Willie singing his Vows to Emma

Ben Serena and young Hayden

Sarah and JB at Kumeu Valley Estate

Libby, Matt and their guests at Gracehill

Blair and Tracey at 'The Brigham'

Gayle and Cally had their Civil Union here at Casabella

Liz and Foxx - a casual ceremony in Riverhead

Liz and Foxx's awesome 'look alike' cake toppers

Phil and Mira - a hatted celebration

Nadine and Yves - Eloped from Switzerland

Ian and Sarah at Mahia Park Lodge

Sharon and Glen at georgeous Landsendt

‘Only a person who risks is free,
So dare to laugh and appear the fool.
Dare to weep in front of each other.
Dare to share your true self and your dreams with each other.
May your hands be forever clasped in friendship
May your hearts be joined forever in love
And may laughter continue to be the bond that holds you both together’

Enjoy your Valentines Day!

I just love spring! After a rather cold soggy winter it is great to see the blossoms out and just as importantly …… lambs. I HAVE LAMBS. Cute as buttons, little black faced lambs. Okay so this may not be that exciting for you farming types out there, but for us city girls who are new to the country life, it is very exciting.

Then, this morning I found this in the pool. Mumma Duck giving her 11 ducklings swimming lessons 

'Now kids, I want you to try swimming right'

Yes, my Kumeu home ‘Casabella’, is bursting with life and looking fabulous. If you are yet to find that perfect ceremony venue for the two of you (and up to 25 guests) just give me a call to book in a time for a wander – and possibly a cuddle with a lamb or two.

There are plenty of photos of Casabella on the ‘Private Venue’ page of this website.

I look forward to hearing from you.

xxx Peta

Andy and Eileen’s ceremony was based on their long distance love story – one of love’s powers to bring a couple together over many years and from half way around the world. It was a wonderfully intimate ceremony shared with immediate family and a few close friends, on a fabulous autumn day.

Eileen was supported by her two beautiful children, Damian and Stefanie, who each read a poem. There were plenty of tears during the ceremony, followed by lots of smiles and laughter afterwards. The lovely photos below, are taken by photographer Victoria Dickinson from Muriwai (and yes, I have her contact details)

Eileen and Andy's Vows

Candles - Past, present and future

Making the marriage legal

Newlywed happiness

A new family is made

Entryway to a happy life

Wedding Walk

Wedding Walk 2

Mother and son

Eileen and Andy's wedding party

Muriwai Magic

Regardless of what you wear, you are bound to feel like a Princess and Prince on your big day, and so you should. Why would you want to copy someone else’s wedding anyway?

No two weddings should be the same. I say it often and I truly believe it

Forget the rules and what others think you should do… make the day your own

 Whether it is grand and formal, fun and romantic, funky and quirky, expensive or on a budget, outside, inside, in a garden on a beach, on a boat or by a goat, …. make the day your own

 It’s such a special day. You are marrying the one you love…make the day your own

Here are two different weddings that both had a royal feel.

Verity and Rob at the Auckland Zoo

Verity and Rob married at the Auckland Zoo. Living overseas and coming back for Verity’s sisters wedding was a great opportunity to arrange their own wedding in NZ with family and friends at short notice. Despite not having a lot of time to plan the big day, it was done beautifully.

The guests were captivated when as Verity and her Dad walked to where Rob was standing, he dropped to one knee and ‘officially’ proposed. (He said he just had never got round to doing it properly)

It’s not often you get a proposal on the same day as the wedding. There was a brief hush of anticipation before Verity replied ‘Yes, I’ll marry you’

Phew, that was a relief. The ceremony continued with lots of smiles and sunshine

Even the cheeky monkeys behaved and didn’t screech during the vows.

Darell and Dave married at their herald Island home amid friends and family on a fabulous sunny autumn day

Darell and Dave at their Herald Island home

Marrying later in life, there was a strong sense of family throughout the day. Dave’s wee granddaughter Scarlett aged 4, danced amongst the guests with a bell to tell them the ceremony was starting. Dave’s son Graham stood in support of his Dad during the ceremony. Darell’s daughter Naomi did a lovely reading and Dave’s older granddaughter Isabelle aged 8 proudly performed her duties as one of the witnesses. (yes children can be witnesses)

Darell, Dave and Grandaughter/ witness - Isabelle aged 8

Their vows included the poignant words, ‘Thank you for making me laugh again. Bless you for taking my hand as we begin anew’ and ‘It is my intent that our life together include our large circle of friends and loving families. While we cherish the memories of our individual pasts, we will create new experiences and memories in our new life together’

Congratulations to both these lovely couples for choosing to make their ceremonies unique, personal and making the day their own.

