White Magazine | Wedding and Marriage | Issue 32

P U R E I N S P I R AT I O N WEDDINGS FA S H I O N LIFESTYLE R E L AT I O N S H I P S

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AUS $15 / NZ $16 ISSUE #32 : 2016 ISSN 1834-3589

A LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Here we are at Issue 32, and boy she’s a beauty! I hope the passion within her pages inspires you in your own relationship … foremost with the love of your life, your best friend and soulmate, but also with your close-knit community, your nearest and dearest.

Passion is so much more than the sensual side of things. It is something that drives you in every element of your life. Have you ever asked yourself, “What gets me out of bed?" There are always going to be bits that you don’t love, but together with your partner, you can focus on the good stuff; the stuff that motivates you and fills your tank. Life is way too short to just merely exist together, plodding along each day with no purpose. It’s important to find your passion, both as an individual and as a couple. I love being around people with energy and enthusiasm for life … it excites me! The creative juices kick in and I can barely contain myself. Whatever role you are in can make a difference in another’s life, and we can choose joy.

After witnessing firsthand the pain and hurt that can take place in a relationship, I wish this for none of you! As a couple of nearly newlyweds, I’d like to remind you that just like the everyday choices you make, like "What will I wear?", "What will I eat?", or, "Will I go the long way or short way?"; "Will I choose to love?" will also become a part of your routine, and I hope your answer to this last one is a resounding YES! Deciding to love can be a teensy bit tricky. I love the quote, "A smooth sea never did make a skillful sailor"—so true!

Just like a car, your relationship will continue to need a tune up. This doesn’t mean that anything is broken, but it keeps things in top condition. You invest into keeping your car going smoothly and you don’t ignore those strong noises; the same close and ongoing attention should be paid to your relationship. Don’t be afraid to talk to those around you or seek help from professional relationship advisors. And don’t let things go for too long because none of us wants a breakdown.

I’ve said so many things I know, but when you’re passionate about something, sometimes you get carried away. Luke and I are super passionate about seeing committed relationships in our world, and want you to be able to experience that for yourselves because it truly is satisfying!

Hope you enjoy this read as much as we loved creating it!

WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY PEGGYSAAS.COM

ISSUE THIRTY TWO JUNE 2016 publishers luke + carla burrell editor carla burrell

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EDITOR’S LETTER CONTRIBUTORS WHITE LOVES

carla@whitemag.com

deputy editor cassandra holland cassie@whitemag.com

part one

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PASSION FLOURI SHI NG WHEN R EALI TY SI NKS I N

designed by mezzanine.co ryan stuart, mylan chen-ough, luke burrell

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WALLS OF SOLITUDE ENJOYI NG

interns bonnie lee mooney, claire bradshaw, hannah twomey, jenna bramble, pip armstrong, tess neilson

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SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL RELI SHI NG

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LIVE FROM LOVE BECOMI NG

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ALLURING ROMANCE BOLD

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THROUGH HER EYES THE

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THE ROMANTICS A PASSI ONATE GR OUP OF WEDDI NG VENDOR S

marketing + pr + sales renee mantle + hayley mcquillan hayley@whitemag.com

cover photo lara hotz photography editorial contributors erica bartle, jacqui henderson, joshua withers, keegan cronin, mike campbell, sabrina peters, sam graham, tanya blundell photographic contributors alex carlyle, ben adams, barefoot + bearded, byron loves fawn, deer’s photography, erin + tara, forged in the north, fred + hannah, james bennett, keegan cronin, lara hotz photography, lauren campbell, lauren scotti, marina scholze photography, people producciones, serena cevenini photography creative contributors bianca cash, brooke jackson, candice lee bridal hair, desert born flowers, inkling design, la lune cinema, mikarla bauer, sarah glover, sharee gray, tanya blundell

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part three

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TRUE INTIMACY EX PER I ENCI NG

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THE TOUGH TALK DI SCOVERI NG

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THE LITTLE THINGS KEEGAN

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LIVE + BREATHE THE BENEFI TS OF MI NI MALI SM I N YOUR LI FE

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STILL THE ONE I LOVE

GENUI NE MARR I AGE

YOUR PASSI ONS + DESI R ES

+ OLI VI A’S I NTI MATE OUTI NGS

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INGA CAMPBELL ILLUSTRATOR

JOSHUA WITHERS WRITER

SABRINA PETERS WRITER

JOEL COLTHORPE CINEMATOGRAPHER

FRED + HANNAH PHOTOGRAPHERS

Inga is the talented creative behind Inkling Design, a company that offers art direction, branding, styling, custom illustrations and invitations. Her illustrations have graced the pages of some of the country’s best known magazines, including Elle, Dolly, Inside Out, Girlfriend and Cosmopolitan (Australia and worldwide).

Josh is a marriage celebrant based on the Gold Coast, with offices in Brisbane and Sydney. He sees it as a great honour to travel the world celebrating that marvellous union called marriage. Josh is a thought leader in the wedding industry, and has been featured on TV and radio as well as in newspapers and the wedding media.

Sabrina is a credentialed ACC Pastor who wrote her first book, Lady in Waiting, when she was fresh out of school. For five years she worked as a residential youth support worker for high-risk teenagers, and she is currently completing a degree in psychology, endeavouring to one day become a clinical psychologist.

Joel is a Newcastle-based videographer who has been filming weddings for over 10 years. He is currently the senior editor and director of La Lune Cinema, a videography company dedicated to capturing “films that become folklore”.

Joel is a regular addition to white’s fashion shoots, capturing all the behind the scenes action.

Fred and Hannah are two photographers based in Hobart, TAS. They love to shoot film and digital, and they’re always on the lookout to capture fleeting moments through their images. Creating stories of fun and love through wedding photography is their particular passion, and they adore capturing destination weddings.

KEEGAN CRONIN PHOTOGRAPHER

JAMES BENNETT PHOTOGRAPHER

TANYA BLUNDELL HAIR + MAKEUP ARTIST

SAM GRAHAM WRITER

ERICA BARTLE WRITER

Keegan is a talented photographer based in Newcastle who is passionate about capturing beautiful elopements, proposals, engagements and weddings, as well as lifestyle shoots.

He photographs from the heart and soul, and is wholeheartedly dedicated to creating honest and real stories for his clients through his photography.

Based in the Hunter region of New South Wales, James left a career in graphic design to pursue his true passion—photography— and he hasn’t looked back!

He developed a solid grounding in commercial photography before focusing on weddings, and has captured many overseas in Bali, New Zealand and Georgia.

Having been in the makeup and hair industry for almost a decade, Tanya has built a strong reputation and vibrant career. Her talent and dedication has taken her across the world, from high-budget advertising campaigns and television commercials in Sydney, to working with some of the most prestigious model agencies in the world in NYC.

Sam is a regular contributor to white, and is known for his honest and direct stories on life and love. He delves into topics headfirst, offering a unique perspective on each subject that he tackles.

This issue, he explores the importance of relationships, friendships and community in his own life, and how these connections help support his marriage.

Erica is a freelance journalist and founder of the blog, Girl with a Satchel, a site containing musings on media and feminine matters. She previously worked as deputy editor for Girlfriend magazine, and has written for Total Girl, Cosmopolitan, Cleo, The Sunday Telegraph, Eternity Newspaper and The Walkley Magazine.

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contri b utors

WHITE LOVES travel companions Quality luggage and travel accessories can turn a good trip into an amazing one. The artisans who work in the Hard Graft studio employ classic Italian craftsmanship while also exploring new methods.

Hard Graft produces leather goods ranging from carry-on luggage to headphone cases. See more handcrafted products at hardgraft.com

light it up There’s nothing like a scented candle for relaxing or setting the mood.

Cocolux Australia has got you covered with its range of luxury candles, all made from natural coconut wax and infused with intoxicating scents. cocoluxaustralia.com

pure desire Narciso Poudrée, the new fragrance from Narciso Rodriguez, makes a sophisticated statement. Rose and jasmine combine amongst notes of musk, vetiver and black and white cedars to evoke mystery, attraction and desire all at once. narcisorodriguez.com

the dapper gent Whether you’re a groomsman, a guest or the groom himself, Ted Baker’s range of sleek and stylish menswear should be your first port of call. You’ll be looking sharp from head to toe in no time with Mr Baker’s dapper wool jackets and high-shine derby shoes.

View the full range at tedbaker.com

sweet valentino Valentina Poudre is Valentino’s latest fragrance for women. Channel the elegance of French beauty with delicate, powdery top notes, a heart of tuberose and iris, and a vanilla and sandalwood base. parfums.valentino.com

floral delight The humble sock is often forgotten in favour of a fancy shoe, but LA-based sock-stars Darner are bringing it back. Specially designed and custom-printed on mesh fabric, Darner’s dress socks feature a variety of unique prints, including our favourite: the floral mesh. darnersocks.com

sleep tight Nothing says luxury like a rose gold bed! Combining the familiar antique look of a four-poster bed with modern simplicity and elegance, this frame adds a touch of class and shine to any bedroom. incyinteriors.com.au

timeless jewels Harper Lane’s mother-daughter team put their shared passion to use creating a jewellery label that appeals to all ages. Some of their pieces are modern, some are classic, and all are timeless. harperlanejewellery.com.au

woven with love The beautiful wall art of Warped Threads evokes warmth, comfort and style in every piece. Their handwoven tapestries are all one-off creations, featuring unique colour palettes and incredible attention to detail. Go to warpedthreads.com.au

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white loves

WHITE LOVES

soft underpinnings

win!

The Portland team behind Lille Boutique understands how beautiful lingerie can make you feel, whether it’s on display or just for you. With scalloped lace trims, cute boyleg cuts and sexy seaming, the India lingerie and lounge collection is perfect for showing off—or for simply feeling stunning under your clothes.

See more at lilleboutique.com, or head to whitemag.com/ win to enter our giveaway.

peachy keen Australian stationers Life Is Peachy are all about unique, stylish event invitations. Their wedding range includes designs to suit every couple—we especially love the big, bright blooms of the Winter Wreath design. Visit lifeispeachy.com.au to view more from their range.

win!

lady of leisure Papinelle products are the ultimate comfort-style combination.

Check out their luxurious range at papinelle.com, or visit whitemag.com/win for your chance to win these fluffy slippers.

go for gold West Elm’s electroplated flatware brings some Gatsby glamour to every meal. The bright gold utensils all feature a stainless steel core, making them sturdy enough for everyday use. westelm.com.au

close shave Australian luxury skincare brand Aesop will be your skin’s saviour with its Moroccan Neroli PostShave Lotion and Rose Hair & Scalp Moisturising Masque.

These products contain a blend of calming, hydrating ingredients to leave your skin smooth and soft, not sore and scratchy.

Head to aesop.com

get the glow British makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury offers a complete range of skincare solutions. The Mini Miracle Eye Wand is a great fix for tired eyes—and it’s the perfect handbag size. See more of their range at charlottetilbury.com

signature scent Burberry’s latest eau de toilette, Mr. Burberry, is a woody, herbal scent inspired by classic British perfumery.

