Hamish + Sunny’s Coombe Yarra Valley Wedding

The Event

Hamish + Sunny’s beautiful Yarra Valley Wedding at Coombe Estate took place on a 44ºC Summer’s’ day, but the super chilled + considerate duo were quick to prioritise the comfort of their family + friends by making a last minute ceremony location change to ensure grateful guests were seated in the shade, before they moved inside to party with the air-con!

When I first met with Hamish + Sunny, they brought their gorgeous Maid of Honour, Jordie, along for the ride, and after a couple of wines and ton of laughter later, I knew the trio were definitely my kind of people and that this wedding would have a seriously fun + relaxed vibe.
It was all that and more. A fabulous bridal party, festive guests, romance, style + elegance galore, lots of laughs, all the feels, and an A-team list of vendors helping to make the day perfect.

Ceremony Details

Initially meeting through mutual friends at the gym, Hamish was confident that Sunny had fallen in love with him at first sight, but when Sunny saw him smashing it out on the cross-trainer in a hoodie in the middle of summer, she only thought him to be a big sweaty mess! But the brief conversation that followed ignited an undeniable spark and they soon bonded over a mutual love of food, travel and finding any opportunity to take a nap.

Popping the big question during a holiday in Bali, Hamish chose total romance by bending to one knee, as they walked along the beach at sunset.

After arriving, bathed in sunshine, on the arm of her prod father, Sunny stood before her smitten groom and promised to “always arrive at the airport 3 hours early so you can get the exit row, to nurse you back to health after your yearly ankle operations” and “to be worth it – worth the time, worth the energy, and most importantly, worthy of your love.”

Hamish declared that he felt “blessed & lucky to be marrying the most beautiful, driven & caring person I know”, before promising to “respect you and protect you with my life and to be by your side no matter what”, before they shared their first kiss as married couple and celebrated on the lawn with cold drinks and hugs all around.

The Photography Team

Many thanks to the amazing team at Lost in Love Photography for allowing me to publish their gorgeous images, as well as superstar videographers Moon & Back Co for the fab film!

 

Pink and white wedding stationery

A Groom and his groomsmen enjoying a beer before the wedding together

A bride and her bridesmaids enjoying a glass of champagne in the dressing gowns together

Bridesmaids helping a bride get ready for the wedding

Bridesmaid helping bride put her veil on

Bridesmaid first look at bride photos

Bride holding her pink roses bouquet and bridesmaids holding their cream roses bouquet

Coombe Yarra Valley Wedding

Coombe Yarra Valley Wedding

Coombe Yarra Valley Wedding

Coombe Yarra Valley Wedding

Coombe Yarra Valley Wedding

Wedding of former North Melbourne Football club player Hamish McIntosh

Coombe Yarra Valley Wedding

Coombe Yarra Valley Wedding

Coombe Yarra Valley Wedding

Coombe Yarra Valley Wedding

Coombe Yarra Valley Wedding

Coombe Yarra Valley Wedding

Coombe Yarra Valley Wedding

Coombe Yarra Valley Wedding

Coombe Yarra Valley Wedding

Coombe Yarra Valley Wedding

Coombe Yarra Valley Wedding

Coombe Yarra Valley Wedding

 

Coombe Yarra Valley Wedding

Coombe Yarra Valley Wedding

Coombe Yarra Valley Wedding

Coombe Yarra Valley Wedding

Coombe Yarra Valley Wedding

Coombe Yarra Valley Wedding

Coombe Yarra Valley Wedding

Coombe Yarra Valley Wedding

Coombe Yarra Valley Wedding

Coombe Yarra Valley Wedding

Coombe Yarra Valley Wedding

Coombe Yarra Valley Wedding

Coombe Yarra Valley Wedding

Coombe Yarra Valley Wedding

Coombe Yarra Valley Wedding

Coombe Yarra Valley Wedding

Coombe Yarra Valley Wedding

Coombe Yarra Valley Wedding

Coombe Yarra Valley Wedding

Coombe Yarra Valley Wedding

 

Head over to Lost In Love’s Blog for more images of this gorgeous couple’s big day!

Hamish + Sunny | 20.12.2019

Photography: Lost In Love
Location: Coombe Yarra Valley
Videography: Moon & Back Co
Marriage Celebrant: Meriki Comito 
Bridal Gown: Toni Maticevski
Florals: Vagari Creative
Ceremony Music: Four Seasons String Quartet

 

Best Outdoor Wedding Venues + Locations  →

← Rain on your Wedding Day – Do you have a Plan B? 

