Zonzo Estate Celebrant | Yarra Valley Elopement – Hayley and David

When you are a celebrant and you live in the Yarra Valley, not far from Zonzo Estate, and you’re asked to conduct an elopement in 2 weeks’ time, you jump at the chance!

Hayley and David had signed all the required legal marriage paperwork, and with a baby on the way wanted to be married. They needed a replacement Melbourne wedding celebrant and I was more than happy to oblige.

Their Melbourne wedding ceremony and wedding reception was an intimate affair with a focus on family, held in The Cappella at Zonzo Estate. Husband and wife team, Reuben and Kelly from Lives on Love Street captured the whole micro wedding perfectly, from the little details to the aisle, the emotional ceremony to the picturesque grounds of Zonzo Estate. Hayley was wearing a Stella York dress from Fairytales Bridal Boutique with hair and make up by Jess from Blushin Brides.

Louise did a reading, a classic from The Wedding Singer film:

“I want to make you smile whenever you’re sad

Carry you around when your arthritis is bad

All I want to do is grow old with you

I’ll get your medicine when your tummy aches

Build you a fire if the furnace breaks

Oh it could be so nice, growing old with you

I’ll miss you Kiss you

Give you my coat when you are cold

Need you Feed you

Even let you hold the remote control

So let me do the dishes in our kitchen sink

Put you to bed if you’ve had too much to drink

I could be the man who grows old with you I want to grow old with you.” —Robbie

David also surprised Hayley with a reading from their niece, Brooklyn. She delivered a verse from the classic Dr Seuss, ‘Oh, the place you’ll go’ —off by heart! It certainly made Hayley tear up! And speaking of kids, Indiana and Leo were also a part of the ceremony and loved receiving their appreciation certificates at the end (with a high five!)

Their parents are extremely important to both Hayley and David and we honoured them with a dedication and gesture of love and admiration. And all the guests pledged to support the marriage too.

With less than 2 weeks to put everything together to create Hayley’s and Dave’s dream ceremony, we certainly did so, and did it brilliantly. Lots of laughter and tears and an email the day after the ceremony:

“Hi Julie,

We wanted to say the biggest thank you for Sunday. You were AMAZING! Our families all commented that you were fabulous. We originally had a celebrant who was a close friend of David’s, and they didn’t know we had to change as she was not available, and they said how it was nice to have someone that knew you both so well. We then said how we only found you 2 weeks ago.

You made the whole process so easy. I never thought creating a ceremony (from our end) was a quick thing to do. Although we can see from the day that it must take you a lot more time than it did us!

You were amazing with the kids- it was so personal. When you addressed them by name you looked at each of them – you somehow just knew who everyone was.

We will 110% recommend you to anyone that needs a celebrant, we are so pleased that you were our celebrant and made our day so incredibly special.

Thank you so very much!!!

Hayley & David”

It was so wonderful to share their day with them and share their story to all (see below).

Hayley and David’s Love Story

Hayley and David met at Platypus Ward at the Royal Children’s Hospital; David had moved there from the Alfred and Hayley was already there in her graduate year. Upon their initial meeting, David remembers Hayley being really nice and she showed him how to swaddle a baby for the first time. Hayley was standing outside room 13 thinking there is ACTUALLY a male nurse on the ward.

Obviously, David thought Hayley was a bit of alright and turned up on Hayley’s doorstep in Parkville after a few too many drinks at 1am one morning. Politely, Hayley told David he needed to ask her out sober. So, the next day he called and organised a brunch date at “Dear Abbey” in Moonee Ponds. When they first starting dating, Hayley was impressed that David was very laid back and came up with fun things to do in the spirit of the moment. For example, Hayley called in sick to work for a whole weekend and David took her to Bundalong to spend time on the river where she met Dave’s Nan for the first time. David sensed that Hayley was very strong and independent with a good sense of adventure.

Hayley knew it was love when they were walking through the National Park in Bundalong, she just knew that David was the one for her and David knew when he brought Hayley over for the first family dinner. Their relationship developed and they were about to take the next step.

David proposed to Hayley on a sunny day at the Fairfield boat house. He hired a rowboat, and the ring was kept in the picnic basket. When David proposed, Hayley made him kneel down on one knee, even in the rowboat They celebrated with Chandon Rosé and went straight to Hayley’s birthday drinks to share the news with friends.

Hayley describes David as relaxed, funny and extremely loving. He always makes her laugh, sometimes by saying something SO inappropriate that she tries not to laugh… but still does. She loves his positivity and the life they have created together. David has taught Hayley to be more “glass half full” and that anything can fit into a trailer.

David describes Hayley as caring and a little bit of clumsy and stubborn. He loves that Hayley always gives everything a go; she’s strong, compassionate and she’s a great dog mum and soon to be mum to their child. Hayley has taught David to be smarter with money and the value of investing in good linen.

Together they love lounging about, going to Bundalong, adventures with Ollie, the great outdoors, home improvements, and spending time with family and friends. Continuing their relationship through marriage they know they will need to be kind to each other and just be yourself. Hayley wants to maintain the fun they have with each other and all the things they do. They both can’t wait to have happy and healthy siblings for Ollie and create memories for their family at all their favourite places. David is so excited to have his Mrs Wright!

Thanks again Mr and Mrs Wright for the honour of marrying you!

And, if you’re looking for a celebrant please contact me here.