My hat goes off to the couples who took any inclement weather in their stride and moved seamlessly and happily to their ‘Plan B’. The moral is that you can’t guarantee fine weather at any time of the year, especially in Auckland. (Hence the saying…… “If you don’t like the Auckland weather, just wait a minute!’)

As things get a little quieter, it is great to reflect on the fabulous couples who’s Marriages and Civil Unions I had the privilege of officiating at this season.

Despite age, gender, or background, each ceremony is based on the love between two people.

What makes each ceremony unique is the personal touches, stories, readings and vows chosen by each couple.  Some couples have a theme which is always interesting.

For Tia and Ed, their theme was all about the beach. Despite a fierce wind they braved the beach at Muriwai to be married on the sand under a beautifully decorated gazebo.

Nathan and John had a tropical fiesta theme, complete with cocktails and leis, when they celebrated their Civil Union at their home.

My congratulations to my March couples whose photos are below. 

Chrissie and Caleb at Waitakere Estate

Eddie and Tia at Muriwai beach

Tahlia and Phillippa at Stone Willow, Pukekohe

 

Nathan and John at their tropical themed Civil Union

 

Peta with Paul and Shannon at Castor Bay

 

Debby and Kerry at Waipuna Lodge

 

Jamie & Sarah at Kumeu Valley Estate

Thank you for allowing me to be part of your special day.

 

So what do you do when a disaster of this magnitude strikes close to your special day? Do you halt, postpone or proceed?

You won’t  want a tragedy overshadowing your big day, but sometimes you just have no choice.  How you continue may depend on how much the event will directly impact on you.  The death of someone close to you will obviously have a far bigger impact than the disruption of a distant relative’s travel plans. Talk it over, problem solve and decide together what you should do. There is no right or wrong answer. Enlist the support of others, and proceed with as much grace and dignity as you can muster. Don’t worry about shedding tears; it is all part of the process….. just be true to yourself.

It is often helpful to remind ourselves that in our lives there will always be times of great joy and also times of great sadness….sometimes within the some day! We have no control over weather, storms, earthquakes or ultimately death itself. What do they say? … The day a person dies is also the day a new life is born.

Some suggestions if you choose to proceed.

Make an acknowledgement of the event during the day. Celebrants are pretty good at this, so ask them to say something. (Contrary to popular belief, a well placed acknowledgement or remembrance done with integrity, often lightens the atmosphere rather than bringing it down).

Other thoughts….You may want to include a special reading, song, prayer or a moment’s silence. Perhaps you could quietly tie ribbons of love and hope on a tree, throw pebbles (along with your thoughts) in to a stream, or light a remembrance candle. Leave an empty chair, release butterflies, doves, or blow bubbles in to the sky. You could put out a donation box for a relief fund or perhaps invite guests to make a donation rather than bringing a gift. The possibilities are endless. Sometimes using humour, especially black humour is a way people cope.  Honour it and be forgiving to those who may be politically incorrect or have a habit of putting their foot in their mouth.

Remember too, that the celebration of your special day may be just what is needed to lift sagging sprits and remind people that love, hope and life are still part of their world.

To end on a lighter note, my congratulations to all the lovely couples I have had the privilege to marry during February.  Some photos are below.

Paula and Chris Hall at Gracehill

Steph and Chris Story at French Bay

Sarah and Joseph Bulbulia at 'The Pah' on Waiheke

Barbara and Paul Vinkenvleugal at Long Bay

Kevin and Evette Johnson at Butterfly Creek

Anita and Carl Simons at Huia Point Lookout

Sarah and Scott Dainty at Mahia Lodge

Leigh and Brook Harland (married at 'The Brigham')

Rachael and Michael Collier (and Ryan) at Landsendt, Oratia

 “May joy and fresh days of love accompany your hearts”.  

xxx Peta

Henry’s Mum and Dad – Lisa and Keith, re contacted me following a ceremony I had performed for them 2 years ago. It was a combined Renewal of Vows for them and a Naming Ceremony for Henry’s older sister, Maggie.

Henry’s Naming was to be a simple, child friendly ceremony at his home, surrounded by friends, neighbors and playmates.

Henry's Naming Ceremony

Keith and Lisa are from England and they have no extended family here in NZ. They really wanted to acknowledge their special NZ friends who have stepped up to play an active part, in loving and supporting them and their two beautiful children.

The Naming ceremony talked about Henry’s life to date, all his qualities that make him unique and the origins of his name. We also touched on the special relationship between Henry and his big sister Maggie.  Three fabulous men, Shannon, Jamie and Ian, were appointed as mentors and role models for Henry.

3 Mentors, Shannon, Dad - Keith, Ian and Jamie

 Lisa spoke tearfully about the special qualities of each of these 3 lovely men and then Keith lovingly spoke about their wishes and hopes for Henry in the future – very touching.

