Kirk and Normie: A Covid Elopement Story
Having been together for 8 years, Perth based wedding celebrant Kirk Goodsell (@kirkgoodsellcelebrant) and his partner Normie decided to say their “I Do’s” in an extremely intimate, yet beautiful ceremony —surrounded by 20 of their nearest and dearest including their son, Henry.
Photographer West Creative | Location Perth, W.A
“…It was a morning ceremony, followed by a lunch reception. We were drinking bubbles by the pool at 4pm, and fast asleep by 9pm!”
So, how and when did you meet?
Kirk: We met when both living in Melbourne in 2009 through the gym – I was a step aerobics instructor, and Normie came along to one of my classes! We struck up a friendship for years until one day we decided to go on a date at the end of 2012!
Tell us a little about the earlier days of your relationship...
Normie: There were lots of emails back and forth and being very unproductive at work whilst chatting!
After being friends for years, it was a natural progression going into a relationship but still very exciting and amazing.
After only 18 months together, we decided to have a child through surrogacy, so we knew we were in it for the long haul! Our son, Henry, was born in Thailand in September 2014. We then moved to Perth a year later and set up our family life here.
What does marriage mean to you?
Kirk and Normie: Everything we have worked together as a couple and family all being cumulated together into an official, legally binding union.
Let’s talk about the proposal…
Kirk: There was no proposal! Just a mutual agreement that it was time! Henry is 6 years old now, and it had been legal in Australia for a couple of years, so we had no excuse!
Ok, so when was the big day?
Thursday, 7th January 2021. It was a morning ceremony, followed by a lunch reception. We were drinking bubbles at the pool by 4pm, and fast asleep by 9pm!
Kirk and Normies story continues below ↓
What was the main influence behind your wedding day?
Kirk: Ours is another ‘Covid elopement’ story where we realised it was going to be years until we could safely plan a big wedding with interstate guests. So, in December 2020, when it looked like the borders were opening and Normie’s mother and step-father could come from Melbourne to Perth for Christmas, we decided to get married whilst they were in town! Seeing as I have been a wedding celebrant for 13 years, organising a wedding in 5 weeks was a breeze! But it was with a huge amount of support from our fabulous vendors (friends!)
We really wanted something low-key, intimate and simple. We chose a venue 10 minutes from our house, so logistically, it was easy. We had a morning ceremony because we’ve never been a big fan of the whole waiting around all day thing. Followed by a ‘pub’ lunch in a private section where everyone could order whatever they desired! Someone had ribs, someone had a burger, someone had pasta – it really felt just like a low-key lunch with 20 of our closest family and friends. I can certainly appreciate and love the big weddings that I work at most weekends, but it’s not always what you want for yourself when you do it for a living.
Where did you find the bulk of your inspiration?
Normie: Probably from Kirk’s 13 years experience in the industry!
How did you choose your suppliers?
Kirk: We put complete trust in our vendors. We knew that they knew us and would produce what we wanted. And that’s what I advise my own couples – pick the right vendors and give them your trust – that’s our job!
Any standout suppliers?
Kirk: The most important thing for us was that our ceremony was officiated by our very close friend Dilhari at Kiss Me You Fool, who is known around the country for not just being a fantastic celebrant, but the most beautiful person. We really didn’t care what she said; we knew it would be perfect.
Did you incorporate any family traditions or heirlooms?
Normie: We gifted our son a gold necklace given to Kirk from his late grandma. However, kids are unpredictable, and the plan was to put it on Henry during the ceremony. But, he didn’t want to put it on!! Made for a few laughs and great photos!!
What was the most challenging thing about planning your wedding?
Kirk: The Covid announcements/postponements. But, it’s the new normal now, isn’t it?! I think for anyone planning a wedding you just have to be prepared for anything. You have to be resilient and keep the bigger picture in perspective.
Where did you spend your honeymoon?
Normie: The Crown (not many options with Covid). We had our son, so it was more of a family moon, but it was also school holidays, so we shared it with every other family in Perth too!!
Any advice for other couples planning their day and finding it difficult to navigate the journey?
Kirk and Normie: If you pick the right vendors, your wedding planning and day will be a dream. Honestly.
Kirk and Normie’s Team
Photographer West Creative
Videographer Folktales
Venue Tradewinds Hotel
Flowers Wallflower
Cake The Cake and I
Celebrant Dilhari at Kiss Me You Fool
Makeup Elicia Rose
Jewellery Nordhoff Jewellery
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