Gerry's meticulous nature captivated Sally from the moment they met. She admired his attention to detail and the careful consideration he gave to every word and decision.
So I was exceptionally honoured that, after meeting with several celebrants, Sally and Gerry chose me to officiate their marriage ceremony at Chef's Manor in Brisbane.
We spent quite some time going back and forth with the ceremony script, and were up to Version 7 before we all agreed that it was just right. I love to work with couples who are so invested in their ceremony, giving them suggestions and tweaking the wording until we get to the point where they don’t want to change a single thing.
Rain from the previous week had abated, and Sally and Gerry’s wedding day was cloudy, but fine. We were so pleased that the Plan B location would not be needed.
Gerry arrived at the wedding gardens first, dressed in dark trousers, with a white shirt, cream coloured jacket, and bow tie. He smiled broadly as he greeted guests and showed them to their seats. We waited in the shade until the wedding car arrived, and then I played, “Right here waiting” by Richard Marx.
Sally’s sister, Katie, was the first to walk down the aisle, wearing a champagne coloured dress and carrying a bouquet. Next, Sally’s friend, Christine walked down the aisle and took a seat beside Katie. Sally’s mum, Doirin, walked next, and stood with Gerry as they watched Sally walk down the aisle on the arm of her dad, Robbie to the song, “When you say nothing at all” by Ronan Keating.
Sally looked just lovely, with her dark hair in Hollywood waves. She wore a traditional ivory coloured dress of a jacquard fabric with a fitted bodice and full skirt. Sally’s gorgeous veil had a lace edge and was cathedral length.
Sally and Gerry smiled shyly at each other as the ceremony commenced. After welcoming the guests, acknowledging the traditional custodians, and asking both sets of parents for their best wishes, we remembered those loved ones who were unable to be at the couple’s wedding day. I told the story of Sally and Gerry’s first meeting, and how, within a week, they were falling in love.
Sally’s sister, Caz, was the first of four readers, and she read an Irish blessing for the couple. Sally and Gerry chose traditional vows to each other, and added a twist. As a nod to his Sri Lankan heritage, Gerry said, “you are the pol sambol to my string hoppers” and to reflect her Irish heritage, Sally responded with, “you are the leprechaun to my rainbow”. Gerry’s cousin, Duan, presented Sally’s ring to Gerry, and Sally’s mum, Doirin, presented Gerry’s ring to Sally. Next, Sally’s niece, Fiona, read the Blessing of the Hands. We also included a handfasting, using a macrame ribbon. After the marriage certificates were signed, Gerry’s cousin, Madeleine, read “Today I marry my Best Friend”, then Gerry’s brother, Jason, read “the Art of Marriage”. Finally, after much anticipation, I declared the couple to be legally married, and invited them to share their first kiss as husband and wife. The couple walked back down the aisle together, under a shower of flower petals.
Sally and Gerry decided to have their formal speeches immediately after the ceremony, under the shade of the gazebo. Then it was time for a group photograph and family photos, before the guests departed for the reception dinner and the couple had a chance for some beautiful portraits around the gardens at The Chef’s Manor, Anstead.
Email ido@cherylwedding.com to book me for your Brisbane wedding
Ceremony Venue: The Chef's Manor Anstead
Photographer and Videographer: Say Milk
Celebrant: @Cheryl Landsberry Marriage Celebrant
