Annika + Blake’s Australian/German Wedding | Zenith Beach | Bedroom Studio
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The morning of your wedding sets the tone for the whole day
🎉I often swing by where the bride(s) or groom(s) are getting ready. Ya know, to sign a few papers and make sure everyone’s stress levels are under control. 📝
Sometimes, it’s like walking into the eye of a storm! 🌪️ When that happens I help course correct by bringing calm vibes, offering meditation and some sage advice based on my years of experience, to get things back on track.
When I walked into Annika’s accommodation near Zenith Beach, Nelson Bay – it was pure serenity! 🌊 I didn’t even need to ask my usual litmus test question, “How’s your morning going?” because the chill vibes were crystal clear. 😎
Everyone was grinning ear to ear, popping champagne, 🍾 and sharing hugs. It was all smiles and giggles with Annika, her parents and her crew! 💖
The morning of your wedding sets the tone for the whole day, so it’s crucial to choose your squad wisely. Surround yourself with people who bring the good vibes, the calm, and the support. You want to be in the company of people who lift you up, make you laugh, and keep the stress levels low. That’s good advice for choosing your celebrant too.
Scorching hot wedding day on Zenith Beach, Nelson Bay
When you’re not a local Aussie and you’re tying the knot down under, it’s only natural to envision a dreamy beach wedding, right? I mean, who wouldn’t want to say “I do” with the sun kissing the waves in the backdrop? 🏖️
But let me tell you, Annika and Blake’s big day wasn’t just hot—it was scorching. 🌡️ We’re talking about one of those days where the sun feels like it’s turned the whole beach into an oven. And to top it off, Zenith Beach, as stunning as it is, offers zero shade and a blinding amount of glare. Cue my concern for the poor guests’ comfort levels.
Luckily, the legends at @a_beautiful_occasion had the foresight to provide some adorable parasols, and the couple had set up a drinks station to keep everyone hydrated. 💦
As for me, well, I was already sweating bullets before the ceremony even started. I lugged my PA system over a kilometer from where I parked to the beach. And that journey from the road down to the sand was no leisurely stroll—it was a trek along a timber-lined path that was not compatible with the wheels of my heavy bag.
And as if that wasn’t enough, I had decided to rock shoes that matched the colour scheme but were about as practical as a bicycle in a swimming pool. So, you can imagine my relief when I spotted the groomsmen ditching their footwear altogether and going barefoot, allowing me to do the same.
Now, were we all feeling the heat? You betcha! But did we let it dampen the spirits? Absolutely not.
It’s funny how a change in perspective can turn what seems like a grueling journey into something magical. For me, that trek to the beach became Annika’s grand entrance down the aisle. She was a vision walking over those dunes towards us. With the live musicians serenading us with “Home” by Edward Sharpe, the sweltering heat seemed to melt away, and all that was left was pure, unadulterated joy.
So, here’s to those guests who brought nothing but good vibes, even when the mercury was off the charts on Zenith Beach. They’re the real MVPs of Annika and Blake’s unforgettable day.👏🏻👏🏻
Including German elements in the wedding ceremony on Zenith Beach
Marrying couples from different corners of the globe reminds me of my own love story 🌎️
Annika, hailing from Germany, and Blake, a true blue Aussie from Taree, NSW, crossed paths at a café in Bondi. Lo and behold, Blake swept her off her feet until she couldn’t imagine her future without him. And boy, do I resonate with that joy and challenges of falling in love with someone from a different country.
Most of the German guests could speak some English, except for Annika’s father Wilfried. So, we decided to sprinkle a bit of German into the mix without doubling the ceremony time required for a fully bi-lingual ceremony. Very sensible considering theirs was a November beach wedding 😎
You didn’t need to understand every word to feel the love in the air on Zennith Beach that day. Emotions and body language spoke louder than words. But we still wanted everyone to feel included, so we got creative:
1. I kicked things off with a warm welcome in both English and German.
2. We whipped up a German booklet with the whole ceremony translated, making it easy for our German-speaking guests to follow along.
3. Two of their friends, Tim and Ramona, delivered a heartfelt poem by Ms Moem, one in English and the other in German.
4. Blake surprised everyone by slipping on the ring and whispering a few words in German, promising to always be there for Annika. And when Annika repeated those same words in English, everything made sense. There was a beautiful symmetry to it and I know that it meant to lot to Annika and her family that Blake had tried to speak some German.
5. As we wrapped things up, I led everyone in a hearty cheer for “Love, Laughter, and Happily Ever After.” And for those brave souls willing to try, I offered a drink to anyone who would repeat it after me in German. Let’s just say, hilarity ensued as our Aussie friends gave it their best shot.
I speak Irish, French, and Spanish, but I’m always up for a linguistic adventure. So if you’re from different corners of the globe, I could be your perfect celebrant 💚
Zenith Beach Wedding Vendors
Bedroom Studio | Nadi’s Bridal Alteration | Cakes by Han | Made with Love Bridal | A Beautiful Occasion | Georgia Bell Artistry | Vale Acoustic | MJ Bale | Saltwater Fingalbay
Review from Annika and Blake for their Zenith Beach wedding:
Julie has been the absolute best wedding celebrant imaginable! I was looking for a celebrant that could sprinkle some German into the ceremony as my family came over for the wedding from Germany and they can speak minimal English. Julie has been absolutely incredible in weaving in some German (through poems, vows in German and a translation of the whole wedding ceremony in a booklet for my family to follow). It meant so much to me and my family, thank you Julie!
Before the wedding, my partner was convinced he wanted a short ceremony as this is always the “boring part.” How wrong he was! The ceremony turned out to be his (and my) favourite part of the whole day- full of laughter and tears. It’s been a dream coming true and I can’t thank you enough Julie- you made us feel so calm and prepared!
All of the guests kept commenting on how amazing Julie was and are now keeping her in mind for their own wedding 🙂
Thank you and lots of love from Annika and Blake.
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