NICOLE + SAUL - Surprise!

By Sally Hughes, Melbourne Marriage Celebrant

Surprise weddings.  Whenever I receive an enquiry for a surprise wedding ceremony, I always feel a little ping of excitement as I head to my calendar to see if I'm available.  This is because surprise ceremonies (ceremonies that are a surprise to guests, not the couple) are most often the loudest, liveliest and most adrenaline-filled ceremonies to conduct. 

Nicole and Saul were married at Little Henri , a popular cafe/restaurant in Thornbury, during what began as an engagement party.  When Saul’s dad Michael stood high on the steps in the courtyard to welcome guests, no one seemed to notice that Nicole had slipped away to change into a stunning Sherri Hill tulle-skirted gown. When Michael finished his welcome speech with “because tonight we’re having a wedding!” the crowd well and truly roared. Guests literally descended on a beaming Saul, offering congratulatory hugs and kisses, while several men exchanged high fives and many women held their hands to their faces in shock.

Bench seating was swiftly brought in and within minutes, to the soundtrack of Ben E King’s ’Stand By Me' the very beautiful Nicole entered the courtyard on the arm of her very proud father, Peter.

Together Nicole and Saul stood alone, until one by one, I invited wedding party members to come and stand beside them. The cheers that ensued after each surprised member was announced (OK, perhaps the bridesmaids had a heads up), were priceless. In keeping with the surprise element, I invited Saul’s siblings to act as official witnesses to the marriage, before Nicole’s father stood to offer his blessing on behalf of their community of family and friends.

Unrestrained cheers, laughter, applause and comments ensued as I told the story of Nicole and Saul’s on-campus meeting, the osteopathy study group that gave Saul the opportunity to both impress and distract Nicole, the relationship they kept quiet in order to avoid wolf whistles on campus and Saul’s very romantic and well rehearsed Byron Bay proposal - complete with a ring that Nicole, despite her best efforts, couldn’t find prior.

One year on and I still recall this lively ceremony and this sweet-natured couple so clearly. 

Nicole and Saul, you are two of the nicest people I have had the pleasure of meeting. You have such warm and kind souls and I feel so very privileged to have been entrusted with your very happy of secret.  Thanks for sharing your beautiful photos - the one below still sits on my desk.

Celebrant: Sally Hughes

Images:  Dijana Ristevska Photography

Venue:Little Henri

Nicole's dress: Sherri Hill

Make Up: Magical Makeovers

GEORGE + JACK - Loud and Laughter-Filled

By Sally Hughes, Melbourne Marriage Celebrant

One year ago today I presented one of the most lively and interactive wedding ceremonies I’ve ever known.   This was due not only to the fact that George and Jack are hilariously quick witted and clearly well-loved by many, but because they are actors.  And many of their guests were too.

When dozens of actors, dancers, musos and other creative types enter a ceremony space, the energy level rises dramatically.  Without fail.  At George and Jack's ceremony, it went through the roof!  I recall laughing as I tried to hush the crowd in readiness for George’s entrance.  I knew there was no way I’d be able to temper the excitement in the room.  Instead, I’d embrace the sense of celebration and encourage guests to "play along".

George and Jack were married at Lot Four Studio in Richmond. Guests arrived to discover old-fashioneds, Pimms and martinis being served from the coolest of vintage caravans and a studio space decorated with festoon lighting and shiny confetti wall decals (and if you scroll to the end of this blog you'll see my favourite decal).  Everything shouted, "Be yourselves and have fun!"

The cheer George received as she walked toward Jack and the minor delays that occurred in getting her to the end of the aisle (her unashamedly excited father couldn’t resist shaking hands with guests) made for the happiest of beginnings.

I loved telling the story of George and Jack’s post-show meeting at the Portland Hotel, Jack’s earnest attempts to woo George, their Don Don’s first date, their love of board games, poker and road trips and George’s Scrabble-inspired proposal.   With every story (or toot from a passing train) came either a roar of laughter, a light-hearted heckle or a cheer.  Usually all three.

George and Jack, one year on and I still remember your ceremony vividly.  The combination of your playful styling, your “colourful cocktail” dress code, your talented friends Ben Abraham and Shannon McDonough's performance of 'I Belong To You’,  your lively crowd and your happy and easy-going personalities made for an unforgettable ceremony.  Oh, and your post ceremony 'Horns of Leroy’ lane way procession was fabulous too!

Happy anniversary George and Jack.  I hope your first year of marriage has been as laughter-filled as the day you danced and said "I do" on the lot.  xx

Celebrant: Sally Hughes

Images: Warrenphotography

George's dress: Remake of a vintage dress by Lucy Slater at Era Vintage Bride.

Musicians: Ben Abraham & Shannon McDonough

Styling: By George, the bride herself.

