Wedding at Newtown House Hotel
- emmalynnestaley
- Jan 22
- 6 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
Toni and Vikki’s wedding vow renewal was always destined to be a true celebration! After ten wonderful years of marriage, these two incredible women decided it was time to throw the party they missed the first time around. What better way to honour a decade of love than by renewing their vows surrounded by all their closest friends and family?
From the very first moment Toni and Vikki got in touch, I knew their day was going to be something truly special. Our initial Zoom call ran over time, filled with laughter, big happy smiles, and their wonderfully chatty nature. I left that call feeling reassured that I was going to get along brilliantly with these two lovely ladies—and their day didn’t disappoint!
The Morning Energy, Surprises, and a Little White Lie
When I arrived, I was greeted by Vikki, who was full of energy and soaking up a rare moment of peace. The kids were downstairs enjoying breakfast with Toni and the rest of the gang, giving her a brief chance to catch her breath. But that calm wouldn’t last for long!
As I set off to find the ceremony room, I bumped into Toni outside with her uncle. She looked a little nervous—and was still in her pyjamas. Well, it was an early start, after all! We headed to the rehearsal together, led by the amazing celebrant Mandi, and I had my first encounter with a rather charming owl. I’ll admit it—I was a bit nervous about capturing this magnificent bird in flight. The aisle was quite short, and the timing had to be just right to catch it mid-flight. No pressure, then!
While chatting with Vikki earlier, I’d asked if there were any surprises I should know about. She let me in on a cheeky plan she’d orchestrated to prank Toni, and I was sworn to secrecy. Vikki had arranged for one of her very close (and very manly) male friends to dress up in a white dress and trick Toni into thinking she was having her first look with her bride-to-be. To make things even more convincing, Vikki had been telling Toni all along that she didn’t want a first look at all.
Now, I am absolutely terrible at lying, but I had to play along and convince Toni that this “first look” was all my idea and that I’d somehow managed to persuade Vikki to go along with it. Let’s just say I had to channel my inner Pinocchio for this one!
When the moment came, the look on Toni’s face was priceless. The pictures of her reaction are absolutely hilarious, and I think even Toni would agree the prank was worth every second of the deception.
I think it’s safe to say Toni took the prank well—after the initial shock, of course! The laughter and light-heartedness set the tone for what was shaping up to be a truly special day. But with all the trickery behind us, it was time to focus on the finishing touches.
Amidst the final flurry of preparations, Toni and Vikki shared a “first touch.” It was such a sweet and intimate moment, with their hands gently meeting on either side of the door. What made it even more magical was their beautiful daughter, Elizabeth, watching on with a big smile. It was one of those moments that felt so genuine, full of love, and perfectly captured what the day was all about—family, connection, and celebrating the journey they’ve shared together.
Got to Love a first look with mum and dad too!
A Ceremony Filled with Laughter, Tears, and Magic
Once everyone had gathered at the top of the aisle, it was time for the ceremony to begin. The atmosphere was immediately warmed by the wonderful celebrant, Mandi, who truly captured everyone’s hearts. Her deep familiarity with Toni and Vikki was evident in the way she shared sweet, meaningful, and personal stories about the couple. You could tell that Mandi isn’t just any celebrant—she clearly takes the time to get to know her couples, and it made all the difference.
The ceremony was a perfect blend of emotions, from heartfelt laughter to happy tears. Every word spoken resonated with the love and commitment Toni and Vikki have shared over the past ten years. It was a truly magical moment, with their friends and family fully immersed in the joy of the occasion.
Majestic Moments and Unique Touches
Thank goodness I managed to capture that majestic owl in flight—it was such a spectacular part of the ceremony! Toni and Vikki had planned a truly personal and meaningful celebration, incorporating both a sand blending ritual and a handfasting ceremony.
Before the ceremony began, each guest was invited to add a pinch of sand to a jar, symbolising their love and support for the couple. I thought this was such a beautiful touch, creating a tangible reminder of the day and the people who mean so much to them. The handfasting, with its intricate binding of ribbons, was equally moving, symbolising the strength of their bond as they renewed their vows.
These thoughtful rituals, combined with the laughter and love in the room, made for an unforgettable ceremony that perfectly reflected Toni and Vikki’s relationship and the importance of their community.
Adapting to the Day: Family Formals at Newton House Hotel
Unfortunately, the grass in the gardens was too wet to use for the family photos, but that didn’t stop us! We made the most of the beautiful entrance at Newton House Hotel, which provided the perfect backdrop for those all-important family formals.
The entrance had a lovely charm to it, and it worked wonderfully to capture the love and connections between Toni, Vikki, and their families. Sometimes, a little flexibility on the day leads to creative solutions—and these photos turned out just as special as they would have in the garden!
Short, Sweet, and Full of Fun: The Speeches
The speeches were kept short and sweet, but they were packed with fun and laughter—just as I’d expect from Toni and Vikki’s incredible day! Each word felt heartfelt and genuine, with plenty of light-hearted moments that had everyone smiling and chuckling along.
It was the perfect way to keep the energy high and set the tone for the evening celebrations ahead.
A Post-Dinner Surprise (for Me!): Cool Cars and Big Smiles
After some delicious food, I was caught completely off guard when these amazing vehicles made an appearance! I had no idea they were part of the day, and I have to say—they were pretty cool!
The cars belonged to none other than Mandi, their wonderful celebrant, and Gary. It was such a fun addition to the celebrations, and while I might not know the make or model, I could tell they added a unique and stylish touch to the day. Toni and Vikki were absolutely beaming, and it made for some brilliant photo opportunities!
Balcony Magic: From Grey Skies to Dramatic Portraits
After a quick meet-and-greet with the evening guests, I whisked Toni and Vikki away for a quiet moment on the balcony. The skies were grey and uninspiring, but I knew these two deserved something truly special for their big day. That’s where a little creativity—and my off-camera flash—came into play!
With a bit of knowledge and a touch of magic, we transformed the scene into something dramatic and stunning. Can you believe the two portraits were taken just minutes apart? It’s moments like these that remind me how much I love creating something extraordinary out of the ordinary.
We were then entertained by a delightful game of Mr. and Mrs. hosted by the amazing Mandi, filled with laughter and playful teasing. Afterward, we moved directly to the cake cutting in preparation for the first dance. Fortunately, everything was meticulously organised by Vikki with military precision.
Once the first dances concluded, it was time to unwind and enjoy the dance floor!
Of course, there were sparklers! Toni and Vikki ensured that every detail was perfect for their special day.
Attempting to keep up with these TikTok trends... Lord, help me haha
I concluded the evening by taking a few more photos with close friends, followed by a large group picture filled with vibrant colors and even more singing! HEY, WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU!!!! You simply had to be there; it was the perfect way to wrap up the day!
To view more of Toni and Vikki's day at Newtown House Hotel, simply click the link below!
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