Fontaine and Nicola scored five out of five for their beautiful backyard wedding, and a place in issue five too. Shot by legendary photographer Lakshal Perera (who also featured here) and with music by Louisa Rankin this was definitely one of those days that people will be talking about for donkey’s years.
For Fontaine and Nicola, or Fonze and Pickle as they’re more commonly known, marriage means a lot. Fontaine says, £Although the government does not recognise our marriage, it’s a marriage as far as we’re concerned and as far as our family and friends are concerned.
So like any other couples’ big day, it was all about preparation, people and a whole lot of DIY decorations. £We wanted to have a small wedding with our closest family and friends, so we made an effort to keep the numbers low. We took some elements of traditional weddings, such as exchanging rings, wearing white dresses and holding bouquets but we didn’t have bridesmaids, a cake-cutting ceremony or bouquet throwing. Above all we wanted it to be a great party, with good company, good food and good music that all our friends and family would enjoy.
Despite a hiccup with their initial venue, they managed to pull it off. £We found out that there were some problems with the wedding venue and in the end it fell through so we made the decision to have the wedding in our backyard. Most of the planning didn’t change but we had to consider a marquee, install outdoor power points, reconsider photo locations, etc.
Thanks to the Australian Government dragging their heels on the whole same-sex marrige thing, Fontaine, who wore a stunning Collette Dinnigan gown and Nicola, who rocked a sweet Zimmerman number, realised it was not essential to hire a qualified celebrant, instantly multiplying their options.
£We asked Nicola’s brother Mick to be our celebrant. We thought it would be really special to ask someone close to us to lead the ceremony, adds Nicola. The couple wrote not just their vows, but the entire ceremony using aspects they liked from weddings they had attended in the past. Nicola says, £it was really nice and personal to have the freedom to say exactly what we wanted to say. The ceremony was about celebrating and recognising our existing relationship and also signified our commitment to a future together. We wanted to get married at the time that was right for us, we didn’t want it to be dictated by the law and so we decided to do it our own way.
Both paramedics, their way seemed to make a lot of sense. £For us marriage is the joining of two people for life, bound by love. The blessing and support we’ve received from our friends and family means far more to us than a marriage certificate. Having said that, we are big advocates for marriage equality and look forward to the day when our marriage will be recognised as equal to that of a heterosexual marriage. We look forward to that day too!
P.S Did you know Collette Dinnigan has said goodbye to the wedding world, but if you’d always had your heart set on one of her gorgeous designs, we know where you might still be able to get one of her last Ready to Wear gowns. Just click here.
CREDITS Photos Lakshal Perera // Bridal gowns Collette Dinnigan and Zimmerman // Jewellery Swarvoski // Shoes Zomp // Rings Pieces of Eight, Conroy & Wilcox and Tink // Makeup Carlie Nancarrow Makeup Artistry // Hair Biba Clifton Hill // Ceremony and reception private property // Marquee The Marquee People // Flowers Art Stems on Lygon // Music Louisa Rankin and James Saunders // Catering Blakes Feast // Prop hire Complete Function Hire // Lighting Wwave Audio Visual Hire.