Melissa & Toby Keighran

Melissa Ellard married Toby Keighran at the beautiful St Agnes Anglican Church at Grange, Adelaide, South Australia. Their most cherished family and friends filled the quaint 125 year old stone church. After a week of heavy rainfall the sun came out in all its glory and it was a perfect winters day. Melissa was walked down the aisle by her father, Gary, with the flower girls and page boys leading the way. It was truly a beautiful and emotional family moment.

Bridesmaid were Lisa Adams (Maid of Honour), Kylie Hann (Melissa's sister), and Zoe McCormack. Flower girls were nieces Charlotte & Alyssa Hann.

Groomsmen were Jim Zerella (Best Man), Paul Hart, and Craig Bonnett. Page boys were nephews Isaac and Fergus Keighran

Her dress came from Asha's Bridal on Waterloo, Glenelg, SA and featured white luxurious matt duchess bridal satin, adorned with white and clear cut crystal beading, full pick-up skirt with diamond shaped embelishments in centre og each pick-up.

The wedding cars were 1960 Vanden Plas Princess Limosines supplied by Cavalier Classic Cars.

The Reception was held at The Stamford Grand Glenelg Grand Ballroom where over a hundred well wishers celebrated their union. The theme was Black & White, simple elegance as they wanted a romantic feel so the tables were decorated with black candelabras and surrounding candles. Each guest received silver chocolate hearts and a silver spoon engraved with "Melissa & Toby". The guests enjoyed canapes in the foyer prior to being seated for a gourmet three course meal. After early speeches Toby and Melissa surprised the guests with a choreographed foxtrot which they had spent 12 weeks rehearsing. At the conclusion of the wedding dance the guests were speechless or in tears as Toby was well known for dancing not being his forte.

The cake was a three tiered white chocolate and cointreau mud cake, with white butter cream, decorated with black sugar roses and diamentes. Created by Cake Stories, Unley, South Australia.

How did the they meet?

They met eight years ago through a mutual friend and just clicked.  However, remained friends for three years before things got serious.    A group of us were at the same friend's holiday house at Victor Harbor, South Australia for a weekend away when fate played a big helping hand in bringing them together.  Mel bumped her head on a wooden bunkbead nearly knocking herself out and so someone had to rub it better, and that person just happened to be Toby. The rest is history!!

How did Toby propose?

Five years after their first date, Toby, an avid fisherman took Mel fishing at his favourite remote fishing spot, Gleeson's landing Yorke Penninsula.   After watching a beautiful sunset on the beach Toby proposed with a ring he'd hidden in his tackle box.  It was so romantic and such an unexpected surprise.  Melissa just sat in his arms and couldn't stop crying, so much Toby had to wait a few minutes for an answer.  It was just perfect.  Toby's says that the only improvement would have been if he'd caught a 50 pound mulloway (fish) on the beach that night!!  

Melissa's Advice for Future Brides

You need to be organised.  I had everything confirmed three weeks before and took the pressure off.  Take in and enjoy every moment, I remember every aspect of our wedding day and and the day felt like it went on forever.  Choose what you want!  Its your wedding!