Ames + Ash - The Old Church, Red Hill

Ames and Ashleigh

I first met Ames and Ashleigh at Gum Gully Farm's open day. I clearly remember the  moment when Ames just stood looking at the little chapel like a deer staring into headlights. She looked a tad petrified and as I put my hand on her shoulder, leaned in and calmly said "It's ok, cause I will have your back the entire time" this weight all of a sudden lifted and the mood shifted. Excitement filled the conversation as it continued to flow about all the things I like to do to ensure that the partner standing at the other end is never standing for longer than they need to be. 

Those few gold nuggets of wisdom found all three of us (plus their daughter Lily) on a 12 month journey. Every wedding fair I exhibited at I would turn to find myself being presented with a petite ice-cream from the dessert wagon or a drink from the cocktail bar. Ames and Ash seemed to be serial wedding fair goers and every single time they would just turn up with something yummy to eat whilst I was run off my feet chatting to couples. It was through all of this interaction that we became more than just a couple I was marrying, they became friends. 

It was fair to say that Ames 'lost it' when she saw her stunning bride Ashleigh enter The Old  Church Chapel in Red Hill. The moment had finally arrived. We had been on this emotional rollercoaster for such a long time. I would know, I ended up at several suit fittings with Ames as she hand picked fabric, custom designed a print for inside her waist coat and picked all the little bits and pieces to match her outfit for the day.
​She rocked it too! 

​The day was a little drizzly but there to capture the magic of it all was my all time FAVE Glen, with one N - Directors Edge. It would be fair to say that we ALWAYS have a lot of fun when we are working. 

AND when Ames and Ash asked me to be their MC and follow the celebrations right through, it was a no brainer. We rolled in the door at Merricks General Store for the reception. Kombi cars were parked out the front to greet us. The hospitality was simply amazing. Food was incredible!

I may have been present in the sunset photo shoot where smoke bombs were involved. I found the perfect spot hiding behind them both to make that incredible epic shot!

Everyone danced the night away. It truly was the most perfect day. 

Post Wedding - Glen and I always seem to bounce ideas off one another. We put our heads together with a crazy idea to do a private screening of their wedding video. So in the weeks leading up to their film being finished, I secretly worked my magic in a little white lie and managed to convince them both to go out for dinner but before we got to dinner I needed their opinion on the function space at The Sage Hotel in Ringwood (aka My office). 

The look of complete surprise when Ames, Ash and Lily walked in the door to see their wedding film projected on the big screen was just jaw dropping. Cocktail in hand, they sat on the little love seat with their daughter by their side as they watched the premier of their wedding film. We made their day. The tears we flowing, the laughter was heard down the corridor. It was epic!

And in the words of Ames herself - LOVE WON! '
Congrats ladies, and THANK YOU so much for sharing the journey with me!

Meet the Team - 

• Celebrant + MC - Kate Haley
• Videographer - Directors Edge
• Venue - The Old Church Red Hill
• Reception - Merricks General Store
• Dress - Leah Designs 
• Suit - Bell & Barnett
• Cake - The Sweet Kitchen
• Flowers - Flower Head Events
• Photographer - Schlaeppi Photography