 

Best Outdoor Wedding Venues + Locations in Melbourne

With the new Spring/Summer wedding season almost upon us, couples are once again searching for the perfect wedding venue, so I have created a list of some of the best outdoor wedding venues + locations in Melbourne, plus a few of my favourites a little further out!

There are so many stunning gardens and estates to choose from, so I have made the search a little easier by listing a HUGE selection of some of the best outside wedding locations (in alphabetical order), AS WELL AS some amazing wedding venues that have beautiful outdoor wedding spaces too!

If you are looking for a garden wedding option in one of Melbourne’s beautiful public garden spaces, please visit my Public Garden Wedding Locations page, which also features some great rotundas + undercover options for wet weather contingencies 🙂

Please remember that although many outdoor wedding venues + locations in Melbourne are public spaces, you will still need to obtain a permit from local council in order to marry there. Private venues will of course welcome all enquiries for weddings that take place on their premises independently.

And, as always with outdoor wedding venues + locations in Melbourne, be sure to consider all possible weather predictions, providing shelter for both a 40ºC day, or a surprise downpour!
Your guests (and celebrant!) will appreciate it immensely.

To view the best outdoor wedding venues + locations in Melbourne and surrounds, you can either scroll ahead and view locations in alphabetical order, or visit locations by area using the following links.

By Melbourne Celebrant Meriki Comito
Feature Image: Lost In Love Photography

Best outdoor wedding venues + locations in Melbourne;

CBD + Inner Suburbs  |  Northern Suburbs 

Southern Suburbs  |  Eastern Suburbs    

Western Suburbs  |  Bayside  |  Bellarine Peninsula 

Daylesford  |  Yarra Valley  |  Public Garden Wedding Locations

 

Abbotsford Convent, Abbotsford 

Abbotsford Convent wedding
Photo credit: Mr Theodore

Alexandra Gardens, Kew

Alexandra Gardens Weddings
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons

