G N I R P S
A MODERN ROMANCE Photographed by: Alyce & Colette
6 ECLECTIC EASE Photographed by: Adam Ward Photography
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LA ROBE DE MARIÉE C H R I S A N D A N N A’ S ENGAGEMENT Photographed by: Kait Photography
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Photographed by: Maan Creative
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Contents EDITION 9 | SPRING
FROM THE EDITOR
CODE
GROOM
SHAUN & HANNAH’S
Madison Bryers
How to wear it.
Their Story
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A DIAMOND IS
SARAH AND LONG
RUTH AND JORDAN
Three steps to the perfect ring
Their wedding
Their wedding
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AMELIA AND SAM
J E N N I F E R A N D G AV I N
SEE YOURSELF IN
Their wedding
Their wedding
How
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FOREVER
ENGAGEMENT
THIS MAGAZINE
FROM T H E E DITOR Madison Bryers
Spring is here! Gardens are starting to bloom again, the birds are chirping earlier in the morning - and, if you listen closely - you can hear the cogs whirring in the brain’s of boyfriends planning the perfect proposal... That’s right, engagement season is upon us! When Britta approached me to take on Brisbane Wedding Weekly whilst she was on maternity leave, I was nervous, excited and a little bit daunted. One thing she didn’t tell me, was the absolute wealth of Brisbane-based talent I would get to work with along the way - and how much fun it would be! In this issue, we sat down with Diamondport’s Ashley Port to get the lowdown on how best to choose the perfect ring (page 46). Ryan Fisher from Black Jacket Suiting helps us decode men’s wedding dress codes (page 36) and we had an amazing time sourcing some beautiful bridal gowns for our La Robe De Mariee editorial (page 18). As always, we have some stunning real weddings and styled shoots to inspire your own wedding - don’t forget to click through to enquire directly with our community of incredible wedding vendors.
Love Madison
RECENTLY ON THE BLOG...
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A MODERN ROMANCE Photographer: Alyce & Colette
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Cake: Cake Tart Food: My Food Picnic
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Bow Tie:
WOOD & BEAU
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Venue:
Forget Me Not
Decor Stylist: Willow Tree Creative Florals: Wedding Flowers by Julia Rose Ceramics: Kim Wallace Ceramics
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Fashion Stylist: The Fashionable Gypsy Hair & Makeup: The Beauty Case Models: Celeste Belle Bridal Gown: Karen Willis Holmes
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The End 16
Forget Me Not Farm is in a truly beautiful and spectacular country location near the heritage town of Bangalow. It is a very private and tranquil setting made even more special by its extensive prize winning gardens and gorgeous settings for an outdoor ceremony.
Phone: (02) 6687 2272 • Mobile: 0435 205 053 forgetmenotweddings.com.au • contact@forgetmenotweddings.com.au
MAAN CREATIVE PHOTOGRAPHY Maan Creative, from the beginning to the end of your day, are the ever present documenters, the unseen collectors, and stylistic re-tellers of the joy, sacredness and celebration that your marriage affords you. The importance and imminence of the collection of these moments embed every consultation, every shot, and every edit. www.maancreative.com
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LA ROBE DE MARIﾃ右 photographed by maan creative
w h i t e l i l y c o u t u r e | e r i n c l a r e c o u t u r e | elizabeth de varga | flowers . the copper poppy | jewellery . white lily couture | m a k e u p . the skin & beauty suite | hair . ashleigh thomas | styling . madison br yers | model . monica daley
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pronovias praerie gown . marissa lace veil . white lily couture
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amelia . erin clare couture makeup . the skin & beauty suite hair . ashleigh thomas
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OP H E L IA Elizabeth De Varga
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flowers . the copper poppy jeweller y . chysalini from white lily couture
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AMBER
Erin Clare Couture
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flowers . the copper poppy jeweller y . chysalini from white lily couture
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WILLOW erin clare couture
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G I NA erin clare couture
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X pronovias lary gown . white lily couture
CODE GROOM Are you trying to set the dress code for your wedding? It’s a daunting task, particularly for your groom. You and your significant other are the stars of the day, so choose your dress code based on your personality. Not sure what it all actually means? Don’t fear! We, along with Ryan Fisher from Black Jacket Suiting, have created a nifty guide on deconstructing and decoding the most popular dress codes for Grooms attire.
