This week we had the pleasure of playing for Vickie and Gary’s wedding at Rosebank in Ringwood. Read their Real Weddings story.
From the moment we met this gorgeous couple at one of a viewing nights, fifteen months ago, there was an instant connection. A mature couple who have experienced life’s ups and downs, these two warm individuals were obviously madly in love. We could tell, not just from the physical closeness they shared, but from the way they actually looked into each other’s eyes when they spoke, the smiles they shared and their wonderful mutual sense of humour.
Celebrant Elisa Westein, who conducted a heartfelt and seamless wedding ceremony in Rosebank’s intimate wedding chapel, expressed Vickie and Gary’s love for each other through the story of how they met and their first thoughts about each other: Vickie’s thoughts were to the effect of: ‘Here’s a funny guy with a great sense of humour’. Gary’s thoughts were ‘Hurly burly what a girly’. They had their guests in stitches!
The highlight of the ceremony was prior to Vickie’s entrance when Nightshift played a surprise message through their ceremony hire pa system from Vickie to Gary. The whole chapel went silent, listening to a love story, written by Vickie and recorded in her own words and voice. What a wonderfully dramatic moment to herald the bride’s entrance. I’ve been a ceremony singer for 18 years, so I don’t cry often, but I sure had a lump in my throat experiencing the love between these two beautiful people.
The ceremony was followed with pre-dinner drinks in the lush gardens on the shady verandah of Rosebank’s authentic 1920’s homestead. Wedding photographers Robyn and Keiran from Robyn Slavin Photography who captured the key moments during the ceremony, managed to herd the guests together for some fabulous group shots before whisking Vickie and Gary away for a professional photoshoot.
The reception went without a hitch. Rosebank’s staff and management were exceptionally attentive, the food was simply scrumptious and the atmosphere warm and welcoming. Being avid book lovers, Vickie and Gary set the theme for the night by labeling each guest table with well-known book title and, instead of a guest book, an antique typewriter was set up in one corner of the room with cards so guests could type up a personal message which was then popped into a gorgeous treasure chest for Vickie and Gary to read after their honeymoon.
Vickie and Gary’s bridal dance, performed by Nightshift, was The Carpenters song ‘We’ve only just begun’ — a timeless love song with the perfect lyrics to express the lifetime commitment this couple were embarking on.
Lots of good times, good food and dancing followed, culminating in a final dance for our couple: ‘Time of my life’ from the movie Dirty Dancing, also performed by the wedding band.
Thank you for sharing your once in a lifetime day with us, Vickie and Gary. You made us feel part of your family from the start and we were honoured to share in your celebrations.