Sarah & Ricky - 23rd April 2016
Working with Sarah and Ricky in the lead up to their big day was an absolute pleasure (and a great laugh). As soon as I met them I could tell they were a down-to-earth and fun couple. People who knew how to have a laugh, a joke and a good time. They were also more than happy to do their wedding, their way and not get too overwhelmed by the wedding planning process.
The wedding was held at amazing Grange Golf Club, and the weather could not have been better! Being a beautiful day, and being very close to the 18th hole, we weren't short of entertainment as we watched the golfers wrapping up their days play. Luckily it was before the bride arrived that one poor gentleman, out enjoying his round on this lovely Saturday afternoon, hit his ball right in to the ceremony space. Unfortunately his shot back towards the flag was not the best, but who can blame him when he had to take the shot closely surrounded by 150 wedding guests?! (and of course I had to take a photo because when is that likely to happen again?!).
Shortly after, Sarah arrived and walked down the aisle to Christina Perri's very beautiful (and definitely this years most popular aisle song!) 'A Thousand Years' (listen here).
In the hope of restraining her tears, Sarah spent time in the week leading up to the wedding conditioning herself not to cry when she heard this song by listening to it while doing day to day tasks, such as washing the dishes. I don't know if it was this preparation or the excitement that seemed to have overtaken her (or the distraction of Dad stepping on her dress!) but she made it to to the end of the aisle, and to Ricky without a tear, and smiling from ear to ear.
Sarah also had something special, and unique, tucked away in her bouquet as she walked down the aisle. She wanted to remember her walk in and be able to relive her ceremony moment by moment. Placed nicely in the middle of her flowers was a GoPro, capturing all the little details along the way.
The ceremony was relaxed and heartfelt and told the story of how Sarah and Ricky met in high school and first bonded through their love of partying and having a good time:
"Sarah and Ricky, Your love has grown from the love of great mates, to the love of best friends, companions, partners…
The love you share now is a love based on care, respect, honesty and as importantly on friendship, and fun; it is a love and a connection that sets you up to share a long happy marriage."
Also shared were details of those things most important to Sarah and Ricky in their relationship:
"the random conversations about nothing that leave them laughing, heading to the gym or to the movies together, travelling and learning about different cultures, or even just eating together or planning their next meal (very important when you are always hungry!)…"
We all shared some laughs throughout the ceremony but after Ricky made his vows to Sarah, she could not contain her emotion as she began her vows and needed a couple of breaths before sharing her promises to Ricky...
"I promise to stand beside you in all that you do, to inspire you, support your dreams, give you the best of me and bring out the best in you.
I promise to cherish you and never take your love for granted, giving you honesty, trust and respect.
I give myself to you wholly and I am honoured to be your wife."
As I pronounced Sarah and Ricky as married, and their shared their first kiss as husband and wife, there was great applause from their family and friends. Sarah and Ricky shared a long hug that seemed to say "We are finally married!!!", and of course "I love you more than anything in the world!!!".
To Sarah and Ricky, I wish you the happiest of lives together as husband and wife, with plenty more good times together! Thank you for sharing your day with me! It was an absolute joy to meet you both and I can't wait to see more photos and the special footage of your day!!