Alowyn Gardens, Yarra Glen

Alowyn Gardens Weddings
Photo credit: Alowyn Gardens

Avalon Castle, Cockatoo

Avalon Castle weddings
Photo credit: Lavan Photography

Balgownie Estate, Yarra Glen

Balgownie Estate weddings
Photo credit: Balgownie Estate

Ballara Receptions, Eltham

Ballara Receptions weddings
Photo credit: Wedding Vic

Bramleigh Estate, Warrandyte

Bramleigh Estate weddings
Photo credit: Immerse Photography

Brighton Savoy, Brighton

Brighton Savoy Weddings
Photo credit: Brighton Savoy

Butler Lane, Richmond

Butler Lane Wedding
Photo credit: Polka Dot Weddings

Campbell Point House, Leopold

Campbell Point House weddings
Photo credit: One Wedding Wish

Camp David Farm, Spring Hill

Camp David wedding
Photo credit: Camp David farm

Canterbury Gardens, Canterbury

Canterbury Gardens weddings
Photo credit: Canterbury Neighbourhood Centre

Carlton Gardens, Carlton 

Carlton gardens weddings
Photo credit: Weekend Notes

Carousel, Albert Park

Carousel Albert Park weddings
Photo credit: The Style Co

Catani Gardens, St Kilda

Catani Gardens weddings
Photo credit: City of Port Phillip

Circa, The Prince Deck, St Kilda

Prince Deck weddings
Photo credit: Pinterest

Como House, South Yarra

Como House Weddings
Photo credit: Film Northeast Victoria

Convent Gallery, Daylesford

Convent Gallery weddings
Photo credit: Alli Oughtred

Coombe Yarra Valley, Coldstream

Coombe Yarra Valley weddings
Photo credit: Lost in Love

Cranbourne Botanic Gardens, Cranbourne

Cranbourne Botanical Gardens weddings
Photo credit: Garden Drum

Crown Aviary, Melbourne

Crown Aviary weddings
Photo credit: Venue Mob

Dalywaters Rose Farm

Photo credit: Film Victoria

Dandenong Ranges Botanical Gardens, Olinda

Photo credit: Weekend Traveller

Darling Gardens, Clifton Hill

Photo credit: Yarra City Council

Edinburgh Gardens, Fitzroy

Photo credit: Timeout

Emu Bottom Homestead

Photo credit: Hitched

Euroa Butter Factory, Euroa

Photo credit: Katie Harmsworth

Farm Vigano, South Morang

Photo credit: Pinterest

Fenix Events, Richmond

Photo credit: Fenix Events

Fitzroy Gardens, East Melbourne

Photo credit: City of Melbourne

Flagstaff Gardens, West Melbourne

Photo credit: eGuide travel

Flemington Racecourse, Flemington

Photo credit: Lightshell Photography

Flowerdale Estate, Strath Creek

Photo credit: Pinterest

Footscray Park, Maribyrnong

Photo credit: Australian Music Scene

Forest Edge, Gembrook

Photo credit: Bride Online

Gardens House, Melbourne

Photo credit: Theodore + Co

Glen Erin, Lancefield

Photo credit: Veru Photography

Goona Warra Vineyard, Sunbury

Photo credit: Winecraft

Greenfields, Albert Park

Photo credit: Greenfields Albert park

Grollo Equiset Garden at the National Gallery of Victoria

Photo credit: Peter Rowland

Gum Gully Farm, Silvan

Photo credit: Gum Gully Farm

Heide Museum of Modern Art, Bulleen

Photo credit: Heide Museum

Hyatt Place, Essendon Fields

Photo credit: Hyatt Place

Immerse in the Yarra Valley, Dixons Creek

Photo credit: Yarra Valley Wines

Jack Rabbit, Bellarine

Photo Credit: Jack Rabbit

JFK Memorial in the Treasury Gardens, East Melbourne

Photo credit: Melbourne Daily

Lake House, Daylesford

Photo credit: Lake House

Leonda by the Yarra, Hawthorn

Photo credit: Leonda by the Yarra

Lindenderry Estate, Red Hill

Photo credit: Paperlust

Luminare, South Melbourne

Photo credit: HoorayMagazine

Luna Park, St Kilda

Photo credit: Hidden City Secrets

Lyrebird Falls, Kallista

Photo credit: Ateia Photography

Mandala Wines, Dixons Creek

Photo credit: Visit Yarra Valley

Marybrooke Manor, Sherbrooke

Photo credit: Immerse Photography

Meadowbank Receptions, Campbellfield

Photo credit: Meadowbank receptions

Melbourne Botanical Gardens

Photo credit: Distinctive Photography

Melbourne Museum, Carlton

Photo credit: Museum Spaces

Melbourne Zoo, Parkville

Photo credit: Zoos Victoria

Montsalvat, Eltham

Photo credit: T-One Photography

Overnewton Castle, Keilor

Photo credit: Overnewton Castle

Park Hyatt, Melbourne 

Photo Credit: Real Weddings

Pioneer Women’s Memorial Garden, Melbourne

Photo credit: My Open Garden

Poets Lane, Sherbrooke

Photo credit: T-One Images

Port Melbourne Yacht Club

Photo credit: Peter Rowland

Port Phillip Estate, Red Hill South

Photo credit: Lost In Love

Portsea Hotel, Portsea

Photo credit: Travel Victoria

Quat Quatta, Ripponlea

Photo credit: One Wedding Wish

Queen Victoria Gardens, Melbourne

Photo credit: Marriage Ceremonies Melbourne

RACV Healesville

Photo credit: RACV Healesville

Red Hill Estate, Red Hill

Photo credit: The Barn Balnarring

Redwood Forest, East Warburton 

Photo credit: Visit Warburton

Rippon Lea Estate, Elsternwick

Photo credit: Party with Lenzo

Riva, St Kilda

Photo credit: Zomato

Riverstone Estate, Coldstream

Photo credit: Aria Photography

Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron, St Kilda

Photo credit: Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron

Sandringham Gardens, Sandringham

Photo credit: TappaNappa

Sandringham Yacht Club, Sandringham

Photo credit: Meriki Comito

Sault, Daylesford

Photo credit: Sault Daylesford

