Virginia Lawrence Celebrant

01/11/2021

Just booked my 100th ceremony for 2021 so far, (says me dancing a small jig 💃 ).

So if you've got dates in mind for YOUR special day, get in touch soon on 0438 111 025. 👏😘

Off Peak Weddings - Yarra Valley & Dandenong Ranges

31/10/2021

I've been waiting since March to post some pix from this spooky Nightmare Before Christmas wedding at Avalon Castle! Originally planned for Halloween last year, and postponed due to Lockdown, these self-confessed hopeless romantics were not going to be deterred from doing their wedding their way. Every detail was thought of, down to the wedding rings being presented in a miniature coffin and a skeleton left in charge of the guest book.
Misquoting Jack Skellington, (apologies Jack) ‘the monsters were all missing, the nightmares couldn’t be found, and in their place there were good feelings all around’.

06/07/2021

Lovely to be featured in the Winter edition of Off Peak Weddings - Yarra Valley & Dandenong Ranges magazine. There's some sage advice to couples from a bunch of us celebrants - head to page 36 - hope it's useful. Know someone who's getting married? Tag them or share it with them. Organising your wedding can seem overwhelming; a good celebrant takes all that stress away.

https://offpeakweddings.com.au/sites/default/files/2021-06/Issue11_Off_Peak_Wedding_Magazine_Winter-2021.pdf?utm_campaign=Industry&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=138486176&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_V80nEw-FUcT-aYPUhDRb0_-cQmqtAbfUyvN4qBuiUbsm3jbDJASln0sFFpZSANE_cLitSXE_tL-EoGVjqPnVz2CeM-g&utm_content=138486176&utm_source=hs_email

31/05/2021

As a celebrant you know to expect the unexpected. But sometimes, even I am surprised at the number of hurdles some couples have to leap in order to marry.

Would you believe Sam and Chris’ wedding was postponed, and then their original venue burnt down! But this gorgeous easy-going couple took it all in their stride ... even on the day, at Yarra Valley Lodge when bad weather required our ceremony to be moved inside ... and then Sam's beautiful dress had trouble squeezing through the door into the ceremony!

Many brides at this point would have been inconsolable, but not Sam, she kept us giggling the whole way through the ceremony... and I have it on good authority I even snorted with delight at one point, which I apologise for, but you have to agree, it’s the best indicator that we were all having a pretty wonderful time - and what more could you want on your wedding day. :-)

Visit Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges Off Peak Weddings - Yarra Valley & Dandenong Ranges Ada + Ivy Photography

Sam and Chris

These two and that sun.

Perfect xx

24/03/2021

All you fans of the gorgeous Redwood Forest in East Warburton, did you see Melbourne Fashion Festival used it for Runway 3 this year!? Click the link and check out the fabulous video of the models in the giant trees. It really is the most incredible wedding location.

https://tinyurl.com/fashionforest

09/03/2021

How lovely that reporter Gabriella Payne at our local newspaper Pakenham-Berwick Gazette picked up our story of everyone pitching in to help move Sheree and Shayne's wedding when covid restrictions came in - it was such a community effort and makes me smile remembering so many kind souls rallying round to make it happen, especially the sight of the chef from The Station House Gembrook running over with a signing table - just gold! 👏 👏 👏

https://pakenham.starcommunity.com.au/news/2021-03-09/community-saves-big-day/

Visit Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges Off Peak Weddings - Yarra Valley & Dandenong Ranges Gembrook

Sheree and Shane Hudson had big plans for their big day, but when the snap lockdown a few weeks ago …

04/03/2021

This new existence we're all living, with restrictions happening and then disappearing, is so great for our flexibility! Sheree and Shayne planned to have their wedding in their garden at home, but covid restrictions had other ideas, and suddenly 70 guests were no longer allowed.

So in a whirlwind, dates were moved, beautiful gardens were booked at J.A.C. Russell Park, the amazing team at The Station House Gembrook pulled out all the stops to host their reception last minute and the 70 guests were notified of the change of plan. Family and friends helped set up a temporary arbour, white runner and chairs, and here's the chef 👨‍🍳 from The Station House, despite being hectic at the restaurant, literally running over 🏃‍♂️ with a table and chairs for the couple to use to sign their paperwork. It was such a gorgeous team effort. 👏 😘 👏

What could have been horribly stressful and quite disastrous was in fact a delightful and memorable wedding for all involved. It's one of my favourite parts of my job, seeing and helping make magic happen. 💫 🪄

Visit Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges Off Peak Weddings - Yarra Valley & Dandenong Ranges

19/02/2021

I'm so excited for the lovely couple who are getting married here at beautiful Alowyn Gardens in March, it's going to be so special.

For over 20 years now John & Prue have been working their magic at Alowyn Gardens & Nursery just off the Melba Highway outside Yarra Glen. The numerous gardens they have created are ever-changing and every time I visit I'm struck at how much more there is to see. I could honestly spend the whole day here and explore every path and take every turn, especially as all paths lead back to the fabulous cafe eventually!

08/02/2021

I'm smiling so hard and long looking at these photos from Jesse D Graham Photography that it is starting to hurt! Six souls, a bit of bush, a splash of late-afternoon sunshine, a little music thanks to a portable speaker, a whole lotta love - it wasn't what was originally planned, but it was incredibly, unforgettably, uniquely special. Thank you all for including me x

02/02/2021

Dreaming of a quick elopement in the Yarra Valley or Dandenong Ranges?

You might enjoy this article in the latest edition of Off Peak Weddings - Yarra Valley & Dandenong Ranges where fellow celebrant Robynne from Rainbow Celebrant Yarra Valley and I give you some suggestions.

It's a great publication full of tips and suppliers and inspiring imagery, and you can download the whole magazine or have it delivered to your inbox each quarter :-)

https://offpeakweddings.com.au/stories/stunning-suggestions-elopement-your-dreams

01/02/2021

I was at The Burrow at Wombat Bend today, chatting with owners Sue and Bill about the seemingly endless options for couples who hold their wedding ceremony (or funeral, memorial - you name it) at their unique 5-acre property in Dixons Creek, and get to have a 2-night stay in their gorgeous mudbrick B&B, aptly named The Burrow. It overlooks this incredible billabong which is teeming with birdlife - and it literally made me wish I could get married all over again, right here.

14/11/2020

I love the preparation for the weddings I host here in my garden in Kallista. This wedding arch will be resplendent today for the couple and I can't wait to see them standing beneath it.

Off Peak Weddings - Yarra Valley & Dandenong Ranges Visit Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges