"If I can't give love, kindness and gratitude to people then there's no reason for me being here."
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
With over four years of experience as an Authorised Civil Marriage Celebrant in the Mudgee region, Victoria Smith-Webb has been a regular at local weddings and during that time, identified a gap in venue offerings.
Perched up in her garden one afternoon, Mrs Smith-Webb had a 'lightbulb moment' and realised her home offered what many of the region's 'nearlyweds' desired - a small, intimate and private venue.
"When I had come into celebrancy, which was something I had always planned to do, I had many couples chatting with me about the fact they were looking for smaller, affordable venues," Mrs Smith-Webb said.
"It really came to fruition during the COVID lockdowns of 2020 and 2021. I noticed my couples, through happenstance, wanted to have smaller weddings, especially if they wanted to keep their date.
"My husband and I built here in Kellett Drive nearly 11 years ago and we are gardeners, we have established beautiful gardens here.
"I was sitting there one afternoon and said to my husband 'this would make an ideal small wedding venue, what do you think?'. He was just as excited as I was."
After welcoming her first couple to Victoria's Garden Wedding Ceremony Venue, Mrs Smith-Webb is eager to continue providing a place of elegance for couples to tie the knot.
"What I can offer is certainly the experience from a celebrant's point of view, the experience from a local's point of view and I also understand what couples are looking for on their day," she said.
"They have a private side entrance so it doesn't impact our personal living place. We've got over 30 trees here, we have roses, ornamental maples, and we have beautiful Victorian wisteria walkways.
"Adjacent to the garden, we have a very private and large sunroom which we use for brides getting ready.
"We are just chuffed to have people here to share the love and joy of marriage."
Although Victoria's Garden Wedding Ceremony Venue is held at Mrs Smith-Webb's place of residence, she said the area is council approved and compliant.
- READ MORE: Your guide to the 2021 Melbourne Cup
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: