Spring garden wedding at Cherbon Waters, Burbank

Spring garden wedding at Cherbon Waters, Burbank

When I’m packing up my paperwork after delivering a wedding ceremony, the greatest compliment is for the guests to come over and tell me that the ceremony was “so them”, indicating that the ceremony perfectly reflected the newlywed couple.

Jess knew from the moment they were pulled over by the police in Luke’s hoon car on their first date that life with Luke would be a wild ride. Who would have guessed that opposites attract, with Jess enjoying breakfast dates, crafts and spreadsheets, and Luke being drawn to bikes, boats, and abseiling. Jess lives life on the edge as Luke insists on driving another 20km with the fuel light on, but at the end of the day, they love coming home to each other.

The brief for their wedding ceremony was “goofy, genuine, and relaxed”. I asked them what they didn’t like, and Jess replied with “mushrooms”. This wasn’t what I had in mind when asking the question, but gave me an idea of the quirky couple sitting in front of me. With a few emails flying back and forth, I pieced together a ceremony which delivered just the right amount of gasps, laughter, and happy tears.

A rehearsal at the wedding gardens helped to alleviate those last minute nerves, and Jess and her bridesmaids left the rehearsal feeling confident and excited.

Their wedding day was a gorgeous spring afternoon, and the gardens at Cherbon Waters were looking immaculate. Horses in the nearby paddocks grazed the lush grass as the wedding guests started to arrive and make their way to the ceremony lawn. The suit colour was a surprise for Jess, and the fellers turned up in emerald green suits which were surprisingly dapper. The bridesmaids arrived in a pale blue Kombi van, and Jess and her dad, Bill, drove up the gravel pathway in an electric blue Chevrolet Impala.

As happens in the Redlands, it turns out that the mother of the groom and I recognised each other from the local shopping centre.

The ceremony was so beautiful, funny, and personal, with Luke and Jess both delivering vows that were absolutely apt for their relationship.

I can’t wait to see the video footage!

Also – Jess looked gorgeous! I must find out where her dress was from.

#gardenwedding

#brisbanewedding

#springwedding

Ceremony and Reception location: Cherbon Waters Garden Weddings & Marquee Receptions

Celebrant: Cheryl Landsberry - Marriage Celebrant

Photographer: Judy from Iris Faith Photography & Film

Video and Drone: Phil from Red Door Studios

Suits: InStitchu

Music: @mcgee entertainment

Cake: @butter meets sugar

Makeup: @katedevlin

Hair: @aimeeleahair

Brisbane Wedding at The Chef's Manor, Anstead

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

Micro wedding at Rainforest Gardens, Mount Cotton

 Micro wedding at Rainforest Gardens, Mount Cotton

Tahlia and James are shy people, and the thought of standing on a platform with a hundred people staring at them was a terrifying prospect. So they decided, instead, to share their wedding day with just their immediate family at the beautiful Rainforest Gardens at Mount Cotton.

The couple chose a Wednesday afternoon for their wedding, and met their family at the gates of the gardens at 3pm. While gathered there, a pair of butterflies danced in the afternoon sun, a coincidental tribute to the butterfly tattoo on Tahlia’s decolletage. For James, wearing a suit was a first, and he looked very handsome in navy blue. Tahlia was lovely in a white lace gown with a fitted bodice and full skirt. She curled her hair and tied it back with a white lace bow.

As the clock struck 3pm, the couple joined hands and walked up the garden path to the ceremony area, followed by parents and siblings. They chose instrumental music by John Powell from the “How to Train your Dragon” soundtrack.

Tahlia and James took their places under the wooden arbour on the timber deck by the pond, shaded by towering palms. A fountain tinkled in the background. Their five guests sat upon timber chairs, enjoying the tranquil atmosphere of the gardens.

James and Tahlia requested a short and sweet ceremony, with just minimal trimmings. They were relieved that the ceremony was not as stressful as they had anticipated, and were soon delighted to hear that they were husband and wife.

Photographer, Will, soon put the couple at ease, and led them around the beautiful gardens for photos which will be treasured for years to come.

Ceremony location: Rainforest Gardens

Celebrant: Cheryl Landsberry - Marriage Celebrant

Photographer: https://www.facebook.com/willideastudio

Willidea Photography & Videography Studio

#brisbanewedding

#microwedding

#gardenwedding

March wedding at The Chef's Manor Anstead

Why not have both?

