁠
⁠
Florals + Styling // ⁠
⁠
Hire // ⁠
⁠
Photo + Video .Films⁠
⁠
MUA // ⁠
⁠
Hair // ⁠
⁠
Gown // ⁠
⁠
Shoes // ⁠
⁠
Rings: ⁠
⁠
Suits // ⁠
⁠
Live Music // ⁠
⁠
Dj // ⁠
⁠
Caterer // ⁠
⁠
Cake Maker //

16/10/2023

Instead of having me share an Acknowledgement of Country at the beginning of their ceremony, Jacs and Rhys arranged for the wonderful Aunty Delta to perform the Welcome to Country, which is always an incredible moment to witness.

Such a respectful and impactful way to begin any celebration on Bundjalung Country.

📷

10/10/2023

The moment where Andrew had almost finished his vows, and thought he could go off book and read the last few sentences of his vows without looking and when he was meant to say, "I am so honoured to call myself your husband", but he actually said "I am so honoured to call you my husband".

Danielle's face is so amazing. "Your what?"

I was absolutely packing it for a second there thinking I had somehow printed the wrong thing on his vow card.
(I didn't - phew!)

Luckily one of the things Danielle loves most about Andrew is how funny and light-hearted he is, so it just made the day even more special.

These gorgeous frames and memories captured by the wonderful Kristen from .Films.

Ceremony //

Celebrant //

Florals + Styling //

Hire //

Photo + Video .Films

MUA //

Hair //

Gown //

Shoes //

Rings:

Suits //

Live Music //

Dj //

Caterer //

Cake Maker //

07/10/2023

When Eddie had a little trouble working out how to put Lauren’s engagement ring inside her insert style wedding ring during the ring exchange.
I know it’s rude to point - but sometimes that’s just what makes sense in the moment.

This was such a fun and happy ceremony and I’m not sure if I’ve met a cruiser couple than these two.

It’s often the unplanned imperfect moments in ceremonies that are the most memorable. 😊

Captured by Jade Joubert.

04/10/2023

PAST-COUPLE CATCH-UP
My lovely friend and past bride answers some of my nosey past-couple catch-up questions.
She works for a wedding mag, so prepare yourself for some good answers.

How long have you been married?

Since 2016 - 7 years (together for 15).

You had two weddings, tell me about that?

I'm from the UK, Andy is from Australia and we were living in Sydney at the time. We didn't want anyone to feel they had to travel, so decided to have a wedding in each country. We had a 'lovefest' in April in NSW (amazingly officiated by Cara!) and then a legal church wedding at Christmas in Cornwall, England.

How many people are in your family now?

Three! Our bonkers little boy Sunny came along last year and has kept us laughing ever since.

How did you meet your spouse?

We met in Cornwall, through friends and Andy's brother Nick. I didn't know Nick (who lived in Oz) had an identical twin, so was very confused when a Nick-a-like turned up one day at my friend's house. Andy and I didn't really 'click' straightaway, but met a few times over the years and eventually got together in 2008 - and found that the first day we'd met (six years previously), I'd written him a letter, which he'd kept.
Neither of us remember it, but maybe the scene was set!

What was the most memorable or best part of your wedding day?

In Oz - how relaxed and sunny and colourful it was. I think it not being 'legal' took some of the pressure off, and we could concentrate on the fun.
In UK - the cosiness of it being a winter wedding, with mulled wine and boozy hot chocolate and so many loved ones we hadn't seen for a long time. It felt really special.

Would you change anything about the wedding/s in hindsight?

I now work for a wedding magazine, so have discovered a lot more about wedding planning! Most things that cause you stress aren't worth it, because it WILL be a brilliant day, whatever happens. When you look and feel good, and are surrounded by other people who bring you joy - and have delish food and booze - it's virtually impossible not to have fun.

Any advice for couples planning their wedding?

Good friends and family that help you with your wedding are worth their weight in gold. Treasure them and treat them, because without them it wouldn't be half as special.

What’s your favourite thing about your partner?

I would have always said his calmness and kindness, but now I would say the way he loves our little boy, and has embraced family life.

What do you do to keep the love alive now that you are parents?

Laugh a lot at our son. Sometimes it's hard and frustrating but it's easier/better for us to find it silly and funny. When we both work from home we try to get out at lunchtime for a swim or a walk or a pasty (we live in Cornwall now!), just the two of us.

Australia love fest photos (where Lucy has the blue necklace) captured by Paul Suesse.

(You may have noticed I'm mainly asking my mates to do these catch ups - but if you're a past couple of mine and feel like you have advice to give - please hit me up in my DMs).

02/10/2023

Remember September
1. Marrying my lovely 600th couple and then another 8 incredible couples.
2. Saying bon voyage to my dear friend Anika who has embarked on a year on the road with her fam .
3. Celebrating being a really good dad.
4. Capturing headshots for the kids voice over careers - Thea channeling Darla energy - the dentist’s niece from Finding Nemo.
5. Raya experiencing that energy.
6. Bubbles! 📸
7. Book parade prep.
8. Turning 44 - celebrating in Brisbane during a cold snap - buying a $20 poncho at the night markets and wearing it while consuming a $20 margarita. Small child moves into poncho.
9. Lightscape in Brisbane - loved it, but would have loved it more with half the amount of people there. If crowds bother you - this event might not be for you.
10. Non-consensual smooches from Raya.