M A R I S A & B E N
Marisa and Ben celebrated their wedding with refined, elegant rustic style with attention to detail to compliment the gorgeous surrounds. The result is an utterly romantic wedding.
F R O M T H E B R I D E . . .
Wedding photography…
We knew from our first meeting with Glenn that he would be our Wedding Photographer. He was incredibly charismatic, and genuinely interested and enthused in learning about our journey as a couple. His efforts in keeping in contact, especially as we were living abroad, always made us feel very special and comfortable in the lead up to and on our special day.
We love how our photos are effortless and natural, and capture those special moments when you aren’t looking directly at the camera. We also love how Glenn captured detail shots which are some of our favourites, from the bridal shoes to the groomsmen’s cufflinks.
We first met…
We met in Lorne, Victoria, 2008 on summer holidays. Our friends mutually knew each other and organised a catch up as we were all in the same area at the same time. We had a house party and after meeting each other for the first time, we quickly realised how much we had in common and that we nearly crossed paths a number of times in high school, but never quite did!
We knew it was love…
We both knew it was love when we said ‘I love you’ to one another for the first time. It was that moment that we both knew we truly felt the same way, and what we had could potentially be forever.
The proposal…
We got engaged on the 22nd of November, 2013, after 5 years together. Ben proposed at the Intercontinental Hotel in a beautiful hotel suite which was adorned with rose petals and a bottle of champagne. It truly felt like something out of a movie, and before I knew it he was down on one knee. We were later joined by family to celebrate which made the night so much more special and memorable.
T H E W E D D I N G . . .
Dream wedding vision…
As a Wedding Planner for Socially Sublime, I always had a vision of my dream wedding, but once we started the planning process, we collectively had so many new ideas, especially once we selected our venue. We loved the idea of a winery, which meant we had the property to ourselves and were able to transform it into something unique. We wanted it to be romantic, surrounded by beautiful scenery for both the ceremony and reception, and Golding Wines truly encompassed that.
Ceremony location…
Golding Wines in the Adelaide Hills, on the lawn overlooking the vineyards.
Reception location…
Golding Wines in the Barn.
We certainly had a big pre-wedding celebration, in Las Vegas! As we were living in Los Angeles last year (2015), we threw out the idea to our closest friends to have our Hen’s and Buck’s show in Vegas, and if they were able to join, we would make it happen. Everyone was on board and we kicked off our time there by having drinks at Caesars Palace Hotel and then the girls went one way and the guys the other. We had the time of our lives and were so grateful for everyone coming over to celebrate with us Vegas style!
The bridal party…
We had six bridesmaids and six groomsmen. Marisa had her two sisters, one who was Maid of Honour, as well as Ben’s sister and three close friends from school. Ben had his close friend Sam as Best Man, his brother Matt and four of his close friends. It was so much fun having a big bridal party.
Bridesmaids wore…
The Bridesmaids wore cream dresses from designer Shona Joy, matched with cream strappy heels, gold bracelets and gold stud earrings.
Groomsmen wore…
The groomsmen wore dark navy suits from Joseph Uzumcu Suit Hire, matched with dark brown shoes and black bow ties.
The dress…
My wedding gown was an all lace fit and flair style, with pearl and crystal beading on the bodice continuing through to the back. I bought it in Los Angeles when my mum was visiting and after scouting a number of bridal boutiques, the last boutique we visited was where I found my dress. I definitely knew once I put it on that it was the one. I wanted it to be classic, but to still have a little drama which it had at the bottom with the flair and long chapel train. I felt the most beautiful I ever have in my gown.
Wedding flowers…
The flowers I wanted the most were Peonies, and I was thrilled that they were in season for our Wedding. My bouquet was all ivory Peonies, and my bridesmaids had a mix of Peonies, Dahlias and David Austin Roses in soft pink, peach and ivory hues. The florist created a slightly different bouquet for my Maid of Honour, which I really loved in making it more special for her.
Decor…
This part of the Wedding was so much fun and we couldn’t wait to create a space in the barn that was unique to us. Our theme was French Provincial Glamour, and we wanted to bring the space alive with the lighting. A cluster of eclectic chandeliers in different sizes created the perfect statement above the dance floor and really set the style and mood.
We opted for round guest tables that were draped with latte silk linens, accented with gold pillar candle holders in different sizes, mercury tealight holders, gold beaded charger plates, cream napkins and brown bentwood chairs. The flowers kept with our colour scheme of pink, peach and ivory, having luscious peonies, roses, dahlias and hydrangeas arranged in crystal cut vases in the middle of each table. For that touch of extra glamour, we also had stems of flowers in glass goblets placed around the main floral arrangements. We loved playing with different heights and the layering effect of the arrangements looked exquisite.
