Isaac & Nina

COURTYARD WEDDING

20 FEBRUARY 2021 - COSSARS WINESHED

Isaac and Nina took Covid restrictions in their stride - no longer able to have the Fiji beach wedding they were hoping for, “Take 2!” was instead held in the beautiful courtyard at Cossars Wineshed. The vintage couches and festoon lights set the scene… and it was utterly gorgeous.

Throughout Issac and Nina’s relationship, they have learned that true love is not a fantasy, but something that they must consciously choose every day. As well as everyday adventures, they have experienced the hardship of family loss, and the joys of parenting together - and are stronger for it.

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.

Isaac and Nina’s ceremony was full of laughter. We all cracked up when Isaac had to dash from the ceremony to find a forgotten page from the handwritten vows… and when I asked Matthias for the rings, but he had cooler things to do and had disappeared to play (Alyssa shouted for him at the top of her lungs and he came running!).

These two were some of the nicest people I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting. I just know that you will have a beautiful marriage xx

AROHA NUI,

Vic xxx

Photographer - Cassandra Kovacs Photography

Venue - Cossars Wineshed

Wilson & Fernanda

INTIMATE CEREMONY AT HOME

25 JUNE 2021 - SOCKBURN, CHRISTCHURCH

Wilson and Fernanda were married in a beautiful, intimate ceremony at their home in Sockburn, surrounded by their closest family and friends (including those who joined via video call from all around the world!). The energy in their cosy lounge was so warm and welcoming, full of love and support for the happy couple.

Originally opting for a registry ceremony, Wilson and Fernanda changed to a simple personalised ceremony so that they could include their pastor and make adaptations to the script. Their faith is extremely important to them and it was a pleasure to ‘tag team’ with Eduardo to create their dream ceremony. I’m always happy to discuss how to include others in your ceremony if this is something that you want!

“I, Wilson, take you, Fernanda, to be my wife; and I promise, before God and these witnesses, to be your loving and faithful husband; in plenty and in want; in joy and in sorrow; in sickness and in health; as long as we both shall live.”

“I, Fernanda, take you, Wilson, to be my husband; and I promise, before God and these witnesses, to be your loving and faithful wife; in plenty and in want; in joy and in sorrow; in sickness and in health; as long as we both shall live.”

Congratulations Mr and Mrs Coelho! It was a privilege to be part of your special day.

AROHA NUI,

Vic xxx

“Thank you so much Vic, it was such a pleasure to have you as our celebrant. Even my pastor commented that you are so easy to work with and that it was a fantastic ceremony. Thank you for making it so special, I will definitely recommend you to everyone that would like to get married, and my pastor will also do the same. Thank you once again!! :) We were very happy to have you as a celebrant. ”

— Wilson + Fernanda

Cam & Ione

OFFICIATING FOR ONE OF MY BEST FRIENDS!

6 FEBRUARY 2021 - WINSFORD GARDENS, AUCKLAND

Aside from my own wedding, Cam and Ione’s was my favourite of all time! As someone who has known Ione since the early days of high school, this ceremony was particularly special for me. She is such a treasure, and our friendship is one I value dearly. I’m choking up just re-living their beautiful celebration now… in fact, I really have no idea how I held it together on the day! This was also my first ceremony where I knew a number of the guests, making it all the more significant to me.

In the months leading up to the ceremony, we worked closely together to create a script that perfectly captured the essence of Cam and Ione’s relationship. We included details about how the pair met, some relationship milestones and Cam’s epic proposal (that Ione did not make easy!).

On the day, Ione chose to enter from the side of the garden, not down a traditional aisle. I always love to highlight to couples that the beauty of a personalised ceremony is that you have the freedom to do what works for you! She looked absolutely stunning.

It was important to Cam and Ione to share what marriage means to them and to acknowledge that it requires conscious effort. “As time and life changes you, remember that continuing to nourish your relationship is a choice - and when you choose to find your greatest joy in the company of each other, marriage offers opportunities for sharing and growth that no other human relationship can equal.” They also chose to write their own vows and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. Perfection.