The new scent features top notes of zesty grapefruit, tarragon and cardamom, a heart of birch leaf, nutmeg oil and cedar, and a base of sandalwood and vetiver. burberry.com

dance to another tune Tutu Du Monde believes all girls are unique, and their designs reflect that. Their Bespoke range gives you the freedom to choose your favourite dress silhouette, size and colour for your little lady. tutudumonde.com

make a splash Most perfumers concentrate on creating a blend of scents—but of course, Marc Jacobs isn’t like most perfumers! His new Splash collection focuses on one simple, summery scent for each fragrance, ranging from light and subtle (Rain, Cotton) to bold and natural (Cucumber, Pear). marcjacobs.com

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white loves

WHITE LOVES

language of love Renowned relationship counsellor Gary Chapman is an expert on what makes marriage last, and his priceless advice is all bound up in this beautiful tome, The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts.

5lovelanguages.com

win! tiny treasures

on the horizon

Everything’s cuter in miniature—a statement proven by Hubble + Duke’s gorgeous kids’ clothing and shoes. The label creates premium leather baby and toddler shoes (think Mary Janes, moccasins and mini boots), as well as handmade garments. hubbleandduke.bigcartel.com

Horizon, Davidoff’s new fragrance for men, is inspired by the strength of nature and the tension between earth and sky. With top notes of ginger and rosemary, it’s a bold, masculine scent. Visit zinodavidoff. com or go to whitemag.com/win for your chance to win this fragrance.

cute to boot

tea for two

Forget your uniform black boots this winter—at Wittner, it’s all about the nudes. The Ophelia boot is crafted from soft-washed leather in a nougat shade. wittner.com.au

Now is the perfect time to indulge in luxury organic tea from The Seventh Duchess. Flor de Jamaica is a beautiful blend of hibiscus and vanilla, while Empress of India boasts robust chai spices. theseventhduchess.com

take a bow Perth-based Squire Lad specialises in handmade men’s bow ties. With a huge range of patterns available, each bow tie embodies a unique personality— from The Musician (spots) through to The Duke (grey check). See squirelad.com.au to view their range, or head to whitemag. com/win to go into the draw to win these delightful accessories.

win!

band together Mystical adornment is the name of the game for New York jewellers MANIAMANIA. The new ‘Fine’ collection showcases the label’s bohemian spirit while drawing on influences from the Victorian and Georgian eras. Check out themaniamania.com

make a wish

nude nuance OPI have come up with a solution to plain, clear nail strengthening polishes, releasing a bold collection of exotic colours such as this enticing Samoan Sand shade. And if you aren’t sure what colour is your match, head to their website to try on all their shades online. opi.com

The latest collection from Simone Pérèle, purveyor of elegant French lingerie, is a mixture of bold brights and muted nudes. From delicate shades of pale pink, fawn and bone-white all the way to hot pink and butterscotch gold—there’s something to suit every woman and every mood at simoneperele.com.

This Wish set is seductively feminine, and could be yours if you head to whitemag.com/ win to enter our competition.

win!

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white loves

rosy radiance Eve Lom’s Radiance Lift Foundation feels weightless on the skin, with buildable coverage, effortless blending and a flawless finish. Rose flower extracts deliver concentrated vitamins to lift, firm and repair skin elasticity. evelom.com

PASSION “ALL THOUGHTS, ALL PASSIONS, ALL DELIGHTS, WHATEVER STIRS THIS MORTAL FRAME, ALL ARE BUT MINISTERS OF LOVE, AND FEED HIS SACRED FLAME.” —SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE Words: Erica Bartle | Photography: Lauren Campbell

T

here they are now, appearing in my morning like a rainbow on a cloudy day as you sit in traffic on the

freeway. Smiling as they approach my table in the back of the café, my heart erupts with love. I down tools. Shut goes the computer. Away go the books. Because these two people?

They are everything to me. Hello, little family!

You might say I am passionate about them. The way he looks at her and she snuggles into his broad chest; the way she squeals with delight when he tickles her and says, “Don’t, Daddy!”; the way they both come to me when they are feeling worn out by the world, by life. They anchor and light up my world.

In the Greek language, there are four words to describe love: “eros” (sensual, passionate, erotic love), “philia” (affectionate, virtuous love for friends, family and community; loyalty), “storge” (natural affection and empathy and acceptance, as with parents and children) and “agape” (selfless, unconditional giving; to want what’s best for the other). In a marriage, it’s “agape” love that we’re shooting for (aim at the stars and you may land on the moon).

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PASSION

Passion, in a sensual sense, is a strange bedfellow in a

addict as you’ll ever be. Preoccupied, irrational, paranoid

marriage; a perplexing paradox requiring some serious

and full of despair when things don’t quite go right (or you

contemplation. On the one hand, you absolutely need it

can’t get your “fix”), common sense is thrown to the wind in

to have a healthy marriage. Your sex life is like a garden

pursuit of passion.

that needs constant maintenance to preserve intimacy and protect the marriage from any outside pests in the form of another person.

Exhilarating and exhausting, isn’t it, those all-consuming early days of a blossoming relationship where you are driven more by desire than common sense, so eloquently phrased by the

But, at the same time, this whole matter of passion also

poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge? My husband and I often joke

puts a lot of pressure on marriages to be spectacularly on

that we simply do not have the energy to go through all of

fire—hot, hot, hot!—all the time, which they cannot possibly

that again (great insurance against divorce!).

be, because as humans we are prone to just want to mooch around the house in our comfy clothes, not get all Victoria’s Secret sexy about things (and, gentlemen, at certain times of the month, it’s wise to grant your lady a reprieve and opt for a cuppa and cuddle instead).

During the 18 months we dated long-distance, my husband would drive 12 hours to Sydney during the night after work to spend the weekend with me, and return bleary-eyed to work the next week. Each and every interstate meet-up was full of intense, exuberant anticipation, only to be followed by the

According to the eminent psychologist Elaine C. Hatfield, who with her research partner Ellen S. Berscheid has studied passion for more than 50 years, people in passionate love show activation in brain areas associated with motivation,

~

euphoria and reward, which is similar to the pattern of

“HARDSHIP AND DIFFICULTY ONLY CAUSES OUR

another all-consuming condition: drug addiction.

PASSIONS TO BECOME REFINED; NOT QUITE SO

In those heady days of a new relationship, when your every

UNWIELDY. PASSION NEEDS TO BE PUT ON A LEASH.”

waking thought turns to the object of your heart’s affections, you’re as close to getting a glimpse into the life of a drug

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PASSION

gut-wrenching back-to-reality check as we said goodbye for

another but no passion, and “empty love”, in which there is

another month or so. I would fall asleep with my clunky Nokia

commitment but no intimacy or passion.

phone in my hand, drooling over the pillow, as we filled the intermissions with long phone conversations and endless text messages covering all manner of topics and variations on “I love you” (this was pre-emoticon, Snapchat and Skype!).

Attraction, and subsequently passion, might fuel the early stage of your burgeoning relationship, but they alone will not sustain it. As with our work lives, passion will only carry us so far in our relationships: that’s where commitment, conviction and dogged hard work come in to pick up the slack.

This makes married life seem very ordinary, a characteristic that has become the “butt of the joke” of many-a Hollywood film. But it’s absolutely not. Dedication, tenacity and wisdom together with passion make for a formidable team. Hardship and difficulty only causes our passions to become refined; not quite so unwieldy. Passion needs to be put on a leash.

The hallmarks of consummate love are delighting in each other, having a high regard for one another, the mutual desire to make each other happy, communicating, helping, nurturing, overcoming difficulties gracefully, increasing in devotion and … passion!

“The truth is, it does need a bit of work to bring back that spark in your love life once you have kids, a mortgage and renovations to attend to,” says photographer Sabine Bannard, who has been married to her school teacher husband, Martin, for nearly 20 years.

“My solution is just to decide to bring it back whenever it gets lost. As simple as that. When you think everything is dull and grey, just put flowers on the table, wear something pretty, cook a nice meal and, most important, make time for each other and listen! The key is not to grow apart from each

While commitment without passion or intimacy looks like a

other, but to grow together with simple pleasures like mini

jail sentence and intimacy without passion or commitment

road trips through the glorious countryside creating happy

looks like friendship, when you get the balance of passion,

memories together while listening to a mixtape.

intimacy and commitment right, you’ve reached the pinnacle of what psychologist Robert Sternberg, in his triangular theory, calls “consummate” love.

Consummate love differs from “companionate love”, in

~

which the couple is intimate, in a long-term commitment

“WITH THE SECURITY OF OUR MARRIAGE, WE

and has deep affection for and mutual understanding of one

CAN FIND SOLACE IN OUR WEAK MOMENTS, ENCOURAGEMENT FOR DROOPY SPIRITS AND BELIEF WHEN OUR PASSIONS RUN DRY.”

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PASSION

Martin can spend hours creating a mixtape for a road trip.

That alone can be a reason to completely fall in love again.”

When entering a marriage, you have to have a remedy for those times when passion has given way to the mundane (think pedestrian sex, zoning out after dark on Facebook, rarely smiling at each other, let alone flirting) before the disconnect leads to actual marital issues.

In her excellent book “Big Magic”, Elizabeth Gilbert writes of one couple, both illustrators, who rise an hour before their children to sit in their studio and draw before the household becomes busy and they trot off to their respective “real life” jobs. That is both sacrificial (of sleep), marriage affirming and intimate. And I bet they are better parents for it.

The idea of the “sweet spot” or “flow” can be transferred to a marriage: those times when you are both operating with a singular sense of purpose and revelling in not only your relationship but also your work, friendships and extracurricular activities.

It is possible to reach some sort of “climactic” *, complementary human experience driven by passion for each other, and your marriage, which in turn creates benefits for the world inside and outside your home. With passion, impossibilities seem not so impossible.

Passion misdirected can get us into an awful pickle (I’m pretty sure Hitler and Stalin were passionate people—passion + egomania + ideology + yikes!). Jealousy, rampant ambition, outrage, addiction, selfishness and hate coupled with passion have led to some heinous human actions and atrocities.

But what happens if passion is stifled? Not able to manifest?

Constricted? Not given freedom of expression in some material, physical or emotional form? I think you might explode. And your marriage might implode for lack of it.

~ “IT IS OUR PARTNER’S ROLE TO HELP US FLOURISH, TO SEE WHAT WE CANNOT SEE, TO LOOK US IN THE EYES AND SAY, ‘I DARE YOU TO DREAM THAT DREAM THAT LIES DORMANT BECAUSE I KNOW THAT IF YOU DON’T AT LEAST TRY, YOU WILL DIE A THOUSAND TIMES EVERY TIME YOU THINK ABOUT IT.’”

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PASSION

A passionate marriage allows us to reach our full potential.

From the safety of knowing we are hedged in with the security of our marriage, we can find solace in our weak moments, encouragement for droopy spirits and belief when

~

our passions run dry.

“ATTRACTION, AND SUBSEQUENTLY PASSION,

It is our partner’s role to help us flourish, to see what we

MIGHT FUEL THE EARLY STAGE OF YOUR

cannot see, to look us in the eyes and say, “I dare you to

BURGEONING RELATIONSHIP, BUT THEY ALONE

dream that dream that lies dormant because I know that if you don’t at least try, you will die a thousand times every

WILL NOT SUSTAIN IT.”

time you think about it.” And dying in any way, shape or form, is not good for our relationship.