BLACK TIE For extravagant weddings with a sense of grandeur and elegance only black tie will do. The most formal and traditional of all the dress codes, black tie unequivocally indicates that a tuxedo is to be worn. How to wear it. The traditional black tie tuxedo has satin lapels and a satin stripe down the outside seam of each pant leg. The jacket must be worn buttoned up, and is of a slightly lighter material than lounge suits. Traditionally they have a single button, but double-button and even double-breasted versions are increasingly popular. The pants sit higher than regular suit pants, and a cummerbund or waistcoat is worn to hide the waistband. The classic look involves a shirt with a pleated front, button studs and a wing collar. A black silk bow tie, white pocket square and pair of black patent Oxford shoes complete the look. With such a restricting and specific dress code and can seem impossible to make the look your own, but Ryan explain that this isn’t the case, “These days, you can get away with many variations on this theme, unless you’re going to a seriously traditional event. In place of a tuxedo, your slim-fitting dark blue or black suit can be worn buttoned up with a bow tie and white pocket square. Moreover, the bow tie can be swapped for a black silk necktie. Avoid shoes that are not black, highly polished leather and in the interest of good taste, we advise against any novelty bow ties or waistcoats.” Rent or Buy it “Some may argue that every man needs a tuxedo in his wardrobe,” says Ryan “however, the infrequent nature of black tie events means that renting is the most popular choice. However, make sure to plan well in advance and ensure that your hired suit fits well.”
St fit Bl in
till searching for you perfect t? Let Ryan and the team at lack Jacket suiting point you the right direction. SUBSCRIBE | www.brisbaneweddingweekly.com.au
CODE GROOM Image courtesy of Black Jacket Suiting
COCKTAIL Men struggle with defining exactly what this dress code means. Is it a suit? Is it a blazer and trousers? Is anything cocktail attire, as long as you have a cocktail in your hand whilst wearing it? Even if you don’t suit up in cocktail attire for your own wedding, it’s inevitable that you will one day as a guest.
simple, polished black or dark brown oxford is the most obvious choice, there is flexibility to wear a formal loafer or a buckled monk strap shoe if you want to make a bigger statement. An imperative rule for staying sleek and stylish in this attire it is to never attempt to dress down your suit with a t-shirt, jeans or casual footwear or you could risk falling into the Smart Casual category.
How to wear it. According to Ryan the best thing about cocktail attire is that there are no strict rules, allowing your individual style and creativity to run wild. However, cocktail generally means a tie and jacket are necessary.These days cocktail attire has more room for your own flare, Ryan’s view is that as long as your suit is well tailored, it is not imperative to wear the standard black, navy or grey suit and instead, instead you can let your personality shine with a textured or bright jacket. A slim fit burgundy velvet jacket or a textured grey wool-cashmere blend suit are two unexpected, yet incredibly stylish with trendy extras such as a tiepin, unusual cufflinks, coloured or patterned socks or even a silk pocket square.When it comes to choosing your shoes a
Rent or Buy it? Investing in a quality suit is, according to Ryan, irrefutable and with correct care, will last for many years. It is probable that you will wear this attire on numerous occasions in your life, making a well fitted suit a great investment piece for every man’s wardrobe. Ryan talks us through what to consider when purchasing this vital wardrobe staple, “The most versatile option is a navy or black two-button, single-breasted suit in a fabric that matches your lifestyle and the climate you will be wearing it in. Invest in the best possible suit within your budget and have it tailored to fit better and avoid any old-fashioned, boxy cuts.”
