Where to start with these two. Claire and Steve met whilst working on a project together, they’re both theatre artists you see. From the get go the pair have always made their own tracks, starting from when Steve took Claire on their first date, “I took Claire on a date for reverse dinner where you eat dessert first and finish with your main. It kind of set the tone for the rest of our lives together – we do things our own way.”
Given their line of work they had their hearts set on the Empire Theatre for their ceremony and reception. “The entire inside would be a blank canvas for us to do whatever we wanted. Starting from nothing to draw from spatially was intimidating, but we made it into something that we thought really captured who we are. It was also the theatre that we met at, so it was fitting to have our wedding there.”
The structure of their day went about a little differently from the traditional. Claire decided she wanted to give her family a ‘first look’ before entering the ceremony, “It felt weird to me that I wouldn’t see them until the ceremony, so once I was ready they came around and saw me frocked up. It was glorious. Before this, my Nan helped me put a charm bracelet on that was hers, she gave it to me on my 21st, I will never for as a long as I live forget the way she looked at me when she saw me for the first time.”
From the incredible DIY efforts of Steve (check out that ‘YEAH!’ sign and the Chapel-all his handy-work), every detail was meticulously planned by the pair (with the help of Erin from Hope & Lace) in a way that wasn’t overbearing, but lovingly done so. Through the beautiful shots taken by photographer Jess Jackson, it’s clear that each component of their ‘Neighbourhood’ styled ceremony matched their unique and quirky style. “All of our vendors were amazing, but we cannot praise our photographer Jess enough. We ADORE her. She is so cool, graceful, funny and so, so exceptional at what she does.”
The dress code instructed guests to wear something they’ve always wanted to, though may never had the chance to. “It gave everyone a safe boundary, they could go as far as we wanted to. Steve’s best men wore a kimono and high, high heels (and looked gorgeous) and his other best man wore their family tartan. We had a lot of formal gowns, a Darth Vader, oh and a guy who wore socks and sandals.”
From the personalised tattoos by Pepper Ink to the intricate and humorously embroidered hankies from Nancy 665, Claire and Steve’s unique shindig, of which the ceremony portion was presided over by Paul Voge Marriage, had everyone in tears. “Claire would spontaneously cry for about three or four days after the wedding because she was so happy. She’d think of something she loved and then just burst into tears.”
CREDITS Photos Jess Jackson // Event planner and Stylist Hope & Lace // personalised tattoos Pepper Ink via Etsy // Ceremony, reception venue and lighting Empire Theatre, Heritage Bank Auditorium // Catering Fire and Dough // Cup Cakes and individual cake toppers Oh Cake Toowoomba // Wedding favours Dan Elborne // Prop and furniture hire Games Luxury of Vintage Enterprises // Fencing GC Event Hire // Celebrant Paul Voge Marriage //Badges Make Badges //Bridal gown Ferrari Bridal // Hair piece Elemental Child // Shoes ASOS //Accessories Lacersuite via Etsy// Makeup Ellie Bee //Bridesmaid gifts cards Veronica Dearly//Personalised hankies Nancy 665 // Sound Bite Necklaces Audio Bracelets // Personalised Lego Person Fab Bricks // Cufflinks Sconnie And Jam // Suit Noose & Monkey // Socks Roger David // Groomsmen heels House of Priscilla.