Jade & Josh’s Zonzo Estate Wedding
The Meeting
When they were both only 16 years old, Josh would walk Jade to the train station after school every day, where Jade would miss the first train on purpose, just so they would have an extra 15 minutes together before the next one arrived.
Nearly 10 years later, in a beautiful Zonzo Estate wedding, the high school sweethearts finally became husband and wife.
The Event
There were tears of joy a plenty as Jade declared that “never have I experienced happiness like what I experience when I am with you”, before Josh vowed to “always try as hard as I can for the rest of our lives to make you feel as special, as happy and as loved as you make me feel every single day”.
After sharing their first kiss as husband & wife to rapturous cheers & applause, family members then placed letters they had written to Jade & Josh into a box with a bottle of wine for the couple to enjoy on their 5th wedding anniversary, before the newlyweds added their own special words to the time capsule before taking each other’s hand and joining their guests in celebration as a married couple for the first time.
The Photography team
Jade & Josh’s perfect day was captured by the lovely and extremely talented, Kim Cartmell at Hello Kimbo Photography and the superstar duo from Humdrum Films
Check out the video by the talented team at Humdrum Films
Jade & Josh | 10th May 2014
Celebrant: Meriki Comito
Venue: Zonzo | Train Trak Wines
Photography: Kim Cartmell @ Hello Kimbo Photography
Videography: Humdrum Films
Ceremony Music: Downtime
Flowers: Flowers of Yarra Glen
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!
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
Peta & Shane’s Melbourne Town Hall Wedding
“This is the hottest day EVER” exclaimed Peta as she made her way toward the Portico Room entrance where her Melbourne Town Hall wedding was about to commence. She appeared like a breath of fresh air when she stepped out onto the balcony however, pausing for a moment as guests rose from their seats, and then gracefully making her way down the aisle to her overjoyed groom.
The ceremony commenced with the acknowledgement of the couple’s families, thanking them for their love and support and receiving the blessing of both Peta & Shane’s parents.
An incredibly romantic poem followed, that the groom had penned himself for the day, and was recited absolutely perfectly by one of Peta’s lovely bridesmaids.
After sharing a few laughs over their slightly awkward first date nine years earlier, Peta promised Shane that she would “always encourage, inspire and support you to live the life we both dream of living”.
Shane declared to Peta that she was “the most beautiful, loving and caring person I have ever known”, before the couple took part in a Holding Hands ritual, symbolically bringing their two hearts together.
They shared their first kiss as husband & wife to ecstatic cheers and applause from family & friends before heading out into the sunshine for photos in around the city.
And these stunning images, taken by the talented team at Lens to Life Photography, really do prove that a happy bride is the most beautiful x
Watch the highlights movie by Moon + Back Co
Peta & Shane | 8th February 2014
Celebrant: Meriki Comito
Venue: Melbourne Town Hall
Photography: Lens to Life Photography
Videography: Moon & Back Co
Bridal Hair & Make up: Kendal Deckert
Min & Kristian’s Melbourne Trunk Bar Wedding
These two beautiful and super cool people married during a Melbourne Trunk Bar wedding six years after Kristian first laid eyes on Min and had no doubt whatsoever that they would have a future together.
Aside from the fact that Min & Kristian share many of the same values and morals in life, that they are extremely like minded, creative and seriously easy going, they are soul mates. Two free spirits who operate together and work better as a team than they ever have as individuals.
After a close friend of the couple entertained us all with an absolutely brilliant, self composed reading that had everyone in fits of laughter, Min & Kristian exchanged their beautifully written and deeply moving vows.
Min, looking like a goddess in a stunning Anna Campbell gown, declared that Kristian was her inspiration and that “I never thought someone like you existed in this world”, after which Kristian revealed that in Min, he saw his happiness personified and vowed he would “never forget how special you are and I will remind you of that fact every day”.
Their first kiss as husband & wife was received with thunderous applause, cheers & whistles before they partied the night away with their delighted family, friends and equally as cool (and fun!) bridal party.
A huge thanks to the talented Allie O for the fab pics!
Min & Kristian | 29th March 2014
Celebrant: Meriki Comito
Venue: Trunk Bar
Photography: Alli Oughtred Photography
Bridal Gown: Anna Campbell
Ali & Dan’s Tatra Chapel Wedding
The Event
Ali & Dan chose a Tatra Chapel Wedding to celebrate their special day.
Surrounded by breathtaking rainforest, eager guests arrived early and had soon filled the chapel to the brim before greeting the groom with cheers and applause as he made his way to the front.