" . . . T H E B E S T T H I N G A B O U T C O C K TA I L AT T I R E I S T H AT THERE ARE NO STRICT RULES, ALLOWING YOUR INDIVIDUAL S T Y L E A N D C R E AT I V I T Y T O R U N W I L D . . . "
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CODE.GROOM Image courtesy of Black Jacket Suiting
Is it smart or is it casual? This dress code is vague, confusing SMART and completely open to interpretation. Even Wikipedia describes the concept as ‘ill-defined’. With that in mind, this contrasting obstacle of a dress code blends both formal and informal notions into one neat package. But with everything in life, you must find and achieve a perfect balance. Ryan explains his rule of thumb to take a cue from the name itself and opt for smart first and casual second,” If in doubt, stick to the smart side of the style spectrum to be safe. As the age-old saying goes ‘It is better to be overdressed than underdressed’. How to wear it. HO Smart casual allows for the most creativity and individuality from the wearer, “A neutral blazer complements many looks, however, a statement blazer in a bright colour or pattern can also be the focal point of your entire outfit,” Ryan says. A single-colour or small-patterned shirt is the next building block in your smart-casual look, which can easily be worn underneath a blazer or on its own with the sleeves nonchalantly rolled to the elbows. In keeping with the casual aspect of the dress code, leave a few of the top buttons to ooze that relaxed vibe. Dependent on the occasion, t-shirts are also perfectly acceptable under the smart casual dress code, however, stick with white, grey or black basics. Nevertheless, ties and bow ties are optional, but never hurt, and a classic pair of sunglasses always completes your entire look.”
Ryan believes Chinos (in the pant and shorts C A S U A L both variety) are the epitome of smart casual dressing, seamlessly blending the two concepts together. Jeans are also acceptable as long as they are well-fitted and in a dark wash with no rips or embellishments. Additionally, your shoe options are virtually limitless when dressing for this attire, with some popular option including suede loafers, boat shoes, boots, oxfords and Converse sneakers. Rent or Buy it Smart casual lends itself to mixing and matching the existing pieces in your wardrobe, making it unnecessary for rental. If you find that your collection is lacking, firstly aim to invest in high quality basics (t-shirts, collared shirts, chino trousers) staples for every man’s wardrobe. Once you have nailed the foundations, Ryan suggests incorporate some ‘trendier’ items, with loud prints and unusual colours to ensure you are the best dressed at every occasion. We always say to brides that you should look and feel like yourself on your wedding day, only the very best version of yourself however we often forget to apply the same rule to the groom. So remember whether smart casual, black tie, rented or purchased, this is your big day, make your attire your own.
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Shaun & Ha n n a h’s Engagement Photographed by Maan Creative
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H
ow did he propose? On a park bench after a walk. What does marriage mean to you? Making a lifelong commitment to Shaun before God, family and friends. Do you have a theme for your wedding in mind? What about colours? Simple and classic. Black and White. Wedding dress ideas? Soft and simple with a bit of sparkle. Dream wedding location? Somewhere with city lights. Honeymoon Ideas? Somewhere with lots of good wineries. Did you have an engagement party? We only had a 14 week engagement until the big day, so we ran out of time for an engagement party! Who was your photographer? Eleni Van Maanen [Maan Creative]First date? She says: I was so nervous! I didn’t stop talking! He says: She talked more than anyone else I have ever known (laughs). The thing you love most about each other? She says: He has an ability to stay calm through trying situations and he mellows me out when I am uptight. Usually with hugs and an instant solution.He says: How can I just I pick one thing? The proposal? He says: Oh. No I don’t want to talk about that.She says: (laughs) He was so nervous! Although he was very sweet and the ring he gave me was amazing and he chose it all by himself. On wedding planning? He says: Hannah has done an amazing job, I left the creative side to her. She says: Planning a wedding in three months let’s just say is challenging although it is exciting because from the get go it is so close. The big day? He says: I am excited, should be good. She says: I cannot wait! The last few months have been a rollercoaster so it will be nice to enjoy the day and see how all the preparations fall into place.