Of course, some dreams and passions simply must fall by the wayside as we go about creating a home, bringing children into the world, and investing more of ourselves into other avenues. Often, your passions will have to shut-up while you devote more of yourself to practical matters, such as sick children and parents or getting the house cleaned.

Real life together is a whole bunch of inconveniences, troubles, hardships, clusters of disappointments, uncertainties and domestic necessities.

But without passion, those flying sparks and tremors of the heart that occasionally occur when your partner enters the room, we would be bereft of a wonderful human feeling and the opportunity to be fully alive. And while it can come and go, we shouldn’t expect that passion will pass completely beyond our honeymoon: passion matures, like a good wine, and serves a greater human purpose than simple gratification. *See what I did there?

0419 599 309 KATE@EVENTSBYKATE.COM.AU EVENTSBYKATE.COM.AU

BUSINESS FE ATURE

CHURCHILL GO BEYOND THE BOTANICAL WITH A COMPLETE WEDDING EXPERIENCE.

The stylists behind Prunella are already

to relax and enjoy their day, knowing everything

countryside and town. Blending relaxed

known for their lush floral installations.

is taken care of.

European rural charm with luxe interior

But despite their success with bold, beautiful botanicals, the Kyneton-based team weren’t content to stop at styling. Enter Churchill: a boutique event space in the heart of country

How did your new venture, Churchill, come about? The time seemed right to broaden the Prunella offering. We had often

detailing, the buildings provide the perfect frame for a stylish soiree that will feel both classic and fresh.

thought what a Prunella event space might

How does Churchill differ from other

look like, and the idea of creating a complete

wedding venues? Where else can you

experience beyond just the botanical had

have your wedding ceremony in a country

“We have always wanted to extend our service

always fascinated us. The answer came with

hall followed by dinner in a church? And, of

to clients,” says Vanessa Partridge, who

the opportunity to transform a beautiful old

course, Churchill’s interiors provide the perfect

founded Prunella with business partner Caris

country church and accompanying Sunday

backdrop for Prunella’s beautiful floral designs.

Haughan. Vanessa dreamed of expanding

school hall into a unique event space, and the

Prunella’s services to incorporate other

first Prunella venue, Churchill, was created.

Victoria that offers more than your average wedding venue.

event details alongside their signature floral

What do you love most about what you do? Every client is different and we love

What kind of services do you provide for

working with them and inspiring them, helping

couples? We offer a tailored approach to the

them to take their ideas to the next level.

venue set-up, catering and drinks, preferring

Seeing it all come together after all the hard

And so Vanessa and the team partnered with a

to customise our offering to our client’s vision.

work is pretty magical. Our favourite thing

selection of leading vendors to create a whole

The best bit is that we organise everything!

is hearing from our couples about what a

new kind of wedding experience. Located in

Churchill enables us to fully design events for

brilliant time they had at their wedding, that

Taradale, Churchill comprises a 150-year-old

our clients, from flowers and styling elements

it was everything they imagined and more.

church, an intimate hall and a gorgeous garden.

through to wine and food, the flow of the

After working with us, we hope our couples

event, and anything else that is required.

have been inspired, and that the final event

arrangements. Venue, food and wine, styling, special touches: Prunella wanted to offer it all.

But Churchill doesn’t just refer to the venue.

surpasses all of their expectations.

It’s all about the whole experience: lush florals

We have beautiful sample menus and drink

and styling from Prunella paired with Melly’s

options that can be chosen from and tweaked

Tell us what’s coming up in the future for

simple yet delicious seasonal menu. Each

to suit. We use all the beautiful furniture, linen

Prunella. With any luck, another “Prunella-

meticulously designed detail combines to

and tableware, and also take care of flowers

esque” venue to add to our stable!

create a complete and unique celebration.

and styling to create a gorgeous event.

In a Churchill wedding, the ceremony and

Tell us about Churchill as a wedding

reception flow on naturally; it’s a progressive

venue. The 1858 church boasts grand timber

experience throughout the whole stunning

ceilings, detailed stained-glass windows, a

property. The Prunella team works with each

carved wooden pulpit, and even a choir-loft.

couple to determine exactly how they want

The church and the charming, whitewashed

0416 296 433

their event to ‘flow’. What results is a truly

wooden hall are set in two acres of garden,

prunella.com.au/churchill

memorable occasion that allows the couple

with spectacular views over the surrounding

studio@prunella.com.au

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b usiness feature

Photography by Beck Rocchi

WA L L S OF SOL I T UDE

AS LITTLE ONES WE MAKE IMPENETRABLE CASTLES WITH COUCH CUSHIONS, BUT WHAT HAPPENS IF, AS WE GROW, THE WALLS NEVER TRULY COME DOWN? Words: Sam Graham | Photography: Ben Adams

F

rom a young age, I always leaned more to the quieter side. It was as if I had an overwhelming desire to keep

the world at arm’s length. The framed photo in my parents’ living room of me during my preschool years isn’t of me smiling over a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles tracksuit top.

Rather, I’m cradled in the arms of my teacher, sneaking a glance down the lens over my shoulder. The photographer gave me the creeps.

Through school it was the same story—I was always skirting the periphery. I studied hard, but kept to a core group of friends and didn’t really stray outside the pack. Around about Year 10, I started playing with “adult-building-block” concepts like girlfriends and relationships, and after a series of these ended in disaster, my distrust for people began to worsen.

By the time my HSC rolled around, I had been transferred to a different school, and the walls were well and truly up.

It stayed this way for many years, and the only reason I eventually opened up to the possibility of embracing anyone outside my immediate circle was the love of my life (Come to think of it, most of the positive changes in my life have come about because of her!).

When my wife and I moved to Sydney after finishing uni, we entered a bubble. We knew no-one, we were country kids in “The Big Smoke”, and we had little money to branch out.

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WALLS OF SOLITUDE

What’s more, we were just so happy to be finally living together, after years of keeping one eye on each other’s closed bedroom door while living with our parents …

Eventually though, my wife did something which was totally out of character for us both … She made a friend. Just

~

someone she met at work, by chance. But as is the irritating way with friends, one soon leads to many, and before she knew it, she was part of a group of what I would have called

“MAKING FRIENDS WHILE YOU’RE YOUNG

at the time, “insane people”.

IS EASY. IT’S AS SIMPLE AS, ‘I’M A KID,

I buried my head in the sand. I figured one of us had to stay

YOU’RE A KID, LET’S BE FRIENDS’. CARRY

the course of smug self-reliance and pride, so I resisted the

THIS ATTITUDE WITH YOU ALL THE DAYS OF

temptation to go off and make friends of my own, and I

YOUR LIFE, AND YOU’LL NEVER HAVE TO

figured life would just carry on as normal.

SPEND ONE ALONE.”

Then the phone calls started. Right when my girl and I were watching a movie, one of her so-called friends would rudely call her to “see how she was going” or to “make plans”.

Then it got worse. All of a sudden, date night wasn’t a given—I had to check to see whether my girl had already made plans. This resulted in many a night of me sitting at

I now be surprised that this way of thinking had led me to

home alone, cursing the big, bad world and waiting for a call

the life of a 65-year-old in a 25-year-old’s body? I was finding

to come collect a drunken, laughing, happy brood of females

it harder and harder to convince myself that I preferred the

from their night out.

sheltered life.

My love of solitude and perceived elevation above the need

The turning point came for me one night when I was dragged

for friends, or community, had become a double-edged

out by the love of my life to have dinner with her new-found

sword. I had spent years convincing myself that I didn’t need

family. I went along, sulking, determined not to make an

anyone new in my life; that making new friends was scary

effort, or a friend. Reluctantly, I was lured into a conversation

and that they’d just hurt you or let you down. So how could

about religion—being sat at a table amongst a bunch of Catholic ladies with Italian heritage, my atheistic beliefs instantly made me the centre of attention.

The group looked at me with the pitying expressions I imagine cancer patients receive constantly. They struggled to understand how, without religion, I found it possible to get up in the morning; how I found it possible to take joy from life, knowing it would someday end for good.

My answer surprised me, and it has rung in my ears like a bell from that day to this: “Well, if life is all we have, the way I see it, we’re all in it together, and we’d better make the most of it while we’re here.”

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WALLS OF SOLITUDE

The look on my girlfriend’s face was priceless, with good cause, but from that day on, my outlook completely

~

changed. I started to view my past outlook as churlish and

“I STARTED TO VIEW MY PAST OUTLOOK AS

infantile, and committed myself to slowly taking down the

CHURLISH AND INFANTILE, AND COMMITTED

walls I had built up around myself.

MYSELF TO SLOWLY TAKING DOWN THE

It’s an ongoing process, but the benefits I have seen in

WALLS I HAD BUILT UP AROUND MYSELF.”

my life are such that I can’t imagine where I’d be today had I continued on the same trajectory. My career is in an amazing place. My life has been enriched by friends I would

I wondered how he would fare, realising I didn’t want him to

have never have made. Most importantly, I’m closer to my

have to make the same mistakes as me and spend years in

family than ever before, and I have started one of my own,

self-enforced isolation.

surrounded by truly irreplaceable human beings.

With a smile, my mind was suddenly at ease. When he’s old

Not long after the birth of my son in 2015, I got thinking

enough, I’m going to tell my son this: “Making friends while

about what lay ahead for him in the years ahead. My mind

you’re young is easy. It’s as simple as ‘I’m a kid, you’re a kid,

wandered forward to his early school years—the time most

let’s be friends’. Carry this attitude with you all the days of

of us make our most enduring friendships.

your life, and you’ll never have to spend one alone.”

S I M P LY B E A U T I F U L

WEDDINGS ARE A CELEBRATION OF LOVE AT THEIR VERY CORE, RELISHED FOR THE COMMITMENTS MADE, NOT JUST THE BELLS AND WHISTLES. Words: Joshua Withers | Photography: Marina Scholze Photography | Venue: Alte Spinnerei, Kolbermoor, Germany | Gown: Kisui | Suit: Hirmer Menstyle | Ring: iloveblossom | Makeup: Laureta Martini | Florals: Blumen Sabine Rubner | Hire: Partyerie

B

ritt doesn’t know this, but I married her the first day I met her for a coffee in Broadbeach, QLD. The whole

commitment played out in my head, and our coffee would have been super awkward if I had said anything publicly, but in my mind I believed that my life could be better if I spent it with her. As I heard her share her opinions, ideas, thoughts and beliefs, I knew that she was the girl I would want to tackle life with.

That’s all marriage is, you see. Not that marriage should be dismissed as being too simple or relaxed, but it’s not a complex deal. You don’t need to complete a “Diploma of Advanced Marriage” to enter into one. You just need a belief and a commitment to that belief that your life spent with theirs will result in a better one.

37

simply b eautiful

~ “WE JUST WANTED TO ENJOY LIFE TOGETHER FOREVER, BUT LIKE ANY AMAZING ADVENTURE IT NEEDS A BEGINNING, AND THE START OF A MARRIAGE NORMALLY INVOLVES A WEDDING.”

