Love is in the air: a surprise High Country wedding

Call it the rarefied atmosphere of the alpine environment or whatever you like, but love certainly blossoms in the High Country, inspiring declarations of love and devotion. Two individuals celebrating their first St Valentine’s Day as a married couple are Frankie (née Leigh) and Wayne Lamb from Tweed Heads, NSW, who were wed on January 2 in a joyful ceremony. According to local tourism operator Hidden Trails by Horseback, “We headed off on what Frankie thought was a half-day ride over Mt Stirling, only to be surprised and greeted by her close friends and family, and a celebrant at the summit of Mt Stirling.” Presiding over the happy nuptials was Wangaratta marriage celebrant Cheryl Warry. “Frankie, who proposed to Wayne, knew she was getting married in 2025 but not when,” said Cheryl. The couple were joined by Frankie’s best friend, Katie Reid, who she describes as her chosen sister, and Wayne’s sister, Karina Lamb, on the horse ride to the top with Laura Hayes and her three-member team from Hidden Trails. “When Frankie got to the summit, which is stunning, and saw the people, she kept saying ‘Oh my God.’ She was so happy,” Cheryl said. A table had been set up for the celebrant and another for champagne and cheese for the 13 guests who made the trek up the mountain with local tourism operator Steve Marshall from Four-Wheel-Drive High Country Scenic Tours. Someone had the foresight to ensure a change of clothes for the bride. Due to a communication mix-up, Steve drove past the celebrant, who was waiting near the Mirimbah gantry gates for a lift to the summit, which was not helped by the lack of mobile phone signal. Cheryl laughs about it now, and thankfully, someone came to the rescue to ensure the wedding went ahead. The North East celebrant was recommended to Wayne by the Hayes, who not only operate Hidden Trails but also accommodation venue Stirling Homestead near Mansfield, where Cheryl had conducted the first wedding there. Originally a “Port boy” from Melbourne, Wayne said he met NSW-born Frankie more than two years ago at Club Tweed during a game of barefoot bowls. There was a brief meeting earlier, but it was in February 2022 when Wayne knew he had discovered the love of his life. “It was when Frankie did a commando roll down the green that I knew that Frankie was my kind of person and she was a keeper,” he said. Their first proper date was a trip to the local surf club, followed by a Chinese meal where Wayne managed to steal a cheeky kiss. The celebrant shared the story of the proposal. “It wasn’t marked by grand gestures or extravagant celebrations but by the simple, profound act of choosing each other in the midst of life’s greatest challenges," she said. “Put quite simply, Frankie asked, and Wayne said yes.” “It grew from there, and it was a second marriage for both of us,” said Wayne. When he saw the business name for the celebrant, Once Bitten Twice Smitten, Wayne knew Cheryl was the ideal person to conduct the secret ceremony. “I loved the High Country and knew Frankie loved horses, so I Googled Hidden Trails,” he said of a plan that was hatched more than a year and a half ago. “I kept the secret but had to tell Frankie we were going to Mansfield." Frankie’s love of horses included 30 years living in England, where she competed in three-day eventing. “I knew he was the one,” said Frankie, describing the wedding day as “perfect” and “beautiful.” “There is nothing these two love more than spending time together," said Cheryl. "They love travelling, swimming, eating, and spending time with you, their family and friends. “No matter what it is, they are at their happiest when they are together. “When I asked Wayne what it is that he loves about Frankie for him to choose to spend the rest of his life with her, he had no hesitation in telling me that, aside from being beautiful and his best friend, Frankie is the most selfless and unique person he knows, putting others before herself. “I then sourced the same of Frankie, and she said that Wayne is her soulmate. They both value each other and share the same values.” Guests heard how Wayne always puts others before himself, is an incredible cook and housekeeper, and how Frankie loves the care he has for others. “She is inspired by his emotional and mental strength, and with him, she feels safe and secure because of the journey they have both been on,” said Cheryl. "Wayne makes her feel like she is the most important person in his world, and Frankie can’t imagine her life without him in it." When the couple exchanged their vows, Frankie managed to share her feelings with words she quickly put together to express her love for Wayne. Here is an extract: “Lamby, this ring is a symbol of how you got me wrapped around your finger with those blue eyes. “This next chapter is called we deserve this. "Life hasn’t always been easy for either of us, but we both are totally in agreement that we are learning how to love and how to love correctly. “I see our days going forward filled with laughing together, even on the hardest days. "Celebrating each other's dreams as if they were our own. "We will hold on to each other, through every storm and on our many, many days of perfect sunshine. “Now comes the part of what I can promise you. I will support your bad habits, as long as they don't involve illegal activity or endanger my safety. "I will love you unconditionally, even when you leave the toilet seat up. "I promise to love you even when you snore like a freight train. "I promise to love you even when you leave your wet towel on the bed. "I promise to never go to bed angry with you, even though sometimes I'll want to kill you in your sleep. “But most of all, I promise just me as I am. "I love you, and thank you for just being you." The newlyweds were driven back down the mountain to Stirling Homestead, where they and the guests were staying, and treated to a “beautiful camp oven dinner.” Family and guests travelled from Tweed Heads, Sydney, Wagga, and Gundagai for the occasion, said Wayne. Frankie and Wayne are so thankful to Laura and her team for looking after them so well and to everyone else involved who made it a day to remember. The happy couple are travelling around the state in their caravan. And yes, bowls still plays a part, with Frankie telling us that Wayne has timed the trip away to play with his Tweed Heads Club at a competition at the Echuca Bowls Club. Lastly, does Cheryl have any pearls of wisdom for those entering into marriage? “I always say relationships are not just about someone you can live with, it’s about someone you can’t live without,” she said.

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