21/04/2026
Dress casually, she said! “Wear yoga pants! I’m wearing yoga pants. Please, no work clothes or dresses allowed.”
There were only four of us in attendance at my most recent wedding.
The bride was gorgeous and so intelligent and funny. Little did she know that I am the least casual person in the whole world. I’m a fully trained celebrant and funeral director. Casual. What the heck is casual?
The fashion show began. My husband explained patiently, “No….that is NOT casual” to my zany, gifted “art onesie” with flaccid gnome hat.
Back to the bedroom….. no work clothes…..hmmmmmm…. Okay my Nick Cave T-shirt and jeans…
This was deemed “casual” by all in my household.
Still 15 minutes early to the beach ceremony, despite my attempt to just be “on time”, I wondered in circles looking for beach stones until the bride, groom and witnesses arrived….
Indeed, the bride wore Yoga pants, and she glowed with radiant beauty, excitement, hope and happiness.
I had strict instructions.
She was kind of disappointed that I wasn’t wearing Yoga pants, but she liked the Nick Cave T-shirt.
We wandered casually 20 metres towards the breaking waves…
A little puppy ran away from its owner and circled our group for a few moments in excitement, breaking a small amount of the nervous tension that was building.
Returning to his owner, the little dog made a happy sight.
“So, I hear you have some things that you would like to say to one another, before me and your witnesses?”
Cheeks flushed. They turned to one another and spoke their legal vows.
“Good. Don’t forget to do the ring thing” I said.
They exchanged rings with sparkling eyes and shaking hands.
“You have exchanged vows and rings. By the power granted to me by the New Zealand government, I now pronounce you husband and wife.
They flew into each others arms, and kissed one another happily.
The witnesses and I cheered and clapped! The little dog barked. The sea roared and the waves crashed against the sand.
It was her perfect wedding. Just what she wanted.
We signed the paperwork on this little beach library box.
Afterwards they took off to have some food at the Mussel Inn. It was absolutely perfect💜
