“Time flies when you’re having fun” – it’s such a cliché isn’t it, but nevertheless the perfect description! It’s now been 10 years since I began marrying people in my fabulous role as a marriage celebrant. I knew that it was going to be a great job but I had no idea how rewarding, fun, and how honoured and privileged it is. To this day, after marrying hundreds of couples, I learn something new, and am inspired by, each and every couple. Seriously, all my couples are ace! Marrying people brings a big smile to my face, it reinforces and confirms the power of love and family. As part of my 10th anniversary milestone I wanted to catch up with one of my lovely couples whom I married 10 years ago.
May I introduce you to Carli and Daniel – Happy 10th Wedding Anniversary!
Carli and Daniel are friends of mine. Along with a bunch of friends, we shared many a fun holiday aboard a house boat up at Lake Eildon. Dan and Carli knew that I had recently completed my celebrant diploma in 2004 and were looking for a marriage celebrant f0r their upcoming wedding on the 1st October 2005.
I was thrilled to be asked to celebrate Daniel and Carli’s wedding ceremony.
They were married at what was back then as the Heritage Golf Course in Chirnside Park, now known as the Yarra Valley Lodge. Although Dan and Carli are celebrating 10 years of marriage they had already been together for 9 years prior to their wedding day. Yes, they were high school sweet hearts! In their ceremony I shared their story about their love of water-skiing and their passion for renovating. These two are full of life and radiate energy.
Before their ceremony I was pretty nervous. Of course, I wanted everything to go swimmingly well for them. As I gazed out into the ceremony space I recognised many familiar faces in the crowd. This made me even more nervous! Thankfully those nerves just melted away as gorgeous Carli made her way down the aisle to marry Dan. I recently got in touch with them…
So I asked Carli and Dan a few questions about their wedding day, life and some words of wisdom…
Do you have any memorable moments from your wedding day?
Not one particular part of the day but it was everything we wanted it to be and enjoyed it so much, we would do it all over again! Looking back, would you do anything differently on your wedding day? No, everything still to this day we loved.
How has life changes for you over the last 10 years?
We now have two gorgeous children – Ky who is 7 years old and Leah who is 5 years old.
Do you have any words of wisdom for couples yet to celebrate their wedding?
Always remember that marriages/relationships always need love and attention. Don’t ever stop working on making it special and better.
A big thank-you to Dan and Carli for sending me these wedding snaps and sharing their thoughts. I will never forget how all those years ago they placed their complete trust in me to celebrate their wedding. Since then I have been so lucky to meet many more fabulous people and their beautiful families and friends. I’ve retold many memorable stories and recalled happy memories. I’ve visited some brilliant venues and forged some lifelong friendships with wedding industry suppliers. I’ve learnt so much along the way and had loads of fun. I’m endlessly grateful to have this opportunity. Marrying people is not just a good job, it’s an outstanding job, it’s hard to beat!
A shout out to all my past couples – I hope you’re all going super well!
If you would like feature in my next blog series please get in touch, I would love to hear from you! https://www.mareelivy.com.au/contact-wedding-celebrant-maree/