Day dreamer + story teller
Creating heartfelt ceremonies for Melbourne lovers
Relaxed + professional
[email protected]
(13)
Spring has well and truly sprung, and our wildflowers are putting on a show!
Native plants, like this common heath, provide food and shelter for bees, birds, and a bunch of other wildlife!
If you’re heading out to a state forest this , take care and enjoy the sights (and scents) of these beauties without damaging them.
➕An Air BnB for the weekend
➕A few best mates
➕UK family streamed in
➕Moody skies
➕Professional chef
➕Two bulldogs
➕Shots
Ciara + Adam’s fun and intimate micro wedding was, and always will be, one of my faves.
📸 .weddings
@ Lyonville, Victoria, Australia
HERE SHE COMES 🤗🤗
Emma and her girls were ready to go! And I was excited to tell her fella. Can you tell?
I love this part of every ceremony.
It’s go time baby!
📸
CHECK IN
An all too familiar phrase.
But check in. On your mates.
This was important well before the QR code.
Lockdowns suck. For some more than others. Some days more than others. Check in on someone you think may be hit hard by the news. The homeschoolers. The couples. Your lonely neighbour. A little ‘howdy doody, hope you’re coping’ text could do the trick.
The sense of deja vu, the silver lining fatigue, the uncertainty. Those things can be mentally exhausting. Check in.
Will it be extended again? Will yet another wedding or event have to be postponed? No one really....nose.
Puns. Always the right time.
📸 Brigggggsssyyy
EMAILS. I’m on top of them. Yes. I am. No emails. Inbox. Empty. Buvjvcccgjbjbdfjvxjcvjvvjhgjg
You heard! If you’ve emailed me in the last two weeks, I have responded. It’s possible my response looks something like the above disjointed jibberish, but I’ve done it.
Some days the most I do is change the channel (and even my pants if I’m feeling crazy) so that’s worth a ‘hell yeah’.
📸
Sig
FRIEND • PHOTOGRAPHER • SUPERWOMAN ✨✨
Thank you for giving me all the feels. Thank you for capturing so many precious moments for us over the years.
Check out my story if you want to see more of Sig’s amazing photos of our little fam.... and of my freezing cold semi naked body.
BEING A MUM.
Still the best job I’ve ever had.
Here’s to all the nurturers 💕
BIG THANKS to all the new couples who’ve locked me in this week, who’ve made zero judgement about the lack of effort I’ve put into being ‘put together’ for our zoom chats. We’ve laughed on our couches and drank tea/wine. Its been bliss.
YOU ARE MY PEOPLE!!!
BIG THANKS to all my past and future couples who’ve sent me the kindest ‘hope you’re resting’ messages and well wishes.
I’m the luckiest.
📸 captured a beautiful pre ceremony moment between and I.
FYI Haylie has decided to become a celebrant herself and she’s going to f**king smash it! Keep your eyes peeled for this firecracker 🔥🔥🔥
CLIENT REVIEW 🔥
Chelsea + Rory bringing all the feels on this cosy Melbourne evening.
And here you were thinking I wouldn’t be able to come through with quality content whilst on a break from weddings.
Think again.
📸 Mike
I GOT YOU BABE 💕
ATT: My 2021 couples. You’ve got mail!
I hope you are feeling excited that THIS IS YOUR YEAR. That before the year is out, you will be married. Yay.
𝐈 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐰𝐞𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 this year and I am SO excited to get my 2021 lovers hitched. Whilst I will be on "maternity leave" for the next few months, I will still be working closely with my 2021 couples as their wedding day approaches.
𝐌𝐲 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐞 𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 for the entirety of my mini break, be it at a much slower pace
In addition to doing my best to wash my hair before we see each other, I will also do my best to respond asap should any burning questions come up. But I will not be nearly as active on my emails. 𝐒𝐨 𝐢𝐟 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐬 𝐮𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐚 𝐭𝐞𝐱𝐭.
I will still be catching up face to face with those of you for planning meetings that fall within my maternity leave period. 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐞𝐞 𝐮𝐩 𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐮𝐩𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐱 𝟔 𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐬 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐰𝐞𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐝𝐚𝐲..
If you have any questions, reach out. If I don't respond straight away, I promise I will get back to you. But I can't promise I won't have breastmilk on my shirt.
📸
GOING OUT WITH A BANG 🔥
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh today was THE BEST. I couldn’t think of a better couple to see out this crazy wedding season with.
I was BUZZING. Wrapping up with a couple who had to devastatingly postpone last year felt extra special.
It felt like a summers day☀️there was just something magic and positive in the air. A real vibe amongst the wedding parties and the crowd (could have also had something to do with the fact the groomsmen got the giggles after a big bo**er came flying out of the best mans nose just as we got started- thank your lucky stars it DID NOT touch me. Boogers give me the erghhhhh *shudders).
Chelsea + Rory⚡️Mr + Mrs Torkington
I JUST ADORE YOU.
You truly deserved such a perfect day. Your genuine, no bu****it approach to life has me in awe of you both. You are honest, true to who you are and downright f**king fabulous. From the friend zone to husband and wife. Enjoy the ride you wonderful babes.
