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penny

Jul 112020
 
 July 11, 2020  Posted by at 9:58 pm Uncategorized No Responses »

Weddings during COVID……Unfortunately, we have again, had to go into isolation in Melbourne 🙁

This means that I miss seeing all my friends and family and I learn to appreciate the life the life I live and that we are all happy and healthy. I am also learning that life is not always about work and to just relax, unwind and enjoy doing simple pleasures such as taking the dog for a walk, talk on the phone, make a pot of tea and actually sit down and drink it rather than drink it on the run. I have been doing a lot more cooking and baking for my family and and am nearly mastering sourdough #isobread … hopefully that will not be far off. I have been doing a lot of gardening so now I have a lovely view when I sit outside with my pot of tea 🙂

Not all is bad though. I am still conducting weddings during COVID and isolation and I have found myself busier than ever. The Melbourne Registry Office is not conducting any ceremonies so I am getting heaps of requests for isolation weddings.

I have found these weddings to be lovely. Yes, there are only 5 of us, but the ceremony is truly about the couple standing before me, not the guests and family and friends. We have been utilising Zoom and Facebook live and we still then have guests attend virtually. There is a recording of their wedding and they can look back on the comments from their family and friends.

If you would like to have a wedding during these trying times, get in touch and I can chat about the options available.

DHS COVID-19 Ceremonies

Weddings during COVID
https://www.todayfm.com/podcasts/maireadronan/irish-couple-celebrate-isolation-wedding-complete-virtual-guests

In the meantime, Stay safe everyone!

Penny

Mar 092017
 
 March 9, 2017  Posted by at 11:52 pm Venues Tagged with: , ,  No Responses »

Yarra Valley Weddings – When my couple first told me they were getting married at Wandin Park and it is used for horse events, I was not sure what to expect. I was certainly not expecting a venue as beautiful as this. I love this place!!

It is a 320 acre estate around an hour from Melbourne. It holds multiple ceremony and reception options as well as a 1869 restored historic homestead with accommodation for 8 people and a B&B called Ruby’s cottage which sleeps 2 people.

When I drove up the driveway and saw the venue I was blown away. It was amazing.

Wandin Park Estate Driveway

I loved the house that my bride stayed in the night before her wedding with her bridesmaids and then I saw where the ceremony and reception would be held. (I have to make a special mention of the kitchen as it is my dream kitchen)

Yarra Valley Accomodation

 

The ceremony was held in a garden clearing and looked amazing with the Arbor, the rows of chairs and the burlap runner. It was finished off with vases of flowers and meaningful quotes at each chair on the aisle.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1189222637841053&set=pcb.1189222694507714&type=3&theater

Wandin Park Estate

I then went into The Woolshed where the reception would take place. It has been renovated to perfection. You really do not need to do anything to decorate it, it is just perfect. My bride had some bunting hanging down the middle and a few Chinese lanterns and tissue paper flowers on the deck strategically placed for maximum effect.

Rustic Wedding Venue

 

Yarra Valley Weddings

 

Yarra Valley Weddings

The great thing about this place is you can decorate it if you want but it is not actually necessary. You can have a sit down dinner or finger food, and you can bring in your own caterers or you can use the recommended ones from Wandin Park. My couple used Ablaze wood fired pizza and I was lucky enough to try some on the way out and it was delicious.

If you would like to know more about this amazing hidden gem in the Yarra Valley, or learn more about Yarra Valley Weddings, Please visit their website http://wandinparkestate.com.au/

Mar 162015
 
 March 16, 2015  Posted by at 2:16 pm Venues Tagged with: , ,  No Responses »

Marybrooke Manor

It is so beautiful!!! I even love the entrance and the driveway.

I actually looked there when I was getting married and loved the gardens and exterior but it needed renovating inside. That was 14 years ago and since then they have completely renovated the inside. It looks amazing. The hotel rooms are modern and all renovated as well. It is the only venue in The Dandenongs with a reception room and 4 star hotel rooms. It is so convenient as your guests do not have to worry about driving home and can have a little holiday to celebrate your wedding. Most of my couples tell me that the hotel rooms (19 of them)  are booked so quickly that sometimes some of the guests have to stay offsite. There is also a dining room for breakfast in the morning so you can all catch up after the wedding for a nice breaky together. This is great for those that have travelled for your wedding as it is a chance for them to catch up properly.

My couples have also told me that included in their wedding package is a free night at their hotel to celebrate your first anniversary. How good is that… to go back to the place you married and relive one of the best days of your life!

Marybrooke Manor

Marybrooke Manor

For the ceremony, there is a beautiful gazebo area which is built to match the house. It is within a walled garden with heaps of room and they set up chairs for all the guests if you would like seating as well. There is enough room for guests to mingle and then have a group photo. If the weather is not great then you have the option of having an indoor ceremony in the mansion upstairs. They set up the room as a chapel with plenty of chairs. The bridal suite is huge and it is so welcoming that I think it would be a good place to escape and relax after the ceremony. Some of my brides and groom even use it prior to get ready. They even have their hairdresser and makeup artist visit them there. They can even have lunch and snacks supplied.