After five years, I gathered the courage to tell my friend that I actually was not satisfied with only having an amazing friendship. Instead, I was hoping we could kiss at some point. Skip forward two-and-a-half months and it’s an unbearably humid January evening in Cairns when Britt surprised me with a visit to Far North Queensland where I was stationed on breakfast radio. Only a few hours later I found myself down on one knee, asking her to spend the rest of her life with me. It all happened rather organically despite outsiders thinking it was hurried. The truth is that nothing had ever happened slower in my life. I was genuinely excited about sharing my one true possession with her for the rest of our lives: my time.

So apparently once you ask someone to marry you, you’re also concurrently planning a wedding. The phone calls from family started. Deposits of cash were being made and there was a guest list that resembled something between our general Facebook friends list and our close friends list, all the while with a pocket calculator nearby ready to solve the latest

39

simply b eautiful

iteration of the mathematical puzzle, “number of guests” x

wedding. The questions of, “How do we celebrate our love

“cost per head”. And then we’d look back and reconsider the

and our commitment?” through to, “How do we actually love

last time someone had liked one of our jokes online.

each other and how does our commitment manifest itself in

Creating a wedding is so, so, very weird. In my mind, it’s like professional op-shopping for the soul. You’re creating

real life?”, barely scrape the surface of our eight-month-long journey to the end of that aisle in the Benowa Parklands.

an event that’s meaningful and purposeful, and you’re

We loved everything that happened. We had a fiscally and

paying professional prices, but all of the things that you

socially achievable event that resulted in a marriage and a lot

curate to create your event with seemingly have to come

of memories, which is all we could have hoped for. But there

from someone else’s wardrobe. You’d be forgiven for even

was a reason that earlier this year we snuck away to Wanaka

thinking that it was legally allowed for you to break away from

on New Zealand’s South Island and exchanged some vows

the “cookie-cutter” and host an intimately personal event.

again, with no crowds or mason jars.

All I wanted to do was marry Britt. And this was the weird

Because despite the event, we just really like each other and

situation we found ourselves in: we just wanted to enjoy life

our hope is that our marriage would leave a legacy larger

together, forever, but like any amazing adventure it needs a

than the two of us, and that requires a husband and wife that

beginning, and the start of a marriage normally involves a

are committed to one thing: tomorrow, together.

Beautiful Events, Local Vendors, Positive Community Vibes A beautiful Bridal Directory and Twice Yearly Twilight Market servicing Southeast Queensland and Northern NSW

thebridesmarket.com.au

LIVE FROM LOVE

DISCOVER WHO YOU ARE, CONFIDENT IN YOUR IDENTITY AND PROUD OF YOUR SPIRIT, BEFORE “YOU” BECOMES “WE”.

Words: Sabrina Peters | Photography: Byron Loves Fawn | Planning + Design: Victoria Cameron | Florals: Sweetpea Weddings | Dress: Casey Tanswell Designs| Hair + Makeup: Abi Read | Location: Deux Belettes | Model: Lara Bell

I

‘ve seen so many young women desperate to get married because they believed it would fill that tiny hole

in their heart and make them feel complete. If I am totally honest with you, that young woman was me.

Subconsciously I assumed when I became a wife, any sense of self-doubt and insecurity would simply flee. Unfortunately, who you are before you get married is who you take with you into matrimony.

If you feel insecure and unloved as a single girl, you’ll carry that into your relationship. If you feel indifferent and aimless before the big day you can’t expect vision and inspiration after the ceremony. If you don’t know where you want to go in life, it’ll be hard to navigate when you’ve got two people wrestling over the driver’s seat.

Does that mean you have to have it all together before you wed your dream boy? Heck no, sweet friend! Does that mean you have to be completely confident in every facet of your being? Certainly not.

What’s important is not where you find yourself, but the direction you are facing. We can all be women who choose to look to true north and begin to live from love, not aching for it. As a newlywed, the mantra, “Happy wife, happy life”

43

LIVE FROM LOVE

~ “BECOME A WOMAN MARKED WITH GRACE, CONFIDENT AND COMPASSIONATE, AWARE OF YOUR SHORTCOMINGS AND MATURE ENOUGH TO ACKNOWLEDGE THEM.”

became the cornerstone of my thinking. I believed my

Real marriage is like a mirror—it reveals your junk, but it also

husband’s primary job was to keep me content, live up to my

gives you an opportunity to grow as a person. Remember,

expectations (which were sky-high) and make me feel loved

diamonds are made under pressure! So let the pressure

at all times. You can probably guess that kind of attitude

produce beauty. If you’re yet to be wed, maybe take some

didn’t lead to a very happy life, for him or I. After being

time cleaning out your closet (the emotional one, ha) and

married a few short years I began to realise no matter how

become aware of your stuff. Don’t worry, we’ve all got it. The

much he loved me, adored me or swept me off my feet, I

difference is, are we willing to own it?

was left unsatisfied.

One key ingredient to feeling loved and complete is making

Because you see, no matter how much water you pour in, if

sure you’ve discovered what you were born for. What makes

there’s a hole in the bucket it will always run dry. No matter

you come alive? What’s your dream? What aspirations do you

how perfect your Mr. Right is, he can’t keep you happy all

have for your life? Unlocking your passion has a way of

the time, and the truth is, it’s not his job too. It’s yours, and

fuelling your sense of self and fills the love tank to the brim.

mine. So fall in love with yourself, before “you” becomes

So find the answers and look deep within, because if you

“we”. Become a woman marked with grace, confident and

don’t define your passions, somebody else will. You’ll be

compassionate, aware of your shortcomings and mature

forced into a nine-to-five you hate; you’ll settle for the status

enough to acknowledge them.

quo and let mediocre things get in the way of exceptional

In the early days of my marriage, I often found myself saying, “Seriously, you make me so mad, I’ve never felt like this before!” (And that was the truth.) But it had very little to do with Ben and a lot to do with me. Marriage is a point of pressure and it brings out a whole lot of stuff! Past pain, personality weaknesses and emotional baggage. Often times issues within marriage aren’t caused by the other person, they simply rise to the surface. Ben wasn’t making me mad—I had an issue with control and trust. I found it difficult adjusting my world to include another person. l had always been super independent and self-protective; it was my issue, not his. Marriage problems aren’t always marriage problems, they’re often single problems that aren’t addressed before you say, “I do”.

45

LIVE FROM LOVE

things. Don’t. You were born to dream big and to live big.

You were born to change your space in the world, not get caught in the rat-race.

Thankfully after eight short years of marriage I have grown (ever so slightly) in these few areas. The key to my happiness is no longer in my husband’s pocket; it now rests securely in mine (Although chocolates and flowers certainly help from time to time). I have begun to love myself from the inside out, not in a vain, conceited way, simply comfortable in my own skin, unfazed by comparison. I have learnt to really live from love, not for it. I am aware of my weaknesses and determined to play to my strengths. In 50 years’ time I want my marriage to still be on fire, not just between the sheets but drenched in heartfelt conversations, confessing our wildest dreams and deepest fears. I want to leave a dent in the universe alongside a man who I have loved from overflow and not drought.

~ “WE CAN ALL BE WOMEN WHO CHOOSE TO LOOK TO TRUE NORTH AND BEGIN TO LIVE FROM LOVE, NOT ACHING FOR IT.”

BUSINESS FE ATURE

HE ART + COLOUR TELLING REAL STORIES BY CAPTURING REAL MOMENTS.

It’s hard not to fall in love with the magic of a

they shoot, the moments they witness, and

Location isn’t a limit when it comes to

wedding, especially when you’re in charge of

the relationships that make life worth living. As

shooting a wedding. While based on the

documenting each moment. This is certainly

well as wedding and elopement photography

Gold Coast, QLD, Heart and Colour are

the case with wedding photography team,

packages, Heart and Colour also offer portrait

always up for shooting weddings in different

Heart and Colour, who couldn’t be more

and engagement sessions to cater for all the

locations—even overseas; “Travelling is always

passionate about what they do.

stages of a couple’s journey; “Relationships

really good for our creativity. The space and

are so important, which is why photos are so

fresh air always leaves us feeling inspired for

powerful: they frame what is most important

what’s ahead.”

The ‘heart’ of Heart and Colour is husband and wife team, Bek and Phil. Back in 2010, Bek began her own photography business,

to us.”

Three things are crucial to every Heart

often bringing Phil along to weddings to hold

Bek, Phil and Aaron know how important

and Colour shoot. Firstly, that couples feel

her bags. But when Phil one day picked up a

their job is. As photographers capturing some

at ease and comfortable, so that they enjoy

camera, he became a truly inseparable part of

of the most significant moments of people’s

having their photos taken; secondly, that each

the business—and attended every wedding

lives, they don’t take their task lightly. “To have

couple is left with an amazing collection of

from that point onwards. Eventually this gave

the responsibility of documenting the beginning

captured memories; and lastly, “that our couples

way to a fresh new venture: Heart and Colour.

of such a beautiful commitment is an honour,”

know how honoured we feel to get to be a part

says the team. “The wedding wouldn’t be what

of their day.”

The story behind the name? “Not only does it involve our hearts, but also the hearts involved in each wedding story,” explains the team. “And then comes colour: the photos themselves and the emotion that bursts out of them.”

Heart and Colour is now a team of three.

After welcoming their first child in 2015, Bek and Phil decided that Bek would take a step back from the camera, instead focusing on editing while enjoying the experience of motherhood. Phil, now principal photographer, aims to bring a touch of magic to every wedding, while Aaron (formerly of The Rare Negatives) has come on board to shoot alongside him, introducing an extra perspective.

it is without everybody’s role, but at the end of the day, it’s through our images that our couples will relive this occasion for years to come.”

“Wedding photography should be eternal, like marriage itself.” For Heart and Colour, the perfect suite of wedding photos consists

No matter how many they shoot, every

not just of all the big moments, but all the in-

wedding leaves the team on a high.

between, imperfect and unexpected moments

They’ve experienced some amazing moments,

as well. “We’re not caught up in the lure of the

including a memorable Bali wedding where

industry that says you must shoot ‘this way’

everyone—the couple, guests, and Heart and

or ‘that way’. We shoot for our couples, to

Colour team—jumped into a pool in all their

give them timeless images they can look over

clothes at the reception. Another moment

for years to come. At the crux of it all, we’re

that sticks in their collective memory is one

passionate about marriage—and the wedding

in which the couple learned the sex of their

is only the start.”

baby through a slideshow at the reception documenting their history together. “It was such a beautiful surprise—the whole building

The team has an all-consuming love for

was filled with happy tears,” says the team.

hello@heartandcolour.com

love itself. They’re inspired by the couples

“You can’t beat those moments.”

heartandcolour.com

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b usiness feature

ALLURING ROMANCE SHE IS BOLD + ADVENTUROUS, POISED TO SET HEARTS AFLUTTER. Words: Tanya Blundell – Chic Artistry| Illustrations: Inkling Design

TEXTURED TRESSES Winter weddings are all about whimsical romance. Create beautiful, carefree tresses using your natural curl and texture. Bring that fresh glow back to your skin with a luminous glowing foundation. Add feline flicks to your eyes and accentuate with a half set of fluttery lashes. Finish with a soft pink on the lips worthy of a bridal pout.

