Lovers Rachel and Chris met in a pretty old-school fashion (in a bar…it happens!) and tied the knot after a leisurely two-year engagement. Coastal vibes were the order of the day with the couple opting for a venue close to home but with serious holiday feels. The Bridal Atelier made sure Rachael fit the Boheme bill whilst Shona Joy sorted out the maids. HM fave Janneke Storm was in attendance making sure these cuties had lasting mems. Scroll down for goodness…
THE VIBE “Initially, I found it quite difficult to pin down what theme I really wanted because there were so many beautiful styles that I had seen. I kept gravitating towards natural colours and tones and I knew I didn’t want coloured flowers and preferred greenery and foliage. This was a perfect match for our venue because the venue itself was so breathtaking that you really didn’t need a lot for it to be beautiful. As we started picking all of the other details, especially the dress and groomsmen attire, we ended up with a natural and white palette and a bit of blue for the ocean. So it was a bit Boheme but still modern and chic.”
THE DRESS “Oh my dress! I loved my dress! Again, another part of the wedding planning process that just worked out so perfectly because I just let go and trusted that it would all be perfect. I really only had one and a half days to find my dress but I was hoping to find it the first day. I picked three boutiques and they were all so wonderful. I actually found a dress I loved at every boutique and left thinking I might have to go back to each one. At the last boutique we went to, The Bridal Atelier in Double Bay, the stylist suggested I try on a dress that was a style I’d said did not suit me from the beginning of the shopping process and had stayed away from the entire time. It ended up being the dress (of course!) and it also ended up being from one of my favourite designers, Rue De Seine.”
FAVOURITE MOMENT “My favourite moment was definitely the photo tour with my new husband. We took Janneke’s suggestion to do this part on our own, without the bridal party around, and it was the best decision ever. It allowed us to both relax and be in the moment and both Janneke and Shaun [Lemon Tree Film House] made us feel so comfortable that we hardly noticed they were there. It allowed us to be so in love with each other and enjoy the complete bliss that is being newly married. I even had a teary moment with Chris because I felt so much love toward him and so grateful that I had found him.”
REFERENCES “My sister and Maid of Honour bought me my first wedding magazine when we got engaged and it was Hello May! I loved it so much that I didn’t buy any others. I started following HM on Instagram which connected me with so many other vendors, I was really spoilt for choice. I also went to the One Fine Day wedding fair in Brisbane with Kate and my best friend who was also getting married.”
A WORD OF ADVICE “Let the groom be involved in the planning. Typically, it’s left to the ladies but I was so glad to leave Chris to choose the groomsmen attire. It was fun, it worked out so well and he was grateful that I gave him the reigns on something for a day that was just as important to him as it was to me. Trust the vendors that you choose. You chose them for a reason right!? It makes the planning process so much nicer for you.”
After some more coastal wedding inspo? Well, we prepared this lovely listicle earlier so do take a peek here. If it’s Janneke’s darling captures that have you swooning, then pop on over here to browse more real weddings but not before you are done here of course…
CONTRIBUTING VENDORS Photographer Janneke Storm Cinematographer Lemon Tree Film House Event Planner The Wedding Planners Whitsundays Stylist Borrow My Bits Florist Mackay Wedding Flowers Stationery Peppermint Press, D&D Letterpress Venue Earlando Catering Aquava Boutique Catering Cake Whitsunday Baked Creations Grazing Table Peach & Pear Events Catering Hire Items Whitsunday Party Hire Lighting Hire Azure Weddings Signage D&D Letterpress Entertainment Total Entertainment Celebrant Donna Fornasiero Rings Stones Diamonds Transport Shuttle Limousine Services BRIDE Dress & Veil Rue De Seine via The Bridal Atelier Loungewear Le Rose Shoes Alias Mae, Tres Jolie Accessories Isabella May, One Day Bridal Makeup Tiesha Willoughby Beauty Bridesmaid Dresses Shona Joy Bridesmaid Shoes Alias Mae GROOM Suit & Bow Tie InStitchu Shoes Crockett & Jones Watch Fossil Barber Hair by I.D. Groomsmen Suits InStitchu
