Wedding Blog

Congratulations Amanda and Royce

5/3/2019

I was very excited to be the Celebrant chosen by Amanda and Royce.
They are such a gorgeous and lovely kind couple:

Wedding Ceremony
Amanda & Royce - 9 February 2019
11:00am at Rosebank Estate and Winery

I was delighted to be able to deliver the ceremony they wanted and included the people they wanted to remember - Amanda’s Nana Patricia, Grandad Hans and Step-father Roger. Royce’s Grandma Veronica, Grandad Keith and Grandad Fred who would have been so proud of them both today.

Amanda and Royce gave special thanks to their parents for their love and guidance in shaping them as individuals and helping them be the people they are today. I think they are exceptional people.

"The strength of the love that Amanda and Royce share has already helped them through some of life’s most trying times and has served to make them stronger in their commitment to each other."

Royce accepted that Amanda will never be a morning person. Amanda agreed to accept that Royce will always be buying New PlayStation controllers.

This couple is sure to have a magical married life.
Congratulations again.

Congratulations Mr and Mrs Batchelor

27/2/2019

On the second of February I was privileged to be the Celebrant to marry Chris and Olivia at Olivia's Family home. It was a very special wedding for many reasons, the main one being the couple themselves - exceptional people with great taste.

Sometimes home weddings are small events with a very informal approach to the whole proceedings and sometimes with a family influence and direction.

At the rehearsal, I knew that this wedding was one where there was family involvement and support and the whole proceedings were rehearsed and professional an experienced team were involved.

The highlights:

Kim Chant Events - had created a beautiful sign to keep the cars on the road.

There was a beautiful order of service and the music chosen told its own story.

The MC had his finger on the pulse and it was lovely chatting with Jeff Greening - who had turned up to the rehearsal.

The Archway we stood in front of was beautiful.

The property was perfect for the marquee provided by Tony May

Food was amazing (no I didn't sample it) but I met the team and they were busy preparing and cooking and 24 Catering were there on duty.

The ceremony was lovely with beautiful personalized vows.

The positive feedback after the ceremony was more than usual.

Awesome wedding party.

__________________________________________________________________________________
Note these photos are just my selection on my phone.

Thank goodness for the Irish

16/2/2019

Yesterday after a beautiful ceremony we talked about how wonderful it was that lots of tradespeople came from Ireland to support Christchurch. Well, it wasn't really to support Christchurch that we were talking about; rather the relationships; as there has been a shortage of men for the women of Christchurch to marry.

This was a perfect example of the Irish and the Kiwi's connecting for the best outcome.

Congratulations Colum (Irish) and Sheryl (New Zealander) for getting married with as many of your family who could travel to share in your day. We did acknowledge Column's other brother and sister and their families that were unable to travel from Ireland to be there for the ceremony.

Column and Sheryl's story began when they met in 2012 when Column was fresh off the boat from Ireland.
Six months past and they met again at "The Shed" in Ashburton. For them it was love at second sight.
Fast forwarding six years and they have a beautiful daughter, Joyce and they got married.

They pledged to love deeply, laugh heartily, practice patience and smile often.

Thanks for letting me be in that magical location with your amazing families for a beautiful wedding.
Wishing you the O'Reilly family a long and happy life in New Zealand.

Congratulations Sarah and Chris

27/1/2019

Saturday 26th January 2018 and Sarah and Chris said "I do" in from of family and friends at the Botanic Garden.

I considered taking a Lime Scooter as I knew parking would be an issue. Everyone wanted to have a picnic or go walking in the Botanic Gardens. The added factor was it just happened to be the Beer Festival in Hagley Park - something we had not realised when we booked the date.

A gorgeous couple; wonderful setting and ceremony; awesome photographer capturing the magic.

Frank Visser Photography captured the magic of the day - check out the gorgeous photos on the blog.
The two at the bottom were taken on my phone.

I was recommended by this gorgeous guest. Such a small world.

Congratulations Mikayla and Brad

3/1/2019

Just before Christmas I was invited to the Woolston Club to perform a ceremony for a wonderful young couple - Mikayla and Brad.

From the first time I met this couple I came to appreciate how much getting married meant to them both.

I even said in my ceremony:

"Brad and Mikayla are very proud and honoured to share this special evening with you all".

"Love to Brad and Mikayla is not frivolous or said on a whim.
To give and receive the love felt between them is unspoken for it is so."

Such was the lovely family spirit and involvement that, Mikayala's Mum had a reading to share and we had to wait for the iPad to come out of the car. Did it matter? Not at all. I waited and everyone else did as well. It was one of those special weddings lovely people thrown in with gorgeous kids.

Did the Best Man make everyone smile? Yes he did? You had to be there.

This hard working couple pulled together an exceptional gathering with 80 plus guests for the ceremony.

Yes, we got them married and they are now living life as "Mr and Mrs Williams" with their gorgeous family.