“…Ione, you are my best friend and soulmate, and you make every day of my life a surprise. Your energy and ambition are what drew me towards you, and I love the feeling of always being on the go with you. You can’t sit still. I love that when I’m with you there is never a dull moment. We’ve been to so many places and achieved so much already but I know today is only the beginning…”

“…Cameron - God, I love you. How incredible that we both get to be on this earth right now, and that among billions of people alive, and the zillions that came before us, we managed to collide in this strange, beautiful whirlwind of life. How sweet it is to be here with you today and to declare to the world that I adore you. You’re my best mate, my favourite person…”

After the ceremony, I had the privilege of attending the reception which was a super chilled out ‘walk-and-fork’ affair. Think classy house party… complete with lawn games and a bonfire. A major highlight was listening to the MC - Cam and Ione’s seven year old nephew - who was hilarious. I was so impressed. I got to hang out with my Mum, Dad and gorgeous husband, as well as catch up with some of my best mates who were also there to celebrate. Best night ever!!

Thank you so much for sharing your day with me. I love you both and I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for you xx

AROHA NUI,

Vic xxx

Photographer - Richard Ng

“Vic was wonderful to work with from start to finish. She was enthusiastic about our wedding and was super supportive and knowledgeable when it came to questions we had. She had some great suggestions and tips for how to make the ceremony run smoothly, and really listened to what we wanted out of the day.

We felt so confident during the lead up to our wedding, and on the day, knowing that she had everything in hand. We both loved how encouraging and supportive she was at the ceremony itself, reminding us to take our time and focus on each other, as she guided us through the process. Vic is an all-round delight to work with; if you’re looking for a celebrant, stop, you’ve found her. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story can make all the difference.”

— Cam + Ione

Kurtus & Lily

GARDEN WEDDING

4 MARCH 2021 - HALSWELL QUARRY

Kurtus and Lily were married in an intimate ceremony surrounded by their closest family and friends. They chose a secluded spot in the beautiful Songpa-Gu Gardens at Halswell Quarry. If you haven’t visited, I highly recommend going for a walk around the ‘Sister Gardens’. This particular garden has a botanical collection that represents Korea, as well as our own landscape here in Canterbury.

Kurtus and Lily chose to break tradition in a few ways! That is the beauty of a personalised ceremony, my friends… you can make it totally your own. Instead of an archway, the pair set up in front of one of the monuments, using a framed photograph of themselves to mark where they were going to stand. They also opted not to have a first kiss - an epic, and rather spontaneous fist pump sealed this marriage!

This was my last ceremony of the season before beginning my maternity leave… and I was ready to pop! Maia Elizabeth Jo arrived 9 days later and I have since been settling into life as an earthside māmā. Our wee whānau is doing really well! I have been sharing a few updates over on Instagram @victoriathomas.celebrant - if you’re interested, prepare your ovaries and head on over for some super cute baby snaps.

AROHA NUI,

Vic xxx

“Everything was great! Couldn’t have asked for a better person to help us continue our next chapter.”

— Kurtus + Lily

Matt & Steph

GARDEN WEDDING

23 JANUARY 2021 - BRAMBLE GROVE, KAIAPOI

Matt and Steph were married at the lovely Bramble Grove in Kaiapoi. I was so excited to finally get a chance to visit and I was not disappointed! The intimate backyard setting complete with an outdoor bar had a relaxed atmosphere that the guests absolutely loved.

One of my favourite parts of Matt and Steph’s ceremony was chatting with Matt and his groomsmen beforehand… hearing how the morning had been, doing a final run-through of the script, and calming those pre-ceremony nerves. I love it when a groom acknowledges and allows himself to express his emotions in the lead up to one of the most significant experiences he is ever going to share with his future partner. And who could blame him for being completely overwhelmed with love? Steph was glowing… honestly, the only word I can use is ‘radiant.’ Her smile throughout the day was simply the best and Mel from Mel’s Moments captured her perfectly. The photos speak for themselves.

“Steph, as I stand here with you today, I feel like the luckiest man in the world. I want nothing more than to share my future with you…”

“Matt, you are everything that I could ever dream of in a man. You are my lover, my best friend, my protector, my soulmate, and my home…”

A few other highlights…

• The most gorgeous wee flower girl and ringbearers - such a great way to include children in their special day!

• Finally meeting Mel. I was so grateful that she looked after me in the heat - what an absolute gem.

• One of the guests approaching me after the ceremony and saying how much he had enjoyed it. He explained that he struggles with his hearing but had found my delivery clear and easy to understand. I was touched that he took the time to come and chat - it really meant a lot getting positive feedback.