We had a long bridal table which we enhanced by having cream linens, crystal water glasses, glass pillar candle holders and a suspended floral arrangement above the bride and groom setting. This formed the most beautiful backdrop for our photos and framed our bridal table stunningly. We placed our bouquets in vases which completed the table setting.
We also focused on the little details, including a dessert table with glitter cookie stacks and ‘kiss and hug’ painted macarons, a memory table, outdoor French linen furniture and also small signage on mini easels including the bar menu and our Instagram Hashtag for all our photos and memories to be captured on. When we walked into the barn for the first time, we both felt incredibly emotional seeing all our hard work and vision come to life, and we couldn’t wait to enjoy it with our family and friends.
On the menu…
We had a sit-down reception, with the menu consisting of:
Entrée – Handmade gnocchi, tomato, ligurian olives, basil, goats curd
Main – A choice of Roasted eye fillet, porcini jus, spinach, salsa romesco or Seared Atlantic salmon, salt cod brandade, beurre blanc, pickled zucchini and fennel salad
Sides – Garlic, rosemary carrots, potatoes or tomato, cucumber, shallot, oregano, fetta and baby leaf salad
Dessert – Wedding Cake and Dessert Buffet
Bonbonniere…
We gave our guests mini bottles of olive oil, each with a sprig of rosemary inside. We wrapped the bottles with twine and a tag which had our initials, wedding date and floral design that was featured throughout our wedding stationary.
Memorable moments…
We got married on the hottest day of December, 2015, with the weather forecast to be 44 degrees Celsius and sunny but with the possibility of a late shower. Just before the ceremony began, it started to drizzle, but we fortunately had umbrellas for the guests which were originally for the sun! It cooled everyone down, and created such a cosy and romantic ambiance, with the light drizzle in the background as we exchanged our vows. As cliché as it sounds, with the acoustic guitarist playing and all our loved ones present, it was the most perfect setting.
Wedding soundtrack…
Bridesmaids procession – For Who I Am by Tyrone Wells
Brides procession – Thinking Out Loud by Ed Sheeran
Bridal Party reception entrance – Sugar by Robin Schulz
Bride & Groom reception entrance – Take You There by Jack U feat Kiesza
Cake Cutting – Jubel by Klingade
First Dance – This Year’s Love by David Gray
Father-Daughter & Mother-Son dance – Close Your Eyes by James Taylor
Bouquet Toss – Love On Top by Beyonce
Bride & Groom exit – Stole The Show by Kygo
M A R R I E D L I F E . . .
Honeymoon…
We honeymooned in the United States, visiting friends in Los Angeles where we had previously resided in 2014/15. We also travelled to New York where Marisa saw snow for the first time, as well as Washington, D.C. There was something so magical about seeing these iconic cities days after the second largest snow storm in U.S history. It was something different to anything we had experienced.
The future…
Our plans for the future are to experience and travel the world as much as we can, and reside again in the United States. We have always had a zest for travel, and found this is often the time we have learnt the most about each other.
In 40 years we hope to…
We hope in 40 years’ time to have a great family unit and to be successfully running our own businesses together. Most of all we just want to be happy and healthy and surrounded by our family and life-long friends.
W E D D I N G W I S D O M . . .
Tips for how to enjoy the engagement…
This is a time when you’re really on cloud nine, and everything feels so new and exciting. Celebrate with your loved ones and keep it about having fun, because the wedding planning is when it starts to get a bit more serious and stressful!
Planning tips…
Have fun with the planning, and try to keep as true to you as a couple. Try not to get caught up in everything you see on social media and in wedding magazines. Do what feels most natural to you, that’s when you will be your happiest and what will make your wedding truly special. Take your time, and the more organised you can be, the better! You want to have the preparations done by the week before the wedding, so you are able to relax and truly enjoy the lead up.
Advice on enjoying the wedding day…
Take it all in!! It goes past so incredibly quickly, so try to take your time and remember the special moments and conversations. As much as you may be concerned with greeting all your guests, spend some quality time together, enjoying your dinner together and just try to find time to enjoy and absorb your surroundings. It’s an amazing whirlwind, and absolutely one of the most special days of your life.
Photography Glenn Hawke Photography Planning Socially Sublime Flowers Lilli-Anthus Floral Design Lounge and Dessert Table Hire Two Brothers Event Company Candles and Charger Plates La Vianto Décor Hire Linens and Chairs Chaircovers Overall Chandeliers Lush Lighting Cake My Sweet Addiction: Celebration cakes, cupcakes & more Stationery Bluebelle Studio