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A D I A M O ND I S F OREV ER T
So yes, one of the most common practices today stems
he exchange of rings to symbolise a promise of marriage between two people is a practice that dates right back to Ancient Egypt. However, today’s custom of the man proposing with a diamond is a relatively new phenomenon that emerged in the 1940s. Up until the late 1800s, diamonds were rarely found so they were reserved for royalty and aristocrats, but the 1870 discovery of large diamond mines in South Africa caused the stone to become more popular amongst the masses. It wasn’t until De Beers’ famous 1948 advertisement for engagement rings though that diamonds took on the meaning of eternal love thanks to the slogan, “A Diamond is Forever.”
from a lucrative marketing campaign decades ago, but you cannot deny though the importance that we associate with diamonds. For that reason, picking the ring to propose with is a meaningful step for couples. Ashley Portas, director of boutique diamond jeweller Diamondport says that, “The first step for most people is to choose the engagement ring they are going to propose with, before they even start to plan anything else wedding-related. It symbolises the start of the process and is an important purchase which lasts a lifetime.” Over his eight years in the business, Ashley has developed a sure-fire method to help nervous grooms-to-be pick the perfect ring.
Diamondport | www.diamondport.com.au Address: Suite 402, Level 4, 180 Queen Street, Brisbane 4001 | By Appointment Only
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THE BUDGET
THE DIAMOND
THE RING
Traditionally, men were expected to spend two to three months’ salary on an engagement ring. These days, it’s widely accepted for the groom to just spend as much as he feels comfortable with. This is the first thing you must decide as it will allow you to go to the jeweller with a clear restrictions that will then help the jeweller provide the best quality diamond possible. You might end up sacrificing a little more than you originally thought to get the perfect ring, but make sure you stay realistic throughout the entire process and don’t be afraid to shop around.
There are four main things to keep in mind when shopping for diamonds: cut, carat, clarity, and colour. The cut of the diamond is the most obvious aspect and there are a wide variety of options that cater to all different tastes. Take a look at your partner’s existing jewellery and see if there’s a particular shape they like! Ashley says that Cushion and Pear cuts are both very popular at the moment. You can also look into coloured gem stones for a slightly cheaper alternative – they’re a little bit quirky but are becoming very popular amongst celebrities at the moment.
The most common metal is white gold, but the best option is to again look at your partner’s jewellery and see what colour they like and that flatters their skin tone. It’s also a good idea to recruit your partner’s friend to do some snooping for you! Diamondport specialise in designing rings that reflect one’s personality, so Ashley says that, “[he’ll] ask the client all sorts of questions about their partner, including what their clothing style is like, what hobbies they are into, where they shop and what their personality is like.” This ensures that the Diamondport experts help you design a ring that is absolutely perfect.
With these steps in mind, Ashley assures that there is a 99.9% success rate for grooms. Now all you have to do you is decide how to propose and turn the “will you?” into “I do!”
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ECLECTIC EASE P H O T O S B Y A D A M WA R D P H O T O G R A P H Y
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HAIR & MAKEUP
T I A R A B R I D A L A RT I S T RY
MODELS
CA R A-LEE W I ES E & DA RCY THOMSON
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VENUE
JUSTIN LANE
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FLORALS
M I SSY LA’B ELLE
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STYLIST
LOVE STRUCK WEDDINGS
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BRIDAL GOWN
B E G I T TA
SUIT
URBANNA
CELEBRANT
B E N J A M I N C A R LY L E
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Sarah and Long PHOTOGRAPHED BY KAIT PHOTOGRAPHY
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rom the beginning...Long: Sarah was never really interested in dating
so I knew I had one night to make her fall head over heels so I combined everything I knew about romance all into one night. It worked didn’t it?! Sarah: Our first date was pure magic. Long took me to a picnic on the top of a waterfall, followed by a bushwalk, dinner, gelato and star gazing. We spent hours lying on the bonnet of his car staring at the stars talking about theology, life and our dreams of changing the world.
