While planning their celebration of love, Renni and Scott abided by a mantra that set the tone of their entire wedding: our day, our way’ (you may recall this epic mantra/couple from issue 17, where they were first featured). £We tipped the notion of the traditional wedding day’ on its head and just picked out the bits that really mattered to us, and it was the best damn day we could have dreamt up. It didn’t need to be an elaborate occasion. What mattered most to us was having our friends and family witness our vows and that there was good wine and plenty of food…and that Ralphy was there of course, explains the couple, whose fur child, Ralph, played quite an important role on the day.
£We were lucky enough to adopt Ralph as a puppy from the pound on the day he was due to be put to sleep, and in the last five years he has become the glue in our relationship. It came as no surprise to our family and friends that Ralphy would be a part of the wedding proceedings; he is heavily involved in every aspect of our lives…from going out for breakfast to going on holidays, very rarely are we seen without the dog! We were definitely not having him sit this party out!
Though Ralph’s presence on the day wasn’t shocking, Renni and Scott hosted another guest who was quite unexpected. £Scott really wanted a baby by 30 and I had always loved the idea of being a pregnant bride. We decided to give it a go and see if bubs wanted in on the fun! Our pregnancy was the best wedding gift we could have given ourselves. Those first three months of pregnancy were amazing for Scott and I (and Ralph, of course). We had a secret that united us and that trumped any wedding drama that may have come our way.
That being said, it’s no wonder that this pair approached things a bit differently – like choosing to get married at a pretty unconventional ceremony venue (on a tennis court!). £Our pregnancy really put things in perspective for us. We worked out what actually mattered to us, and therefore a lot of stuff (like personalised robes or a pamper day in the salon) was just not something that we thought worthwhile investing energy and money into. Our wedding was super relaxed because we knew exactly what we wanted from the day.
And as far as amazing moments go, there were plenty. The bride’s most cherished memory? Their first look session captured by the oh so talented photography duo, Trent and Jessie. £I turned and saw Scott facing away…walked up and tapped him on the shoulder and he turned around and completely knocked me off guard. He was a bit teary (which I didn’t expect) and was so in the moment that it just made me feel every bit the real bride. Up until then I felt like I was just going through the motions of another wedding day…that moment was my absolute favourite. I would not trade that first look for the world.
Feeling all those feels? Us too! Check out more of Trent and Jessie‘s epic work here and here.
CREDITS Photographer Trent and Jessie Photographers // Florist Poppy & Cotton // Ceremony and Reception Venue Morgan Reserve Tennis Courts, Coffin Bay // Catering Kris Bunder of Del Giornos // Dessert and Cheese Buffet Sugar Daisy Cakes // Prop and Furniture Hire EP FUNCTION HIRE // Entertainment Lisa Kuerschner // Grooms wedding band Leading Edge Jewellers Port Lincoln // Transport Cummins Community Bus // Wine Boston Bay Winery // Girls Accommodation Long Beach Eco Lodge // Guys Accommodation Templetonia // Bridal Gown Designer Amy Taylor of The Sewing Bird // Hair Paige Swalue Hairstylist // Makeup Seishin Spa // Bridesmaid dresses Seed Heritage // Bride and Bridesmaid’s shoes Betts // Bridesmaid gifts The Bay Room // Groom and Groomsmen’s Suits YD. // Pet accessories Connor.