Yarra Valley Estate Wedding: Melbourne Celebrant Julie
As a Melbourne celebrant living in the Yarra Valley, I love that there are so many Yarra Valley wedding venues close to me including Yarra Valley Estate. The venue offers the entire wedding experience, ceremony, reception and onsite accommodation. This was the reason Sim and Chris chose to get married here. They adored the open chapel and Sim spent hours sourcing, designing and setting up all the flowers for ceremony. They looked amazing.
After COVID changed their original plans of marrying in Fiji, Chris and Sim were still after a party-like atmosphere where they could all get ready together with a couple of sneaky drinks, first look photos and all bridal party and family photos prior to the ceremony. That way, post wedding ceremony, the focus was on celebrating with all their guests. The whole day was captured brilliantly by Jon Tinkler from Millgrove Photography and there are so many picturesque places at Yarra Valley Estate to be captured.
Their Story
Simone and Chris went to the same school together and were in few classes as well, but sparks did not fly back then. As school finished and their lives went forward, they would run into each other through mutual friends. Sparks flew and they became closer and romantically fell in love at the classy and auspicious Dakota night club.
Simone’s initial impression of Chris was that he was handsome and kind but not a big talker and Chris noticed Simone’s brightness of character and chirpy personality.
Their first date was to the movies to watch TED, but Simone was unaware that it was a date until later in the evening! A comedic moment at the start of the evening relaxed the couple and they could not stop laughing; it set a good mood for the rest of the night and the incident was actually funnier than the film. When they first started dating Simone was impressed with Chris’ good looks and he great he made her feel and Chris appreciated their close friendship.
Simone knew it was love when she just couldn’t stop thinking about Chris and he knew Simone was the one when she picked me him up from a party and he was drunk. It had been only 2 weeks Chris dropped the ‘L’ word (a little awkward). Simone did not reciprocate at the time, even though she had them love feels too. Their relationship progressed and Chris dropped the knee on the 22nd September 2017, the day after Simone’s birthday. Chris had organised a room at the Crown Towers.
Simone describes Chris and sensitive, loving and a little bit crazy! He knows how to settle her down when she becomes too much, over the top, obsessive or a lil bit crazy herself. He is her rock. Chris is kind, loyal and stupidly adorable. Chris has taught Simone patience as it may take more than 3-20 times for Chris to hear something.
Chris describes Simone as dependable, affectionate, and extremely special to him. He is thankful that she loves her family, even though, Chris says, they can be a little crazy too. Simone has taught him to be more expressive, something that is not his strong point.
Together, they like the art of doing nothing, bedroom picnics, walking their fur babies, watching movies, hanging out with friends, eating out, adventures, strolling through a farmer’s market and mini golf. Just doing life together.
Chris and Simone know that honesty and continued commitment and friendship in their marriage will be extremely important. Chris looks forward to creating a stronger relationship and commitment to one another whilst Simone looks forward to blaming everything on her husband.
They cannot wait to face the highs and lows together as a married couple and make life and marriage a f****n awesome adventure!!!
This was the first time I had been asked to swear in a ceremony, and the last line of their story was muchly appreciated by the guests, haha, Simone chose to have her younger brother as a bridesman, all the guests pledged to support their marriage and we all laughed immensely throughout the ceremony. Chris looked dapper in his YD suit and Simone was stunning in her dress from Fairytales Bridal Moonee Ponds.
You were nothing short of perfect for us. We are so grateful for the time you spent getting to know us and you did everything that we wanted, we are forever indebted for the effort you made to ensure our wedding was more than what we expected. Not only did you bring it to life, made people laugh and walked all our guests through our journey as a couple right from the beginning.. you also did it in 38 degree heat in direct sun. You’re a bloody a champion!! Thank you.
The Vows
They exchanged the shortest vows I had heard in some time; other than the legal aspect, their words were simple and to the point.
Chris
I give you my heart and my promise,
That I will walk with you, hand in hand,
Wherever our journey leads us.
Simone
Chris/babe
Like you, I am going to make this short and sweet.
You are my best friend and I promise to love you always.
The popular petal toss for the recessional kicked off the next part of the wedding with all guests partaking in a group photo before heading up the hill to devour canapes and drinks. The couple partied into the night with Wedding Sounds by Jay Allen and had an absolute blast. I thank them, immensely, for choosing me as their celebrant.
If you’re looking for an upbeat celebrant for your day, get in contact with me now!
Julie Byrne – Yarra Valley Estate Wedding Celebrant – Simone and Chris’ Wedding
