Quite possibly the very definition of a laid back bride, Emma, one of our brides from our Real Wedding Special, hadn’t even laid eyes on her dress (or should we say skirt and top) until three days (yes, three days!) before the wedding. £I asked our good friend Ebony Eve (who lives in Bali) if she would make my dress as I have always loved her style. We worked on a few different designs before finally deciding on a skirt and top instead of a traditional gown.
Not only did the skirt take two weeks for not one, but two ladies to hand bead with Swarovski pearls but the top was only made the week before the wedding, as Emma, quietly confident it would all pan out in the end, finally settled on a lace (as opposed to sheer) blouse.
Minor indecisions aside, their day which was beautifully captured by Scott Surplice Photography, was a huge success. The mariachi band was a big hit and Newrybar Downs, one of Byron Bay’s premiere venues, provided the perfect backdrop for the ceremony and reception that followed.
Yep even the formalities were fun as Emma tells us, £The ceremony was unintentionally hilarious. There were tears of joy and tears from laughter. The celebrant, Shivallah of Sacred Weddings Maui was Josh’s Mum’s partner and his legal guardian for several years as a child. He is a celebrant in Maui and so we asked not only for him to attend our wedding, but to marry us. As he was not legally a celebrant in Australia we needed another celebrant, Chiquita to officiate what Shivallah could not.
Rachel from Peachey Pie Bespoke Weddings and Events did a stand up job coordinating a team of vendors including The French Petal, Hampton Event Hire and North Coast Events to makeover Emma and Josh’s outdoor marquee with Mexican wedding flags, fairy lights, a photo booth and simple yet elegant table settings. £The venue itself was styled beautifully says Emma who admits to doing £very little DIY.
But leaving most things in the hands of professionals, in particular Eat Drink Catering, gave Emma extra time to think about what marriage really means to her. £Being more in love today than you were yesterday. And having someone to take the rubbish out for you.
Thinking of tying the knot in Byron Bay too? Find even more relevant wedding day inspiration with these other Byron Bay weddings featured here, here and here. Also don’t forget to grab your copy of issue nine, available in good newsagents nationally or via our very own online store. Postage is FREE!
CREDITS Photos Scott Surplice Photography // Bridal gown Ebony Eve // Shoes Sophia Webster // Hair Luke Reynolds // Makeup Ashlea Penfold // Grooms suit Hugo Boss // Shoes and tie Ted Baker // Rings Zoe & Morgan // Event planner Peachey Pie // Flowers The French Petal // Ceremony and reception Newrybar Downs, NSW // Catering Eat Drink Catering // Cake Fino Food and Wine // Stationery Josh Johnson // Prop hire Hampton Event Hire // Favours Bunnings // Candles Ikea // Moss Balls Superior Craft Supply via Etsy // Music Duo Serenata and DJ Modern Fairytale // Celebrant Sacred Weddings Maui and Chiquita Mitchell // Cinematography Roost Film Co // Photo booth Polite Social // Lighting North Coast Events // Marquee Mullumbimby Hire & Sales // Transport Mullumbimby Bus Service.