Rebecca & Freddy’s Family Friendly Taronga Zoo Wedding

At Rebecca and Freddy’s rehearsal, they asked me a question… they were concerned about their son Ollie making a scene during the ceremony. He wasn’t going to be with his mum and dad all morning and they were worried that as soon as he saw them he’d want to be with them.

I think they were expecting me to respond with some kind of strategy or bribery technique to get Ollie to sit still and keep quiet throughout the ceremony.

Instead I asked them, “would it be so bad if you just let him come up to you and be part of the moment?”

Of course, your ceremony is about you and you don’t want the moment interrupted by a screaming child, but often right by mum or dad’s side is the best place for a little one if you want them to be happy.

I saw a look of relief on their faces. Rebecca and Freddy actually hadn’t even thought of having Ollie with them during the ceremony (if he wanted to be).

For many people, marriage is as much about family as it is about partnership, especially if you already have children. So why not have them be part of the day? I think you’ll agree that their memories of the ceremony will be all the more precious for having Ollie as part of it. And think of all the stories they will tell Ollie as they show him the photos when he’s older.

Ollie upstaged mum and dad and kinda stole the show (in the best possible way)…

But it wasn’t all about Ollie…

Highlights from their ceremony include Freddy’s niece’s reading of Dr Seuss’ “Oh the Places You’ll Go”, a bridesmaid swooping Kookaburra, the beautiful sounds of Stephanie Grace and of course the gorgeous setting of Taronga Zoo.