For macramé artist Maggie May (do yourself a favour and check out Middle Aisle, folks) and musician, Josh (his band 30/70 played at the wedding, of course) their big day was filled with cultural traditions, incredible decor, a Lost in Paris gown and a whole lotta love. “Everyone we worked with on the day was a part of our community of creative friends, artists and small businesses. We wanted to support local, independent vendors who we had a relationship with,” says the bride. Sophie Timothy Photography got the gorgeous pics and cinematographer One Heart Studios made a film (scroll down) that will give you all the warm and fuzzies.
THE VIBE Modern Australian Melbourne Bohemian, meets the best gig you’ve ever been to. We kept things really simple and allowed our vendors to shine. Our brief for Emily from North St Botanical was lots of eucalyptus, foliage with proteas for Josh (he was born in South Africa) and Kangaroo Paw for me (born in Melbourne).
TALK ABOUT TRADITION… Josh is Jewish, so we incorporated a lot of Jewish traditions into the day. Whilst I respect and honour Josh’s Jewish heritage, I’m an atheist and converting to a religion felt disingenuous to me. Josh is also an atheist, however he wanted to incorporate some of the cultural elements of Judaism (rather than religious elements) into the ceremony. We both did a Mikveh (spiritual cleansing) the day before the wedding, we had a Bedeken (veiling of the bride) prior to our ceremony. We read out our Ketuba (Jewish wedding certificate), got married under a Chuppah (which symbolises the home) and wrote our own versions of the Sheva Brachot (traditional Jewish seven blessings). We had a Horus band and dance set and it was WILD! Jewish dancing is amazing and getting put up on chairs was spectacular.
DIY I made an enormous Macramé piece for our Chuppah. I also made a macramé bridal bouquet holder, chair backs and my own veil from $12 worth of tulle on the morning of the wedding. I designed the stationary and sent it off to Firecracker to format and print.
THE DRESS My Lost in Paris gown was champagne, had vintage macramé fringe and when I found out it was made from a vintage piano shawl I realised it was music and macramé combined in a dress and it felt like it had been made for me- Josh and I combined. Alyssa and I began emailing each other and she sent me a sample of the fabric. I went to Sydney and tried on dresses, taught a macramé class in her studio and delivered a macramé arch for her shop window. It was a really beautiful experience.
REFERENCES We have worked with, or know everyone who helped and contributed to our wedding. I met Cassie from Firecracker at the first macramé class I ever taught for Sophie Timothy’s Birthday, who was also our photographer! I got to work with One Heart Studios (our videographers) at a shoot and was blown away by their work. I have always bought Hello May (it always felt like you were saying Hello Maggie May from the cover! Lol).
A WORD OF ADVICE Weddings are very emotional times and they can bring out the best and worst in people. Focus on the good and breathe! Don’t worry about things being perfect, the day will be over before you know it. We put a lot of trust in people we loved and respected both creatively and professionally and let them have fun with us rather than focusing on replicating a styled shoot or going over the top on details no one would really care about. Keep it simple and you’ll have less to worry about! Your wedding isn’t about having the perfect pictures, flowers, table settings or dress. It’s about your community, your commitment and trust in one another.
CONTRIBUTING VENDORS Photographer Sophie Timothy Photography Cinematographer One Heart Studios Event Planner, Stylist & Hire Items Firecracker & Toko Events Florist North St Botanical Ceremony Yarra Bend Park, Alphington Reception Emulation Hall Catering & Printer Firecracker Cake Fig and Salt Alcohol Carwyn Cellars Ceremony Chair Hire Celebrate Party Hire Macramé Middle Aisle Lighting Wwave Sound Louie Michael Live Sound Signage Monique Aimee Ceremony Entertainment Julien Wilson, Stephen Magnusson & Rachael Comte Reception Band 30/70 Horah Band Isaiah Band Celebrant Keren Loyer Rings Kim Victoria Jewels THE BRIDE Bridal Gown Lost in Paris Shoes Funkis Clogs Earrings The Line of Sun Makeup Sophie Knox Bridesmaid Dresses Spell & The Gypsy Collective THE GROOM Suit Oscar Hunt Tie Catkin Jane Shoes R.M. Williams