CROWNING GLORY Free your inner bohemian by capping off your long, wavy tresses with a statement hair ornament. Floral pieces in silver, gold and copper are the colours for this season. Glowing complexions accented with nude, red or deep berry matte lips make this a statement winter look.

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A llu R I N G R O M A N C E

THROUGH HER EYES “SHE HOLDS A QUIET SINCERITY; RADIATING PURITY AND INNOCENCE.”

PHOTOGRAPHY JAMES BENNETT jamesbennett.com.au DIRECTION CARLA BURRELL STYLING ELYSSA COLTHORPE HAIR CANDICE LEE BRIDAL HAIR facebook.com/candiceleehairstylist MAKEUP TANYA BLUNDELL—CHIC ARTISTRY chicartistry.com.au FLORALS DESERT BORN FLOWERS desertbornflowers.com CINEMATOGRAPHY LA LUNE CINEMA lalunecinema.com MODEL ELISE FAUST—VIVIEN’S MODELS viviensmodels.com.au

DRESS CARLA ZAMPATTI carlazampatti.com.au BANGLES DINOSAUR DESIGNS dino saurdesigns. com.au RINGS KATE & KOLE kateandkole.com.au, SAMANTHA WILLS samanthawills.com

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THROUGH HER EYES

THIS PAGE DRESS ODYLYNE THE CEREMONY—LOVE MARIE lovemarie.com.au RINGS ARISTIDES FINE JEWELS aristidesfinejewels.com, BABY ANYTHING babyanything.com.au OPPOSITE PAGE DRESS FINDERS KEEPERS THE LABEL finderskeepersthelabel.com.au RINGS ARISTIDES FINE JEWELS aristidesfinejewels.com

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THROUGH HER EYES

THIS PAGE DRESS LOLA VARMA lolavarma.com OPPOSITE PAGE JUMPSUIT KEEPSAKE THE LABEL keepsakethelabel.com.au

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THROUGH HER EYES

THIS PAGE KNIT C/MEO COLLECTIVE cmeocollective.com SKIRT THE BABUSHKA BALLERINA thebabushkaballerina.com.au EARRINGS + RING ARISTIDES FINE JEWELS aristidesfinejewels.com RINGS BABY ANYTHING babyanything.com.au, KATE & KOLE kateandkole.com.au OPPOSITE PAGE DRESS GEORGIA YOUNG COUTURE georgiayoungcouture.com EARRINGS ARISTIDES FINE JEWELS aristidesfinejewels.com BANGLES DINOSAUR DESIGNS dinosaurdesigns.com.au

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THROUGH HER EYES

THIS PAGE DRESS KEEPSAKE THE LABEL keepsakethelabel.com.au NECKLACE SAMANTHA WILLS samanthawills.com OPPOSITE PAGE DRESS MISHA COLLECTION mishacollection.com.au RINGS ARISTIDES FINE JEWELS aristidesfinejewels.com, KATE & KOLE kateandkole.com.au

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THROUGH HER EYES

THIS PAGE DRESS BEC & BRIDGE becandbridge.com.au EARRINGS + RING ARISTIDES FINE JEWELS aristidesfinejewels.com RING KATE & KOLE kateandkole.com.au SHOES MIDAS midasshoes.com.au OPPOSITE PAGE DRESS SUZANNE HARWARD suzanneharward.com RINGS ARISTIDES FINE JEWELS aristidesfinejewels.com, BABY ANYTHING babyanything.com.au, KATE & KOLE kateandkole.com.au

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THROUGH HER EYES

THE ROMANTICS

“CREATIVITY THRIVES WITH COLLABORATION; THE JOINING OF MINDS TO FORGE SOMETHING REAL.” Photography: Alex Carlyle | Styling: Sharee Gray | Florals: Mikarla Bauer Floral Design | Cake: Sarah Glover | Hair + Makeup: Brooke Jackson | Dress: The Babushka Ballerina | Model: Madeline Chard

T

hese four vendors are filled with a passion that enriches not only their lives, but also the lives of the

couples they work with. Combining their individual talents, they collaborated on a shoot full of creativity, energy and true dedication. We also asked them to provide an insight into each of their processes and the burning passions that drive them to continue on their creativity journey.

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THE ROMANTICS

SHAREE GRAY The Gray Girls I’m passionate when there’s purpose. There has to be an essence to what you do, a reason to create. For me, it’s to pave a way for women to feel beautiful—it’s why I am driven to create within this industry. The driving force that keeps me creating becomes like a silent voice over the project.

Nothing beats the feeling when I look at the preview screen on my photographer’s camera and all I can say is, “This is beautiful.” When “beautiful” becomes the only word I can use to describe what the team has created, I become an excited little kid. I get this feeling like we’re creating something bigger than ourselves collaboratively.

My earliest creative memory was at the age of four. My mother, one of the most creative ladies I know, taught me to sew. I still remember the feeling of excitement in creating something (it was a small purse). That feeling hasn’t left me; I get the same butterflies now when I finish a project.

I love what I do, and I want that to filter into every aspect of whatever I am creating. That in itself, I believe, takes the pressure off the client. When someone is passionate there is ultimately trust in their work. I thrive on creating something beautiful and unique for each individual I work with.

BROOKE JACKSON Hair + Makeup Artist I love using makeup to enhance someone’s natural beauty.

I don’t think it’s for covering up, or for making someone

MIKARLA SHAILER DAWSON

look far from their natural self. On her wedding day, a bride should look like herself, just at her very best, so that’s where

Mikarla Bauer Floral Design

I come in. I can read a bride really well and tell exactly what she wants from me and for her makeup, so it’s one thing she

I am a flower fanatic. Always have been. As a kid, I

definitely doesn’t have to worry about on her day.

annoyingly snapped the heads off every shrub I walked

Working in the wedding industry wasn’t a decision I made.

passed and made little bouquets wrapped in tinfoil as gifts.

My passion is for art, creativity and makeup, and when some

That never changed, I guess. I’m drawn to flowers and to

brides-to-be saw my fashion makeup work, they requested I

nature. I couldn’t not do what I’m doing; it’s just me. Me and

do their weddings. They were brides who wanted something

the flowers, always. Happy and messy and colourful. I love

a little different—not your standard, simple look. They wanted

my job. I’d be hopeless at anything else.

to have their input as well as let me work freely with my own

After almost ten years working in flower shops, I decided to

creative flair.

do my own thing. Wedding flowers just sort of happened naturally. It’s a good fit for my whimsical style, and it’s always challenging. New locations, styles, climate, budget and personalities mean no two days are alike.

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THE ROMANTICS

SARAH GLOVER

~

Pastry Chef

“THERE IS NO PASSION TO BE FOUND PLAYING

I grew up cooking, but the idea of creating art through food is what inspired me. I come from a long line of artists. The thought of being able to eat my creations makes it all the

SMALL—IN SETTLING FOR A LIFE THAT IS LESS THAN THE ONE YOU ARE CAPABLE OF LIVING.” —NELSON MANDELA

more appealing!

I’ve been cooking professionally since I was 16, but I guess

something unique and a one-off for them. What inspires my

the wedding industry is something that found me—it kind

work? Fresh, seasonal produce; wild ingredients; nature;

of goes with the territory of being a pastry chef. I also love a

surfing … Also being around people who are passionate

good reason to celebrate, so creating food for people who

about what they do, who are authentic and original in life. It

are there to have a good time gives me joy.

inspires me to be the same.

My work is tailored for each couple. I listen to their style, taste and ideas, then I create. They know that I will create

BUSINESS FE ATURE

THE WHITE TREE DYNAMIC, CREATIVE WEDDING SERVICES, ALL UNDER ONE ROOF.

A wedding usually involves a range of

reaped the rewards. “We pay our staff really

wedding videos promise to be a gift for

separate vendors—from photographers and

well. This is a business decision, but also an

couples to treasure.

videographers to entertainment for the night.

ethical and moral belief that creatives in this

But creative collective, The White Tree, brings

country are underpaid. Also, our network of

all these artistic services together under one

creatives are all freelancers. So because we

banner. With world-class live music, journalistic

pay well and grant our employees flexible

photography and cinematic filmmaking, The

working conditions, we get access to the very

White Tree is a one-stop shop for couples

best musicians, photographers and filmmakers

seeking a creative, inspired wedding.

in the country.”

The White Tree’s founders, Nick and

The White Tree’s services are dynamic

explains: “The ultimate goal is that people who

James, didn’t always have their sights

and flexible. Live music, photography and

weren’t there on the day can still feel all of the

set on weddings. “Nick and I both wanted

videography are all available separately or

action and emotion, the laughter and the tears,

to delve into the wedding industry—not

in a combination package. Couples are

the intricate details and the major highlights.”

necessarily because we loved weddings, but

encouraged to work with the team, who can

because we saw a real niche in the market,”

tailor their services to create the ideal wedding

explains James. “We noticed that couples

experience for them.

were spending huge amounts of money on creative-based services for their wedding, but receiving pretty cheesy and average quality work in return.” The guys aimed to combat this “cheesiness” by breathing fresh air into the industry with a diverse creative offering.

photography services. Inspired by the variables of the day and the freedom from a studio environment, the photography team is constantly observing, ensuring intimate moments don’t go unnoticed. As James

The White Tree performs, entertains, shoots and produces all around Australia and the world. Their headquarters are currently based in Queensland, Victoria

to a wedding. This is something The White

and New South Wales, but they’re officially

Tree knows well—and with a huge range of

launching in Western Australia in July this year.

songs and up to a 10-piece band available, they have the power to take celebrations to a new level. “A really awesome and entertaining live band can change the whole atmosphere of

is what makes The White Tree unique.

a wedding reception,” says James. “It’s often

“We were excited to combine Nick’s area

the last thing people remember from the entire

of expertise (photography and film) and my

day, so if the band whip people into a frenzy on

passion (live music) to build a business that

the dance floor, everyone leaves on a high.”

talent,” says James.

This is the mantra behind The White Tree’s

Live music can add a whole new dynamic

The team’s combination of artistic talents

featured a diverse range of young creative

“Every wedding is a blank canvas.”

For Nick and James, the future is full of chances for The White Tree to contribute to couples’ memories. “We just want to keep mixing up our projects so we remain inspired to do what we do as best as we possibly can.”

The White Tree’s wedding videos have a distinct music film clip aesthetic. Traditional

As creative directors, Nick and James

wedding videography often carries a certain

pride themselves on treating their booking

negative stigma, but the filmmakers at The

managers, musicians, photographers and

White Tree have worked hard to combat this.

james@thewhitetree.com.au

filmmakers well—and their business has

Modern, cinematic and cliché-free, their

thewhitetree.com.au

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DOMINIQUE + SUNNY A U S T R A L I A

“I BELIEVE IN LOVE NOW BECAUSE YOU AND I CREATED SOMETHING SO SPECIAL.” PHOTOGRAPHY Lara Hotz

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sunny + dom

DEAR DOMINIQUE I believe in fate now because I am lucky enough for you to come back into my life again. I believe in fairytales now because every moment I spend with you seems surreal. I believe in love now because you and I created something so special, so passionate, so crazy, and so unconditional that I know even after this lifetime, I will find you no matter where you are and make you fall in love with me all over again. I don’t ever want to lose you.