The proposal...‘Long took me on a journey of our memorable date spots around Brisbane, giving me a red rose at each different location. At sunset we ended up at the location of our first datea secluded lookout on the top of Mount Glorious. It was there he gave me the last rose and got down on one knee and proposed. This was followed by a 6 course dinner at Sono, Portside – our favourite Japanese restaurant. It was absolutely beautiful!’ - Sarah
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the wedding planning Long: Honestly- I did nothing. Sarah was in charge of all wedding plans. Sarah: To be honest, I was definitely a lazy bride. My motto was: simplistic beauty with a bit of a rustic twist. I didn’t get caught up in the little details so everything ran pretty smoothly.
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her on him I love Long’s strength of character, faith and his unconditional hugs. Also his cheeks and neck- honestly, they are amazing.
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him on her I love everything about Sarah but most of all her overwhelming kindness for others.
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the BI
Long: Full of fun, love and family. D Sarah: My wedding day will for It was simple, fun and fille
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IG day
Definitely the best day of our lives. rever be the best day of my life. ed with a whole lot of love.
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a special moment Long: Seeing Sarah walk down the aisle, she was breathtaking. Sarah: A unique moment would have to be my friend Emily’s wedding rap. She is a skinny white girl who carved up the dance floor and smashed out the most amazing personalised wedding rap. If on youtube it would definitely go viral!!
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Ceremony: Toowong Baptist Church | Reception: Walkabout Creek | Wedding Gown: Wendy Makin Bridal | Bridesmaid Dresses: Review | Suits: Custom| Flowers: Francesca’s Flowers | Hair: Lara Holmes | Makeup: Nikita Pere | Photobooth: The Photobooth Guys | Photography: Kait Photography
Photographed by Light and Shade Photography
Ruth And Jordan The Proposal It was December 21st. Jordan had told me to be ready at 6:00pm exact, that he would pick me up and take me to dinner at one of our favourite restaurants. I’d been at work all day and was absolutely clueless that this was anything more than what he’d described, just a Saturday night out before we flew to see my family in Sydney the next day. At 6:00pm a white Audi A6 pulled up in the drive with two of Jordan’s best friends in the front seat, they were blasting tacky 80’s love songs and forced me to put on a blindfold. They drove me around for a long time, I had no clear idea where I was though I strongly suspected that we were somewhere in the city. All of a sudden we pulled up and my passenger door opened, someone took my hand and led me out of the car. I was led like this, blindfolded and questioning an unspeaking Jordan. He sat me down and removed my blindfold to reveal a beautifully arranged small table in the Strauss café. His friend, the owner manager Oliver Strauss, had opened up shop especially to prepare and serve a meal for us. Sarah Vaughn and Chet Faker played softly in the background, soft candlelight lit up beautiful café. All other tables were packed down and most of the shelves empty, as it had not yet opened to the public. After an incredible dinner Jordan had gotten up to check on the dessert with Oliver. I remember hearing Frank Sinatra’s “Moon River” come on, just a little bit loud. Jordan returned and rested a hand on my neck, then leant down to kiss me on the cheek. I felt something move behind me and turning to look I saw Jordan on one knee beside me with an open ring box in hand. He asked me to marry him on the spot, I said yes and we danced to the last few bars of Moon River.
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bridal advice Focus on what you and your future partner want the day to look like and then work towards making that happen! Don’t lose sight of the marriage when your planning your wedding, when you think about budgeting for your big day take a moment to consider what you’re investing into each other. It’s utterly pointless to spend everything on a wedding if it means letting your relationship deteriorate.
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him on her I love her dizzying intellect, fierce loyalty, uncompromising and unyielding sense of justice.
her on him I love his love and compassion for everyone he comes into contact with, his loyalty, his decisiveness and his creativity.