Ali (one of the most excited and happiest brides I’ve ever seen!) was absolutely striking in neck to toe lace, as she made her way down the Tatra Chapel aisle on the arm of her super excited dad.
Opting not to have any bridesmaids or groomsmen to ensure the celebration was just about them and their love, Ali confidently stood alone and declared Dan to be “my rock and my strength”……”my best friend and my one true love”.
Dan said that he was “excited by what we will learn, where we will laugh, and how much our love will grow”.
Ali’s little “yay” moment after their first kiss as husband & wife was a joy to behold and put the biggest smile on every person present.
Ali and Dan’s ceremony reflected their strong family values with the inclusion of three readings performed by close family members, a blessing from the entire congregation and the giving of roses to their mothers as a symbol of their love and appreciation.
A beautiful wedding, celebrating the love and respect of a beautiful couple. AND they had an awesome cake!!!
The Photography
Many thanks to the fabulous Robert Hock Photography for allowing me to share his images.
Ali & Dan | 23rd June 2013
Celebrant: Meriki Comito
Venue: Tatra Receptions
Photography: Robert Hock Photography
Amy + Jacob’s Tatra Garden Wedding →
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Hoa & David’s Melbourne Museum Wedding
The Event
Hoa & David decided on a Melbourne Museum wedding to celebrate their love and they did it spectacular style!
After all the traditional Chinese customs were celebrated in the morning, Hoa made her way down the aisle of the Melbourne Museum North Terrace to Pachelbel’s Canon in a stunning Karen Willis Holmes gown, ensuring the groom’s attendants were kept very busy handing out the tissues!!
With Hoa finally by David’s side, we all took a moment, or 10, to allow for the groom to compose himself and for his family to stop laughing at how emotional he had become!
The laughter started again as I shared the story of Hoa & David’s earlier days together, before the lovebirds recited their personally written vows.
Through emotion charged tears, Hoa declared that David enriched her life and that “I am who I am today because of you”, while David announced “I feel like everything in my life has led me to you”.
And to top it all off, David literally swept Hoa off her feet to carry her back down the aisle – “she’s finally mine” he called – SO sweet!!!
The Photography
A huge thanks to Alvin + his team from Doux Wedding Corp for allowing me to publish their gorgeous images!
Hoa & David | 9th November 2013
Celebrant: Meriki Comito
Venue: Melbourne Museum
Photography: Doux Wedding Corp
Dress: Karen Willis Holmes
Suits: M.J.Bale
Flowers: Flower Jar
Ceremony Music: Lilium Strings
Gabrielle & Lloyd’s Great Provider Wedding
Gabrielle & Lloyd married during an emotion charged Great Provider wedding in St Kilda, in the presence of delighted family members who had literally only met each other three days earlier!
Thankful for a perfect & cosy undercover option at the venue, we were treated to a wonderful rendition of “A Wedding Prayer” by one of the couple’s closest friends, after pausing to remember and honour Gabrielle’s beautiful mother, with the lighting of a single white candle.
We then all shared a bit of a giggle as I related how it took Lloyd three goes to propose to Gabrielle, after which the newlyweds promised to provide each other with love, trust, acceptance and respect for as long as they lived.
When I finally declared Gabrielle and Lloyd to be husband & wife, the room exploded with cheers & applause before celebrations in the Great Provider courtyard kicked off!
A huge thanks to Joel from Distinctive Photography for the beautiful images.
Gabrielle & Lloyd | 23.11.2013
Venue: The Great Provider
Celebrant: Meriki Comito
Photography: Distinctive Photography
Karen & Travis’s Melbourne Zoo Wedding
The Event
Karen + Travis decided on a fantastic Melbourne Zoo wedding to say their I Do’s.
“We are all a little weird and life’s weird, and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love”
This Dr. Seuss quote was written on the card Karen gave to Travis on their first Valentines Day together almost 5 years ago and they told me it is as true now as it was then!
On this day however, the celebration of their love was nothing less than absolutely beautiful.
Karen looked the picture of elegance as she strolled through the tranquil setting of the Japanese Gardens at the Melbourne Zoo on the arm of her proud father, to Frank Sinatra’s “Moon River”.
The music, along with the image of his beautiful bride walking towards him, had Travis almost reaching for the tissues, but it was all smiles once they had each others hands in their own, before promising to be a constant friend and one anothers one true love.
And after finally sharing their first kiss as husband & wife, they got up close and personal with some amazing animals!
The Photography
Many thanks to the lovelyTales of Tingewick for allowing me to publish their images!