WHERE? I CANT SEE YOU?
Good.
It shouldn’t be easy to spot me in every single one of your photos. You love your real friends more than me. You prefer them to be the ones framed on your walls. It’s ok......That’s how it should be.....I mean it hurts, we had something special.....but I get it 🤝 *cue tears.
Even with a wedding party this size it’s still possible to allow your photographer to capture moments of your full ceremony without me all up in it. In this case snapping Sarah + Mitch’s romantic set up in all its glory 🖤
Sooooooo? Found me yet?
REFLECTION ✨
In preparation for my last wedding before I take a winter break, I realised that this weekend’s beautiful duo will be the 42nd couple I’ve hitched.
I’ve never counted, nor really cared before because numbers don’t seem important. But out of curiosity, and a little procrastination, I tallied them up.
Now 84 lovers, living happily ever after, floating around on cloud 9, may not sound like many to some and it may sound like a lot to others 🤷🏽♀️I dunno. It is just a number. But it’s a number I’m proud of. And it’s a number I feel so privileged to reflect on.
I remember each and every couple I’ve married. I remember their stories, their families, their emotions, their hugs, their tears. I remember all our chats and the little things that every one of them has taught me about life and relationships.
I kicked off this biz with a dream in my heart and a baby attached to my b**b. I carried my business through a pandemic (and it survived!) and I’ve worked so hard to keep it thriving whilst growing another human. To know that through all the chaos I’ve helped 42 couples express their love and celebrate the joy they feel by just being together is so so special. It’s reminded me so many times what’s important in life. LOVE + CONNECTION.
So this a reflection on what I’m proud to have achieved, my gratitude for my couples and how humbled I feel to have found something I’m more than happy to work hard for.
✌🏼✌🏼
📸 beautiful beautiful Sig
Wanna know where Lachlan hid Elise’s engagement ring moments before he proposed?
His pocket? Nah too obvious.
Up his sleeve? Nope not there.
In his jocks? ✔️✔️✔️ YEP.
So smart. So gross.
Thankfully our ring bearer/best man Jack didn’t follow in his mates footsteps today. Keeping the rings firmly secured in his pants pocket. In a box. Away from his......ya know.
I LOVED getting these two hitched today in great company with
There was a lot of emotion in the moments leading up, and a lot of smiles and warmth throughout.
Lachy and Elise are beautiful people with so much love for each other and their friends. They have A LOT of friends and it was a privilege to meet so many of them today.
Congrats Mr + Mrs Telford.
Ps. Elise’s dad Bill said to me just before the ceremony began “Hey Ally, you don’t say any of that giving away crap when I walk my daughter down the aisle do you? I’m old but I’m not old fashioned” 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
Onya Bill, you legend.
The answer, if you’re still wondering, is a big fat no from me.
STOP 🛑
Comparing yourself and your wedding to others. Shine bright like a diamond. That is all.
📸
I’m in full support of enacting a wet weather plan, being wet and freezing isn’t a great time. BUT if Mother Nature takes a last minute turn for the worst THIS IS EXACTLY HOW YOU HANDLE IT.
With a bunch of positivity, some uplifting banter and a whole lotta love.
It was a party!
📸 @ Murray Gums Estate
MAY - AUGUST 🌼
A little reminder that I will be taking a break from weddings for three months from May. I will be in touch with my September (and beyond) couples during that time but will likely be much less responsive on the emails and much less responsive in general life. Sleep deprivation vibes amiright?!
If I’m marrying you between September - December this year and you have any questions, holla at me in the next couple of weeks whilst my head is still well and truly in the game.
Can’t wait for the next two weeks of weddings. Can’t wait for bubs to arrive. Can’t wait to soak her all in. And I can’t wait to get back to marrying.
Wow, I’m tall as.
But more importantly, Kate + Michael are married as ⚡️✨👏🏽
The classic, timeless introvert/extrovert combo. These two couldn’t be more perfect for each other.
Kate - beautiful, supportive and chatty.
Michael - down to earth, loving and calm.
Michael, a man of few words, did say to me afterwards, with a big ‘just married’ grin on his face...”that was easier than I thought”
Which means a lot. That’s what I want to hear. That you felt relaxed and swept up in the moment.
Thank god that goat chased Michael all the way down Kate’s driveway 10 years ago. Straight into the arms of his future wife. Long story. Congrats Mr + Mrs Chimenton!!
I LOVE EVERY SINGLE PART ⚡️📄
Obviously the main event, the big day, the grand finale is my all time favourite part. Getting to deliver the words I’ve crafted just for you after months of chats and planning is THE BEST! I have always felt at home behind a mic and in front of a crowd. Feeling the love and good vibes radiating from you and your guests is the best feeling and something I’ll never take for granted.
On the surface, I don’t take life too seriously. I like to make the most of the moment and I definitely live for emotion. But the reason this job is so PERFECT is because deep down I’m also organised AF. I love to plan, I love paperwork, I love making lists and highlighting the s**t out of ‘to do’ lists.