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first date Ruth: Pastries and coffee, followed by dinner, followed by dessert, followed by getting caught walking in the rain and ending up soaking wet (seriously). It was so unintentionally clichÊ that we were laughing by the end. Jordan: A three hour coffee date that kind of just evolved as we realised that we really didn’t want to say goodnight. I remember walking in the drizzling rain along the water in Southbank and Ruth just kind of grabbed onto my hand. It was bloody romantic and unexpected.
the big day was... Ruth: Perfect. Jordan: OVERWHELMING
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marriag Marriage is a lifelong partnership that unites
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ge means us in heart, mind and body. ‘Til death do we part.
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funny moment There were a few! Our driver went to the wrong hotel to pick up the bridal party. Then later when Jordan went to the church he was so nervous he couldn’t tie up his knitted silk tie. His Grandfather had to tie it for him outside the car. Once inside Jordan stood at the front and faced the altar until the bride arrived. He stood there, back ramrod straight, practically ignoring all guests and friendly well wishes. People began to get worried, they thought he might a little overwhelmed and stressed. It was only after the ceremony that they found out he had received explicit instructions from the priest to stand like that until the bride arrived.
the end Ceremony: St. Augustine’s Hamilton | Reception: Hamilton Town Hall & Merriweather Cafe | Wedding Gown: Custom by Jessica Reece in consultation with bride | Bridesmaid Dresses: Zimmerman | Suits: MJ Bale | Flowers: Zion Collective| Hair: Rebecca Hubbard at Dextress| Makeup: Gabrielle Dowling | Cake: Gramercy | Photography: Light & Shade Photography
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Amelia & Sam Photographed by Daisy & the Duke
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Marriage means... To me, marriage means a total commitment to your partner. No matter what life throws at either of you; you will be there to support each other. Its exciting as you get to build your life together and achieve things as a couple, not just as individuals - Amelia
Advice for the bride Have multiple pairs of shoes for the day – I had floral pumps for the Ceremony and formal photos. I then changed to nude wedges for the outdoor photos which were great on the uneven ground. Once we got to the reception venue, I changed into white strappy heels with a secure ankle strap which were perfect for dancing! Just make sure all the shoes are roughly the same height as what your dress is hemmed to so your dress doesn’t drag. My feet did not get sore at all through-out the day or night – and it’s a great excuse to go shoe shopping leading up to the day!
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The BIG day Was the best day of my life! It is amazing seeing everything come together that you’ve been planning and discussing for so long. I can’t get over how amazing each and every one of our vendors was! Everyone went above and beyond to help create the perfect day for us! It is also incredible to see all of your friends and family in one place! - Amelia One of the best days of my life! The people, the food, the locations, the weather…MY WIFE!!! Such an awesome day! - Sam
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The thing you love most about each other His sense of humour – Sam is known for his ‘dad jokes’... they’re so bad that they’re good! He always makes me smile! - Amelia We always find ways to laugh and have fun together no matter where we are. - Sam
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special moment I know that its cliché, but it would have to be that moment when I saw Amelia in her dress for the first time. The months of lead up all coming down to that one moment... that walk down the aisle that seemed to span kilometers. - Sam Saying our vows to each other was so special. We wrote our own vows and didn’t share them with each other before the day. There were tears and there was laughter! We made sure we included unique vows to each other rather than just generic statements – I vowed to follow Sam anywhere around the world in search of great coffee as I knew I was marrying a little bit of a coffee snob! - Amelia
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Ceremony: Brisbane City Hall | Reception: The Brisbane Club | Wedding Gown: White Lily Couture | Bridesmaid Dresses: ASOS | Suits: Black Jacket Suiting | Flowers: The Language of Flowers by Sonja Searle | Hair: Bella Flair Hairdressing | Makeup: Leisha McCorquodale | Photographer: Daisy and the Duke | Transport: Golden Gate Limos | Stationary: Urban Weddings | Entertainment: G&M DJ’s | Favours: I Heart Brownies | Videography: Short Stack Productions
It’s Your Ceremony Trish Sargent Marriage Celebrant Congratulations! You have found each other and are now ready to be married! Choosing the type of ceremony to have can seem confusing at first with so many options and choices to make, but this is where I come in. With my extensive knowledge of hundreds of wedding traditions, customs and rituals, I can help you decide on what is the best ceremony for you. I love to get to know my couples’ stories, and to weave their individuality into a truly unique and memorable ceremony that fits them perfectly. For some that may mean following time-honoured traditions; for others it may mean a contemporary, sophisticated and modern theme, while for others again it may mean a laid back, informal family gathering on the beach or in the countryside.