Scienceworks, Spotswood

Photo credit: Hidden City Secrets

Secret Garden at Sky High, Mount Dandenong

Photo credit: Flickr

State Rose Garden, Werribee

Photo credit: Barefoot Cinema

St Kilda Botanical Gardens, St Kilda

Photo credit: Weddings Of Distinction

St Kilda Pier, St Kilda  | Little Blue Restaurant

Photo credit: HeraldSun

Stones of the Yarra Valley, Coldstream

Photo credit: Stones of the Yarra Valley

Studley Park Boathouse, Fairfield 

Photo credit: My Guide Melbourne

St Vincents Garden, Albert Park

Photo credit: Propoerty Observer

Summerfields Estate, Bittern

Photo credit: Vision City

Tanglewood Estate, Dromana

Photo credit: Dan Brannan Phorography

Tatra, Mount Dandenong

Photo credit: Parties 2 Weddings

Terindah Estate, Bellarine

Photo credit: Smudge Eats

The Farm Yarra Valley, Warrandyte

Photo credit: Bridal Expos Australia

The Gables, Malvern

Photo credit: Herald Sun

Vines of the Yarra Valley, Coldstream

Photo credit: Vines of the Yarra Valley

Vue on Halcyon, Chirnside Park

Photo credit: Meriki Comito

Werribee Mansion, Werribee

Photo credit: Wedding Chicks

Williamstown Botanical Gardens, Williamstown

Photo credit: Victorian Collections

Windmill Gardens, Bonnie Brook

Photo credit: Tree Studio

Witchmount Estate, Bonnie Brook

Photo credit: Easy Weddings

Yarra Ranges Estate, Monbulk

Photo credit: Hitched

Yarra Valley Estate, Dixons Creek 

Photo credit: Party with Lenzo

Yering Station, Yering

Photo credit: Michael Biggs

Zonzo Estate, Yarra Glen

Photo credit: Rick Liston

 

Rain on Your Wedding Day – Do you have a Plan B? 
Favourite Wedding Venues Melbourne →
Recommended Wedding Vendor Directory →

Contact Melbourne Celebrant Meriki Comito

Patricia + Samuel’s Werribee Mansion Wedding

Patricia and Sam began their day with a traditional Tea Ceremony at home. This allowed them to honour their families’ Chinese/Malaysian heritage with traditional elements.
Their Werribee Mansion Wedding continued on with the same amount of elegance, grace, humour and fun that these two embodied.
This wedding had everything. Incredible styling, amazing florals, brilliant sunshine, and a perfect sparkler exit.
A truly beautiful, kind and fun-loving couple certainly deserved such magical day.

The Meeting

A marriage nine years in the making, it took the first two years of sitting next to each other in med school for Sam to muster up enough courage to ask Patricia out on a date.

Unfortunately for Sam, Patricia declined his first invite. His subsequent persistence paid off though and resulted in an official date soon after!
They supported each other through all the stressful study times that followed and bonded over a mutual love of Gelato. A love which consequently supported their decision to hire a gelato cart for the big day!

The Proposal

Sam decided to propose on Christmas Day. He thought it would be hilarious to throw Patricia off with a multi layered wrapped present containing romantic letters and cards, revealing an ugly Christmas jumper at the end. The prank backfired though as Patricia was overjoyed with the  jumper! So Samuel quickly bent to one knee and revealed the much more valuable and sparkly present from his pocket!

The Vows

Patricia vowed to cook Sam’s favourite chicken rice more often than once every 3 years and promised to “choose you every day, a million times over, not because I have to, but because I want to.”
Sam declared Patricia as the most “charming, beautiful, intelligent and graceful” woman he knew (we all agree!), promised to always bring her ice-cream, and ended with AA Milnes’ “If you live to be a hundred, I want to live to be a hundred minus one day so I never have to live without you”.

The Wedding Details

Patricia and Sam secured the services of wedding planner Sarah Wang, from Blooming Love Events to help create their special day alongside Bursaria the Refectory. Enlisting the services of Ivy & Eve, Dann Event Hire and a team of other fabulous suppliers, Sarah produced the most incredible setting for Patricia and Sam to say their I Do’s!

The Photographer

Patricia and Sam chose the amazingly talented Jesse Hiscoe to capture all the details, and I thank him for allowing me to share his beautiful images with you! The smiles he captured say it all!

Contact Meriki to discuss your special day HERE!

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Patricia + Samuel | 22.02.2020

Photography: Jesse Hiscoe 
Ceremony Location: Werribee Mansion
Reception: Bursaria The Refectory
Videography: Lovely Day Films
Marriage Celebrant: Meriki Comito 
Bridal Gown: Enzoani | Eternal Bridal
Planning/Styling: Blooming Love Events
Florals: Ivy & Eve
Ceremony seating: Dann Event Hire
Ceremony Music: Stringspace
Cake: Nobody Hates Cake

Chloe + Mahmoud’s Gardens House Wedding

First meeting

At Phuket airport. Mahmoud tells me he was instantly mesmerised by Chloe’s beauty.
He had just shared a laugh and a hug with one of his friends, before he turned to see Chloe standing there behind him in the customs line, so he promptly broke into a huge smile and asked her if she would like a hug too!