Karen & Travis | 26.10.2013
Venue: Royal Melbourne Zoo
Celebrant: Meriki Comito
Photography: Tales of Tingewick
Candice & Jonathan’s Stones of the Yarra Valley Wedding
The Event
Candice + Jonathan decided on a romantic Stones of the Yarra Valley wedding to celebrate their love.
Beginning their relationship with a teenage holiday romance during a trip to Hamilton Island with their families, Candice + Jonathan’s love developed over time into the decision to spend the rest of their lives together.
The entire bridal party arrived, in a fleet of red helicopters – with Jonathan piloting his own!
We all gathered in the beautiful chapel before Candice, absolutely breathtaking in a Connie Simonetti gown and a mega-watt smile, made her way down the aisle towards her handsome groom.
Candice & Jonathan promised to “love & cherish you always for all the days of my life”, before their parents joined them to perform a Wine Box ceremony.
Secret, handwritten letters and three bottles of wine, were sealed in a box, to be opened on their 10th Wedding anniversary, before the box was hammered shut by their builder groomsman, James – a task he performed with much seriousness, eliciting delighted laughter & applause from the guests & newlyweds alike!
The Photography
Many thanks to Blumenthal Photography and C2 Films for the beautiful images + footage!
Jonathan & Candice | 20.09.2013
Venue: Stones of the Yarra Valley
Celebrant: Meriki Comito
Bridal Gown: Connie Simonetti
Florals: Flower Jar
Helicopters: Microflite
Photography: Blumenthal
Videography: C2 Video
Ceremony Music: Baker Boys Band
Top 10 questions I get asked as a marriage celebrant →
← Jade + Josh’s Zonzo Estate Wedding
A Marriage Celebrant in Melbourne
Welcome to my blog!
I have to admit that I was initially quite adverse to the idea of blogging, mainly because I naively didn’t think anyone actually read them, and wasn’t sure I’d even have the time to post on a regular basis even if they did, but I have since discovered that the world of blogging is a LOT bigger than I had initially assumed and therefore decided I needed to be a part of it all.
So here I am.
I am a fully authorised marriage celebrant in Melbourne and believe without a doubt, that I have the best job in the world.
I have always loved weddings and still, in a bottom draw with tons of other random memorabilia from my childhood, have a diary full of wedding ideas, pictures of bridal gowns cut from my mums magazines, photos of the “type” of husband I thought I would marry one day and a bunch of those games I used to play with my friends to find out the name of the man I would marry one day – you know, the one where you take the first letter of your favourite colour and the 2nd letter of the suburb where you would like to live…?
Here’s a more tech savvy predictor quiz for you…. DO THE QUIZ
ANYWAY, when I finally became engaged over 15 years ago, I put a lot of effort and planning into our special day, carrying out 99.9% of the organising myself. I didn’t have internet access at home and whilst I did try to sneak in some online searching into work each day, I pretty much spent every weekend driving around from shop to shop to source suppliers. And I had an absolute ball.
18 months later, I finally married my amazing husband during one of the best days of our life and then, whilst on our honeymoon, I took to my banana lounge, cocktail in hand and pondered how I could ever re live that most incredible day. “I could become a wedding planner! Of course! I could do all the planning for other couples! Perfect!” And then I fell pregnant with our first child.
Lucky enough to be able to take on my new role as a permanent stay at home mum, thoughts of work took a backseat while I raised my son, realising very quickly that I would most likely never be able to commit to the amount of time it required to be a wedding planner!
So while planning weddings was now off my list of possible future career paths, I knew I still wanted to work in the wedding industry and was keeping my options open, when, whilst pregnant with my second son, I was browsing the HeraldSun classifieds when I came across an ad asking me if I would like to become a marriage celebrant.
“Yes! Yes I think I would!
But it took me another couple of years of raising child number two, until I finally completed my course and received the Attorney Generals’ tick of approval to become a registered marriage celebrant.
That was four years ago, and apart from now having THREE children (we have a beautiful princess now too!), I conduct about 60 ceremonies a year and couldn’t be happier.
Every ceremony is an absolute joy to be a part of and I absolutely LOVE the diversity of the couples I meet and the ceremonies I help them to create. The life of a celebrant is pretty special.
And so, via this blog, I look forward to sharing my experiences as a celebrant with you, including all the laughter, tears, style, romance, and most importantly love, that I am so very privileged to be a part of.
And hopefully, somewhere along the way, I will provide some insight, some inspiration or just some simple browsing enjoyment for any of you who choose to join me on this magical journey.
In Life & Love always ~
Meriki x
Photos courtesy of Ninnie Photography, Tiny Sparrows Photography, LJM Photography, Doux Wedding Corp