Thank you both so much for sharing your special day with me xxx it was magical.

AROHA NUI,

Vic xxx

P.S. Get in touch if you want to know more about the ‘Shoe Game!’ (pictured above).

Photographer - Mel’s Moments

Venue - Bramble Grove

“Vic, you were amazing. We really couldn’t have asked for a better celebrant. Thank you sooo much for making the process very easy and answering all of our emails and questions. Thank you very much for all the hard work you put into making our day perfect. We didn’t have to worry about a thing - you had everything covered.”

— Matt + Steph

Dan & Vic

Christmas Newsletter

December, 2020

2020 Highlights

Living in New Zealand - what more do I need to say?

However, the best news for us is that I am hapū and we are expecting our first pēpi in March (or maybe April!) next year. We are stoked! A huge thank you to everyone who is celebrating our journey with us, offering love and support - we are so grateful to share this chapter with you.

Life

The Covid situation was initially a bit of a mind f*ck but overall, we were really fortunate. We loved being home together and used the time to slow down, eat nutritious meals, and find pleasure in simple, everyday things. We made sure to get outside and walked around our block a lot! Unfortunately, we had a lot of cancelled trips, particularly to Auckland, which meant that I missed out on family time. This was challenging for me but it made visits later in the year even more special.

Despite the late start to the season, Dan loved playing rugby for Christchurch again. I began the year with Heart and Mind Yoga, transitioning to OptiMum Pregnancy Yoga in Terms 3 and 4. I have recently started swimming again and love the weightlessness of being in the water.

We continued to renovate our two bedroom home. The biggest change is our new kitchen - light, bright and modern with lots of bench space and storage. It feels so much more open and spacious. We love it! Dan also renovated our laundry, and built a beautiful gate leading into the garden. I am so lucky that he is a ‘projects man’ - practical and handy with an eye for detail. Next step… setting up the nursery!

Health

2020 has been filled with uncertainty. In terms of mental health, I have learned that there are many things I cannot control, but I can control my response to them. I am continuing to build my inner strength so I am better able to choose steadiness and contentment in difficult situations. I’ve found it helpful to have a mantra - some I have taken from my yoga class are…

“What if I know I am enough?”

“What if I have acceptance?”

“What if I choose to change my mindset by changing my breath?”

Pregnancy is a journey. Every day, I wonder at the marvel of my body and its ability to create life. We are now in the third trimester (a privilege and blessing!), and this journey has been transformational. It has required strength, resilience and vulnerability - a willingness to accept and embrace the unknown, and to ask for support when needed. Some of the physical challenges, including intense morning sickness until 24 weeks, have tested me. I am extremely grateful for the love and understanding I continue to receive from my beautiful husband, whānau, and my work mates at Bromley. I talk, sing and dance with our little darling every day and love all of the wriggling!

Work

Dan has just completed another busy year as Contracts Manager/Detailer with Division Architectural Engineering, working on a range of projects throughout Canterbury and the wider South Island. Though there were some challenges, he was fortunate to be able to complete work from home during lockdown - and was ready to get back into it when we dropped back down the levels!

I continued to teach at Bromley School, picking up an extra day in another of the Y5/6 classes - three days a week in total. During lockdown, we provided tasks for our children on Google Classroom and Seesaw, and stayed in touch with each other via Zoom. One of my favourite things about Bromley is the focus on gratitude and positivity - it is such a special part of the community. I always feel listened to and respected, as well as completely valued for being myself. I will miss being surrounded by such beautiful people on a daily basis next year.

My business as a marriage celebrant has continued to grow and I have LOVED meeting so many beautiful couples and vendors. A special highlight for me was becoming qualified as a Validated Member of the Celebrants Association of New Zealand which means I am now able to perform registry ceremonies in the local community. My role brings me great joy and I am looking forward to the weddings I already have booked in for next season!

Future Adventures

We fly up to Auckland tomorrow to enjoy Christmas with my extended family, spend a few weeks relaxing at The Mount, and celebrate my Poppa’s 90th birthday.

Next March, we look forward to welcoming our Little Bean earthside and embracing our role as parents. Lots of learning ahead!

Meri Kirihimete e hoa! Have a safe and happy break, wherever you are in the world.

A weekend away in Akaroa!

Aroha nui,

Vic & Dan xxx