One of the best things about each of the two Sydney Sunday papers is their respective wedding section. Each Sunday I look forward to reading about the featured couples and their wedding day story. This morning I was very pleasantly surprised and excited to see Alison & Kieran as one of the featured couples in the Sunday Telegraph Weddings Section.
Seeing their photograph and reading the summary of their wedding transported me back to their wonderful and highly emotional celebration and it gave me great joy to replay elements of their special and amazing day in my mind. It also reminded me that the key to a fun and successful wedding is the pre-production work. Alison, Kieran and I committed a lot of time to this process and we certainly had a lot of fun along the way, but most importantly, the result was – a wedding day that dreams are made of!
Scan of Feature from Sunday Telegraph Weddings Section, 28 March 2010 (Click on Feature to enlarge) Alison and Kieran’s Wedding
Wow!!! What a week in Sydney it has been. Dust storms throughout the City and suburbs leaving a film of red dust everywhere and in everything but creating some very spectacular imagery. On Saturday, it looked like the dust and wind might make a return and upset Alison and Kieran’s wedding day. Lucky that they chose to have their ceremony and reception at one of my favourite wedding venues, Tumbling Waters Retreat. Tumbling Waters Retreat which is perched on an escarpment with sweeping ocean and bushland views, offered relative shelter from both the wind and dust and was the ideal location for this beautiful couple to accept each other totally and share their lives together.
The 70 invited guests all arrived early to share in the happiness of their day. Alison, who looked stunning, accompanied by her dad Tony and the bridesmaids made their way through the manicured garden and onto the deck overlooking the ocean and National Park where Kieran and the grooms men awaited. A beautiful ceremony, officiated by Keith Lammond, followed and before we knew it their lives were joined and the two of them had become one.
“I love you, not just for who you are, but for who I am when I am with you. I love you, not only for what you have done with your life, but for how you’ve made mine so complete. I love you for the happiness you have brought me and for the greater happiness I know is yet to come. You are my every thought and my every desire. You give me strength and fulfil my dreams. You are my world and from this day forth I will take you, keep you, comfort and cherish you.”
Following the ceremony, the guests were treated to drinks and canapes on the deck whilst Alison, Kieran and the wedding party had photographs taken throughout the Tumbling Waters grounds.
On entering the reception, the wedding party wandered around the room energising the guests for Alison and Kieran’s entry. A quick welcome and thank you from Kieran and then guests were treated to a scrumptious entree. This was followed by lovely speeches from Alison’s dad, Tony and best man, James.
Following a delicious main course, it was time for Alison and Kieran to say a few words. Both expressed deep gratitude to all those who had played a part in their special day, but in particular to their respective parents. They also both spoke about their feelings for each other – this wonderful couple’s relationship has a very deep love as a foundation plus a mutual respect and understanding of each others needs – their happiness is assured and I know that their love will continue to grow. Kieran ended his speech by asking Alison to dance their first dance as husband and wife.
Unbeknown to the guests, Alison & Kieran had a choreographed routine planned, however they would start the dance with a ballad and then part way through segue into the choreographed piece. I have an excerpt below for your enjoyment. Needless to say it was a fantastic moment and the routine ended with a standing ovation and cheering from the guests.
Whilst everybody was enjoying dessert, a slideshow presentation recounting this beautiful love story was screened. Next it was the cutting of the cake and then the wedding party and guests hit the dance floor. Kieran & Alison were on the dance floor for nearly the entire time – having the time of their lives. The bouquet toss, a special presentation of the bridal bouquet to Alison’s Mum, Lynne and it was time for the farewell circle.
To end the evening, Alison danced with her father Tony – it was an incredible moment for both of them. Sadly it was now time for Alison and Kieran to depart and the reception was over – but their life together had only just begun. A spectacular week in Sydney, a spectacular location, a spectacular wedding, the whole week was a big Wow!!…..but the biggest Wow!! was this spectacular couple!!
