What do you do when you have a really wonderful ceremony and celebration just a short time before Australia officially recognised Marriage Equality?
You wait a year, and then do it again.........but on a smaller scale.
That is exactly what Issy and Amber did. They held a wonderful ceremony and reception in November 2017 in St Kilda Botanic Gardens, however legally, I wasn't able to marry them. Only a short time later, marriage equality was FINALLY achieved. To themselves, to me, and to their family and friends, they were 'married' in a sense, however making it legal would be the icing on the cake. And so that's what we did.
Almost a year after their first ceremony, Issy and Amber were finally able to call each other 'wife'. Elements of the first ceremony were included in the second, and they were surrounded by loving family and friends.
I am not ashamed to say, I was emotional.
I get emotional at the best of times. I love to see two people who are deeply in love celebrate that with their community of loved ones.
So you can imagine and forgive this sooky celebrant whose voice broke and the tears came when I was able to stand in circle for the second time with these lovely people, but this time declare them to be legally married -equal in every way to every other married couple that ever has been.
I spoke these words a year ago: To love is to come together from the pathways of our past and then move forward...Hand in hand, along the uncharted roads of our future, ready to risk, to dream, and to dare.... And always believe that all things are possible with faith and love...
May these 2 wonderful people, who adore each other and are very much loved by the people around them, continue to have many years of laughter, love and adventure ahead of them.