Marriage Celebrant – Page 2 – Wendy Grace Hendry

Love Notes

March 19, 2017wendygracehendry

It was a beautiful clear summers day as we gathered to celebrate Kathy and Aidan’s 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.

The Arbor – Fair Harvest Margaret River.

Ready to start the ceremony at Fair Harvest

Paper cranes decorating the Ceremony Arbor.

Kathy and Aidan. Photo by Zuzu

The ceremony clearing at Fair Harvest, Margaret River

Bo-Jangles was a super handsome ring bearer in his fancy bow. Photo by Zuzu.

Exchanging Rings – photo by Zuzu

A Family Centred Ceremony

February 4, 2017wendygracehendry

bush-chapel-willy-bay-resort-wendy-grace-hendry-celebrant — The Bush Chapel at Willy Bay Resort

The day of Amy and Ethan’s summer wedding was warm and bright, perfect for their outdoor ceremony in the bush chapel at Willy Bay Resort in Metricup. With an intimate gathering of close family and friends, the presence of children in the bridal party and among the gathered guests helped set the scene for a relaxed family friendly celebration of love.

amy-and-ethan-sand-ceremony-wendy-grace-hendry — Sand Unity Ceremony – photo by Kendra Benson Photography

To involve their young children in the day, and to acknowledge the important step they were taking as a family, Amy and Ethan chose for them to take part in a Sand Unity Ceremony. Each jar contained something special to symbolise the individual – a special colour, sand sourced from a favourite beach, and even a jar of tiny shells for little Evie. As they poured the sand into their central jar, with a few spills and laughter along the way, we all felt we had witnessed a special moment of memory making for the family. Once combined, the grains can never be completely separated – the newly created jar of blended sand and shells will now be a keepsake in their home to remember it by.

Having shared the sand ceremony together, they stood as a family under the bush chapel arbor as the couple were pronounced as married, ready to take on the next chapter of their lives.

“Being a family means you are a part of something very wonderful. It means you will love and be loved for the rest of your life.” Lisa Weedn

It was a pleasure getting to know this beautiful family as we planned their special day together. Wishing Amy and Ethan much love, joy and laughter into the future.

With thanks to Kendra Benson Photography for use of her beautiful photos from the day!

Wendy x

Pronouncing – photo by Kendra Benson Photography

The Arrival of the Bridal Party – photo by Kendra Benson Photography

The Bush Chapel at Willy Bay Resort – photo by Wendy Grace Hendry

Set up and ready at the Bush Chapel – photo by Wendy Grace Hendry

Sand Unity Ceremony – photo by Kendra Benson Photography

The ‘after’ photo of the Sand Unity Ceremony – photo by Wendy Grace Hendry

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