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DEAR SUNNY Because of you, I now believe in fairytales and happy endings. I never saw this day coming, especially with someone who was right in front of me the whole time, and I am truly blessed that fate brought us together. When I think about it, I feel like everything that has ever happened in my life led me to this moment. And when I am with you, everything seems worth it because if I had done one thing different, I would have never met you. So from today onwards, let us dream together beyond the clouds until infinity, with the sun forever shining through my eyes.

I love you.

CEREMONY + RECEPTION The Swifts mansion, Sydney NSW GOWN (CEREMONY) WTC Studio GOWN (RECEPTION) Paolo Sebastian SHOES Sergio Rossi SUIT Ermenegildo Zegna HAIR Flux Réel Hair Boutique MAKEUP Evone Zhang JEWELLERY Tiffany & Co. RINGS Amazon Jewellers PLANNING White Rabbit Projects FLORALS Cate Locke Botanica HIRE + SETUP Norwest Productions STYLING She Designs Events, Dominic Choy CUTLERY Gold Wedding Hire VIDEOGRAPHY La Lune Cinema

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E X C L U S I V E C Osunny NTENT

+ dom

K ATIE + BRENDAN U S A

“YOU WILL ALWAYS BE MY PRIORITY EVEN IF IT SEEMS LIFE IS GETTING IN THE WAY.” PHOT OG R APHY L a u re n S c otti

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K atie + Brendan

DEAR BRENDAN Over five years ago, when we first met, I

You have never given up on me and you’re

never thought we’d be where we are today.

always there to make laugh when I need it

We have grown so much together and I love

most. I promise to love you unconditionally

that we continue to grow. I can’t wait for the

and always be there no matter what life

future and what it holds. I am so excited to

throws at us. I will always stand by your side

adventure with you and create memories

and support your decisions. I love you more

as we travel, buy our first home and start a

than words can describe.

beautiful family. Throughout the years you have always been my rock. You have stood by my side through my ups and downs.

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K atie + Brendan

DEAR KATIE When I first met you, I knew there was something special about you. Five short years later we are married. You have always brought out the good in me and given me the strength to become a better person. I look forward to the years ahead. I can’t wait to travel the world with you, enjoying new adventures together along the way. I also look forward to the day we make a house our own, and start a family. Hopefully we can add a couple more dogs on the way too. One thing I will always strive to do no matter what obstacles come along is grow with you as a couple. I promise to support you and stand by your side no matter what. You will always be my priority even if it seems life is getting in the way. You’re my best friend, and you always will be. I love you with all my heart.

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CEREMONY + RECEPTION + CATERING Colony Palms Hotel, Palm Springs, CA DRESS Houghton SHOES 3.1 Phillip Lim SUITS West End BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES Reformation, Zara HAIR Courtney Laser Hair MAKEUP Eliana Urena JEWELLERY La Weez STATIONERY Michael Laser Design, The Cozy Gnome (calligraphy) FLORALS The Bloomin Gypsy HIRE Planks and Patina (chairs) PLANNING Sarah Ollenburger VIDEOGRAPHY Cinema Life Weddings

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A LYS S A + TYLER I R E L A N D

“YOUR FACE IS MY HEART, AND THE LOVE OF YOU IS MY SOUL.”—DIANA GABALDON PHOTOGRAPHY Forged in the North

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alyssa + tyler

DEAR TYLER There is a line I read in a book once. I am sure you aren’t surprised. I don’t recall the book, but the line was, “Your face is my heart”. For some reason that line has etched its way into my memory because that one little sentence summarises the way I feel about you perfectly. When I see your face, my heart starts expanding. My prayer for us, as we grow wiser and cooler, is that we always feel our hearts growing when we look at each other, when we hear our babies giggle, and when we look back on what we’ve done together.

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DEAR ALYSSA You are the brightest person I know. My future is happier and brighter with you in it.

The positivity and confidence we have in us being together is exactly how it should be, and I know it will continue with us wherever we are. I am excited for all that is to come in our lives and the adventures we will share. Our future children, first house, travels—they’re all going to be so great!

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CEREMONY Dingle, County Kerry, Ireland DRESS David’s Bridal SHOES DSW Inc. JEWELLERY Alana Antique & Estate Jewelry RING (GROOM) Staghead Designs RING (BRIDE) Victorian era wedding band SUIT Nordstrom FLORALS Ann Marie O’Leary VIDEOGRAPHY True Northwest Weddings

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FLORIANA + VLAD R O M A N I A

“WE TRULY BELIEVE THAT WE WERE MEANT FOR EACH OTHER.” PHOT OG R APHY De e r ’s P h otogr a ph y

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FLORIANA + VLAD

DEAR FLORIANA For me, you are just perfect and I can’t imagine this life without you! Marrying you was a dream come true and I promise to cherish our love and to make you happy every single day of our lives.

We have so many things to accomplish and enjoy together, and a family to build. Marriage can be difficult, but with you by my side I have no fears—only enthusiasm! I believe in you and in the couple we will be together.

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FLORIANA + VLAD

DEAR VLAD I am blessed I found you, and every morning I am so grateful to wake up with you by my side. We both know that we’ve had difficulties, but I feel that all the hard times have made our relationship stronger and mature, and made me realise why I really love you! Now, I am confident that I found in you not only my other half but also my lover, my best friend, my playmate, my confidant, the best passionate cook and the most loving future father to our children. Thank you for making me a better person, for showing me respect, for helping me every time I needed it and for loving me! I promise to be a true and loyal friend to you; to be patient, kind and honest with you.

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CEREMONY Domnita Balasa Church, Bucharest RECEPTION The Wedding House. Giurgui DRESS Andra Andreescu SHOES Smiling Shoes HAIR Alex Claudiu Sarghe Hairdresser MAKEUP Alexandra Craescu JEWELLERY + RINGS Mihaela Ivana STATIONERY G+M Handmade Paper FLORALS Atelier Bloom Bloom DESSERT TABLE Flori de Menta CATERING Loft Catering

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FLORIANA + VLAD

LAURA + CARLOS S P A I N

“WE HOPE THAT LIFE WILL CONTINUE TO KEEP SMILING ON US.” PHOTOGRAPHY People Producciones

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THE PROPOSAL It was Christmas morning, and I awoke to a gift from Carlos. I opened it to find that it was an old version of Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet”. I couldn’t believe it! And then Carlos said to me, “Laura, open the book.” So I did, and to my surprise, in the foreword he had written, This is not a gift.

It’s the beginning of a new story that I want to start with you. As I flipped further through the book, I discovered that all the pages had been cut to house a simple yet beautiful ring. We couldn’t stop laughing from all the emotion—it was very fun!

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OUR PROMISE We just want to live a life full of happiness, growing together as one, and forming our own happy family. As a couple we like to keep challenging ourselves, overcoming obstacles just as we did before. We know that marriage is not always easy, but it’s not impossible, and with love and devotion we are sure that it will be great. Life is full of challenges and we feel very lucky to go through them together so that we will go on to defeat them. And we hope that life will keep smiling on us.

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CEREMONY + RECEPTION Finca Biniorella in Camp de Mar, Andratx, Mallorca, Spain DRESS + SHOES Otaduy SUIT COS HAIR + MAKEUP Nerea—Le Salon by Enzo, Barcelona RINGS Aristocrazy PLANNING + CATERING + DRINKS Garmendia Catering STATIONERY Chensio (Carlos) FLORALS Oh Fleurs! VIDEOGRAPHY Ohhhappyday

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CAROLINE + BRYCE A U S T R A L I A

“I VOW TO LOVE YOU AND CARE FOR YOU NO MATTER WHAT OBSTACLES WE FACE.” PHOTOGRAPHY Erin & Tara

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DEAR CAROLINE I am excited to be your husband. You

experiences. I look forward to continuing to

make life exciting and interesting. The

grow and develop with you by my side. On

adventures we have already shared have

my own I am shy and anxious, but with you

been amazing. I can’t wait to continue our

I feel as though I am able to be the person

adventurous path through life. Whether it

I’ve always wanted to be. You make me

be travelling overseas together or simply

fun-loving and give me a willingness to try

exploring a new café in Melbourne, our

new experiences. For that, I will be eternally

time spent together will always be rich with

grateful. I love you Caroline.

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DEAR BRYCE I hope that we always remember why we love each other and the positive moments we share that bond us together in time forever.

Though our circumstances change, though our bodies change, though life has its ups and downs, I hope these defining moments are never forgotten or taken for granted as they make us who we are and keep our love for each other strong. I hope to continue to help bring out your best, and the person you wish to become. You do this for me unconditionally and I cannot thank you enough for allowing me to be my authentic self and pursue the things I never dreamed I would ever get the opportunity to pursue normally. This one kind action that you so unconsciously do is what I am grateful for every day. I’m truly blessed to have someone like you in my life. I dream of building a life with you that we can look back on in years to come and be proud of.

Not just a life of material possessions but one rich with experiences, purpose and meaning, where we explore, laugh, cry and persevere together; where we seek to continually expand our knowledge of each other, be honest and always kind, and give and share with each other in our relationship and marriage for the rest of our time on this earth. I promise we will have a wonderful marriage if we can do these things.

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CEREMONY Newman College Chapel, Parkville VIC RECEPTION East Elevation, Brunswick East VIC DRESS Bo & Luca SHOES Kurt Geiger, Myer SUIT T.M.Lewin HAIR D’Artanian Dior MAKEUP Maria Gullace Hair + Makeup Artist HEADPIECE Jennifer Behr JEWELLERY Samantha W ills RINGS Blue Nile STATIONERY Michaela McBride Calligraphy FLORALS Cecilia Fox DESIGN + STYLING Nomad Styling VIDEOGRAPHY The White Tree CAKE Fig & Salt

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TRUE INTIMACY

“AFFECTION IS RESPONSIBLE FOR NINE-TENTHS OF WHATEVER SOLID AND DURABLE HAPPINESS THERE IS IN OUR LIVES.” —C.S. LEWIS. Words: Jacqui Henderson | Photography + Planning: Serena Cevenini Photography | Planning: Ale Vidal | Venue: Magione dei Todaro, Italy | Styling + Florals: Fluida Design | Venue Design: Roberta Brizzi | Makeup: Frankie Make-up Artist | Models: Chiara, Francesco

I

n the first few months of dating, infatuation reigns.

It’s a delectable, visceral feeling that sends your heart

galloping whenever the phone pings and creates tingles up your arms when your fingers intertwine. Scientists have likened the effects of infatuation on the brain to the effects of heroin. The world is more beautiful: colours are brighter, flowers smell sweeter. This is the high of a romantic relationship, but it’s only the beginning.

