Worried she would stumble across the engagement ring in one of her cleaning frenzies, Justin caught Alex completely off guard in the best possible way when he proposed during a relaxed lunch date.
The wedding that followed was every bit the sophisticated celebration with live acoustic music, sensational food and sunset views. Their ceremony made the most of their spectacular bayside location, while fresh foliage featured at their elegant marquee reception.
Making Plans
“I loved throwing ideas around and working them into our plan. Everything was made so much easier by my wedding planner. I had a really clear vision of what I wanted to achieve, but no idea how to make it happen. She took the reins, made my vision come to life and kept me on track, taking care of all the things I didn’t like doing such as emailing suppliers, chasing quotes and sourcing items.”
The Ceremony
“Justin had one job, to pick a song that meant something to us that I would walk down the aisle to. He kept this a complete surprise from everyone, including me. The first time I heard it was as I was ready to walk.
We ditched as many formalities as we could and made it light-hearted and short. We had a good friend of ours as our celebrant, so that made everything more relaxed and personal.”
Bridal Party Styling
“This was easy! I banned all bright colours and pastels, which really reduces the options. We decided on navy for the boys and a soft grey for the girls. I didn’t mind what dress or hair and makeup style they chose, as long as they felt comfortable.”
Finding the Dress
“My dress was bespoke. I tried some dresses off the rack and didn’t fall in love with any of them. I was constantly waiting for the moment that everyone describes when you find ‘the one’, but it never came. My designer understood the look I was going for and created the most amazing dress: simple, elegant, and edgy. It was completely me! The moment I started the process, I knew I had found the person to make my vision come to life.”
The Reception
“It was completely neutral in white and grey. I didn’t want any big flowers in the reception area, just foliage. We had a huge, unstructured installation over the centre table, and the same style foliage arrangements on the tables.
It was an elegant event with live acoustic music, sunshine, cold drinks and the bay as the backdrop. The sunset was stunning, followed by dancing the night away on the outdoor dance floor. I think it captured who we are as individuals and as a couple perfectly. We had oysters and French champagne and full table service, and still managed to pull off a relaxed party vibe. It was the most amazing day surrounded by our favorite people.”
Best Advice
1. Start planning early. You think you have time to plan things, but it comes around so fast!
2. The bride should get ready first on the day. Have your hair and makeup done early so you can sit, relax and have a drink before you leave for the venue.
3. Take some time on the wedding day for just the two of you. At sunset, we sat by the water with a view of our marquee and listened to the music and laughter. In that moment, we felt so proud of the day we had put together.
The Magic Makers
Photography: Ed Sloane Photography | Venue: Rusty Gate Weddings, Curlewis VIC | Officiant: Tammy Goyne | Planning & Styling: Darling Don’t Panic | Flowers: Charlie & Co | Decor: Memphis Hire | Stationery: Studio Silva | Signs: Sketch & Etch | Cake & Catering: Truffleduck | Entertainment: Geelong Entertainment | Wedding Dress: Cappellazzo Couture | Bridesmaid Dresses: Shona Joy | Hair & Makeup: Blondie | Suits: Eddy Elias Menswear