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Real Weddings

SOPHIE + BEN - Summer wedding in the vineyard

July 23, 2021

Sophie and Ben celebrated their marriage on a warm, but not too hot, February day. They chose Harcourt Valley Vineyard to create a fun, party atmosphere where the outdoor spaces speak for themselves, don’t require much in the way of decorating and are simply perfect for a Summer wedding.

Before Sophie arrived with her dad, guests were enjoying some live tunes from Tom Harrington on guitar and vocals. (Hot tip: live music before and during your ceremony is a game changer to set a celebratory mood). Sophie and her dad walked through a hushed and excited crowd while Tom played, ‘I’m With You’. During that aisle walk, Sophie and Ben only had eyes for each other and on reaching the end, even snuck in a pre-ceremony kiss!

I told some relationship stories, including how they met; a supreme effort by Sophie’s big sister, ‘Matchmaker Lucy’, who kept inviting them both around for dinner every week until they finally realised they were perfect for each other!

Beautiful, personal vows were exchanged, rings were slipped on fingers and some surprise crowd participation brought the ceremony to a joyful, inclusive close. As Sophie and Ben recessed back down the aisle, showered with good wishes and rose petals, everyone was feeling the love vibe and were more than ready to party and dance the night away under the stars. This wedding ceremony really was a ‘party starter!’

Thank you, gorgeous Sophie and Ben, for inviting me into this most precious of days and for sharing your love story with me – it was such a privilege!

And from Sophie:

Sue was absolutely amazing. As soon as we found Sue we knew she was the one to marry us. Sue is very professional and is very kind-hearted and loving. Her sense of humour is great, and we couldn’t recommend her highly enough. Sue also made sure I was OK before I walked down the aisle and gave me a cuddle. It honestly made me feel calm and reassured me that everything would be OK and I would have nothing to worry about. Thanks again so much Sue, we absolutely loved having you a part of our wedding.

Celebrant: Sue Begg

Photographer: Sarah-Jane VR Photography

Venue: Harcourt Valley Vineyards

Sophie’s gown: Bendigo Bridal Collections

Bridesmaid’s dresses: Sheike

Ben’s apparel: Connor

Caterer: Northern Star Catering

Flowers: Styled By Laura Jane

Cake: Amanda’s Cake Emporium

Hair & Make-up Artist: Demi Ryan

Stationery/Signage: Sarah-Jane VR Photography

Hire Items: Light Me Up Letter Hire

Musician: Tom Harrington

KELLIE + LACHIE: Daylesford Elopement

August 17, 2020

Kellie and Lachie had always planned to have the big white wedding. They started looking at venues and vendors, attendants were chosen and a divine gown purchased. After having a fabulous engagement party in their back yard, they began to rethink their wedding plans and decided to elope to Daylesford for a weekend of celebrations with the chosen wedding party and closest family members – total of nine guests.

They found the perfect rural property, complete with two residences, spacious dining room, olive grove and a dam where a natural ceremony space was created, framed by a willow tree. These two are country kids, after all!

As we gathered under that willow tree, to celebrate their relationship that began at their local footy/netball club, every guest got on board with the ceremony. They laughed. They cried. They interacted. This intimate and beautiful ceremony was at the heart of their weekend celebrations. I was impressed by how every single person there was engaged and delighted to be there. Kellie and Lachie were incredibly happy and calm, and I have never seen a more relaxed bride and groom!

An elopement or a micro wedding is not for everyone, but this authentic celebration was perfect for Kellie and Lachie. The unbridled joy I felt in the telling of your love story on your wedding day and then declaring you husband and wife, is something I will remember always!

And from Kellie:

Sue made our day so special from the first meeting to our intimate elopement with our closest friends and family. It was a pleasure getting to know Sue, and she put so much time and energy into creating the perfect ceremony for us. She wrote a love story about us, that was a surprise for us on the day, and she couldn't have done better! She also incorporated our small number of guests into the ceremony to make it even more intimate for ourselves and our guests. She helped us to write our own vows and we felt so comfortable reading these to each other, having Sue there. The ceremony ran smoothly and will be cherished forever.

Celebrant: Sue Begg

Photographer: Whites & Woods Photography

Videographer: In the Vines Creative

Venue: The House – Daylesford Garden Estate Airbnb Coomoora

Kellie’s dress: Eternal Weddings

Flowers: Vogue Nature

Hair & MUA: The Lounge Hair & Beauty Daylesford

Catering: Peter Ford Catering Ballarat

Cake: Wildflour Cakes by Ranii

Invitations and signage: Atelier Creative

MICHELLE + JASON: Casual, Classy Winery Wedding

July 1, 2020

I was excited when Jason and Michelle booked me for their wedding at Harcourt Valley Winery, as this was to be my first time officiating at a wedding there. The winery is nestled amongst ancient redgums (big tick for shade for a Summer wedding!) in a beautiful valley, with distant views of Mt Alexander. It’s an unsurpassed venue for a fun filled, laid back wedding and with Jason and Michelle’s creative flair, they turned it into a fabulous party vibe.