First impressions

They immediately discovered a very similar sense of humour, and bonded over a love of travel and immersing themselves into different cultures, but it was their strong family ties and a love for sports that brought them close together….well, by sports I mean mainly AFL….meaning mainly Carlton….ok so maybe that was just Mahmoud that was obsessed with sport, but either way, it didn’t take long at all for their friendship to develop into the loving bond which led them to marry at the beautiful Gardens House in the Melbourne Botanical Gardens.

Vows

After lots of Lebanese family traditions starting the day off for Mahmoud, Chloe made her entrance at Gardens House as a breathtaking figure in custom Craig Braybrook Couture.
She named her handsome groom as “the most beautiful, smart, and generous person I have ever known”. Mahmoud promised to love, cherish and commit his heart + soul to Chloe for as long as he lived.

Mahmoud’s nephew stood up as the cute as button ring bearer, before a first kiss as husband + wife drew highly anticipated cheers and applause from a very festive group of guests!

Congratulations Mr + Mrs M and thank you for allowing me to share a part of your amazing day with you!

Photo credit

The incredibly talented Theo from Loco Photography for the beautiful images – what a superstar x

Gardens House Celebrants

Gardens House Celebrant Meriki Comito

Gardens House Celebrant Meriki Comito

Gardens House Celebrant Meriki Comito

Gardens House Celebrant Meriki Comito

Lebanese Wedding Traditions

Lebanese Wedding Traditions

Lebanese Wedding Traditons

Wedding Entourage

Bride's arrival

Beautiful Wedding Flowers

Page Boys job at the wedding

Here comes the bride

Here comes the bride

Here comes the bride

Gardens House weddings with Meriki Comito Celebrant

Gardens House weddings with Meriki Comito Celebrant

Gardens House weddings with Meriki Comito Celebrant

Gardens House weddings with Meriki Comito Celebrant

Gardens House weddings with Meriki Comito Celebrant

Gardens House weddings with Meriki Comito Celebrant

First kiss as husband and wife

Signing the register

Married!!Bridal party goals

Alone at last

Wedding kisses in the rain

Love in the rain on your wedding day

Wedding dance Lebanese style

Newlywed heaven

 

Chloe + Mahmoud | 02.11.2018

Photography: Loco Photography
Ceremony Location: Gardens House 
Celebrant: Meriki Comito 
Videography: IMedia Studios
Bridal Gown: Craig Braybrook Couture 
Bride’s Shoes: Valentino
Flowers : Floretta By Grace
Groom’s Cars: Pony Passion Cars
Bride’s Cars: RR Classic Car Hire
Ceremony Music: Four Seasons String Quartet
Reception Location: Metropolis

 

Do I need a Wedding Video?

In the beginning

Discussing wedding suppliers with my couples is always an exciting time for me. I get to find out who I’ll be working with in the coming months, and can assist couples by recommending all the fabulous industry legends I have come to know and highly respect. And I base my recommendations on the excellent quality and standards I have experienced first hand.

(My Recommended Suppliers Directory is here if you’d like to check them out!)

Decision time

Most couples I meet with have already locked in, or are about to lock in a photographer for their wedding, but I have to admit that I am surprised by just how many are still tossing up whether they need a wedding video as well.

My short answer is if you’re already thinking about it, then yes. I really think you do.

What will a video add to my day?

A professional wedding video will capture the fun banter during all the preparations in the morning. It will capture the emotion in your voice as you recite your vows, and the crazy loud reaction from your guests when you share your first kiss as a husband and wife. It will help you to recall the sensation of your first dance together, the playful nature of any young children who attended, and the sentiments of all the speeches made by yourselves, your family and your friends.

My husband would most likely argue that the haphazard, grainy capture on my brother law’s handicam proved sufficient enough, and in the end, saved us a few dollars and enabled us to get, who was at the time, an amazing photographer, but I can say now with absolute certainty, that if I could do it all again, I would most definitely employ one of the fabulous wedding videographers that exist now.


Wedding Video by Humdrum Films

Gone are the days of long winded and boring wedding video’s that feature the romantic strains of Madonna, Whitney Houston and Foreigner, and in their place, are the incredibly fun, candid and cleverly edited captures that flood our social media today!

Why is video important?

Before becoming a Marriage Celebrant, I had always entertained the idea that photos were for ever and that video’s were an expensive form of light entertainment that couples would drag out every anniversary and laugh at, but my mind has changed dramtically, and chatting to my lovely hairdresser, Leanne, recently, she mentioned that as there were many guests at her wedding who have since passed away, her wedding video has become an incredibly valuable source of comfort, as she can listen to their voices and experience the hugs, dances and words she shared with all her loved ones past, again and again, any time she wants.


