C H R I S + C H E L S E A
{ P A R T I }
Chris and Chelsea were living interstate when they first met, so the most important part of their big day was being surrounded by friends and family from across the country. After falling in love with her bridesmaids’ dresses, Chelsea says she knew exactly how she wanted the wedding to look. The sparkly black gowns set the tone for a stylish garden wedding.
F R O M T H E B R I D E
We first met…
We met through a mutual friend who lived in Brisbane (where Chris lived at the time) she always mentioned we would get along very well & of course when we finally arranged a date (being interstate was a little difficult) we immediately connected.
We knew it was love…
Strange to say but it was nearly immediately we had “the feeling” and I think about a month after dating it was official LOVE.
The proposal…
I had booked a surprise trip to USA (LA, Mexico & NY) for Chris’s 30th Birthday. What an amazing holiday and experience to share together! We had the time of our lives. To top it all off, on 26/11/15 (Thanksgiving), Chris being a civil engineer, he has always been interested in all the buildings and sights in New York. However, on this particular day he was SO adamant to get to the Empire state building to which fell on deaf ears for me as I was gearing up for a big day of shopping on 27/11 (well known as black Friday). Plus we had another 5 days I was just thinking we could do another day with more sunlight! After some encouragement, we ended up the Empire state building just after dusk taking in the beautiful skyline I noticed Chris unusually quiet (anyone who knows him is aware this is very RARE) and next minute he popped the question! I was completely caught off guard and overwhelmed with joy, and admiring this amazing ring so much so Chris had to say “so what’s your answer” haha which of course was always YES!!
T H E W E D D I N G
Our wedding photographer…
I had Alli Oughtred, I chose her because of the beautiful candid images I had seen on her site and she was just so easy and approachable via email. After meeting her I instantly knew she would be perfect for us. I love that many of them capture candid moments showing the emotions which was the most important to me. The amazing shots of people when they were just being themselves, and alike with Chris and I just being us and we didn’t feel like we had to create anything.
Our dream wedding…
I wanted something clean, crisp and elegant. Immediately after falling in love with the bridesmaid dresses I think that dictated the style and theme to follow for the wedding. As the dresses were black I knew this would fall right into the feel and theme I was going to create. When selecting the flowers I wanted a lot of greenery simple and not too over the top with white accents to compliment the overall style.
Ceremony location…
Our ceremony was held at the Werribee Mansion where we had the reception.
Reception venue…
We celebrated the reception at the mansion pavilion room at Werribee Mansion.
Pre-wedding celebrations…
We didn’t have an engagement party given Chris from Brisbane and having many interstate family & friends and also my family originally from Adelaide we thought focusing our time and energy into the wedding and bringing everyone together was most important.
The bridal party…
We had four each. My maid of honour was my best friend since primary school, Raine, and another best friend Ebony who the three of us have always since early high school inseparable. Then my sister who I have a great friend and sisterly relationship with and another life long friend I met back when I was eight-years-old through a riding school and have remained friends ever since.
Chris had his primary school best friend Kurt as his best man, Elliot another lifelong friend since primary school and then Damien whom he was close friends since joining a band together in his early teens along with his forth groomsman Elliot.
The bridesmaids wore…
They wore beautiful long black dresses with a cream underlay slip a very flattering style for all of them different shapes. Purchased from Rodeo Show
The groomsmen wore…
They all wore Peter Jacksons suits the same style as the groom. We had so much fun choosing the suits and amazing help at Peter Jacksons we never even looked anywhere else.
The groom wore…
The groom wore the same suit from Peter Jackson we absolutely LOVED.
The dress…
My wedding gown was from Bluebell bridal, I have to say I nearly “settled” before I found this one. The stylist was just amazing there and with my two best friends I tried this one and we all just KNEW it was the one. It was a Pronovias gown named Plisa. A beautiful long train and body hugging elegant but yet a touch of sexiness.
Wedding flowers…
I am no florist so my descriptions are not great and I was fairly trusting with the florist I had various images of inspiration but really relied on them to bring it all together. I wanted some slight draping with my bouquet and a variety of greenery & white roses, baby roses, gyp etc.
Chris and Chelsea’s gorgeous wedding continues here.
Photographer: Alli Oughtred / Reception venue: Werribee Mansion / Flowers: Bacchus Marsh Florist / Wedding bands and engagement rings: Paul Bram / Bride’s gown: Pronovias Plisa from Bluebell Bridal / Bridesmaid dresses: Rodeo Show / Caterer: Werribee Mansion / Celebrant: Catherine Shelley / Entertainment: Pulse DJ / Groom’s attire: Peter Jackson / Groom’s shoes: RM Williams / Groomsmen attire: Peter Jackson / Hair: Ellas Hair & Bridal / Makeup: Karla Ruccozzo / Page boy attire: Mango / Photo booth: Shutter Hub / Bomboniere: Sweet Scoops / Dance floor: Dann Event hire / Venue decor: I Do Styling