Lauren and Steve got used to everyone reminding them that getting married six months after the proposal was ‘not much time’… but they had their reasons. “We wanted to beat the cold weather arriving in Melbourne, and were too impatient to hold off until the following spring,” explains Lauren, who says finding an available venue on such short notice was a toughie.
“We always knew we wanted a space we could make our own, Gather & Tailor was the perfect blank canvas and the right size for the amount of guests, and to hold both the ceremony and reception in one space. It’s a new venue and we loved the warehouse setting,” the couple tells us, adding that flowers were a huge part of their day.
“The venue was mostly white so we wanted to create something special with florals for the alter, and to bring the space to life, which florist Cecilia Fox did so beautifully! Everywhere I looked on the night there were dahlias, roses, peonies and trailing foliage in my colour palette of white, green, blush and moody crimson. It was the perfect contrast to our venue’s industrial location in West Melbourne.”
When it came to the food, Lauren and Steve chose Pot & Pan to create a relaxed, homely feel and a huge, ‘sexy’ charcuterie table which their guests were able to attack while the newlyweds went for photos. “Hearty, generous, delicious and non-stuffy food – like a big family dinner (at two extra long tables). Guests pouring wine for one another, and passing platters of slow cooked lamb, wood fire roasted salmon, grain salads, roast potatoes and other sides. Everyone has commented on the delicious food since!”
Rocking a gorgeous Suzanne Harward number, the bride tells us she hardly remembers walking into the venue to start her walk down the aisle with her dad – thankfully, Love Katie and Sarah were there to capture it all. “That moment is a bit of a blur but I do remember seeing Steve’s huge smile then slowly starting to take in all the faces of my friends and family in the room. It’s a surreal feeling that I’ve never experienced before but I’m pretty sure I had the biggest grin on my face the entire day and night!”
CREDITS Photos Love Katie and Sarah // Bridal gown Suzanne Harward // Shoes Sergio Rossi // Accessories Ben Amun // Hair Xiang Hair // Makeup Kim Tavares // Rings Charles Rose // Bridesmaid dresses Portmans // Groom and groomsmen suits and tie / bowtie Oscar Hunt // Cufflinks Max & Me Designs // Shoes Julius Marlow // Watch Nixon // Barber / grooming All the Kings Men // Event planner / Stylist Dot Dot Dash // Florist Cecilia Fox // Stationery Month of June // Ceremony and reception Gather & Tailor, VIC // Catering Pot & Pan // Cake The Dessert Parlour // Decorative elements Geelong Fireworks // Prop and furniture hire Place Settings // Sound hire Audioworks // Signage Month of June // Entertainment Prequel // Celebrant Damon Hughes // Transport Southern Cross // Cinematographer Chuck Edgeworth.