Lets meet for a coffee! 07 3369 9853 trish.sargent101@gmail.com www.itsyourceremony.com.au
There may be children involved; parents and grandparents; you may have ten attendants or just one. Whatever you choose, the important thing is that your ceremony is truly reflective of you and what you are about. With my enthusiasm, creativity and my passion for people, I will ensure your day is smooth, beautiful, and absolutely memorable. Remember It’s Your Ceremony!
Ceremony: St James Catholic Church Coorparoo | Reception: Landing at Dockside| Wedding Gown: Pearl Bridal | Bridesma Cake: Cheesecake Shop | Hair: Brush & Blush | Makeup: Melissa Coleman | Transport: Kenz C
Photographed by Alyce & Colette
aid Dresses: For Her & For Him | Suits: MJ Bale (Groom) Roger David (Groomsmen) | Flowers: Vivid Floristry | Classic Cars | Entertainment: Rob Hackwood Trio | Photography: Alyce & Colette
Bride’s Advice Plan as much as you can but on the day just go with the flow! Go to at least one wedding expo - it gives you an idea of all the different options available.
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Marriage Means Marriage for us is a lifelong commitment to be there for each other no matter what happens.
Her on him Gavin has such a big heart and handsome smile. He is always such a calming influence.
Special moment Gavin played the song he wrote when he proposed to me on his ukulele as I walked down the aisle as a surprise. The ‘not long now’ chalkboard sign carried by our flower girl was a surprise to him. It was our sign off on our emails when we were in our long distance relationship.
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CHRIS AND ANNA PHOTOGRAPHED BY KAIT PHOTOGRAPHY
THE love story First date? Chris: I wanted it to be fun, above all else. I wanted us to be able to get to know each other – and the night surpassed my expectations. Anna: I have never been so nervous about anything before as I was about my first date with Chris. But I soon realised that I had no reason to be – Chris was the perfect gentleman, taking me to one of my favourite restaurants on Brisbane’s South Bank and making me laugh until I cried while on the city cat, travelling down the Brisbane river. It was the most perfect night. How did he propose? Chris took me to the exact place where we had our first kiss a year ago to the day - a long stretch of beach that had a rock wall which led a couple of hundred metres out into the bay. It was honestly the most perfect night and being on the very end and edge of the rock wall made us feel like we were in the middle of the ocean, completely surrounded by waves. As we sat and talked, hundreds of little fairy lights suddenly lit up all around us (Chris had spent hours that afternoon hanging the lights around the rock wall and had one of his best friends and later, groomsmen, further up along the beach near the trees ensuring the fairy lights worked by a power generator!) Chris then turned to me, smiling, and asked if I would marry him. At that moment, I became excited beyond words, jumping into his arms and exclaimed, “YES!” nearly knocking the ring out of his hands and into the ocean. It was the most perfect night. Did you have an engagement party? No, with five months between the engagement and our wedding, we thought it best to put all our effort into our celebration of love! What does marriage mean to you? The idea of marriage is the most exciting and beautiful thing I think in this world. It means spending every day with the one person that makes you feel so completely full of joy. It not only means love and commitment as most people would say, but it means promising to each other a lifetime of fun, laughter and adventures. I couldn’t think of anything better!
