Tag: Civil Celebrant

Summer Elopement

Summer Elopement

wendygracehendry

If you’re thinking of running away to beautiful Margaret River for an elopement I offer Short and Sweet Ceremonies which are perfect for such intimate occasions.

My role as a Marriage Celebrant is my main vocation which means I’m available for small mid-week ceremonies and elopements, as well as big or small weekend weddings and celebrations.

rings
Exchanging Rings – photo by Zuzu

No matter what size or shape your ceremony will take, I give a personalised service, putting the same amount of time, professionalism and care into my ceremonies, and the wonderful couples I’m working for.  Check out My Services page for information on my ceremony inclusions.  Read more about Elopements here.

If you want to run away with the one you love for a summer elopement there are still dates available for January, and a few precious weekend wedding dates left in February. Just remember you need to give a minimum one month notice of intent to marry.

Why not contact me for information and pricing?

Jess and Dan Margaret River beach elopement Wendy Hendry celebrant
Jess and Dan’s Margaret River Elopement at Rivermouth Beach
Summer Elopement

Summer Elopement

wendygracehendry

If you’re thinking of running away to beautiful Margaret River for an elopement I offer Short and Sweet Ceremonies which are perfect for such intimate occasions.

My role as a Marriage Celebrant is my main vocation which means I’m available for small mid-week ceremonies and elopements, as well as big or small weekend weddings and celebrations.

rings
Exchanging Rings – photo by Zuzu

No matter what size or shape your ceremony will take, I put the same amount of time, professionalism and care into my ceremonies, and the wonderful couples I’m working for.  Check out What I Offer for information on my ceremony inclusions.

If you want to run away with the one you love for a summer elopement there are still dates available for January, and a few precious weekend wedding dates left in February. Just remember you need to give a minimum one month notice of intent to marry.

Why not contact me for information and pricing?

Jess and Dan Margaret River beach elopement Wendy Hendry celebrant
Jess and Dan’s Margaret River Elopement at Rivermouth Beach
Yes to Love

Yes to Love

wendygracehendry

It has now been confirmed that there will be a postal vote on whether the people of Australia would support marriage equality.
Equal love is an issue close to my heart as many of you would know.
I absolutely love weddings and the important role I am entrusted to play in them. One day I would also like the freedom to marry, as would many, many beautiful people I know.
As a Civil Celebrant I look forward to the day I can officiate legal weddings for all of my wonderful couples, regardless of gender.
I will be voting YES TO LOVE! 

You can read more by going to my Same Sex Wedding page.  Find out about My Commitment to You while we wait for marriage equality in Australia.

Wendy x

Equal Love Image - Wendy Hendry Celebrant

Yallingup Foreshore

Yallingup Foreshore

wendygracehendry

PHILIP & NATASHA – 25 March 2017
We gathered on the grassed area of the Yallingup Foreshore for Phil & Natasha’s morning ceremony overlooking the ocean. The day started out cloudy and overcast, and as our ceremony began the skies cleared and the sun shone down.

It was a beautiful heartfelt ceremony to be a part of which included a Sand Unity Ceremony involving all of the children.  Often marriages not only unite the bride and groom, they unite families. The sand ceremony was a beautiful way to symbolise this new beginning for them all.

I was delighted to receive these gorgeous photos by In Sight Photography from the couple so I could share their beautiful day with you.

Much love and light to Philip, Natasha and thier family as they continue on into married life together! xx

P & T Wedding – Photo by In Sight Photography
Yallingup Wedding P and; T Wedding – Photo by In Sight Photography
P & T Wedding – Photo by In Sight Photography
Yallingup Wedding – Wendy Grace Hendry Celebrant P and T Wedding – Photo by In Sight Photography
P & T Wedding – Photo by In Sight Photography
P & T Wedding – Photo by In Sight Photography
Wendy Grace Hendry P & T Wedding – Photo by In Sight Photography
Love Notes

Love Notes

wendygracehendry

It was a beautiful clear summers day as we gathered to celebrate Kathy and Aidan’sCeremony Arbor Fair Harves - Wendy Grace Hendry Celebrant wedding at Fair Harvest in Margaret River.  As a working permaculture farm, Fair Harvest conveys a
genuine south west rural feel with an extra wholesome twist. As guests arrived they took a stroll along the tree lined lane up to the clearing on the hill, overlooking the farm, and surrounded by tall trees of the forest.  The path to the ceremonial space was lined with paper flowers, and the ceremony arbor was adorned with colourful paper cranes, shells and flowers. After getting to know Kathy and Aidan as we planned their ceremony I could see why they chose such a place of natural beauty, bathed in peace and simplicity.

There were so many unique moments in this ceremony that reflected the values of the couple, and created a wonderful atmosphere of love and community.  By request, my welcome included an acknowledgement of the Aboriginal land on which we were standing – something I was both delighted and humbled to do.  The couple read beautiful vows to each other which they were hearing for the first time –  I’m fairly confident there was not a dry eye in the place afterwards.  And as a beautiful touch, their fur baby Bo-Jangles had the important role of ring bearer.  He was indeed a good boy, and super handsome in his fancy bow!

However it was the love notes that brought a next level uniqueness to this beautiful celebration.  As guests arrived they were asked to take a paper heart, and write on it just one word as a blessing or wish for the couple. At a special time in the ceremony a basket was placed on the ground in front of the couple. Guests were invited to come forward with their love note and read their word aloud to Kathy and Aidan as they placed the paper heart in the basket.  As this process unfolded it became a wonderful time of connection, blessing and community as a myriad of beautiful single words were expressed to the couple.

The warmth of these blessings, and the notes to accompany them, will be a wonderful keepsake as they move on to the next chapter of their lives together.

It was an honour to be a part of this wonderful celebration.  Love, joy and peace to Kathy and Aidan into their future together.

Wendy x

Thanks to Kathy and Aidan for allowing me to share some of their photos, captured by Zuzu.

Bo-Jangles was a super handsome ring bearer in his fancy bow. Photo by Zuzu.
Ready to start the ceremony at Fair Harvest
Exchanging Rings – photo by Zuzu
The ceremony clearing at Fair Harvest, Margaret River
The Arbor – Fair Harvest Margaret River.
Kathy and Aidan. Photo by Zuzu
Paper cranes decorating the Ceremony Arbor.

 

My Commitment to You

wendygracehendry

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
A Beach Wedding

A Beach Wedding

wendygracehendry

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 thatIMG_5359 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.

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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

Tree planting ceremony

wendygracehendry

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

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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.”

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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