Wedding Video by Film My Wedding

A recent bride of mine also mentioned that regardless of how hard she and her husband tried to “live in the moment”, the whole wedding ceremony was such an out of body experience.
“At one point, I remember wondering why I was standing up there, and why all my family and friends were staring at me – and I recall you talking and seeing your lips moving but I don’t remember hearing anything you said! It was such a bizarre but equally incredible experience!”
So I’m guessing they’re  going to be very grateful indeed to have a beautiful professional wedding video to refer to any time they like! 

Who do you recommend?

The following are some amazingly talented teams & individuals who, whilst blending into the surrounds like a video ninja, will have the best quality equipment (as well as know how to use it!) and will totally nail the ability to capture the best and most important moments of your day perfectly.

 
Wedding Video by Nathan Kaso Weddings

Their experience in the industry means they not only understand and embrace the pressure of only having that “one chance” to capture it all, they know exactly how to read a ceremony, position themselves to best capture all the main moments AND how to document your day in a way that allows to re-live it over and over again – both from your perspective and that of your family and friends. They will also be totally fun and awesome and not boring at all 🙂


Humdrum Films
Video Boutique
Burgess Video
Film My Wedding
Lunar Red
Directors Edge


meriki@simplycelebrant.com.au
0417 394 792

Rainy Day Weddings – Do you have a plan B?

Feature Image by Ben Swinnerton 

Is it going to rain on my wedding day?

Nothing sets off the fear in many a brides heart more than the thought of rain on their wedding day.
Weather is the one element you have no control over, but as long as you have a perfect “Plan B”, you can still have a perfect rainy day wedding!

Have the conversation

One of the first points of discussion at all my planning meetings with couples who have chosen to marry outdoors, is what they plan to do if it pours with rain.

Most brides will have an alternative location already in place, which is amazing, but for those of you who are either crossing your fingers that it won’t rain, or attempting to use the power of prayer, voodoo, positive thinking or threats on someone’s life to prevent it from raining, I can tell you now with absolute certainty, that Melbourne weather is ridiculously unpredictable. It doesn’t care how desperately you want that beautiful sunny garden wedding and can totally ruin every one of those HOURS you have spent planning and preparing for that one big day.

Rainy wedding day

Your guests should remember your wedding for the RIGHT reasons..

No bride or groom ever dreams of arriving at the ceremony looking spectacular, only to get out of the car and get completely soaked whilst they sink into the soggy ground down the aisle. And let’s not forget about your guests and husband to be, who have been waiting there 15-30 minutes prior to your arrival, miserably clutching an umbrella, or huddling under the nearest tree. In my experience, guests will often refuse to take a seat at a rainy day wedding, preferring to shelter under a tree rather than sit on a wet chair and be close enough to hear the beautiful vows you have spent weeks perfecting.

Couple walking alone through a park in the rain with an umbrella on their wedding day
Photo by LJM Photography

On a personal note

Oh, and just from my perspective as a celebrant, outdoor rainy day weddings do not provide an ideal situation for us either. It’s rather difficult to stand in the rain holding an umbrella, and balancing a ceremony script folder, or device, and microphone all at the same time. Even in the cases of a light shower, our sound systems and legal documents don’t tend to do very well when they get wet, so you may find yourself without sound, or a soggy marriage certificate as a keepsake!

Couple sharing a first kiss at their wedding in the rain under an umbrella
Image by Joseph Koprek Photography

An easy, budget friendly plan sometimes isn’t enough

Some couples will arrange for shelter in the form of market umbrellas or gazebos in the event of a rainy day wedding. These are perfect for the days when there’s just some light rain or drizzle, but you will still need to be prepared in the case of heavier rain, as those options will not make any difference when the rain is coming in sideways!

Bride and Groom looking into each others eyes under an umbrella at their rainy day wedding
Image by Gerard Assi

Many brides are totally against a plan B, as they are determined to have their outdoor wedding rain, hail or shine, but trust me when I say that unless dancing in the rain is your thing (and rainy day wedding photos can of course be absolutely magical!),  getting completely soaked during the legal parts and having grumpy, wet guests arriving at your reception afterwards is by no way going to contribute to your idea of a perfect day.

Talk to your reception venue

A lot of venues have some beautiful rainy day wedding options, and if you’re lucky enough to book a venue that provides exclusivity, you can normally select which option you would prefer to go with, only a few hours in advance!

