DJ:Plus! Entertainment

The weather forecast for Tania and Shane’s wedding day was anything but great, with a 90% chance of rain. Tania had been fretting a little [ or maybe even a lot 😉 ] in the days leading up to today, that her dream, which she had played out in her mind endless times, of walking down the path into the ceremony area of the Sylvan Glen gardens and into the arms of Shane, the love of her life, would be replaced by a much shorter walk in the wet weather indoor option. Whilst not the worst case scenario, it would mean the world to her to have the wedding ceremony in the garden. I will come back to the ceremony in a moment.

Tania and Shane are genuinely lovely and thoughtful people. They are also caring, gentle, hilarious and fiercely loyal to their family and friends. But most of all, they are perfect together and it was so wonderful to witness them celebrating their marriage surrounded by many of their close family and friends.

Having met through a mutual friend back in March 2015, they immediately felt a connection and saw something extraordinary in each other. By November of the same year they were a couple and not longer after, started planning their future together. This has seen the bringing together of two families and a shared love for their respective children and now also for their adorable granddaughter, Piper.

Sylvan Glen is located in Penrose in the southern half of the Southern Highlands of NSW. The Estate sits in a lush valley of over 60 acres and has a rich and varied history, dating back to 1870. Today, it is an award winning wedding venue, offering couples the opportunity to host family and friends for the weekend, get married on site, hold their reception there and also having accommodation available! Tania and Shane took full advantage of the facilities.

Now, back to the ceremony, as it would happen, the rain eased and stopped, leading up to the ceremony time and the call was made to proceed with the garden location. Everything was going so well, Tania got to walk down the aisle accompanied by her son, Corey. Shane got to witness that wonderful, beautiful moment when you see your bride in her wedding dress walking towards you, there were words of wisdom shared by Tania’s parents, Rob & Jan and Shane’s friends, Dean & Samantha, the guests all gathered witnessing the culmination of one chapter of this love story and the beginning of another.

Shane was part way through his vows when a few drops started falling. Tania followed with her vows as some umbrella’s were dispensed to the wedding party and guests as the rain increased slightly. Tania finished her vows then the ring ceremony followed. A reading by Juliette before Tania and Shane were declared husband and wife by Civil Marriage Celebrant, Margaret Phillips to loud applause! Their first kiss as a married couple ensued. The rain drops intensified slightly, so a quick relocation for the Register signing and Mr & Mrs Shane & Tania Phillips were now official and ready for their together forever!! Now some may look upon the little rain towards the end of the ceremony as ruining it, but having gotten to know Tania and Shane and how deep their love is for each other, I saw it as a blessing from the powers above that this love will continue to grow and enrich not only their own lives, but also that of all those whom they come into contact with.

Once in the reception area, guests were provided refreshments and canapes whilst Tania, Shane and their wedding party took advantage of a subsequent break in the weather to have photographs captured around the picturesque Sylvan Glen grounds by the very talented Laura from Elysium Photography and videography by the equally talented Cassie and Craig from Puzzleman Productions.

It was a wonderful evening with many personal touches as we celebrated this beautiful love in a relaxed and fun way. So much attention to detail and love went into making it the amazing day it was. From the detail in the decorations, the personalised introductions, the games which had everyone laughing and “awww-ing”, the messages from those unable to attend and much more all coming together to create some wonderful memories for Tania, Shane and their guests.

Following much dancing, the reception ended with a farewell dance and an “endless tunnel of love” for Tania to Shane to exit through and begin their married life together…..but as many were staying on the property, I could hear the celebration kicking on in the Guest House as I was leaving the property an hour later – and why not, they have SO MUCH to celebrate.

Despite some minor challenges with the elements, it really was perfect, just like their love for each other. These two light each other up and are so deeply in love it literally radiates off them. It was such an honour to have been able to be a part of this celebration. Thank you Tania and Shane for your trust in me as your Southern Highlands Wedding MC and Southern Highlands Wedding DJ, for being all about the FUN and for not letting the crazy weather dampen your amazing day! Enjoy your mini-moon and reflecting on the wedding and your future together. May love, laughter and music fill your lives forever.