Marybrooke Manor

Marybrooke Manor

Marybrooke Manor

In front of the mansion there is a really nice outdoor drinks area where you can sit down, mingle and have your pre dinner drinks. On the other side of the entrance there is a great grass area where I have seen various lawn games set up to entertain guests in between the ceremony and reception.

Marybrooke Manor

Marybrooke Manor

Marybrooke Manor

Marybrooke Manor

I like the venue so much that I decided to try the restaurant with my family for dinner one night. I was not disappointed. The food was not the standard wedding food….it was really nice and I was so impressed and I was told that the menu is similar for the weddings. I am now looking forward to going up for a high tea on an afternoon when I am not working and the restaurant is open.

Marybrooke Manor

There are so many photo opportunities there in the gardens and in the heritage listed building that you will run out of time before you run out of places for your photos.

Some background on it……Nestled on the edge of the majestic Sherbrooke Forest in the Dandenong Ranges hides an elegant National Trust listed Tudor style mansion named Marybrooke Manor. The magnificent National Trust listed reception centre and guest house is the perfect one-stop destination for your wedding ceremony & reception, function or conference.

Built in 1940, Marybrooke began as the grandest guest house in a chain of six guest houses all using the pre-fix “Mary” designed and built by Eric Dowdle between 1927 and 1940. Built on the site of an earlier guest house named Grendon which burned down in the 1930s, Marybrooke is registered as a socially, historically and architecturally significant property. Over recent years the property has undergone extensive renovations to restore and reinstate the building to reflect its original charm and elegance. With a restaurant & bar named PJ’s Restaurant, four function rooms and an indoor wedding ceremony area, Marybrooke also offers 19 boutique four star accommodation suites.

If you would like to check out Marybrooke Manor the details are below. It is only a 5 minute drive off the main tourist road in The Dandenongs.

10 Sherbrooke Rd, Sherbrooke, Victoria

Ph: 03 97552755

email: enq@marybrooke.com.au

http://www.marybrooke.com.au/

 

Feb 242015
 
 February 24, 2015  Posted by at 10:32 pm Music Tagged with: , ,  No Responses »

How hard is it to find wedding music?

You may love a song but when actually listen to the lyrics you may find they are totally unsuitable for a wedding (why do song writers only seem to write when they have broken up with someone) What I have found lots of my brides and groom doing is having instrumental versions of their favourite songs…. this way the lyrics do not matter and you will have the tune you love. I have also noticed lots of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra versions of songs to make them suitable for a wedding. Anyway, to help you with music choices, I have listed below the music that people have used so far for my weddings and also the music I use in the backgrounds if we need some music. Hope this helps with your music selection 🙂

Wedding Music Used

Name Artist
I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do ABBA
Grow Old with You Adam Sandler
Grow Old With You – cut version Adam Sandler
Happiness Alexis Jordan
Can’t Take My Eyes Off You Andy Williams
Big Jet Plane (Radio Edit) Angus & Julia Stone
At Last Beyonce
Just the Way you are Billy Joel
Is This Love Bob Marley & The Wailers
Butterfly waltz Brian Crain
Grenade Bruno Mars
Count On Me Bruno Mars
So this is love Cathy Heller
I’ll be by your side Cathy Heller
Thank You (Live In Stockholm) Chris Cornell
A Thousand Years Christina Perri
A Thousand Years Instrumental Christina Perri
I Do Colbie Caillat
Magic Coldplay
Something So Strong Crowded House
You Make My Dreams Daryl Hall & John Oates
Pachelbel – Canon In D Decca
I Got U (feat. Jax Jones) Duke Dumont
Thinking Out Loud Ed Sheeran
Your Song Ellie Goulding
How Long Will I Love You Ellie Goulding/Ellie Goulding
I Need You To Turn To Elton John
Can You Feel The Love Tonight? Elton John
Can’t Help Falling In Love Elvis Presley
So wonderful Emilia Mitiku
Hero Enrique Iglesias
At Last Etta James
Time After Time Eva Cassidy
You Found Me The Fray
Budapest George Ezra
Amazing George Michael
Iris Goo Goo Dolls
Angels Brought Me Here Guy Sebastian
A Song For You (Feat. Christina Aguilera)-easymp3s Herbie Hancock
The Power of Love Huey Lewis and the News
On Top of the World Imagine Dragons
Never Tear Us Apart INXS
Over the Rainbow Israel Kamakawiwo’ole
Better Together Jack Johnson Ft Paul Fuga
Right by your side James Morrison
Living In The Moment Jason Mraz
I’m Yours Jason Mraz
Angel Eyes The Jeff Healey Band
I’d Do Anything John Butler Trio
All Of Me (Bassanova Remix) John Legend
All of Me Remix John Legend
All of Me John Legend
Unconditionally Katy Perry
All My Life K-Ci And Jojo
Making Memories of Us [Radio Edit] Keith Urban
Young and Beautiful Lana Del Rey
All My Love Led Zeppelin
You And Me Lifehouse
Truly Lionel Richie
You’re the One That I Want Lo-Fang
Amazed Lonestar
Crazy For You Madonna
Overjoyed Matchbox Twenty
Nothing Else Matters Metallica
Sirens (Mollono.Bass Remix) Monkey Safari
Dream Catch Me (Acoustic Version) Newton Faulkner
Golborne Road Nick Laird-Clowes
It’s Gonna Be Me *NSYNC
Something I Need OneRepublic
The Only Exception Paramore
Ebony And Ivory Paul McCartney
Happy Pharrell Williams
True Love (Feat. Lily Allen) (Clean Verson) Pink
You’re my Best Friend Queen
Feels Like Home Randy Newman
This I Promise You Ronan Keating
One Sweet Love Sara Bareilles
Truly Madly Deeply Savage Garden
from this moment on Shania Twain
Turning Page Sleeping At Last
I Got You Babe Sonny & Cher
Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours) Stevie Wonder
Borrow My Heart Taylor Henderson
Love Is All Around The Troggs
One U2
Canon and Gigue for 3 violins & continuo in D major Various Artists
All I Want Is You Vitamin String Quartet
Love Is All Around Wet Wet Wet
Could I Have This Kiss Forever (Metro Mix) [with Enrique Iglesias] Whitney Houston
If I Could 1927
You make me happy Cathy Heller
Des’ree Kissing You Romeo and Juliet