Plan B wedding ceremony option at Luminare in South Melbourne
Image by Meriki Comito

In other cases, if your venue is not able to provide an alternative rainy day option, they will most likely allow you to move your ceremony into the space you have booked for your reception.

In short, putting a solid wet weather contingency in place, will provide you with absolute peace of mind that no matter what the weather, you will be guaranteed a truly beautiful Plan B that can actually leave your guests thinking it was the Plan A all along! All it needs is a little organising in advance, so that every one of your suppliers can make sure it happens!

Bride and groom sharing a kiss at their rainy day wedding
Image by Jerome Cole Photography

In the end

But the most important point to remember is that at the end of the day, regardless of the fact that you have no control over the weather, you will be married to the person you have chosen to spend the rest of your life with, and that’s something the weather will make no difference to!

So if you’re planning an outside ceremony, and you don’t have a wet weather contingency, the following fabulous suppliers can help you to lock in your dream Plan B!
Otherwise just ask your humble celebrant. I’m pretty certain they’ll be able to send you in the right direction. Just for peace of mind x

 

Dann Event Hire
Harry The Hirer
The Style Co
Weddings of Distinction

For more Wedding Day planning tips + ideas, have a look at “Do I need a Wedding Videographer?

meriki@simplycelebrant.com.au
0417 394 792

Kate + Lars’ Chateau Doré Wedding

The Event

Kate + Lars decided on a peaceful french provincial inspired Chateau Doré Wedding to celebrate their love and their family.

As family & friends gathered from as far as Germany, Kate & Lars’s ADORABLE baby boy Sebastian arrived dressed in the cutest traditional ‘Lederhosen’ to the absolute delight of person present!

Grateful for my mother’s Austrian heritage, I was thrilled to be able to welcome Lars’ family in their mother tongue as well as incorporate a few German phrases into the ceremony itself!

The Meeting

Kate and Lars’ first meeting in Spain was one of those real ‘sliding door’ moments in life, when Kate stopped in Spain at the beginning of a 12 month world trip to join a Spanish language class, and met Lars a few days into her extended stay.

Kate thought Lars looked like a school boy swinging on the back of his chair in the Library, and Lars thought the same thing about Kate after spotting her strolling through the streets with her cute little backpack on! But when they were both invited to join a mutual friend for lunch, they hit it off immediately, and Kate cancelled her other travel plans to spend as much time in Spain with Lars as possible.

Six weeks later, Kate was obliged to continue on her world tour, but both she and Lars knew that their time together was so much more than just a summer romance, and Kate made arrangements to meet Lars on his home ground in Hamburg on December 12th 2009 – six years exactly before they married at the beautiful Chateau Doré in country Victoria.

The Vows

Kate said that she loved Lars’s “genuine & pure love of life and that he sees the very best in every person he meets”, and Lars said that Kate “makes everything you do, feel & experience together absolutely amazing”.

After exchanging rings with a mixture of both German & English vows, Kate & Lars shared one of the most passionate first kisses that I have ever seen to the loudest of cheers!

The Photographer

One of my favourite industry pros, Alli Oughtred, was there to capture it all xx

Chateau Doré Wedding

Chateau Doré Wedding

Chateau Doré Wedding

Chateau Doré Wedding

Chateau Doré Wedding

Chateau Doré Wedding

Chateau Doré Wedding

Chateau Doré Wedding

Chateau Doré Wedding

Chateau Doré Wedding

Chateau Doré Wedding

Chateau Doré Wedding

Chateau Doré Wedding

Chateau Doré Wedding

Chateau Doré Wedding

Chateau Doré Wedding

Chateau Doré Wedding

Chateau Doré Wedding

Chateau Doré Wedding

Chateau Doré Wedding

Chateau Doré Wedding

Chateau Doré Wedding

Chateau Doré Wedding

Chateau Doré Wedding

Chateau Doré Wedding

Chateau Doré Wedding

Chateau Doré Wedding

Chateau Doré Wedding

Chateau Doré Wedding

Chateau Doré Wedding

Chateau Doré Wedding

Chateau Doré Wedding

Chateau Doré Wedding

Chateau Doré Wedding

 

Kate + Lars | 12.12.2015

Celebrant: Meriki Comito
Ceremony & Reception Location: Chateau Dore
Photography: Alli Oughtred Wedding Photography
Flowers: The Eternal Vase

 

Rain on your wedding day – Do you have a Plan B? →

← Ceremony Entrances – know your options! 

Stephen & Leigh’s Colourful Manadala Wines Wedding

Stephen and Leigh chose the beautiful Mandala Wines in the Yarra Valley for the location of their colourful winery wedding, and added lots of bright flags, flowers and lego to make it distinctly theirs!