In my experience, infatuation begins to wane at about the one-year mark. At this point, somewhat reluctantly, we looked at each other with fresh and critical eyes. For the first time, I noticed his tendency to ignore me while watching TV and that his dirty socks in my car made me gag. Once, everything he did was perfect and every move I made was praised. Seeing someone for who they truly are, and being seen clearly in return, can be equally frightening in its vulnerability and immensely rewarding. The moment we removed our rose-coloured glasses was the moment our

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TRUE INTIMACY

~ “THE MOMENT WE REMOVED OUR ROSE-COLOURED GLASSES WAS THE MOMENT OUR REAL MARRIAGE COULD BEGIN. IT’S A TIPPING POINT THAT, IF TREAD WITH GRACE AND PATIENCE, CAN LEAD TO SOMETHING INCREDIBLE: TRUE INTIMACY.”

real marriage could begin. It’s a tipping point that, if tread

husband. It’s their time together, blocked off from the world in

with grace and patience, can lead to something incredible:

their own cocoon. Away from the interruption and distraction

true intimacy. I could still see the dazzling charm that I fell in

of their phones, they can talk about anything from what they

love with, but I could also see beyond to his faults, fears

ate for lunch to their 10-year plan and how they can achieve

and unvoiced hopes.

their dreams together.

The topic of intimacy isn’t often openly discussed; at least,

When infatuation eases, intimacy settles in for a sweet cup of

not without a steadying cocktail in hand. But intimacy

tea and a shoulder massage. It’s the everyday passion that

within marriage goes far beyond the bedroom. It’s about

carries a relationship forward. The rest of the world can only

knowing each other’s secret yearnings, greatest fears and

glimpse at its laced hemline, quickly averting their eyes while

idiosyncrasies as well as you know your own—perhaps better.

envying its quiet sincerity.

You notice the smallest change in his demeanour because you’ve studied the curves of his face and the tinkerings of his mind and you’re still curious to understand more.

In an era when technology makes it possible to connect with anyone, anywhere, it’s surprisingly difficult to truly know another person’s inside world. Even harder is the ability to let

Over coffee recently, a good friend told me about a pact

someone else in completely, to trust them with the thoughts

she made with her husband. For years, she’s been plagued

you hold closest to your chest. For me, intimacy required

with terrible nightmares that leave her sweating and cold.

Now married, her husband will wake to her cries, stroke her hair and proceed to recite the most ridiculous jokes he can remember until she laughs, swats him on the arm and they both go back to sleep. For her, his response is more perfect than a dozen red roses. He knows her deepest fears, and they face them together.

Another friend shares, with a small smile and a blush, how much she cherishes her night-time showers with her

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~ “IT’S THE EVERYDAY PASSION THAT CARRIES A RELATIONSHIP FORWARD. THE REST OF THE WORLD CAN ONLY GLIMPSE AT ITS LACED HEMLINE, QUICKLY AVERTING THEIR EYES WHILE ENVYING ITS QUIET SINCERITY.”

small, hesitant steps. It can be terrifying to feel so exposed to

out of control, wondering if you’ll land on your feet or smash

another person, but the rewards are worth it. Every year, you

into a thousand tiny pieces. The rush is intense, but when

learn a little more about your partner and reveal new parts of

it fades the passion doesn’t disappear. It simply settles

yourself. The more you reveal, the more you understand each

and grows more intimate, opening a window into another

other and grow together. It’s never a straight and narrow

person’s soul and bringing you closer together than you

path—people change, ideas change, and you’ll never quite

ever thought possible. With loving attention and patience,

have your other half figured out completely. My husband

the intimate passion in your marriage will grow richer and

mightn’t always understand me, but it’s beautiful that he

sweeter, becoming the fuel and fortitude you’ll need to

wants to understand. And besides, isn’t peeling back the

overcome anything.

layers half the fun?

At the beginning of a relationship, there’s no doubt that love explodes with fiery passion, all consuming and red hot.

Infatuation makes you feel like you’re falling, breathless and

T HE T OUGH TA L K SPEND SOME TIME TOGETHER ASKING THE HARD QUESTIONS ABOUT INTIMACY. Photography: Serena Cevenini Photography

1

WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL LOVED?

2

3

HOW DO YOU EXPRESS LOVE?

FOR YOU, IS ROMANCE DIFFERENT TO INTIMACY?

4

5

HOW IMPORTANT IS INTIMACY TO YOU?

WHAT ROLES DO LOVE AND AFFECTION PLAY IN YOUR LIFE?

6

WHAT ASPECTS OF OUR RELATIONSHIP ARE YOU MOST GRATEFUL FOR?

7

8

HOW CAN WE KEEP INTIMACY ALIVE IN OUR DAY-TO-DAY LIVES?

HOW WILL WE DEDICATE TIME FOR EACH OTHER?

9

IF OUR PASSION FOR OUR MARRIAGE BEGINS TO FADE, WHAT CAN WE DO TO REKINDLE IT?

10

HOW DOES BUILDING TRUST HELP US BECOME MORE INTIMATE AND CONNECTED?

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11

12

HOW IS WHAT WE HAVE MORE THAN JUST FRIENDSHIP?

WHAT ARE YOUR DREAMS AND DESIRES FOR OUR RELATIONSHIP?

the tough talk

THE LIT TLE THINGS “AS LONG AS WE ARE TOGETHER, WE ARE HAPPY DOING ANYTHING.” KEEGAN + OLIVIA SHARE THE INTIMATE BONDS OF THEIR DAY-TO-DAY LIVES. Words: Keegan Cronin| Illustrations: Bianca Cash | Photography: Barefoot & Bearded

TRAVEL

FOOD

WALKING

Olivia and I love to travel and explore

We both love food. It is our weakness.

We walk in the afternoons together. Olivia

new places. Being a photographer, I am

Eating foods from all different cultures

works in a hospital and I’m always behind

always looking for inspiration, and when

is something we share. We get stuck in

the computer processing images and

Olivia and I are out in nature, it is not only

the routine of eating our favourite foods

running the business. To get out in the

a way of connecting us but also opening

and visiting our favourite cafes and

afternoons and walk along the coastline

our minds and appreciating the world.

restaurants, but it’s something we have

is rejuvenating. The fresh air and the

We choose to go out and experience

always done together. We met in high

company of each other is what makes

different cultures, customs and ways

school, so going to a cafe or restaurant

us happy. We talk about things that

of life. We travel internationally at least

started early on in our relationship. The

we are planning or even just how our

once a year but also love seeing local

evenings often end with dessert as we

days were at work. We never run out of

areas and being on the road.

both have a sweet tooth.

things to talk about.

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the little things

HOME LIFE

RELAXING

ADVENTURE

We value each other’s opinions. When

Because of our shared love for food we

At the end of the day we are best friends.

you look around our home, it has been

tend to cook together. Our aim this year

People find it odd that we both share a

created and styled by both of us. We

is to cook a new recipe each week. In

love for winter. We prefer snow over the

made a decision to take a minimalist

doing so, we learn new ways of cooking

warmth of summer. It wouldn’t surprise

approach in the way we live. If we don’t

and helping each other with something

us if we move somewhere that snows.

use something, we don’t need it. Our

that can be seen as a chore. Cooking

We share the same love for mountains

home has become quite simple because

can be relaxing and a time out from our

and forests. Our dream is to live in a

of it and we enjoy spending time together

busy schedules (Keegan has probably

place that has these qualities. But most

in the home we have created.

cooked every Donna Hay recipe).

of all, we enjoy each other’s presence.

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BUSINESS FE ATURE

LESS STUFF – MORE ME ANING INTRODUCING SUBSTANCE AND SUSTAINABILITY TO WEDDINGS.

Sandra Henri has been a wedding and family

Tell us more about LSMM’s blog and

Where the day becomes a representation of

photographer for more than ten years, now

services. The weddings that make our heart

the values you stand for as a couple, such as

specialising in small, intimate weddings.

sing are the ones full of soul, where couples

looking after our global family, or being hands-

Through her time in the industry, Sandra has

have gone their own way to create an event

on in giving back to a cause.

witnessed a trend towards consumerism and

that is authentic to them. Our blog features real

extravagance that she feels has detracted from

weddings with simplicity and substance and

what’s truly important—both in marriage and

resources for ethical wedding planning. Watch

the world at large. Yet at the same time, she

this space for a gift registry with a difference!

was seeing couples who were scaling back and

Couples will be able to combine eco-ethical

giving back through their day. Sandra felt drawn

products, handmade artisan goods supporting

to inspire a new wedding culture around ethical

social enterprises, as well as opportunities for

weddings. Enter Less Stuff - More Meaning.

charitable giving and volunteer honeymoons.

What is Less Stuff - More Meaning (LSMM)?

LSMM is the start of a grassroots movement within the wedding industry—a hub for all things eco-ethical when it comes to wedding planning.

Its aims are to dig deeper, to go beyond the

Malawi. Unsurprisingly, my view of the world has never quite been the same. But it seems I’m not the only one, as wherever I go and whoever I talk to, people share my sentiments.

The tide is turning from our consumerist values

combines artisan gift products, goods that give back, ethically sourced and fair trade, with the option to support various charities.

weddings in Australia? We would love

offer face-to-face donor relationship services

to see weddings become a force for social

for charities. It’s a one-stop shop for the

change. Here’s our dream: ethical and fair-

conscious couple who believe less is more.

trade products (gowns and rings) become

blogs? We are substance seekers. We are

contrast I experienced while volunteering in

stand out in the marketplace as a registry that

marriage, chat mindful relationships, and

our global family and the planet.

for living more purposefully and the hands-on

charitable gift registry. We would like it to

How do you envision the ideal future of

What sets you apart from other wedding

movement? LSMM was born out of a love

LSMM? Our next focus is our ethical and

We also muse on the adventure called

pretty details and consider our relationship to

What inspired you to start the LSMM

What are your plans for the future of

a team of like-minds, searching for things that move us, whether it be the story behind the wedding, the reading that moved us to tears, the journey the couple took towards their marriage, or what impact the couple has decided to make. Our goal is to make you feel something: moved, empowered, purposedriven, reflective, grateful, connected to our

the new normal. We reduce our footprint by incorporating minimalist values into wedding design. We take a climatarian approach to wedding cuisine: let’s create a new tradition around a meat-free entree to actively reduce our carbon emissions. Wouldn’t it be amazing to see weddings become world changers, where gift giving becomes giving back. Where weddings are a celebration of the couple’s love for each other and all humans.

global village, at peace.

to more conscious living. The more I spoke to

What sort of change do you want to

people, the more the concept developed, and

inspire? Let’s bring back the minimalist

now we have a growing team. My gut feeling

wedding, the intimate gathering and the

is that brides and grooms will wholeheartedly

elopement. Where the wedding becomes a

lessstuffmoremeaning.org

embrace the opportunity to mindfully plan and

community affair and guests bring a plate.

facebook.com/lessstuffmoremeaning

use their wedding to make tangible social change.

Or where guests give experiences over stuff.

instagram.com/less_stuff_more_meaning

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Photography by Sandra Henri

L I V E + B R E AT HE

MINIMALISM ISN’T ABOUT LIVING WITH LESS, IT IS ABOUT LIVING WITH MORE. Words: Mike Campbell | Photography: Keegan Cronin

D

o we stumble on things or are we just not fully aware that we are searching? I wasn’t looking for a way to

purge most of my belongings, but that is exactly what my wife, Inga, and I did when we discovered minimalism.

It entered our life at a time where I wasn’t happy or fulfilled with my current job and I was bringing a lot of my stress, sadness and worthlessness home with me each evening, and Inga was seeing a psychologist for her anxiety.