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THE WEDDING Dream wedding location? We love the idea of a dusk wedding followed with a lavish reception at a waterfront location. Our first thought was of a beachfront wedding at Byron Bay, as Chris and I love the beach. That being said, both Chris and I lived both overseas and interstate before meeting each other in Brisbane, so knowing that we will probably be moving around a lot, we want our wedding to remind us of the city we met in. So, our other idea is a classy, riverfront wedding in the heart of the city, in front of the Story Bridge, which is iconic Brisbane. Do you have a theme for your wedding in mind? We don’t want something too traditional, but a day that fully reflects us. We want an elegant yet simple, free-flowing wedding, with the ceremony falling at dusk, and a classy, black-tie cocktail reception to follow. We love the idea of an exotic Moroccan theme coupled with an elegant spin, so our wedding will incorporate many candles, flowers in silver teapots and lanterns on tray tables, large hanging silver lanterns, a Moroccan themed rug for the aisle. We linked this theme in with our engagement shoot, using a Moroccan wedding blanket as a key feature in some of the photos. We will use silver, blue and white as the colour palette to fit in with the theme. Wedding dress ideas? I’m definitely looking for a glamorous wedding dress with sequins and beading – a unique, fun design that celebrates the modern bride. It doesn’t need to be all white. Honeymoon Ideas? We have so many! We both love the beach but are also prone to getting bored easily, so we know that our honeymoon will definitely have to be relaxing to begin with but include a multitude of activities and travelling. We were lucky enough to have entered a competition and won business class flights to Paris and tickets to the French Open Finals, which is a dream come true. Coincidently the trip fell straight after the date we had already decided on for our wedding. So we will fly from Brisbane to Paris, stay two nights there enjoying the city of love, before flying down to Zanzibar to enjoy sailing in the Indian Ocean – another dream come true! We will then head to Turkey for some travelling through Istanbul and the Turquoise Coast, then fly to Marseille, driving along the Mediterranean Coast, then through the French countryside heading back to Paris. We will spend a night in a French Chateau before heading to Paris for the French Open finals and flying business – class into Melbourne, were will be living after the wedding. Who was your photographer? The one and only Kait Barker. A friend recommended Kait to us and as soon as we met her, we both knew that she would be the perfect photographer for our day. Kait went above and beyond during our engagement shoot – after a long drive to the coast, our engagement shoot involved climbing up grassy hill tops to a light house, then getting completely drenched in order to get the perfect photo in amongst the waves. Kait is has a knack for creative photography and capturing special moments on the day, which was exactly how we want our wedding photographs to turn out, too. Whilst we met Kait as a photographer, she has become a dear friend of ours!
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HE SAID / SHE SAID The thing you love most about each other? Chris: Anna’s passion for life, care for others, optimism and sense of adventure. Anna: Chris’ integrity, sense of humour, strength of character and kindness. The proposal? Chris: It was so fun to plan and the look on Anna’s face when I proposed was priceless. Anna: A picture perfect night – I loved everything from how Chris proposed, to the starry night sky, to being surrounded by the ocean and the fairy lights all around us. It was simple yet perfect. On wedding planning? Chris: Everyone says wedding planning is stressful, but for us it has actually been a really fun, easy process as our approach to everything is really similar. Anna: I loved bouncing ideas off each other – we both are quite organised, creative people who have done event planning before, so wedding planning is the best fun! It is all coming together so well. The big day? Chris: Hopefully it will be a fun and relaxed celebration. Anna: Our celebration of love will be a reflection of us, what we love and will be celebrated with the people that we love.
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WA N T TO S EE YO U RS ELF I N H ER E? S u b m i t yo u r w e d d i n g a n d e n g a g e m e n t s h o o t s t o B r i s b a n e W e d d i n g W e e k ly
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PUBLISHER Britta Marsh ACTING EDITOR Madison Bryers EDITORIAL TEAM Jessica West Isobel Young Shannon Amato Kirsten Bassett ART DIRECTION Eleni Ali Copyright Brisbane Wedding Weekly 2015. All rights reserved. Please do not publish articles and images without prior written permission. ADVERTISE For advertising opportunities within the magazine or on our website or blog, please contact madison@brisbaneweddingweekly.com.au brisbanewedding weekly.com.au hello@brisbaneweddingweekly.com.au
Summer issue due out December 2015 www.brisbaneweddingweekly.com.au