A family-friendly wedding by the Swan River at Bicton
- Sally Bruce
- Jul 23
- 3 min read
It’s so special to be the celebrant when your friends get married. I remember when these two started dating over a decade ago, and now - all these years and two gorgeous kids later - I married them! It was really important to N & V to have a simple, relaxed and joyful ceremony and for their two children, (nearly 5 years, and 18 months old), to be included in the ceremony. I wasn't the only vendor helping their dream become a reality, and I've credited my fellow vendors with links at the bottom of this post.
First Look, with children, before the wedding ceremony
Before the ceremony even started, they created a beautiful moment as a family. A 'first look' is traditionally when the marrying couple first see each other all dressed up for the wedding. To make it more family-friendly, this couple included their children in the First Look and did it as a family. By choosing to do this at the hotel they got ready and were staying in, and just having the two of them (plus photographer Kat) the kids could get used to seeing their parents looking - ahem - fancier than usual so it wouldn't be a shock at the ceremony. They could also get used to the photographer being around them.
A family-friendly wedding with two separate aisle walks
Traditionally, a bride would walk down the aisle to the front of the ceremony space where the groom is waiting. Today, not all weddings have a bride (and some have two!) and in any case this tradition doesn't work for every couple.
N & V decided to start the ceremony uniquely by entering separately.
First the groom walked/danced in with the two children to the classic song December 1963 (Oh what a night) by Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons. This set the mood for the whole ceremony - family friendly, relaxed and fun.
When they were in place, the bride entered, with both of her parents, to the beautiful song We’re going Home by Vance Joy.
Laughing through the wedding vows
I encourage all my couples to add to the legally-required vow wording by writing their own personal vows. And this is why. Nothing makes a wedding or elopement more 'you' than speaking your promises out loud to each other - and it's definitely doesn't have to be solemn, boring or dry.
They were each able to mention their children in their vows - an easy way to include children without the children having to do anything in the ceremony.
Just married celebration with eco-confetti
Eco-confetti made from flower petals provided by stylist and florist Rustic Romance added a wonderful touch to the end of the ceremony. Two child guests were given the special job of handing out the confetti while we were signing the marriage certficates, and all the kids loved helping to throw the confetti as part of the celebration.
Post-wedding ceremony gelato
For an afternoon summer wedding in those lazy hazy days between Christmas and New Year, you can't beat a gelato cart to treat the guests - and the newlyweds! - with a delicious cold gelato after the ceremony. I've worked with That Little Gelato Cart at several of my weddings and they are always a winner!
Couple Portrait session after the ceremony
Photographer Red Eclectic and the couple couldn't let the stunning ceremony location go by without getting a few photos, so they went off for a quick couple's portrait session down by the river. The kids were happily eating gelato with their extended family -meaning mum and dad could sneak away for photos without being missed too much,
This simple, relaxed, joyful wedding ceremony was truly one of my favourites!
Bicton Baths Wedding Vendor dream team
First Look photos at Tradewinds Hotel Fremantle
Ceremony location Bicton Quarantine Park
Ceremony by Sally Bruce Celebrant
Photography by Red Eclectic
Styling and flowers by Rustic Romance
Post-ceremony gelato by That Little Gelato Cart
Reception Coast Port Beach
