These two globetrotters live in Europe – Albert is German and Emma, an Aussie. They got married in Byron Bay and we fell in love with the pics by Stories By Ash (not to mention the signage and place cards by Sunday Nude). Scroll down for all of the incredible pics and details from the duo… 

SWEET SENTIMENT “I have a close group of girlfriends, all of whom I met in Berlin. We are all Australian, and have travelled through life together these last few years. When the first of us got engaged to her now German husband she started collecting Hello May magazines. These have now been passed along when each of us got engaged, and I just loved looking at all of the different notes and bookmarks when we were planning the wedding.”

THE VENUE “We went on our first weekend away there when we first started dating, we decided to move to Berlin watching the sunrise on Tallow Beach one morning and got engaged there. We wanted to share this with our loved ones and wanted to get married somewhere where all of our guests could experience such a quintessential part of Australia. We had been to The Farm [Three Blue Ducks Byron] many times, loved the food and the atmosphere.”

THE DRESS “When I first started looking for a dress, I felt totally overwhelmed by choice and underwhelmed by quality. I tried on so many dresses (in different cities) and just never really felt that comfortable or that they were me. I came across Hermione De Paula, flew to London (seems crazy now), using the excuse to visit my best friend and tried on some dresses in their showroom. It was definitely more than I had planned to spend on a dress, but decided that if I was doing this, then I might as well get the dress I want. It felt so special and unique.”

REFERENCES “This was definitely challenging from overseas. I would have loved to have actually met with more of the vendors or chatted to them over the phone. The team at The Farm gave me a lot of recommendations. Otherwise, I mostly used the internet, and specifically Hello May.”

MEMORABLE MOMENT “It feels like a world away, but at this time the fires were really intensifying around Australia. This was our main concern leading up to the wedding as some of the international guests were a bit nervous about it. Just as the cocktail hour finished, it started to sprinkle and before long we were experiencing a full blown Australian summer storm. The Australian’s were cheering and just so relieved for the rain – while the international guests looked confused and to us for reassurance that the loud thunder and lit up sky was normal. I will always remember sitting at the table, listening to speeches with the sky beautifully lit up by the lightning in the background, and the rain hitting the tin roof.”

A WORD OF ADVICE “Get a good photographer. This is one of the bigger investments of the wedding, and is so important to document your day as you felt it happened. Also, choose and let it go. The options online are endless and you can spend hours looking and searching. Give yourself a timeframe to find something, choose it and move on.”

STANDOUT VENDORSStories By Ash – she was incredible in every way. We felt like we had known her forever. We chose her as we liked the style of her photography – very genuine, and authentic but she really was so much more. She was checking in with me constantly to see what I needed, and how she could help or to remind me it was our day and to not feel rushed. She felt like a friend, and this made everything just feel more fun. We also absolutely love our photos, and will always be so grateful for this documentation of our day.” 

You couldn’t get a more stellar review on a photographer, so if you want to find out more about Stories By Ash, head to her Directory listing with us here. You’ll find links to many other happy with their pics couples and contact details. Also head to Sunday Nude’s listing if you’re looking for someone to take care of your signage/ stationery. But first, scroll down…

CONTRIBUTING VENDORS Photographer Stories By Ash Florist The French Petal Stationery Marina Rolfe (Invites) Place Cards & Signage Sunday Nude (Place cards) Ceremony & Reception Three Blue Ducks Byron Cake Millies of Newrybar Hire Items Frank and Joy Lighting & Sound Hire North Coast Hire Entertainment Head Over Wheels (After Dinner) German Brisbane Club (Cocktail Hour) Celebrant The Wedding Wanderer Rings AG Designer Jewellery Transport May the E.K THE BRIDE Bridal Gown Hermione De Paula Robes & Bridesmaid Gifts Assembly Label Shoes Country Road Hair & Makeup EV Hair and Makeup Bridesmaid Dresses Bec and Bridge Bridesmaid Shoes Nine West THE GROOM Suit & Shirt Ben Sherman Shirt Monokel Bow Tie Suit Supply Shoes R.M. Williams Hat Akubra Groomsmen Suits Mixed Groomswoman Dress Isabelle Fox