Celebrant – Wendy Grace Hendry

My Commitment to You

February 16, 2017wendygracehendry

It seems the cogs of change are slowly turning across our country, and the possibility of marriage equality is becoming more hopeful. Many people are waiting, or know of family or friends who are waiting for their love to be equal.

However I can understand for many people, the wait is too long. You’re in love, you’ve found your soulmate, and you want to declare it to your family and friends now in a beautiful ceremony.

It’s been almost 10 years now since my partner and I chose to celebrate our love and commitment with a wedding. It will always be my heart wedding, and I’m glad we decided not to wait – it marked a special moment in time, and we have beautiful memories to look back on now. One day we hope to have the opportunity for a legal marriage.

So my commitment to you, while we wait for those cogs to move a bit faster, is this:

Book me as your Celebrant for your Commitment Ceremony now, and together we will create your dream wedding. When the laws change I will conduct your legal marriage ceremony free of charge.

Together we will celebrate love!

Read more about Same Sex Weddings here. The second ceremony will be a ‘legal’s only’ one within my ‘Short and Sweet’ guidelines. Contact me for more information and to tell me your plans so we can begin to imagine, laugh and create together.

Wendy x

My wedding day

Wedding - Getting Ready - Wendy Hendry Celebrant

Spring Sunshine

September 30, 2016October 1, 2016wendygracehendry

Much of the winter in the South West had been wet and cold so I was glad that my couple had planned for a small indoor ceremony for their early September wedding. It seemed that the winter weather wasn’t going anywhere in a hurry. However, to everyone’s delight it was a glorious spring day. The sun was shining on the deep greens of winter in the vineyards, farmland and forest of the Margaret River region. When I arrived at the private residence in Yallingup for Sunny and Jacob’s ceremony it was quickly decided to take in the glorious weather and hold the ceremony on the sun dappled alfresco area of this stunning home.

The ceremony was sweet and simple, with vows made and rings exchanged amongst close friends on a spring afternoon. It was a joy and an honour to be a part of such an intimate occasion and I felt warmly welcomed by everyone present.

sunny-jacob-thumbprint — Adding my print to their keepsake canvas painting

After the ceremony I was invited to join in with some photos and enjoy the beginnings of the celebrations. I was delighted when the couple asked me to add my fingerprint to their canvas keepsake (as shown).

It was an honour to officiate this ceremony and be included in the warmth of the day. Wishing Sunny and Jacob much love and light in their future together.

Wendy Grace Hendry – Margaret River Celebrant – Signing the Registry

spring-wedding-wendy-grace-hendry-celebrant

A Beach Wedding

March 30, 2016wendygracehendry

It was unusually hot and humid as I prepared for Lisa and Ben’s big day. A thunderstorm had been threatening for a few days now, but it seemed (fingers crossed) that the weather would hold off for the late afternoon ceremony time.

The setup at Gnarabup Beach, (near Margaret River) was simple and stylish, and all that was required with such a breathtaking location. The dramatic cloud formations, along with the sparkling water and the rock edged beach cove made for a perfect scene as the guests gathered to welcome the bridal party to the ceremony.

Being a ‘barefoot beach wedding’, the guests were encouraged to leave their shoes at the stairs and enjoy the sand beneath their feet. The bridesmaid followed by the bride making their entrance, and flinging off her shoes at the bottom of the stairs was a great start to a relaxed wedding.

12322895_1069390813107368_2807120092169546170_o — Lisa and Ben’s Ceremony – Gnarabup Beach (photo by Cas Ritter)

The ceremony that followed was simple and sweet, with a highlight being the ring-bearer Toby, a very well behaved and loved dog who had the rings tied around his collar complete with a smart bow tie.

The threatening thunderstorm provided a beautiful skyline, and an amazing sunset that night. A perfect start to married life for this gorgeous couple. Thanks to Lisa and Ben for allowing me to share their story. It was an honour to be their celebrant!

Tree planting ceremony

January 10, 2016November 27, 2019wendygracehendry

Late last year I officiated a beautiful country wedding held on a family property in Margaret River.

The Bride and Groom requested a tree planting ritual as part of their ceremony to symbolize the deepening roots of their relationship, and the continued growth of their love.

A young olive tree was set on a table, with two small pots of soil, two small trowels and a watering can.

When it was time for the tree planting ceremony, the couple each took a trowel and scooped soil into the pot containing the tree while words were read out about strengthening love, growth and nourishment. As the couple held the watering can together and watered their tree for the first time, the words from Captain Corelli’s Mandolin by Louis DeBernieres were read:

“Love is a temporary madness,

it erupts like volcanoes and then subsides.

And when it subsides you have to make a decision.

You have to work out whether your roots have so entwined together that it is inconceivable

that you should ever part. Because this is what love is.

Love is not breathless, it is not excitement,

It is not the promulgation of eternal passion.

That is just being “in love” which any fool can do.

Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away,

and that is both an art and a fortunate accident.

Those that truly love have roots that grow towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossoms have fallen from the branches, they find that they are one tree and not two.”

At the conclusion of the ritual the couple were then reminded to nourish each other, with words of encouragement, trust, and love on a daily basis to enable them each to grow to their fullest potential.

“Take this little olive tree with you when you return home, as a reminder of this day and your commitment to nurture each other today and into your future.”

Find out about other ceremony rituals here.

Wendy xx