Not every couple can live and work together but Issue 11 couple Milton and Amy (of Milton Gan Photography fame) are clearly an exception to the rule.
Over the years their business and relationship (which began as a blind date) has flourished, so too has their network of wedding vendors including photographer Dan O’Day and stylist Lisa Madigan who they were lucky enough to have help out on their wedding day held at Graciosa Byron Bay.
“We knew we wanted to celebrate our big day in the beautiful Byron Hinterland and as soon as we saw the amazing natural bamboo archway (which we christened the bamboo cathedral) at Graciosa we knew it was a pretty special place. We had viewed a few in the area, but Gracoisa stole our hearts,” says Amy.
Inspired by the surrounding natural beauty, their stylist Lisa incorporated plenty of native florals and foliage as well as handwritten menus and romantic festoon lighting to create a space as mesmerising as Amy’s gorgeous gown.
“Ahh the dress, I always knew the search would be tricky, as I did not want a traditional, strapless, beaded number. I bought three wedding dresses and Milton paid for them all, hahaha funny, just maybe not for Milton!” laughs Amy.
In the end she went with a modern design by New York label Houghton from The Bridal Atelier which she paired with a vintage gold sequin jacket, and matching shoes.
Overall, however, the day was clearly less about aesthetic and more about awkward, embarrassing moments. As Amy explains, “we played a joke on one of our guests – during the ceremony our celebrant asked him to come up to do a reading (when he wasn’t actually supposed to do one).
The look on his face was simply priceless. However, that guest was of one of our MCs and he got his revenge on Milton when, during the reception, he asked all the guests to stand up and got Milton to demonstrate and teach everyone one of his signature dance moves from his clubbing days.”
Milton, in his Grew & Co wedding ring, wasn’t alone for long, with everyone soon joining him on the dance floor and cutting shapes until their bodies ached. It was exactly the kind of wedding this playful pair had hoped to create and the perfect way to kickstart their lives together as husband and wife – something they both take very seriously.
When asked what marriage means to them, Amy replies, “you get to wear a nice ring? Hahaha. To us it means committing to hang out with your best friend for the rest of your days.” Now that’s a sentiment we can get behind.
If you want to see more wonderful weddings like this one, pick up a copy of Issue 12, on sale now or click here, here and here for more Byron Bay wedded goodness.
CREDITS Photos Dan O’Day Photography // Bridal gown Houghton via The Bridal Atelier // Shoes The Standard Store // Accessories and bridesmaid gifts Dinosaur Designs // Makeup Ashlea Penfold // Bridesmaid dresses Gorman // Groom and groomsmen suits P.Johnson Tailors // Ring Grew & Co // Shoes Alexander McQueen via David Jones // Stylist and florist Lisa Madigan // Stationery Aleksandra and D&D Letterpress // Ceremony and reception Graciosa Talofa, NSW // Catering Figtree Restaurant // Cake Dot & Roy // Prop and furniture hire The Wedding Shed and Arctic Fox Hire // Photo Booth The Photo Booth Guys // Lighting / sound hire Byron Audio // Entertainment Kyle Lionhart and North Coast Entertainment // Celebrant Nathan Crouch // Transport The Magic Bus.