Helping overseas couples marry

8/12/2018

Well I can't believe it is months since I have blogged on my Celebrant site. I have been blogging elsewhere - once a blogger always a blogger.

I was inspired by my two wedding this weekend and that makes three for the week.

The lovely couple from overseas that were married yesterday only decided a few days ago to get married. When asked if they could get married? I said: "Of course and New Zealand's online service makes it very streamlined process." Congratulations to the Identity Services team for making it so easy.

Back to the couple and their story.

Yes they got the paperwork done.
I emailed a short ceremony.
I found two witnesses.
We agreed the time and the place.

They got married in the lovely Woodham Park and were flying out that evening for their honeymoon in the Cook Islands. They would return home married having told their families they were marrying. It was much nicer for them to be married in a simple intimate ceremony here that trying to keep everyone happy at home where it often ends up about everyone except the couple themselves.

Thanks for marrying with Julie Lassen, Celebrant - another happy couple.
#woodhampark #julielassencelebrant #registrystyle #weddings

Short and Sweet, What a Treat!

31/3/2018

Yesterday I was up early and ready for my 10.30am wedding at the Sign of the Bellbird.

A lovely gathering of guests including family and close friends joined together to enjoy the ceremony for Donna and Michael. A number of guests did actually comment how short and sweet it was. It was indeed sweet and because it was short and sweet there is not much to share I wish to share. Hopefully some photos will come in due course to add to my couple of quick shots. Wishing Michael and Donna a lovely life together. This is really true love. If a long distance relationship eventually results in marriage you know its forever.

Chris and Linda - very special

3/3/2018

They say a picture says a thousand words - and after seeing these photos I think it is exactly right.

Slight panic during the week when we found the location for the wedding was not going to work because of the road being closed. So Plan B we went to Woodhan Park. Congratulations to the family for making is so special. It was a very special wedding.

This selection of photos from Hannah Thorne Photography. This is what she said on her page: "This gorgeous laid back couple tied the knot surrounded by a lot of love & support in the gorgeous Woodham Park."

Be sure to click on each photo to capture the full impact.

New Zealand - Wedding Specialist of the Year

24/2/2018

I was delighted to receive a late night phone call telling me that I was New Zealand's Wedding Specialist of the year for 2018.

I received this email:
Dear Julie,
It was an absolute pleasure speaking with you today.
It’s always extra special to know all your hard work has paid off and we hope this massive achievement serves as a spring board for continued success in 2018! : )

As discussed, I am extremely pleased to announce you have been successful in winning the award for:

WEDDING SPECIALIST OF THE YEAR – NEW ZEALAND

The Luxury Travel Guide Awards represent the pinnacle of hospitality achievement, championing the best in their respective fields; therefore to come out on top is truly an achievement you should be proud of. We are delighted to pay tribute to and commend all those who have excelled in the industry. This year has seen an unprecedented number of shortlisted companies, providing strong competition in every category.

All winners of the wedding awards are subject to the same rigorous assessment criteria, carried out by our in-house professionals. This ensures only the most deserving companies and individuals walk away with one of these prestigious accolades and gain a place in our awards winners’ guide, which will be distributed to over 500,000 professional & affluent people worldwide. We have a sponsorship deal with Aspire so the guide will can also be found in airport lounges worldwide, as well as on cruise ships, a further 10,000 hotels, holiday specialists and tour providers.

Simply Wedding - Simply Amazing

24/2/2018

Yes, our Simply Wedding on Friday for Serena an Paul was amazing.

Why? because Serena and Paul who traveled from overseas for the wedding were such a lovely couple. Although our weddings are affordable they are still very special with everything you need to make the day amazing.

So the excitement of getting ready and for Paul who hates waiting the emotions that come with most weddings. Nervous excitement. Our bride Serena arrived looking stunning and asked me how Paul was. Always honest - "nervous" was my response.

Frank Visser our Simply Weddings Team photographer did a great job capturing the emotion.. We proceeded to have a lovely little ceremony and because it was raining I suggested they stay in the Westhaven Chapel for congratulations.

Meanwhile Creme de la Rose with my assistance sorted food and drinks. I love the way we all pitch in and do what is needed to ensure the couple have the best day ever. We don't have a rehearsal as we all know what we are doing and I guide the couple for the ceremony and then things just flow. No two weddings are the same.

Why do our weddings work so well? Short time (2-3 hours) and the highest quality businesses delivering results - then there is the couple. I had met with Serena and Paul and I said how lovely they were to the team. You know when the photographer says the bride was such a trouper for the photos in the rain that we had an exceptional couple.

Congratulations team on delivering another beautiful Simply Wedding.
Thank you Serena and Paul for choosing Simply Weddings.
We were delighted to get you married and pleased it was without stress.
Wishing you both a wonderful life together with your gorgeous family.

Venue: Westhaven Chapel and Garden
Photographer www.facebook.com/frankvisserphotos/
Florist, Cake and Catering www.facebook.com/FleursDeEsther/
Celebrant https://www.facebook.com/livinghappyeverafter/