Ami and Johan work and live in Adelaide. But with Ami hailing from Brisbane, and Johan from South Africa, choosing a wedding location was a dilemma. The couple decided to have weddings in both Brisbane and South Africa.

Planning a wedding from interstate was a challenging prospect for Ami, however, she relied on reviews and recommendations when choosing suppliers. The couple chose the beautiful gardens at The Chef’s Manor, Anstead for their ceremony and celebrations. The venue has so many locations for pretty photo backdrops – manicured gardens, a white timber arbour, a stone wishing well, a gazebo, a red phone box, and a British red postal pillar.

Next, the couple found their celebrant, Cheryl Landsberry, via a recommendation. Being based in Adelaide, I was able to complete the Notice of Intended Marriage with the couple over Facetime – such a great option for interstate couples and I’m so very pleased that the Government decided to extend this option after the temporary provisions lapsed after the Covid contingencies.

We also shared ceremony ideas via email, allowing me to write a personal ceremony for the couple which suited their vibe. Their ceremony was created with a little tradition, a little humour. a little sugar, and a lot of sincerity.

Ami walked down the aisle with a stunning white lace dress with sheer panels. Her dark hair was curled, and she wore a veil and drop earrings. She carried a bouquet of white flowers. Lia, looking like a little princess, also wore a white dress. Johan was dapper in a classic black three piece suit with a bow tie. His mini-me, Ollie, wore a matching black suit and carefully carried the wedding rings in his pocket.

As the beaming couple walked back down the aisle hand-in-hand, they were showered with biodegradable confetti, which made for a joyous photo.

Guests enjoyed chilled drinks in the gazebo as the couple captured the moment with photographer, Judy, and videographer, Chris, from Iris Faith Photography.

Venue: @thechefsmanoranstead
Celebrant: @cheryl_landsberry_marriage_cel
Photos: @irisfaithphotoandfilm

#brisbanewedding
#gardenwedding

Elope to Brisbane with 20 of your crew!

 Elope to Brisbane with 20 of your crew!

Gemma and Brad decided that they wanted something a little different for their wedding. They decided on Brisbane for their wedding destination, and as they live interstate, hired the team from Elope Brisbane to plan their ceremony for them.

The couple chose the Twenty is Plenty package, which includes celebrant, photographer, ceremony styling and cupcakes. They chose the Palm Tree Lawn at Brisbane Botanic Gardens, Mt Coot-tha for their ceremony, and were so glad of the shade and privacy provided by the lush foliage.

Gemma and Brad, and 24 of their closest friends and family, all flew to Brisbane for the destination wedding. They stayed at Royal on the Park in the centre of the city. Gemma and her bridesmaids, wearing terracotta, made their way to the Botanic Gardens after getting glammed up at their hotel. Waiting at the gardens were Brad and his groomsmen, wearing three piece black suits. The girls carried bouquets in a burnt orange palette. Emma walked down the path on the arm of her dad to "Turning Page" by Sleeping at Last. Gemma looked dainty in a simple white satin dress with a full train. A long veil was clipped underneath her bun.

The couple wanted a low-key, personalised and memorable ceremony, and we exchanged ideas to create a script which was exactly to their liking. The couple read their vows to each other off-mic in an intimate moment.

After the ceremony, the guests blew bubbles to celebrate the marriage, which also added a feature to the wedding photos. After some group and family photos, the bridal party took the opportunity for some fun shots around the gardens as the guests were transported by coach back to Brisbane city. Gemma and Brad took advantage of the varying landscapes in the gardens for some couple portraits, then were chauffeured to a riverside bar for drinks overlooking the city lights.

To top off the wedding celebrations, all the guests boarded a cruise ship the next day for a relaxing north Queensland tropical cruise. What an epic way to celebrate a wedding!

Coordination and Styling: Elope Brisbane
Photographer: Romana Saeheng Photography and Graphic Design
Live Streaming: Red Door Studios Wedding films
Celebrant: Cheryl Landsberry - Marriage Celebrant
Flowers: Capalaba Carnations
Cupcakes: Cakes by Simone
Accommodation: Royal on the Park Hotel & Suites
Reception: Fridays Riverside
Cruise: P&O Cruises Australia

#destinationwedding
#20isplenty
#brisbanewedding