By LIA SPENCER
“IT’S magical.”
That’s how Ron Gallagher’s sums up two of his passions in life – entertaining audiences with a range of tricks and marrying two people deeply in love.
The Narre Warren man often combines his magician background with his celebrant work – making weddings extremely individual.
And it’s for this reason that Mr Gallagher and his business ‘Your Celebrant’ was recently honoured at the 15th Victorian Annual Bridal Industry Awards (ABIAs) earlier this month.
On Tuesday, 7 May, Mr Gallagher joined 350 of Victoria’s finest wedding suppliers at the prestigious Leonda by the Yarra to celebrate Achievement in Excellence at the ABIA’s.
The event attracted more than 6000 past brides who rated their best wedding suppliers based on the quality of product, quality of service, value for money and attitude of staff. A total of 281 suppliers across 39 wedding categories qualified as finalists for the ABIA Awards.
Chairman of the ABIA John O’ Meara congratulated Mr Gallagher on the achievement as a finalist in The Wedding Celebrant category.
Mr O’ Meara said Mr Gallagher should be extremely proud of this achievement as it was businesses like ‘Your Celebrant – Ron Gallagher’ which complimented and elevated the wedding industry with attention to detail and the pride, passion and professional manner in which the wedding product was delivered to the bridal customer.
Mr Gallagher said he was thrilled to be a finalist in the awards.
“I have been a finalist for the past three years and it’s great to be recognised,” he said.
“I have been a celebrant at over 100 weddings.”
Mr Gallagher said there were many similarities between the two jobs as it both were “magical” but said the focus changes from being on him while doing magic, to on the couple during the wedding.
“I love creating the story for the couple that makes it truly unique to them. It’s encrafting their unique stories and putting their personalities in the story. The focus is very much on them,” he said.
“But sometimes at the end of the ceremony I make a bottle of wine appear before I present them as a couple!”
For more information on the Australian Bridal Industry Academy visit www.abia.com.au and for more information on Mr Gallagher and his business visit www.yourcelebrant.com.au.
