There isn’t much that can take precedence over wedding planning but when you’re an Aussie, one thing in particular has the ability to take priority over all else, as evidenced by Meredith and Josh’s £safe move to change their wedding date.
£We originally set the date of the wedding for 3 October – we had started to book in vendors when Josh’s footy mad family pointed out that our proposed wedding day was the day of the AFL Grand Final. It was a laugh cry situation and we chose to laugh.
Needless to say, the proactive pair moved their celebration forward a week, leaving them plenty of time to organise their New South Wales wedding with little stress. Given they were flying up from Melbourne (and baggage allowances are pretty skimpy), Meredith and Josh avoided the DIY bandwagon, relying on their amazing group of vendors instead.
At the forefront of their all star team of suppliers was Erin of Hope and Lace, who helped bring their lush, tropical garden inspired fete to life.
£We were keen for the wedding to feel more like a glamorous house party than a formal wedding and so decided canapû?s around the pool after the ceremony and then one long table for the banquet, explains Meredith, whose only set criteria in the search for her perfect dress was £no meringues.
After an unlucky day of searching, Meredith and her mum made one last stop at The Bridal Atelier, and the rest was history. £I put it on and felt amazing. I think you know you’ve found the right dress when you don’t want to take it off. it was nothing like what I thought I would wear but I loved it – the sequins, the intricate pattern and figure hugging fit made me feel very glamorous, says Meredith, though her and Josh’s vows didn’t flow nearly as elegantly as her Theia gown.
£Josh said I do’ before the celebrant was finished speaking; Meredith put the ring on Josh’s right hand; and the pet poodles jumped out and ran across the aisle while we were walking out and we almost tripped over! Thankfully, the lovely Stories By Ash went above and beyond the call of duty by providing assistance to the newlyweds and other vendors throughout the day and evening.
£Ash, our photographer, was a star. Being with her was such a pleasure; she was an oasis of calm in stressful moments and it was really lovely to escape with her after the ceremony so that Josh and I could take it all in and be by ourselves for a moment.
CREDITS Photos Stories by Ash // Bridal gown Theia via The Bridal Atelier // Robes Natalija // Shoes Edward Meller via Hermanns // Hair and makeup Luciana Rose // Bridesmaid dresses Thurley and Nicholas // Bridesmaid shoes Midas // Groom and groomsmen suits and tie P Johnson Taylors // Shoes Magnanni // Groomsmen suits MJ Bale // Groomsmen gifts Farage // Event planner / Stylist Hope and Lace // Florist Bower Botanicals // Stationery Cass Deller Design // Ceremony and reception Private property, QLD // Catering Nadine Abensur // Cake Love in a Cake // Wedding favours Rainforest Foods // Prop and furniture hire Lovestruck Event Hire & Styling, Hampton Event Hire, Gold Coast Event and Party Hire and The Collector and Co // Lighting / sound hire The Collector and Co // Signage Hampton Event Hire // Entertainment Ms Renee Simone // Transport Ballina Byron Minibus Hire.