Starting out as just friends, before Tshinta got the feels (and Steve did not), these two finally got together after realising they’d missed one another. “It didn’t take long for all the mushy feelings to come back,” says the bride, who wore a gown from one of our go-to bridal boutiques, Sphere Bridal Gallery. “At that point, I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have to pinch myself every now and then.” One of our fave lens ladies, Alexandra Cohen took the piccies and Poppies For Willow styled the event and did the florals. Scroll down to see why we simply had to publish…
THE VENUE “My parents had been working with Gabbinbar Homestead for years and swore by the Gabbinbar experience. Isaac, Rachel and Tayla were wonderfully accommodating. Nothing was ever too difficult and the service was hands-down amazing. We had everything from live outdoor cooking to an ice cream cart and Pimms station. The weather didn’t hold-up on the day, so we had to move the reception indoors. I was gutted, [but] the conservatory reception was stunning, and after dinner we moved everyone back outside for the first dance while the Gabbinbar magicians reset the room as a dance floor. By the time we returned the party was full swing and I never even missed the outdoor setting.”
THE INSPO “I suppose you could say it was bohemian-chic, maybe even a little rustic? We didn’t really have a name for it. I wanted terracotta tones, and loved the idea of combining them with concrete and timber. Bec (of Poppies For Willow) suggested dried florals and I was sold. Still, in a lot of ways it was minimalistic.”
THE DRESS “Just the thought of dress shopping made me anxious, until I met Sarah and her gorgeous team at Sphere Bridal Gallery. Sarah greeted me on the way in and within minutes she had me chatting and laughing with her, champagne in hand – I was blown away. I was stuck for choice and in the end, it came down to pockets and I chose the Manon gown (Chosen by KYHA). I honestly thought I’d never enjoy dress shopping, but Sarah made the whole process a breeze, I was so comfortable with her, and she really is absolutely fabulous at what she does!”
REFERENCES “Bec, from Poppies For Willow, the creative genius behind the florals and styling for our day. I went to Bec with a mood board and less then adequate brief, and what she created was a freaking dream! I was a terrible client and it’s a total credit to her that she was able to create something so beautiful regardless. Bec was also fabulously helpful at sourcing other vendors for us. As far as inspiration goes, Hello May always delivered. I had an endless supply of unique and downright gorgeous weddings to draw ideas from, and the vendor directory was my bible. That’s how we found Alexandra Cohen! I first stumbled across Alex when her image of Josephine and Tim graced the cover of Issue 22. I shaped half our wedding around that shot. Being in front of the camera is not my happy place, I pretty much resigned myself to the fact that I’d probably not find a single print-worthy photo, no matter how amazing she was. [But] she captured everything and I have no idea how she did it. But more than that she just fit right in with us, our guests thought we knew her, we thought we did too! It was like we’d known her our whole lives. She stayed with us right till the end. Afterwards she delivered over 1000 breath-taking images, I never knew I could look like that! I cried while looking through them, and I laughed so hard I cried some more. She captured our day exactly as I remember it. Perfectly imperfect. Now I’m faced with the new challenge of picking which ones to print!”
MARRIAGE MEANS… “For me, it’s tolerating his awful dad jokes and super competitive nature (he can turn literally anything into a contest) because they’re a part of who he is. For him, it’s accepting that I’m an over thinker who exaggerates absolutely everything, but choosing to love me anyway. We’re not perfect, but I laugh harder with him than I do anyone else, and there’s no one I’d rather laugh with!”
WE’RE GLAD WE… “One of the best things we did on the day was work ourselves into the reception seating plan. We weren’t fans of the bridal table concept, we wanted to be a part of the party, so we sat ourselves in the middle of the reception on a mixed table – it was perfect. We had the chance to mingle from there and the conversation was something we’re stoked we didn’t miss.”
STANDOUT VENDORS “Rachel and Tayla from Gabbinbar Homestead kept the whole day moving, we never had to think about it once, they were just next-level. Both Luminosa and Cropt. had the monster task of prepping six bridesmaids, my and Steve’s mother, two flower girls and of course myself, they smashed it and made it look like a totally effortless feat! We owe the day to Bec, of (Poppies For Willow), it just wouldn’t have been the same without her. And Alexandra Cohen, well there’s just no one else we would have wanted more, she’s incredibly talented and for me personally, she took a concept I was completely terrified by and made me laugh the whole way through it, I couldn’t have asked for more!”
If you’re still looking for a phenom photographer or stylist/ florist, hit up our Directory for more from Alexandra Cohen and Poppies For Willow. But first…
CONTRIBUTING VENDORS Photographer Alexandra Cohen Stylist & Signage Poppies For Willow Stationery Bride (Invites) Printer Cracker Print & Paper Ceremony & Reception Gabbinbar Homestead Cake & Wedding Favours (Macarons) Impressions On Scott Entertainment Spotify Rings Angus & Coote & Michael Hill THE BRIDE Bridal Gown Chosen by KYHA Bridal Boutique Sphere Bridal Gallery Shoes Alias Mae Accessories Amber Sceats (Bracelet) & Brie Leon (Earrings) Hair Cropt. Makeup Luminosa Bridesmaid Dresses Bec + Bridge & Natalija THE GROOM Shirt & Pants Norfords Suspenders Myer Shoes Peter Jackson Watch Armarni Exchange Grooming Tommy Gun’s Groomsmen Shirts & Pants Norfords