Image: Celebrant's own.

CHRIS + SAL - Seventeen Years On

Chris and Sal met in the nineties, when Nirvana and Boyz II Men ruled the music charts and the Macarena made its way into traditional wedding reception dance lists.  Back then Sal owned a magnificent collection of hair scrunchies, mostly made in textiles classes, and was a Collingwood Football Club tragic (she wore a Darren Millane badge for weeks after his passing).  Chris, on the other hand, clearly demonstrated his preference for Stussy pants and 10-up Doc Martens and for modeling his hairstyle on 90210's Brandon Walsh.

Though the teenagers attended the same high school, their interaction was limited.   In fact, Sal can hardly remember it.  It wasn’t that Sal was rude (ignore Chris’ description of her posse as the “Moll Patrol”), it’s just that girls tend not to focus their attention on boys in years below them.  And, even if someone was looking to make her acquaintance, they’d have to spend their lunchtimes away from the basketball courts and treading the boards in the school theatre, singing Gilbert & Sullivan, Cole Porter or Lerner & Loewe.

Back then, Sal was the leading lady of Warrandyte High.  The soprano with the blonde hair, courtesy of a cheap pump action bottle of Sun-In, lived for the annual school musical.  Chris eased his way into the scene, taking to the bio box and the role of follow spot operator.  He trained his spotlight on Sal for a season of Anything Goes, attended a few cast parties and realised how much fun was to be had.  The following year, Chris’ rock tenor voice earned him a place on stage as Samuel to Sal’s Mabel and the year after that, as Kenickie to her Sandy. 

The pair parted ways with perhaps only a handful of teenaged conversations shared, including a rather awkward episode at the Warrandyte Festival (Sal didn’t expect Chris to take her hand to his lips while reintroducing himself on the dusty slopes of Stiggants Reserve).

It wasn’t until early 1999, after their university studies were completed and their hairstyles proved less offensive, that the pair met again.  Not surprisingly, it was during a production of Oklahoma!  Sal recalls rushing to call her bestie Ness on her brick Nokia (with protective case and handy belt clip!) to inform her that Chris Hughes from high school was rather cute.   Fortunately Chris, then more commonly known as “Hughesy”, felt the same way about her. 

Shortly after, Chris invited Sal to lunch at the Hideout Cafe. Together in his cobalt blue Ford Laser, and to the soundtrack of a Pot-Pourri cabaret demo, they made their way to the popular Brunswick Street haunt.  Sal ordered the chicken salad and Chris… decided he wasn’t hungry.  Sal takes great pleasure in reminding Chris of this ridiculous first-date-at-a-RESTAURANT behaviour whenever they reminisce about their courtship.  Not surprisingly, their second date was to see a musical - the original Australian production of Rent.  It would be the first of countless others they’d enjoy together.

Shortly after, Sal moved enough of her possessions into Chris’ Warrandyte bungalow to qualify as a permanent tenant.  She remembers the delight she felt when returning home from a Spirit of the Celts tour to find that he and his mother had given it a major spruce up.  Never before had the bungalow housed a collection of Home Beautiful magazines.  It must have been love.

A successful theatre website venture followed, as did several more shows, cast parties and new and long lasting thespian friendships.  Chris eventually convinced Sal to give the renting scene a go, and with that came a move to a very spacious Caulfield North apartment.  It proved to be one of the best joint decisions they would make.  During that time, their pad became the venue for many a party and recovery session.  Many a party and recovery session.

A Good Friday proposal in the white rose garden at Werribee Mansion followed in 2004, and on the 4th of February 2005, Chris and Sal became first time homeowners.   Exactly one year later, Chris and Sal said ‘I Do’ at St James' Church in Gardenvale.  Sal grinned and waved as she walked down the aisle to her friend James’ performance of ‘When You Say You Love Me’ and the pair were thrilled to have close friends Rich, Saira and Darky share their vocal talents as well.

Adopting a handsome golden Spanador named Hugo and holidays in Europe and South East Asia have been highlights, career successes too, however Chris and Sal’s greatest achievements have undoubtedly been the the births of their precious daughters Mia Mary and Harper Grace.  Nights at Q-Bar, unhurried sessions at Genesis Richmond and weekend winery getaways were replaced by Saturday morning netball, diorama constructions, piano practice, ballet lessons and Bunnings sausage sizzles, however they agree that parenthood is their single greatest achievement and a role they consider themselves so fortunate to be able to enjoy. 

And so, seventeen years after an Irish Mist-induced kiss at an Oklahoma! rehearsal camp in Bass, and ten years to the day they promised to accept one another for better or for worse, today Chris and Sal will no doubt catch themselves laughing with their funny, spirited, affectionate and talented girls, grinning at their beautiful new home and dreaming of the adventures yet to come.