Yester Grange Archives

Oct 15
2018

Wedding Ceremony & Reception | 13 October 2018 | Frank & Nick | Yester Grange, Wentworth Falls, Blue Mountains

by DJ:Plus! Entertainment

Frank and Nick’s wedding was all about love and acceptance. Whilst I have previously entertained for same sex couples making lifelong commitments, these have been before marriage equality law was passed in Australia. They selected Yester Grange at Wentworth Falls in the Blue Mountains as the location for their ceremony and reception. Yester Grange is nestled amongst 20 acres of totally private parkland and garden at the top of the Wentworth Falls waterfall and National Park which was very fitting as no matter where in the world they are (Frank and Nick are prolific travellers), they always seem to happen across a waterfall.

The ceremony commenced with Frank and Nick walking in separately from either side of the ceremony location and following the ceremony, which was beautifully officiated by Laura Graham of Put A Ring On It, the crowd was split and Frank and Nick walked away together, as husbands with the aisle awash with rainbow ribbons being waved around in celebration of the occasion.

This was followed by a group photograph on the Yester Grange steps before Frank and Nick took part in a German wedding tradition where a log was sawed in half. The log on a sawhorse represented the trials and tribulations that inevitably occur over the years in any marriage. Frank and Nick cut through the log using a double-ended saw. This ritual symbolises their first achievement together as a married couple and reminds them that they can work together to overcome any obstacle! Check out the photos below and the video at the bottom of the post.

What followed was a relaxed celebration with heartfelt moments, wonderful speeches, surprises, lots of fun and heaps of dancing. Some of the guests had travelled from the Northern Territory, Western Australia, Queensland, the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, across New South Wales and as far away as Germany. Everybody celebrated this union wholeheartedly. All too soon, it was time to farewell Frank and Nick but not before they both tossed bouquets and left to commence their married life together.

Frank and Nick, thank you for entrusting me with the responsibility of looking after the audio and music for your ceremony and giving me the privilege of being your Blue Mountains Wedding DJ. It was a pleasure and honour to play a part in this wonderful milestone moment in your lives. May love, laughter and music fill your lives forever!!!

Photography and Video by DJ:Plus! Entertainment

Songs selected by Frank & Nick:

Processional: “My Love” by Cher (DJ:Plus! Edit)

Register Signing: “Your Love Is King” by Sade, “Truly, Madly, Deeply” by Cascada (Slow Version)

Recessional: “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz

Log Sawing Song: “Lean On Me” by 2-4 Family

Wedding Party Entry: “I Feel Love” by Donna Summer

First Dance: “Lab Mich Dein Pirat Sein / Let Me Be Your Pirate” by Nena (DJ:Plus! Custom Edit)

Farewell Dance: “Last Dance” by Donna Summer (Masters At Work Remix)

Final Farewell Song: “Love Shack” by B-52’s

Wedding Ceremony & Reception | 21 March 2015 | Liana & Kris | Yester Grange, Wentworth Falls, Blue Mountains

by DJ:Plus! Entertainment

The love story of Liana and Kris began at a book store in which they both worked. Liana thought Kris was a nice guy and Kris thought that Liana was cool. It was not until a week after Kris was no longer working at the book store that they went on their first date together, only Kris did not realise it was a date, he thought it was just two good friends who used to work together catching up. They went for a few drinks and a walk around Sydney’s beautiful harbour and the Rocks area before ending up at the Sydney Harbour Bridge where Liana seized the moment and they kissed for the very first time.

Within a month of that first date, they knew that this was love. In the early hours of New Years Day 2014, Kris felt that the moment was right and proposed to Liana, asking her to spend the rest of her life with him, as his wife. Now whilst it had been Kris’s intention to propose to Liana, he certainly had not planned to do it that day and had yet to find the perfect ring – luckily for Kris, he went with his instincts and asked her in that moment, for the ring that Liana chose, was completely different from those that Kris had been looking at. Liana instantly became overcome with joy and happiness when Kris proposed, her eyes filling with happy tears, she cried for almost an hour, but she did say yes!

Liana & Kris selected Yester Grange, a magnificent Victorian mansion nestled in totally private parkland gardens at the top of Wentworth Falls waterfall, as the location for their wedding ceremony and wedding reception. Unfortunately a constant drizzle of rain from the early morning, put an end to plans for an outside wedding ceremony on the lawn overlooking the breathtaking view of the Jamison Valley and the World Heritage Listed Blue Mountains Wilderness. Nonetheless, a beautiful ceremony, officiated by Christine McCormack and witnessed by their closest family and friends, was held in the Lounge Room of the mansion with the doors opening onto the verandah, whilst the mist created a magical backdrop, they professed their love and became husband and wife.