There really isn’t another job that my organised chaos could be more suited for. It’s pretty great waking up every day knowing that 💕
📸
The Vandalaaks 💕✨ I’ve gone full Stage 5 clinger here. Latched onto Ash with a fierce (slightly creepy grip) like I never want to let these two go. Which is sorta true I guess. If you were at today’s ceremony you’d understand why.
The vibe was electric. Their families were so warm and welcoming. And their friends were up and about.
Today was a long time coming. Jess + Ash have been together half their lives so had already been waiting a damn long time for this day, throw in a last minute 2020 postponement and it felt like one hell of a run up. Married - my new favourite venue - under a moody sky ☁️
The most chilled, happy, easy going, genuine couple. And that’s exactly how today felt. There was no stress, just joy and gratitude...and lots of belly laughs. And whoosh you were breathtaking. Every time I looked at you you just had the biggest smile on your face. It was contagious. I left feeling so lucky to have been a part of it.
Ps. Tell your dad I noticed that he nailed the walk in. Absolute pro. Go Rob 👏🏽👏🏽
NEXT DAY TEXT MESSAGE LOVE 🧡
“Ally, after we came home and talked about our day last night we both have said that our ceremony was our favourite part. We could not be more thankful for you and what you did. You completely set the tone for our wedding. Your words were hilarious and beautiful and just made us feel like us. You summed our relationship up perfectly. We have been given so many compliments saying it was the best and funniest ceremony that people had seen and that you were the best celebrant. Thank you for marrying us and for all of your support on the lead-up. We are so grateful to have found you”
I am head over heels in love with these two and still patiently waiting for my invite to join them on their honeymoon 🤔🤔🤔
Dreamy portraits by my girl
Phenomenal flowers by my bestie
@ The Farmers Daughter - Weddings + Events
Is it awkward when I come up to my couples post ceremony for a hug and a happy snap?
Yeah nah.
📸
Oh hey! A photo of me with a couple at the reception. Not at the end of the aisle. That can only mean one thing.....
Yesterday I married some close friends. And scored myself a ticket to the celebration 💃⚡️
Look at the grins on Mr + Mrs Perry. Hitched by yours truly.
Kristian and Abbey. A couple of motorcross obsessed, dog loving, rad humans who met on tinder and shared hot chips at a hospital cafeteria for their first date.
Might not sound like the most romantic beginning to a relationship. But just wait.
The context behind this first date is the stuff of rom coms.
With plans to catch up on the Saturday for the first time, things took a bit of a turn when Abbey’s little brother was in a motorbike accident. Abbey called Kristian to let him know and without a second thought, without ever having met Abbey, he came straight to the hospital. He brought his van and got little bros bike all sorted and then stayed with Abbey and her brother all night. Even meeting Abbey’s parents within a few hours of meeting Abbey herself!
What a god damn saint. If that ain’t true love I don’t know what is. Congrats beautiful people.
FIVE TO GO 🖐🏼
The countdown is on. Just five more weddings to go until I take three months off to soak in our new baby, admire my big perky milk b**bs and ride the beautiful wave of adjusting to having two kids.
I will be making the most of these five. I love this job. And I love these couples.
5 • Abbey + Kristian
4 • Jess + Ash
3 • Kate + Michael
2 • Elise + Lachlan
1 • Chelsea + Rory
BLAST OFF 🚀👶🏼
📸
YOU HAVE ONE JOB.
Enjoy yourself⚡️
Oh and go to the toilet before the ceremony.
📸
If the world was run by toddlers.
Not wedding related. But a beautiful, simple reminder nonetheless.
“Hat” - Hudson 2021
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The pre ceremony gathering. Excitement and nerves in the air. People coming together. People laughing. Hands on shoulders. Hand shakes. Hugs. Proud parents. Friends ready to party. Grandmas constantly glancing back at the aisle in anticipation. I miss soaking in these moments as much as I miss the ceremony itself. We’ll be back. More enthusiastic. More connected than ever.
24 hours on my story didn’t feel long enough for this. Many things are contagious, including laughter. 😘😘😘🧡🧡🧡♥️♥️♥️💛💛💛
Hey, here’s a fun fact about your friendly neighbourhood celebrant that you haven’t asked for but I’m giving you anyway - before growing a baby and starting a business I loved writing songs and having a sing. . . Don’t worry I’m not going to try and up-sell you a celebrant/amateur wedding singer experience. It’s just something I adore doing in my spare time (which we all don’t have a lot of these days) . . So here’s a little snippet of a love song I wrote to serve as a reminder to take 5 minutes to revisit something you love today
✨Got some questions? I’ve got you. . . Visit www.ceremoniesbyally.com.au for information on pricing and services. Here you’ll also find answers to some common questions couples have after getting engaged. Starting with...we’ve just got engaged, what do we do now? . . . #ceremoniesbyally #melbournecelebrant #engaged #faqs #wedding #melbournewedding #loveislove #love #happycouple #letsgetmarried #weddingceremony #celebrant
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