Our entry into minimalism was through a game. The rules of the game are quite simple—you find a friend and you each discard one item from your home on the first day, two on the second day, three on the third day and so forth for thirty days. A total of 645 items each. The first two weeks are easy, but it gets more challenging as you get deeper into the month.

In the beginning, Inga went along with the game as it was a way to do a little spring-cleaning around our home, and then it became the thing we did each night, together, excited to see what the other person was going to release from their life that day. Some days we were amazed and proud at what the other person had selected, and other days we were thankful.

We brought our daughter, Andy, along for the ride and

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explained what we were doing. On two separate occasions she came to me with a pile of her toys and said she would like to donate them, telling me that she doesn’t really play with these ones anymore.

Going through the process together allowed it to be a talking point within our home and our relationship. We weren’t doing this for ourselves but for each other, which developed a deeper bond and a common purpose. We made it through the month and we felt cleansed, like our home and minds had been through a detox. It was therapeutic. What started out as a little game completely changed our mindset and outlook on possessions and money. It gave us the time to really question what we truly valued and realign our compass.

We decluttered more of our home as the weeks passed and now it has become a habit. We strongly question each new purchase or item we bring into the home and we don’t buy anything unless we believe it will add value to our lives.

Inga’s anxiety started to improve. Seeing space and order in our home meant there was one less thing for her to be anxious about. She took the principles of minimalism to her business and created more space for her personal time, which enabled her anxiety to be much more manageable.

~ “OUR FAMILY WAS TOGETHER, LEARNING AND EXPERIENCING NEW THINGS WITH EACH OTHER, SUPPORTING, CARING AND LOVING EACH OTHER, VENTURING INTO THE UNKNOWN AND A WORLD OF POSSIBILITIES TOGETHER.”

One evening Inga raised the idea of the family living overseas for a year. I wasn’t enjoying my work and Andy was only three-and-a-half years old, so the timing seemed perfect.

We didn’t know how we were going to pull it off but we weren’t frightened by the task, we felt alive by it, and I believe that is because of minimalism. It enabled us to break down tasks and questions so we could see them for what they really were, without the fog of society’s expectations and the cloud of possessions. Feeling alive doesn’t mean that fear is evaporated—perhaps it was the fear of the unknown that made us feel alive by the notion.

When we told family and friends that we were going to take off on a year-long adventure, one of the first things people would say was, “What are you going to do with all your stuff?” Oddly enough, that is all we thought it was. Stuff.

Apart from needing to rent out our home, our stuff was so far down our list of priorities we hadn’t really thought about it.

Our stuff didn’t own us anymore.

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We were more comfortable in our relationship and knew we

Five months later we packed, donated or sold everything

would work through each of the hurdles together. The main

we owned and headed on a family adventure attempting to

hurdle we faced initially was affordability, and this was the

house-sit our way around North America for a year.

topic of conversation for a number of weeks. How could we afford to travel through North America for a year? We had the advantage that Inga could take her design business, Inkling Design, anywhere there was internet connection, but this also meant that we couldn’t take the affordable option and hit the road in an RV or van. We landed on the idea of houseand pet-sitting so the large cost of accommodation was taken out, and we went all-in on trying to make it happen.

I put all of my PR and marketing skills to work and I hustled.

I literally spruiked my family every night for three months. I sent countless emails to people, I researched their towns, the breed of dog they had, we had one of our friends take professional photos of our family for our house-sitter profiles and to send to home owners.

After months of continuously trying, it finally paid off. During our first Skype conversation with a couple in their 60s, they said that they would love for us to house-sit their home and two cats in Clam Lake, Wisconsin, over their winter. Our little dream was finally becoming a reality. This is a town of 36 people in the middle of a national park where temperatures drop to below -25°c. Our adventure was going to be filled with experiences so different to that of our home life.

Only the first house-sit was organised when we left Australia and we didn’t know what was going to unfold after that. But we didn’t let the unanswered questions and fear impede with our desire to live immediately. Our family was together, learning and experiencing new things with each other, supporting, caring and loving each other, venturing into the unknown and a world of possibilities together.

Minimalism isn’t about living with less, it is about living with more. Less possessions are a simple by-product of minimalism that allows you to fill that space with the things you love. Have fun and live immediately.

Photo by Tom Hall Photography

Marvel at the views, savour the award-winning cuisine and experience your perfect day.

Weddings at Tiffany’s is exclusively yours on your wedding day.

info@weddingsattiffanys.com.au

409 Mountain View Road

weddingsattiffanys.com.au

Maleny, Queensland 4552

07 5494 2825

Australia

STILL THE ONE I LOVE

AUDREY + COLIN: AN EXCITING LOVE Photography: Fred + Hannah

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A

udrey and Colin were married in 1951, and each day of the following 65 years has strengthened their

loving bond. Through hardships, challenges and adventures alike, the pair have worked together in every aspect of their lives—and their love is as strong and steady now as it has ever been. Here they share the story of their relationship and their wise insights into the meaning of love and marriage.

~ “MANY MARRIAGES ARE TAKEN AS A DAY OF EXCITEMENT, AND WHEN THE DAY FADES, SO DOES THE HAPPINESS. DON’T PLAN YOUR MARRIAGE FOR THAT ONE DAY, BUT AS A LIFETIME OF HAPPINESS, FRIENDSHIP AND LOVE.”

How did you meet? Audrey: We had known of each other all our lives, but had never formally met, until one day during a Sunday school picnic we found ourselves in the back seat of a car with other people. Colin: I noticed this beautiful girl in the back seat, so I squeezed in beside her. For some months I had been madly, secretly in love with Audrey, but the opportunity had not arisen for me to make my feelings

How did your partner propose? Audrey: There was never really a formal proposal, but a mutual feeling of belonging to each other, so it was just a natural course of events.

known. This was my chance to get close, and I went home

How have you kept your relationship strong all these

feeling 10 feet tall! We met again shortly after, but this time it

years? Audrey: It’s been important to always have good

was intentional—and this was where I received my first kiss,

communication, discussing different aspects of our life,

which was full of love, with many more to follow.

whether good or bad. We have always done things together,

What advice do you have for young couples?

Colin: Your partner is the most important part of your life, so love each other with tender care—keeping in mind, as the marriage vows say, “Until death parts us”. It is not a set goals together, and enjoyed life together. We have

12-month experience, but a lifetime of fulfilment. Audrey:

holidayed together and worked together. That, I think, is the

Don’t end the day without settling disagreements; go to bed

secret word: “together”.

happy with loving goodnight kisses. You will wake the next

What are the qualities you find most attractive in your

morning happy and ready to start a new day.

partner? Audrey: I find that now we are older we have to

What is marriage to you? Colin: Marriage is the most

rely on each other for more. I love the fact that Colin can do

important aspect of couples’ lives. To have someone to love

anything in the home. He is great at cooking (he even knows

and be loved by is just wonderful. Always be honest, loyal and

how to bake a cake, and ice it), which is quite unusual for

share everything (even the washing up!). Audrey: It can be a

a man of his generation! Colin: Audrey still looks amazing.

tough journey getting to know each other and sharing times

Her health gets her down at times, but she never fails to be

of joy and also disappointments. Many marriages are taken

positive and happy. She still dresses beautifully and takes

as a day of excitement, and when the day fades, so does the

pride in how she looks. She never fails to excite me, because

happiness. Don’t plan your marriage for that one special day,

she still loves me.

but as a lifetime of happiness, friendship and love.

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still the one I love

SOPHIE BAKER PHOTOGRAPHY

CAM GROVE

“People are extraordinary. I crave making images that are real, honest, raw and beautiful. Let’s adventure together and make photo magic … and then be friends!” *high five*

“I love what I do. I work amongst loving souls on the best day of their lives, capturing memories that they never even realised they could have. It’s gold …”

hello@sophiebakerphotography.com | sophiebakerphotography.com

cam@camgrove.com | camgrove.com

CRAB APPLE VINTAGE

GINGERMEGS FLORAL CREATIONS

Transform your next event from standard to spectacular with Crab Apple Vintage’s distinctive style. Our unique pieces range from cutting-edge industrial, rustic country to whimsical vintage charm, and are perfect any event.

Gingermegs don’t just style flowers—we specialise in wedding and event styling and are there to plan, style and create truly unforgettable days for couples. We’ll come up with amazing concepts for your wedding.

hire@crabapplevintage.com.au | crabapplevintage.com.au

hello@gingemegs.com.au | gingermegs.com.au

LIFE IS PEACHY

LIV ROONEY MAKEUP ARTIST

Addicted to vibrant colours and unique designs, Life is Peachy has created a gorgeous range of wedding invitations, matching stationery and fingerprint trees that you and your guests will be sure to adore.

“I love busily working away behind the scenes to bring together something beautiful for you. I would feel privileged to be a part of the day of your dreams and see it all come together exactly as you imagined it.”

info@lifeispeachy.com.au | lifeispeachy.com.au

livrooneymakeup@gmail.com | livrooney.com

EASTERN SOUL

SILVER SIXPENCE

With tales of travel and tribal treasure, Eastern Soul’s hand-picked authentic selection of unique, handmade, artisan jewellery celebrates the gypsy traditions of Eastern cultures.

A bridal designer who understands that you are unique and fabulous and your wedding dress should be as well, Silver Sixpence creates vintage inspired wedding dresses, specialising in fun tea length dresses.

sarah@easternsoul.com.au | easternsoul.com.au

melanie@silversixpence.com.au | silversixpence.com.au

ANNA RACHEL PHOTOGRAPHER

THE GRUB CLUB

“Intimacy, meaningful connection, the preciousness of photographs—work with me on your wedding day to create a distinctive selection of elegant images to treasure forever.”

The Grub Club provides a fresh approach to event catering.

Seasonal, considered menus, great service, and fair prices are their standard and they cater to Melbourne, VIC, and surrounds.

anna@annarachelphotographer.com.au annarachelphotographer.com.au

events@thegrubclub.com.au | thegrubclub.com.au

ANCHORED CINEMA

SAHRA VILAYRACK – TRAVELMANAGERS

Cinema | Photo | Photo Booth At Anchored Cinema, we endeavour to capture all of the beautiful moments that form and forge unforgettable memories.

Sahra is a honeymoon and wedding registry specialist with over 15 years’ experience! She is a trusted travel manager and can plan your dream honeymoon at amazing rates. See white’s premium content for an exclusive couples’ bonus.

james@anchoredcinema.com | anchoredcinema.com

sahra.vilayrack@travelmanagers.com.au travelmanagers.com.au/SahraVilayrack

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market place

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GO INTO THE DRAW White brings together stories of love and life—personal narratives of laughter, romance, oftentimes tragedy, but always hope. We hold marriage up to the light, and use our pages to venture into honest, clever and meaningful conversations about all the unglamorous parts of marital (mis)adventure. white is your companion in the trenches and triumphs of life as a two-person love-troop. Sign up for a 12-month subscription and you could win four Review bridesmaids’ dresses and an instore styling session. To go into the draw, enter the code “AYEAROFWHITEMAG“ at checkout.

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Suite 213, 350 George Street Sydney 2000 02 9221 0088 hello@grewandco.com.au grewandco.com.au

suzanneharward.com | 03 8415 0688 | @ suzanneharward