I met Lauren and Ben at Clare and Nik’s wedding. I had just enough time to grab a glass of champagne when this lovely couple approached me to ask if I’d marry them in six months time. What an honour! Lauren and Ben met as children, growing up together in the same street in Bowral, NSW. Eventually moving away, and living in different states, Facebook brought them back together fifteen years later. On their third anniversary, Ben proposed to Lauren, half-way between their two childhood homes in Bowral.
They vowed love, cherish and care for each other in sickness and in health. Ben also promised to make Lauren smile every day – even if it was at his own expense. Lauren promised to listen to his advice – and occasionally take it. Their wedding ceremony in the grounds of the historic 19th Century mansion Vaucluse House was breathtakingly beautiful. Their wedding ceremony was captured on video by the very talented Eddie at Ripple Film.
Memorial candles. Lauren and Ben lit a candle for their six grandparents who had passed away and placed these on the signing table. The effect, I think you’ll agree, was stunning.
Readings
Lauren and Ben had three readings delivered by friends and family, and I closed the ceremony with a modern interpretation of the Seven Blessings, to give a nod to Ben’s Jewish heritage. Full details are below:
‘He Never Leaves the Seat Up’ by Anon
He never leaves the seat up,
Or wet towels upon the floor,
The toothpaste has the lid on
And he always shuts the door!
She’s very clean and tidy,
Though she may sometimes delude.
Leave your things out at your peril,
In a second they’ll have moved!
She’s thoughtful when he looks at her,
A smile upon his face,
Will he look that good in 50 years,
When his dentures aren’t in place?
He says he loves her figure,
And her mental prowess too,
But when gravity takes her over,
Will she charm with her IQ?
She says she loves his kindness,
And his patience is a must,
And of course she thinks he’s handsome,
Which in her eyes is a plus.
They’re both not wholly perfect,
But who are we to judge?
He can be pig-headed,
Whereas she won’t even budge!
All that said and done, they love,
The time they spend together,
And I hope, as I am sure you do,
That their happiness will last forever.
He’ll be more than just her husband,
He’ll also be her friend,
And she’ll be more than just his wife,
She’ll be his soul mate ‘til the end.
Captain Corelli’s Mandolin – Louis de Bernières.
“Love is a temporary madness. It erupts like an earthquake and then subsides. And when it subsides you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your roots have become so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part. Because this is what love is. Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not the promulgation of promises of eternal passion. That is just being in love, which any of us can convince ourselves we are. Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away, and this is both an art and a fortunate accident. I had it, we had roots that grew towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossom had fallen from our branches we found that we were one tree and not two.”
A definition of love by Albert Einstein
Gravitation cannot be held responsible for people falling in love. How on earth can you explain in terms of chemistry and physics so important a biological phenomenon as first love? Put your hand on a stove for a minute and it seems like an hour. Sit with that special girl for an hour and it seems like a minute. That’s relativity.
Seven Blessings – Modern Interpretation
May you be generous and giving with each other.
May your sense of humor and playful spirit always continue to enliven your relationship.
May you always respect the diversity of humankind.
May you act with compassion towards those less fortunate and with responsibility to the communities of which you are a part.
May you appreciate and complement each other’s differences.
May you always share yourselves openly with your friends and family.
May your home be a haven of blessing and peace.
Photography and Music
All photos by the very talented James Sarkodie at Sarkodie Photography.
Lauren walked down the aisle to Lift Me Up by Mree
WONDER WEDDINGS CANBERRA 