Maria & Mark

Mark & Maria live in the Blue Mountains but wanted to be married in country Victoria on a beautiful property belonging to Maria’s parents. Maria is blind but, like many brides, she had definite ideas about how she imagined the ceremony would unfold. Neither of the couple use computers so the entire ceremony was planned over long telephone conversations & was coordinated with the help of family members and Australia Post! This fun loving couple met at an ABBA convention and this was reflected in the music they selected for their ceremony.

During the ceremony Mark & Maria were presented with a surprise gift; a handcrafted ‘wedded cuddle quilt’, made over many months with love & skill by their new sister-in-law (who I had married six months before in fact to Maria’s brother). The design of the quilt incorporated symbols of significance to both Mark & Maria. It was a gift offered in the hope that it would remind them of their special day; like a gloriously tactile & huggable wedding album. During the ceremony, while we were listening to more obscure ABBA love songs, each guest was invited to participate in a ritual known as the blessing or warming of the wedding rings. They were each asked to hold the rings in their hands and to make a silent wish for the couple and their future, a very moving & sacred element.

At the conclusion of the ceremony Mark & Maria planted a tree: a Wollemi Pine. This ancient species symbolised stability and growth which they hoped would reflect their relationships’ strength on that special day and into the future. Everyone’s efforts paid off and the wedding was truly a most joyous and moving experience, a feeling I will never forget.

Dear Barbara, Thank you for all you have done for us making our wedding the most special day of our lives. We greatly appreciated your assistance in planning our wedding; we feel it would not have been such a success without your patience, dedication and creativity. Your warmth and concern for us was greatly appreciated. We consider it a great privilege to have had you as our celebrant. Love from Mark & Maria
[Homestead Taggarty]