 Wedding Background Music

Name Artist
As Long As You Love Me Backstreet Boys
Baby I Love Your Way Big Mountain
Just the Way you are Billy Joel
I Gotta Feeling The Black Eyed Peas
Nothin’ On You (feat. Bruno Mars) Bruno Mars
Count On Me Bruno Mars
All for One, All for Love Bryan Adams, Rod Stewart, Sting
Love Will Keep Us Together Captain & Tennille
A Thousand Years Christina Perri
Bubbly Colbie Caillat
Thats Amore Dean Martin
Thinking Out Loud Ed Sheeran
Hero Enrique Iglesias
I Want To Know What Love Is Foreigner
You Found Me The Fray
The Power of Love Huey Lewis and the News
On Top of the World Imagine Dragons
Better Together Jack Johnson Ft Paul Fuga
I’m Yours Jason Mraz
The Power Of Love Jennifer Rush
All of Me Remix John Legend
Because Of You Kelly Clarkson
Even When I’m Sleeping Leonardo’s Bride
Dedicated To The One I Love The Mamas & The Papas
Love Is Easy McFly
Come Fly With Me Michael Buble
Hopelessly Devoted To You Olivia Newton-John
Good Time Owl City And Carly Rae Jepsen
The Only Exception Paramore
Ebony And Ivory Paul McCartney
Two Hearts Phil Collins
Every Breath You Take The Police
Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic The Police
Angels Robbie Williams
Addicted To Love Robert Palmer
When You Say Nothhing At All Ronan Keating
Sea Of Love Sam and Dave
from this moment on Shania Twain
When You Kiss Me Shania Twain
Chasing Cars Snow Patrol
The Way You Look Tonight Tony Bennett
Sweetest Thing U2
Love Is All Around Wet Wet Wet
I Will Always Love Whitney Houston

 

Oct 152013
 

Trying to find a wedding celebrant is harder than you would think. There are thousands of celebrants in Australia and most of them have fabulous websites that have a lot of information but do not actually tell you what you need to know.

Is it going to be worth meeting up with them???

Celebrants are not all the same. We all have very different styles. At the same time price can be an indication but that is not always true either. More experienced celebrants do charge more than a celebrant starting out but there can be exceptions to this rule.

So how should you find a celebrant?

  1. Ask your friends or family if they can recommend a celebrant. If someone has seen the celebrant at work then you will have a good indication of what they are like in front of a crowd. I know that sounds silly but you may find that a celebrant is great and feels right but how are they at public speaking? You can also find out if a celebrant is doing any weddings in public parks and listen in.
  2. Ask your reception venue for recommendations. Venues will not recommend celebrants unless they have seen their work and are satisfied that the bride and groom will be looked after and happy. (there are some venues which I have spoken to who will only take your business card once they have seen you do 5 weddings and this needs to be seen by the same wedding coordinator)
  3. Look up celebrants on Facebook. Facebook is used to tag everyone after a wedding and often you will see comments from the bride and groom and the guests on their updates and pictures.
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