Considering the bride of this story is a wedding planner, you’d expect a grandiose celebration for her own marriage to her love and father of their son, Rich. But no, after much experience in the industry, Stacey and Rich were happy to not buckle under the pressure and do what was expected. “I often see it within my job and I felt it myself. Thinking more about what others would want, expect or be happy with rather than just thinking of yourselves,” Stacey says.
“We were freaking out about telling our parents that we were eloping but they were surprisingly supportive.”
After a fun drunken proposal on a boat dressed in sailor outfits and a near-miss of ring overboard, Stacey and Rich went from colleagues (they first hooked up at a work party), to lovers, to parents, to husband and wife on the river beds of the Rees Valley in Kinloch.
The couple had spent two and a half years engaged, and in that time had their baby and planned their elopement in New Zealand (where they had settled ten years prior) and a big bash for family and friends in the UK (where they are both originally from).
Their official union involved a helicopter ride, an amazing mountain range setting, their son and a select few professionals to help officiate the day. Stacey didn’t need to look far for her vendors as working in the industry, her choices were a no-brainer.
Of their lens lady Dawn Thomson, Stacey says, “Our amazing photographer and friend Dawn, wow! When it comes to professional photos, me and Rich are usually behind the camera kind of people so we were both nervous about how awkward we could be. From the get go, Dawn made us feel so relaxed and comfortable which just made the day feel effortless. We are so in love with our photos.”
With a full, luscious bouquet by The Flower Room tied together ever-so-beautifully with a plant-dyed silk ribbon from Feathers and Stone, Stacey wed Rich in the ‘Willow Dress’ from Made with Love after seeing it on Instagram. While she was unsure it would be right for her post-baby bod, she was thrilled when after flying across countries with her girlfriend to try it on, it fit like a glove! “Huge thanks to Made with Love for making a tired looking mama feel amazing,” the relaxed Stacey says.
The bride shares with us a little insight about their love (and of other yin/yang type loves) that was extracted from a friend’s speech at their UK celebration. Rich being forever the realist and Stacey always with her head in the clouds, £There are dreamers and there are realists in this world. You’d think the dreamers would find the dreamers, and the realists would find the realists, but more often than not, the opposite is true. See, the dreamers need the realists to keep them from soaring too close to the sun. And the realists? Well, without the dreamers, they might not ever get off the ground.
CONTRIBUTING VENDORS Photographer Dawn Thomson Photography Event Planner / Stylist Colour Me Happy Wedding (Bride’s Business) Florist The Flower Room Ceremony Venue On the river beds of the Rees Valley, Kinloch Celebrant Gina Matete Engagement Ring Michael Hill Bride & Groom’s Wedding Band Michael Hill Bouquet Ribbon Feathers and Stone Helicopter Heli Glenorchy THE BRIDE Bridal Gown Designer Made With Love Veil Ali Express Lingerie Bendon Makeup Muse Hair & Makeup THE GROOM Suit & Shirt Barkers Shoes Hallensteins Watch Barkers THE KIDS Baby Boy’s Outfit H&M