I love Marta and Stephen. I met them at another dear couples wedding Leonie and Samir’s at Bells last year and we hit it off. Originally Marta and Stephen were planning to travel back to Stephen’s homeland in England to marry, but it was all too bureaucratic to achieve and early this year plans changed. Don’t worry, the big English castle celebrations remained in the plans, just the ceremony, with a few dear dear friends was then planned for Sydney.
Marta and Stephen created a gorgeous intimate and luxe celebration at the Sofitel Wentworth and I was very privileged to provide a very intimate, fun and meaningful service. Marta and Stephen were fully engaged in the ceremony creation process, inviting the ceremony to be a real expression of them and their story, as well as inviting their friends to participate in a deeply moving ring blessing circle where so many thoughtful and loving exchanges were gifted by their friends to them to bless them and affirm their love. They then said their own beautifully crafted vows. And Stephen’s mum was there on Skype from the UK too!
Marta and Stephen’s Life & Love together began with a first kiss under the harbour bridge at Milsons Point. Marta liked the way you confidently took a risk Stephen!
Joining lives has been a joyful adventure….a mingling of artistic expressions, love of cars, exotic destinations, dog dates and tennis. Whatever is happening, it is bound to be lively, social and full of fun and giggles.
What they Love about each other:
Marta
I love Stephen’s kindness, consideration. I love his love of animals. Stephen is calm, thorough, mannered, and yet also feisty, and very, very funny! I love his honesty, loyalty and how he is willing to be emotionally available. He shares my spirit of adventure…is open to ideas and activities. I love his vast intellect and natural curiosity and that he is always learning. I love how Stephen knows me so well. He always makes me feel safe and loved. I know he will always support my efforts to create and grow as a person. We both enhance and inspire each other to grow.
Stephen
I love Marta’s company, her quirks and oddities. She has a very artistic focus which delights me. I love her focus on helping people based on her own experiences and to help others who want to learn what she knows. I love sharing social times with her…she is very personable and everybody loves her……but none more than me!
At the ceremony, Marta arrived to the instrumental of the hymn “Be thou my vision”, later in the service Marta and Stephen shared these words to each other in devotion to their love and relationship. I love this hymn and the words:
Be Thou My Vision
Marta:
Be thou my vision, forever my true heart,
be all else but naught to me, save that thou art;
be thou my best thought in daylight and night,
both in waking and sleeping, thy presence my light.
Stephen:
Be thou my wisdom, be thou my true word,
be thou ever with me, as I will with thee;
be thou my lover, and I your true love;
be thou in me dwelling, and I with thee one.
Marta:
Be thou my breastplate, my sword for the fight;
be thou my whole armour, be thou my true might;
be thou my soul’s shelter, be thou my strong tower:
And raise thou me heavenward, thy love o’er me shower.
Stephen:
Riches I need not, nor man’s empty praise:
be thou mine inheritance now and always;
be thou and thou only, the first in my heart;
With love’s true countenance, my treasure thou art.
Sarah gifts the last verse to us:
Thou shinest for each other, like heaven’s bright sun,
God grant you sweet joys—your victory is won;
Giving your Hearts freely, whatever may befall,
Love’s vision for you — till eternity doth call.
Marta and Stephen are currently celebrating in the UK….at the Castle….and may just be speeding off into the sunset in a vintage Mercedes!
And these words of thanks from Marta fill me with great gratitude and joy because I really do have the best job and best clients in the world:
“Wasn’t it GRAND?? We were so spoiled by the hotel, chocolates in the salon for me, champagne and fruit in the room…complimentary breakfast yesterday. We are just basking in our commitment and love of friends.That photo is a cracker, don’t ya think? Its so us, Stephen steadfast and me kooky. And the cake was amaaaaazing, we are slowly dividing it up and eating heaps of it. We got kicked out of the downstairs bar at 2.30am. What a dream. And you were so loved by all at the ceremony, the energy was so moving and I was just watching everyone gaze in love at the process. Thank you very much. When we surface from the cards and flowers and haze of the day, we will do the survey but ….. FIVE STARS m’dear!”