As luck would have it, the drizzle stopped after the ceremony allowing for drinks and canapés to be held outdoors. Whilst guests enjoyed the refreshments and view, it also allowed Kris, Liana & their wedding party to wander the beautiful Yester Grange grounds with photographer, Rachel H Photography for photographs – which I can’t wait to see! A little while later we welcomed them all into the ballroom to commence the reception part of the celebration.

The rest of the evening was full of much fun, beautiful and humorous speeches, exquisite cuisine, wonderful company, beautiful location, dancing and the love that Liana & Kris have for each other ensured that it was a wonderful evening celebrating their marriage. All too soon it was time to farewell Liana & Kris as they begin a new journey.

Liana and Kris’s wedding day reflected who they are in everything they did..relaxed, fun and completely perfect for each other! A fun bridal party, funny and supportive family & friends helped to create the magical day they were dreaming of. I had such a great time with them and it was an honour to be there and to be given the huge privilege of being their Blue Mountains Wedding DJ & MC. Liana and Kris, it was such a pleasure to get to know you and witness the love you share. Enjoy your honeymoon in the USA, riding those roller coasters, visiting the comic stores and whatever else takes your fancy – your life will only be better with each other always by the other’s side! May love, laughter and music fill your lives forever!!!

Photography and Video by DJ:Plus! Entertainment

Songs selected by Bride and Groom;

Bridesmaid Processional: “Your Hand In Mine” by Explosions In The Sky

Brides Processional: “Your Hand In Mine” by Explosions In The Sky

Register Signing: “Stand By Me” by Ben E King, “Nothing Can Change This Love” by Sam Cooke

Recessional: “Float On” by Modest Mouse

Wedding Party Entry: “Hungry Like The Wolf” by Duran Duran

Bride & Groom Entry: “Hungry Like The Wolf” by Duran Duran

First Dance: “Baby I’m Yours” by Arctic Monkeys

Bouquet Toss: “Open Your Heart” by Human League

Farewell Circle / Circle Of Love: “Heavy Metal Drummer” by Wilco, “Big Me” by Foo Fighters, “Everlasting Arms” by Vampire Weekend

Final Farewell Song: “Stand Up” by The Prodigy

Other Wedding Professionals

Celebrant: Tina McCormack

Photographer: Rachel H Photography

Floral Designer: All Flowers

Cup Cakes: The Cupcake House

Wedding Ceremony & Reception | 29 March 2014 | Rochelle & Jason | Yester Grange, Wentworth Falls, Blue Mountains

by DJ:Plus! Entertainment

Rochelle and Jason are both in the Air Force and it is where they both met. A few months later on a night out with a group of friends, they kissed for the very first time. On their 5th Anniversary during a picnic lunch in the Blue Mountains, Jason asked Rochelle to be with him forever. Fast forward to 29 March 2014 and here we were at Yester Grange to witness two beautiful individuals make lifelong commitments and become husband and wife.

It rained in the days leading up to the wedding and whilst the forecast for their wedding day was “possible showers”, the weather gods smiled upon Rochelle & Jason and only the slightest sprinkles fell just as Rochelle was about to arrive and ever so briefly part way through the ceremony. The ceremony, officiated by Tina Marie Sheil, was a perfect reflection of who Rochelle and Jason are. Given that we had avoided the rain, and the ceremony was able to go ahead as planned, the first line of the Apache Wedding Blessing, certainly bought a smile to my face as I felt it was just so appropriate;

“Now you will feel no rain, for each of you will be shelter to the other”

Following the ceremony, whilst Rochelle, Jason and their wedding party had photographs both off and on site, guests enjoyed themselves by chatting, mingling or playing a variety of lawn games whilst being served canapes and refreshments. A little while later, guests were invited to make their way into this lovely venue for the reception.

Personalised introductions, a special bouquet presentation to Rochelle’s grandparents who will have been married 56 years this coming October, fun activities, speeches and a very special first dance which had many of the guests, parents and even Rochelle shed a tear or two – created a magical moment and memories which I am certain will be remembered for a long time to come. The rest of the evening guests spent dancing, socialising and celebrating their love.

When I first spoke with Rochelle and Jason, they both expressed that they wished their wedding to be relaxed and stress free – I believe we achieved this with their wedding (plus added a little fun and a few surprises) and they got to experience the wedding of their dreams. Rochelle and Jason, thank you very much for the trust you both placed in me and for allowing me to be a part of your very special day as your Blue Mountains Wedding DJ & MC, it was such a huge honour and privilege. Thank you for sharing your love story with me and thank you for all that you do in the Air Force and protecting our beautiful country. Let me conclude with another quote from the Apache Wedding Blessing, “Now you are two persons, but there is one life before you”. Rochelle and Jason, may love, laughter and music fill your lives forever!!!