Adelaide wedding pros — Blog by Camille Abbott — Adelaide Marriage Celebrant Camille Abbott

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Adelaide wedding pros

Rayleen & Paul - Adelaide CBD

Rayleen & Paul - Adelaide CBD

Paul and Rayleen, who first met when Paul was in town from Melbourne for business, were initially drawn to one another by their quirky sense of humour and shared taste in music and dumplings. It stood to reason that their wedding day should include a decent helping of laughs, music, good food and fun..

Maddie & Matt at Golding Wines

Maddie & Matt at Golding Wines

The weather was near perfect, the scene set with modern decor and lush floral arrangements and Maddie and Matt's nearest and dearest had travelled from far and wide and were in a party mood. When you plan your wedding, this is the dream. 

I felt so privileged to create and conduct Mr & Mrs Wigg's marriage ceremony and felt that their gracious and inclusive nature shone through in the many thanks, tributes and acknowledgements to their family, friends and bridal party. There were smiles and a fair few chuckles too, like when Matt promised to cheer on the Swans when they aren't playing the Crows 'to infinity and beyond'. 

But when Maddie's good friend, Jess came forward to read a traditional Irish Wedding Blessing, a favourite of Maddie's late Nana Joan, most guests were a little misty-eyed.

Matt and Maddie's incredible supplier list included some of my absolute favourite Adelaide wedding professionals including the incredible floral artistry of Sam Burnell from Fabulous Functions and Luke Simon Photography, who kindly supplied these divine photos.

Rita and Tom - Mandalay House & Garden

Rita and Tom - Mandalay House & Garden

If you haven't had the opportunity to see Mandalay House and Garden in action, then you're missing out. With its stately, French-inspired home nestled in the centre of seemingly endless manicured gardens, criss-crossed with little pathways, it is an original and constantly surprising venue at every turn.

For Rita and Tom, it provided the perfect backdrop for their elegant, yet relaxed, wedding garden party. Living in the U.K. and trying to coordinate their big day from overseas, they employed the ever-lovely and experienced Alice Mary Events to bring it all to life for them. 

Jenna and Brent - A Bohemian Affair

Jenna and Brent - A Bohemian Affair

Jenna and Brent first met in high school over 10.5 years ago. And even though they were always close, nothing ever happened between them.

Their wedding at Longview Vineyard, captured beautifully by Ellen Heather Photography, was warm and relaxed and their decor featured lashings of deep red accents, oriental rugs and unstructured florals. Their bridal party entourage was as cool as they were well dressed and the atmosphere was simply a laid back celebration of love and life.

Brianna and Chris - Elegant Garden Party Wedding

Brianna and Chris - Elegant Garden Party Wedding

Chris and Brianna absolutely adore their family and friends and really wanted their wedding day to be just as much fun for their guests as it was going to be them.

Brianna rocked her fitted and romantic, lace Alexis George gown and Chris was decked out in a modern navy Joseph Uzumcu suit.

After their inclusive and moving ceremony in the rose garden, guests made their way through the sumptuous gardens of Al-Ru Farm to the main lawn where they enjoyed pre-reception drinks, canapés. Lawn games and acoustic guitarist, Israel Amoy, provided the entertainment until the guests were ushered into the regal and elegant reception.

Photos are courtesy of the bubbly and talented Maraya Verdonk Photography.

Enjoy!

Nicole and Hung - rustic elegant winery wedding

Nicole and Hung - rustic elegant winery wedding

Nicole and Hung first met over 10 years ago when they worked as ushers at Greater Union Cinemas in Arndale.

They were grateful to be given the tedious task of cleaning out the cinema rubbish bins one night because it gave them the opportunity to talk and find out a little more about each other.

Their hopes for the future are quite simply to raise an army of sausage dogs and to grow old and wrinkly together.

Photos by Luke Simon Photography.

Hannah bug's Naming Ceremony

Hannah bug's Naming Ceremony

Amy and Mark already had the bright and beautiful Hannah-bug present with them at their wedding ceremony in October 2015. So when I received an email a couple of months ago it wasn't the 'we're pregnant' kind of news, but rather 'Hannah is turning 1 (!) and we would love to arrange a joint birthday party and naming ceremony'. Where has the time gone?

Amy set about planning an adorable woodland themed celebration, complete with a little red riding hood cloak for Hannah and magical toadstool cake.

Enjoy!

Confetti - c'mon, you know you love it..

Confetti - c'mon, you know you love it..

Weddings have changed a lot in the last 40 odd years, but the need to celebrate and mark the occasion with memorable moments and demonstrations of love and hope, hasn't.

While I can acknowledge (albeit, begrudgingly) that it's not 1977, I still challenge anyone not to appreciate the childlike fun of a good 'ol confetti toss. I mean, look at this awesome photo by Kate Pardey - it simply oozes happiness and joy, right? And who doesn't want an extra big helping of that on their wedding day?

Do we have to include religious content in our wedding ceremony?

Do we have to include religious content in our wedding ceremony?

In Australia, there are three different ways to get married. The Marriage Act 1961 allows for marriages to be solemnised by:

1. Ministers of religion of recognised denominations,
2. State and Territory Officers (most commonly at a State or Territory office of Births, Deaths and Marriages) and
3. Commonwealth-registered marriage celebrants. This category contains both civil (non-religious) celebrants (like me!and ministers of religion who are not aligned with a recognised denomination.

Amicus Strings

Amicus Strings

One of the most uplifting, and yet sometimes subconscious, first impressions a guest has of a wedding ceremony is conveyed via the music they're greeted with. The atmosphere live music creates at a wedding can be emotional, calming and magical.

Enter Amicus Strings; a professional string quartet founded in 1996 by Carolyn Lam. I've worked with the girls at several wedding ceremonies over the years and have admired their professionalism and polished performances. 

Carolyn and I got the chance to sit down for a chat last week about what sets Amicus Strings apart from other quartets and how couples CAN afford live music no matter what their wedding budget.