Following the ceremony, a tasty lunch was enjoyed by all, with the children’s food provided in specially made lunch bags. The afternoon concluded with some sandpit and ‘slippery slide’ fun, which even the adults got in to.

Party fun - Harrison, Henry and big sister Maggie

In a climate where we hear so much about child abuse and family violence, it is such an honour to meet loving parents, who cherish, honour and raise their children with so much love. – A real blessing!

Keith and Lisa signing Henry's Naming certificate

Lisa and Jay married on one of the hottest days of the year. It must have looked like paradise for so many of their English guests, to share their wedding on a jetty close to Lisa and Jay’s home in Herne Bay.

Lisa &Jay's harbourside wedding

 As a special delicious treat, they had an ice cream van waiting to serve ‘Mr Whippy’ type icecreams to their sun kissed guests. Delicious! 

Lisa and Jay , complete with ice creams

 Kathryn and Michael married at beautiful Markovina Vineyard Estate.

Michael and Kathryn (having a serious moment)

The balmy weather was just perfect for releasing butterflies. This was done by all the bridal party and the parents as well. The butterflies just finished off the ceremony beautifully.

Butterflies at Kathryn and Michael's wedding

 Sally and Mike chose a small intimate family wedding atop Mt Albert. Although it isn’t in the photo, there were 3 small neices who did a great job as the official bubble blowers.

Sally & Mike atop Mt Albert

Today, I married the lovely Nic and Paul at Gracehill. Nic honoured her German ancestry, by not only having a reading spoken in German, but also saying her vows in German as well.

Paul & Nic at Gracehill

 Having those little personalised touches certainly make wedding ceremonies unique and memorable.

Choose whatever music is right for you. If it’s really significant to you,  you may want to mention why during the ceremony.

Live music is AWESOME especially if it’s played/sung by a friend or family member.

Buy, hire or borrow the best sound system you can and ensure the person in charge is familiar with it. I.e. The volume and when to fade it in or out.

 Most people ask how many songs are needed for the ceremony. The answer is, ‘As many as you like’. But apart from background music that you may want to play before and after the ceremony, there are often 3 times when specific songs are played.

1. Entrance. 2. Signing 3. Conclusion/Recessional (that’s if you are walking back down the aisle)

1.Entrance song/s – You may want to practice the timing so you ‘arrive’ at the bit you want guests to hear. If you are going for a relaxed ceremony then just ‘go with the flow’ – after all, it’s not a military performance.

2. Signing  This can often take at least 5 mins, especially if you are being positioned and photographed. I suggest either 1 very long song, 2 songs, or repeat the 1^st song.  (NB. You can decrease the time needed for signing by getting your witnesses to prefill in their addresses)

3. Conclusion This is usually something upbeat, cheerful or triumphant

Alternatives. Why not alert the guests the ceremony is about to start with some special music chosen especially by or for the Groom. It can be fun and reflect his cheeky personality. EG. At a recent wedding the groom came forward to his entry music of ‘Another One Bites the Dust’ by Queen. Other grooms choices have been;‘Theme to Magnum PI’, ‘Highway to Hell’, AC/DC  and ‘Theme to the A team’ (as he and his Groomsmen made a formal entrance)

Maybe the words to your favourite song can be included as a reading.

If you are really keen, you can even have your guests dancing in the aisles or singing along. Check out this crazy entrance that is pretty unique and definately not for everyone! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-94JhLEiN0

What’s the most unusual entry music I’ve encountered I hear you ask? It has to be – Nirvana ‘Come as you are’ (especially the line…’No I don’t have a gun’) I’ve also had; ‘Who let the Dog’s out’ and  ‘No Leaf Clover’ by Metallica.
The most common entry song – must be Pachelbel’s Canon in D – Always a classic.

What was played at my wedding a zillion years ago? Barbara Streisand – ‘Evergreen’ and Procal Harum’s –‘Whiter Shade of Pale’.  They were both very in at the time and I still get a bit misty eyed when I hear them.

 You will probably always remember your wedding entry song – so my advice is just to follow your heart.

Congratulations to my recent couples who have all had the privilege of having their children involved in their bridal party.

 Mark and Natasha married at the Belvedere steps in Cornwall Park with their children Amy and Anthony at their sides. Even having a guest faint during their ceremony couldn’t take the smiles off their faces.

 Missy and Will chose Kiwani’s camp in Huia to tie the knot in front of Whanau and friends. The boys looked fabulous in their white suits, the bridesmaids wore black and the bride looked stunning in purple.

 Just this weekend, Sherryn and Wade married at Pinewoods in Red Beach. A lovely touch was to present their daughter Stella Paige, with a ring symbolizing their commitment and love for her.

‘Other things may change us, but we start and end with family’ Quote – Anthony Brandt