There were bubbles on arrival, and a grazing table and food van for relaxed eating. Michelle made the wedding cake and between them they whipped up a delectable selection for the dessert bar!

We began the ceremony with a cheers proposed by a good friend, then a mild bridal party roast, followed by a light-hearted love story about how these two first chatted when Michelle was just back from overseas and Jason was still in Europe, soon to be returning. Both were dreaming of their next adventure. Little did they know that the greatest adventure of falling in love was just around the corner!

After some quick vows and ring exchange, I pronounced them married and they immediately recessed back down the aisle through the rose petals to “Can’t Stop This Feeling”. We all signed the documents a bit later. Jason and Michelle were able to bask in the moment being announced as Mr and Mrs and to enjoy the congratulations with their guests. The guests were happy as they didn’t need to watch us sign documents either!

After my work was done, I packed up and drove away to the sound of a live band on the verandah as the party vibe was ramping up. Jason and Michelle, thank you for inviting me into your lives and to share in your unique wedding celebrations. It is a day I will always remember!

Celebrant: Sue Begg

Photographer: Jess White Photography

Venue: Harcourt Valley Winery

Flowers: Libertine Florist

Hair: Honeyeater

MUA: Blush by Georgie

Catering: Pasta Face & The Vine and the Farmer

Cake: Michelle!

Dessert Bar: Michelle and Jason! Flavour and Heart

Music: Ash French & Josh Dearaugo

Invitations: Atelier Creative

Signage: Michelle & Jason!

SOPHIE + DANIEL - Relaxed Country Wedding

May 13, 2020

Sophie and Daniel’s dream was for a relaxed country vibe for their wedding and they wanted to share it over a weekend with family and friends. They began searching in the Macedon Ranges area and found a perfect country house near Trentham, with lots of outdoor space for a romantic lakeside ceremony, followed by lawn games and cocktails and canapes in the garden.

Their ceremony was warm, light-hearted and inclusive. I told the story of their meeting very early in their lives - kindergarten to be exact! They had various childhood and teenage crushes on each other and Daniel finally proposed to Sophie on the 11th anniversary of their first teenage date. They hadn’t long arrived in Vancouver, where they planned to live and work for a time. These plans took a dive after the proposal because they couldn’t wait to get back to Australia to share their engagement news and start planning their wedding.

Their ceremony included lots of family members. Daniel’s Grandma started the action by being first down the aisle, tossing flower petals. There were fun readings by family members, siblings in the wedding party and two younger brothers as ring bearers. Live music from friend, Emily Southwell, added to the relaxed party vibe with perfect song choices - “Sea of Love” as the processional and “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” during the document signing.

Secret wedding vows were revealed to each other for the first time and Daniel went the extra (impressive) mile with his - heartfelt, funny and in rhyming text!

We planned this beautiful, relaxed but classy wedding ceremony together over two meetings in Melbourne, followed by plenty of emails and texts. I enjoyed every minute of the planning and officiating process and it was such a joy to be the one to marry Daniel and Sophie. Thank you for inviting me into your lives on this most meaningful and celebratory of days.

And from Daniel:

Sue is amazing!

Beyond being incredibly kind and thoughtful, she knows what she's doing. Sue guided us through the whole ceremony process (there is much more to it that I had originally thought) and made great suggestions on how we could make this moment really memorable. Everything felt very personal, thoughtful and special.

Not least important was Sue's care and thoughtfulness on the day – from helping me fold my pocket square properly, to helping the groomsmen get their buttonholes on, not to mention the amazing ceremony she delivered!

Sue – thank you, thank you, thank you!

Celebrant: Sue Begg

Photographer: Wild Romantic Photography

Flowers: Wootton & Nicholls

Hair & Makeup Artist: Carla Dyson

Sophie’s gown: d’Italia

Bridesmaid’s dresses: FME Apparel

Catering: Hampton Wine Co.

Venue: Private property

DAVID + ALANA - Micro Wedding

January 17, 2019

David and Alana met in the UK while Alana was exploring the world. It was there she fell in love with David, a UK citizen. They knew they were meant to be together, even though they came from opposite sides of the globe. David’s first sentence in his personal vows said it all, really, “when you know, you just know”.

They returned to Australia together for their wedding and put together a fabulous celebration in a matter of weeks. They decided to keep it small, with only their immediate families present. Their ten guests laughed and cried through their beautiful, intimate celebration. The love surrounding David and Alana was palpable as they said their vows to each other in a very Australian setting – by a dam, surrounded by gum trees. The last rays of Winter sun cast a glorious glow.

Congratulations David and Alana! It was such a pleasure to share in your joyful and intimate celebration. I loved every moment and will remember it always!