If an event occurs TWICE, then we may call said event, an annual event right…?
Maybe even a tradition….?
I think it’s safe to say that the now ANNUAL Celebrant Lunch at Post Office Hotel, Coburg is indeed a tradtition, and a feature of the Melbourne Celebrant Calendar*!
When celebrants gather… especially when we have time to catch up properly over lunch and drinks, it’s never a quiet affair. Reconnecting with old friends, meeting new friends that you’ve only met on Instagram or a TCS Newbie Zoom and meeting new friends for the very first time.
The chatter, laughs, exclamations and hugs are all heartfelt.
On a chilly Sunday in the Melbourne northern suburb of Coburg, a group of Celebrants and TCS Members gathered at the iconic Post Office Hotel (POH). Meg, Event Coordinator at POH, and our Victoria Local Leader, Dee, held several meetings (over glasses of Pinot Gris) to devise a day that was welcoming, inclusive and FUN!
As celebrants, we very often get to SEE the pretty tables, all set up for a couple’s family and friends to enjoy post ceremony, but it’s not often that said table has been laid for us. There were delighted gasps as our celebrants arrived at POH to be greeted with a hug from Dee and a glass of sparkling from Meg!
Also, as Hailey Andrews demonstrates, a Celebrant knows how to conduct a one-armed hug with a
full glass of Prosecco or Champagne in hand, without spilling a drop.
After mingling over a Prosecco and chatting…..we dined on delicious food as the wine flowed and the conversations were robust. There is nothing greater (or potentially louder!) than a gathering of celebrants who genuinely love..
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- their role as a celebrant
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- being surrounded by like-minded celebrants
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- learning from other celebrants
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- sharing their knowledge
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- enjoying each other’s company
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- a long lunch on a Winter’s Sunday afternoon!
After lunch, the wine continued to flow, as did the non-alcoholic sparkling and mocktails. Many of our celebrants had driven FAR to join their fellow TCS members for the day. Ballarat, Geelong, Wangaratta and Yarrawonga. Some, had even crossed the Yarra to join us…!
It was then time for our favourite photographer, Nikki McCrone to dance us into headshots. Now, for anyone, having your photo taken can be daunting. However, we all do it to help promote our businesses. It is infinitely easier to look good when you have a Bangin’ Hangings Rainbow arch behind you.
Add in a lively Hype Squad lead by our Local Leader and Celebrant Cheerleader, Dee and hilarity ensues. As does exceptional headshots. And group shots…!
After we shimmied and smiled our way through headshots we headed up to the roof of POH for an iconic Champagne Spray moment and photo. Now, keen observers of the #melbournewedding will instantly recognise this rooftop. It provides the perfect canvas for sunset wedding photos, romantic moments between just married couples….. and a gaggle of some 30 celebrants…!
Please enjoy the iconically Melbourne, clad in black group!
All too soon… it was time to say goodbye and head home.
Bellies and hearts full and with huge smiles on our faces.
A huge thank you to Meg at POH and her team for hosting and feeding us so beautifully. Nothing but gratitude for the dance moves and skills of Nikki McCrone and her cameras.
A very, very heartfelt thank you to all the celebrants and TCS members that joined Dee for our Celebrant Lunch. Dee loved your energy, your passion, your humour and friendship.
So… same time, same place next year….?
Dee x
