Both creatives, these two have been together for eight years and confess to loving a lush garden party – so you can see where the wedding vibes came from! The elegant affair (think chic suits – complete with M.J. Bale cufflinks and one hell of a bridal gown), stemmed from an Instagram prize, featuring one of our go-to photographers here at Hello May (and our office bud!), Kristie Carrick Photography, along with blooms from Blossom Love and a bridal shower lunch at Audley Dance Hall. To say the pair were pleased (with that and the big day) would be an understatement! Scroll down for all the deets and pretty pics…
THE VENUE “We wanted to throw one hell of a party and make a weekend of it. Our preference was holding the accommodation, ceremony location and reception all at the one venue. It was important our friends and family found the weekend enjoyable and easy. They could stay in a beautiful part of the Southern Highlands and enjoy a pre-wedding pub dinner then a post-wedding BBQ with us. We saw five other venues around the Southern Highlands before driving through the gates at Somerleys and never looking back.”
FAVE DETAILS “Everything on the day was perfect from a visual standpoint. As creatives, we put lots of effort into the details and carrying the lush green garden theme through everything. The colour scheme was deep forest green. It ran through the gardens to the bridesmaid dresses and on to the stationery. The florals were clever and divine – Danelle of Blossom Love is such a talented Florist. She somehow took my clashing brief of ‘we love tropical palms and orchids, but it needs to suit the Victorian venue’ and created bouquets, an arbour and a reception canopy [so good] that my closest friends said ‘these flowers are so you.’ The palms carried through to Toby’s wedding gift of M.J. Bale palm tree cufflinks.”
THE DRESS “I enjoyed the dress search a little too much. I visited about eight boutiques across Sydney and found what I thought was the ‘perfect’ dress at each one. Funnily I ended up purchasing the first dress I tried on. I knew what I wanted before starting, a dress to suit my frame that was oozing with intricate floral details. I found the Pronovias dress of my dreams and purchased it from Marry Me Bridal in Mosman because they have an in-house seamstress. I designed exaggerated, flowing sleeves which I dreamed of wearing instead of a veil and the seamstress created these from my drawings. I was stoked the process was so achievable and the sleeves were heavenly.”
REFERENCES “We won the most incredible Instagram prize that simplified the entire process. Kristie Carrick Photography, Blossom Love and Audley Dance Hall put together a generous prize pack including an entire photography package, majority of the day’s florals and a stunning bridal shower lunch. We couldn’t believe our luck in winning and each of them clearly loved what they did, and it showed in how gorgeous everything was and came together so seamlessly.”
A WORD OF ADVICE “Remember, everyone has opinions, but the bride and groom’s opinion are the only ones that truly matter. And oh, enter competitions! They’re real and you can win.”
STANDOUT VENDORS “They were all champions. Our photographer Kristie Carrick Photography had a level of professionalism and cheekiness that got us through the day and out the other side with some truly beautiful photos. We are so grateful for the passion she had for her job and how she captured every detail.”
To see more real grooms from M.J. Bale, head to our Directory listing here. And if you love the pics, you’ll find more beautiful work from Kristie Carrick Photography here.
CONTRIBUTING VENDORS Photographer Kristie Carrick Photography Cinematographer Redscope Florist Blossom Love Stationery Crystal Bernia Invitations Stitch Press Ceremony & Reception Somerleys Catering Gallivant Groom Accommodation Arafel House Cake Sprinkle & Cream Cake Design Hire Items & Festoon Lighting The Wedding + Event Creators Signage Beyond Neon Signs Entertainment Voli K Music Celebrant Gai Marchetto Transport Southern Highlands Taxis, Limousines & Coaches THE BRIDE Bridal Gown Pronovias Bridal Boutique & Sleeves Marry Me Bridal Hair Piece Pelita Mosman Rings Larsen Robes Bras N Things Bridesmaids Papinelle Sleepwear Shoes Billini Accessories Luv Ajay (Bride Earrings) & Mimco (Bridesmaid Earrings) Hair & Makeup KYZO Bridesmaid Dresses Shona Joy THE GROOM Suit, Shirt, Bow Tie, Groomsmen Suits Mawson Óssa Cufflinks M.J. Bale Shoes Windsor Smith Watch Kapten & Son