The Meeting

When Stephen first laid eyes on Leigh at a friend’s BBQ about four years ago, he thought she was way out of his league, but went on to impress her with his polite nature and perfect manners, so the pair soon struck up a friendship, bonding over a mutual love of movies, cocktails, ‘phat’ beats and the great outdoors.

They both grew to love the unconditional love they both provided the other with, as well as the freedom of being able to be completely who they truly were. It was fun, and comfortable, and felt so right, that marriage had definitely become an option for the future.

The Proposal

It was during a two-week road trip through New Zealand that Stephen entertained the idea of a perfect proposal, but after waiting for that perfect moment to present itself, it became apparent that he was struggling to keep his big secret, and after three failed attempts to work up the courage, finally asked Leigh to marry him on the final night of their adventure.
It may have been a huge source of anxiety for Stephen, but according to Leigh, it was private, and personal, and absolutely perfect.

The Vows

In a stunning lace Marianna Hardwick gown, Leigh quietly declared to her handsome groom that “you love me even when I don’t love myself” (before quoting Beyonce!), after which Stephen told Leigh “your beaming smile can brighten my darkest days, and your beautiful laugh brings me more happiness than anything.”

It was an absolute pleasure to share this moment with Stephen & Leigh and I hope they achieve all their dreams of travelling the world together, starting a family of their own and enjoying all the adventures that life will bring x

The Photographer

A huge shout out to the super talented Zosia from Aparat Photography for these stunning images!!

 Mandala wines wedding

Mandala wines wedding

Mandala wines wedding

Mandala wines wedding

Mandala wines wedding

Mandala wines wedding

Mandala wines wedding

Mandala wines wedding

Mandala wines wedding

Mandala wines wedding

Mandala wines wedding

Mandala wines wedding

Mandala wines wedding

Mandala wines wedding

Mandala wines wedding

Mandala wines wedding

Mandala wines wedding

 Mandala wines wedding

Mandala wines wedding

Mandala wines wedding

Mandala wines wedding

Mandala wines wedding

Mandala wines wedding

Mandala wines wedding

Mandala wines wedding

Mandala wines wedding

Mandala wines wedding

Mandala wines wedding

 

Stephen & Leigh | 16.04.2016

Celebrant: Meriki Comito
Ceremony & Reception Location: Mandala Wines
Photography: Aparat Photography
Ceremony Arch & Bunting: Created by the clever Groom!
Bridal Gown: Marianna Hardwick
Bridesmaids Dresses: Rodeo Show
Flowergirl Dress: H&M
Groom’s Attire: Joe Black
Bouquet’s, Boutonniere’s and Flower Crown: Debbie O’Neill
Cake & Bomboniere: The Bride’s own creations

Julia & Craig’s Pioneer Womens Memorial Wedding

Elegant, composed & simply beautiful, Julia waited at the top of the hill as I came to greet her before the start of her Pioneer Women’s Memorial wedding. “Don’t say anything nice to me or I’ll start crying again!” she warned me, but as she made her way down the aisle to Regina Spektor’s “Real Love”, it was Craig’s turn to shed a small silent tear as he saw his bride for the first time.

In the sun drenched courtyard of the Pioneer Womens Memorial gardens, Craig promised his “Boo” to share in her dreams and build a home filled with learning, laughter & light, after which Julia declared that she “will look with joy down the path of our tomorrows, knowing we will walk it together side by side, hand in hand and heart to heart.”
A stylish drink station in a shady corner of the garden provided ample refreshment for guests as they celebrated with the happy newlyweds after the ceremony.

A big thank you to the fabulous Shaun Guest Photography for allowing me to share his images!

Pioneer Womens Memorial Wedding

Pioneer Womens Memorial Wedding

Pioneer Womens Memorial Wedding

Pioneer Womens Memorial Wedding     Pioneer Womens Memorial Wedding    Pioneer Womens Memorial Wedding   Pioneer Womens Memorial Wedding

Pioneer Womens Memorial Wedding

Pioneer Womens Memorial Wedding

Pioneer Womens Memorial Wedding

Pioneer Womens Memorial Wedding

Pioneer Womens Memorial Wedding

Pioneer Womens Memorial Wedding

Julia & Craig | 24th January 2014

Celebrant: Meriki Comito
Venue: Pioneer Women’s Memorial Garden
Photography: Shaun Guest Photography
Bridal Gown: Collette Dinnigan
Flowers: Zoe Webb