I love what I do and one of the benefits of my job is that I get the opportunity to meet and get to know the loveliest of people. All my couples are special to me and it is a real privilege and honour to be given the opportunity to be a part of their special day. Alison and Kieran were no exception, there was a lot of planning and work that went into this day – I enjoyed every second of it immensely and am still on a high from the satisfaction that I feel in having had a hand in helping to create some amazing wedding day memories for them.
Songs selected by Bride and Groom;
Bridesmaids Processional: “I Can Only Imagine” by The O’Neill Brothers
Bride Processional: “Lonely Island” by Ernesto Cortazar
Register Signing: “This Old Love” by Lior, “Lucky” by Jason Mraz & Colbie Caillat
Recessional: “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” by Human Nature
Wedding Party Entry: “People Get Ready” by Human Nature, “Power Of Love” by Huey Lewis & The News
Bride & Groom Entry: “Lovin’ Each Day” by Ronan Keating
Cake Cutting Song: “Kisses & Cake” by John Powell
Bridal Waltz/First Dance: “This I Promise You” by Ronan Keating / “How Sweet It Is” by Michael Buble
Bouquet Toss: “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)” by Beyonce
Farewell Circle/Circle Of Love: “This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)” by Natalie Cole, “Everything” by Michael Buble, “Happy Together” by The Turtles
Father/Daughter Dance: “I’ll Remember” by Madonna
Final Farewell Song: “Drive Away” by Sundance Kids
Following a full week of rain, Hayley and Ross were blessed with a lovely sunny day for their wedding. The reception was held at Austinmer Surf Life Saving Club Function Centre just north of Wollongong. Attended by 82 guests it was a fun celebration with a relaxed beach theme – given that this venue has the beach on it’s doorstep, it really was the perfect venue for Hayley and Ross’s celebration. Hayley was also very honoured by being able to have two of her grandmothers and her great grandmother present at the reception.
Hayley, Ross and the remainder of the wedding party arrived accompanied by a bagpiper – this certainly got the attention of all the guests and they were greeted with cheers and applause.
Following a very lovely buffet, there were speeches from Hayley’s father Russell, Bridesmaid Bec, Bestman Neil and then Ross and Hayley. During Bec’s speech it was revealed that Hayley had actually been in love with Ross since she was 13 years old and how she would always convince Bec to walk past his house in case Ross happened to be out the front. Notice the permanent smiles both Hayley and Ross have in all the photos – they obviously were very happy and are very deeply in love.
From speeches to the cutting of the wedding cake and then Hayley and Ross hit the floor for their first dance to an acoustic version of the Chris Brown song, “Forever”. Mid way through the song the wedding party and guests joined them and the celebration began in earnest.
Below: Hayley with her Dad Russell
Below: Ross with his Mum Agnes
I had the pleasure of meeting with Hayley and Ross on a number of occasions prior to the wedding. These meetings allowed me to understand the vision they had for their reception and to get to know them better – firstly I believe that I was able to assist in providing the reception they had always dreamed of, but more importantly, I got to see what a wonderful couple they are, the beauty they have within and the love that grows deeper for each other as each day passes. It was a great honour to have been given the opportunity and privilege to make a contribution to and be a part of their day.
Songs selected by Bride and Groom;
Bridal Party Entry Song: “Walking On Sunshine” by Katrina & The Waves
Bride & Groom Entry Song: “Walking On Sunshine” by Katrina & The Waves
Cake Cutting Song: “Can’t Get Enough Of your Love, Babe” by Barry White
Bridal Waltz/First Dance: “Forever” by Boyce Avenue
Father /Daughter Dance: “Have I Told You Lately That I Love You” by Van Morrison
Farewell Circle/Circle Of Love: “Up Where We Belong” by Joe Cocker, “I’m On My Way” by The Proclaimers, “Take Me To The Clouds Above” by LMC Vs U2
Final Farewell Song: “I’ve Had The Time Of My Life” by Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes Other Wedding Professionals
Event Stylist: She Designs
Photographer: Tony Lyon
Catering: True Blue Spit Roast Catering Fun On The Dancefloor
