MW-Logo_#white
Menu
  • Find A Supplier
  • Blog
  • Galleries
  • Categories
  • Wedding Dresses
  • Real Weddings
  • Wedding DIY
  • Honeymoons
  • Wedding Planning Tools
  • Advertising With Us
  • Modern Wedding Academy
  • Login

Tips and Articles by category

Dresses
Cakes
Flowers
Honeymoon Ideas
DIY
Photography
Venues
Wedding Themes
Invitations
Wedding Ideas
Music
Videos
Wedding Hair and Makeup Ideas
Cars
Destination Weddings
Speeches
Gift Registries
Wedding Favours
Grooms

FIND A LOCAL WEDDING SUPPLIER

Reception Venues
Dress Retailers
Dress Designers
Cakes
Photography
Bridesmaids
Flowers
Video
Hair
Theming and Styling
Entertainment and Music
Makeup
Ceremony
Celebrants
Rings
Cars, Transport
Invitations
Bridal Accessories
Destination Weddings
Gifts and Gift Registries
Shoes
Accommodation
Honeymoons
Beauty Services
Hire
Hens & Bucks Parties
Flowers Girls/Page Boys
Caterers
Bomboniere
Alternative Bouquets
Planner
Photo Booths
Formal Wear
Speciality Services
Finance
Groom and Groomsmen

Dave and Debbie’s French Inspired Family Affair

Modern Wedding Posted: June 4, 2013

D A V I D  &  D E B B I E

David and Debbie met while working at an architectural firm in the UK. “We were put on the same project…and the rest is history,” says Debbie. Their engagement was far from conventional, but highly efficient – they were married four weeks later! While Dave was on a holiday back to the UK Debbie rang to tell him that she had booked a venue for 4 weeks time, “I told him to buy a blue suit while he was in London to match the fabric I had just bought for my dress. Sometimes you just have to make things happen and have a good mother in your ear egging you along,” says Debbie. On May 27th 2012 the couple celebrated their ceremony and reception at The Cleveland Courthouse surrounded by family. Melissa of Pelizzari Photography captured the spontaneous affair with her romantic signature style.

wedding-ringwedding-ring-flower-girlBride-and-flower-girlsWedding-photography-pelizzariWedding-photography-bride-and-bride-and-groom-wedding-rings-wedding-photographybride-and-groomwedding-table-decorationswedding-table-settingwedding-decorationwedding-placecard-wedding-cakeWedding-kiss

F R O M  T H E  B R I D E …

When it was Love…

We spent a couple of years as good friends and it went from there. The moment I remember vividly was when we were camping on the Cornish coast in a one man tent, freezing cold with our legs hanging out the door because it did not accommodate 6 foot giants. We were giggling how ridiculous we must have looked and had to snuggle tight to keep warm. That’s when I knew.

Wedding Style…

Inspired by our holiday in Northern France….cottage and wild flowers everywhere, green grass. I was also inspired by my late Nana’s garden and the date worked out to be on her birthday. I wanted it relaxed with our closest family….. I knew I wanted one big long table with everyone around with lots of loud conversation.

Pre-wedding Celebrations…

No we basically eloped or as we call it g-loped as in a glamorous type of eloping.  Only our family knew.

The Dress…

My dress was inspired by the 30’s 40’s. Something a bride might wear to the registry office or for a simple celebration. The colour was inspired by the blue sky. I had a basic idea for the design but it kind of evolved as I had to work with what was possible in the time frame.  Mum and I did a quick trip to a local fabric shop and we chose it in about 5 minutes. I designed the front of it myself and made the rest up as we went along with my dressmaker Ruth Mc Innes in Mansfield. She was a local lady and extremely talented. I totally trusted her to go for it. She exceeded my expectations which is rare because I am kind of fussy about design details.

The Flowers…

I had an idea of a basic look and researched the flowers that might be available at that time of year. Again I knew I could not be too fixed on specifics only that it had to align with my original inspiration. I also wanted snap dragons like the ones out of my Nana’s garden. I went to the markets the day before and 3 other stores for more snap dragons. I prepared all my flowers the night before. It was all about quantity and rough rustic arrangements. I did not have a florist so I avoided a structured look to hide my lack of experience.

Styling…

I did all of the decorating preparations myself. I visualised a long white table cloth from the start with lots of reflecting light and white drapery over the table. I made a make shift floral chandelier from a wagon wheel my mum found for the pendant centre piece. I had huge amounts of flowers in large crystal vases…..I studied the venue and let that guide me on practical ways of decorating. The most important thing was that everything tied in together.I got my husband and brother in-law to arrive early to keep an eye on the hired decorators. I just wanted them to hang the drapery I had prepared. It was so lucky that the boys were there to save the day because it went pear shaped. Thanks fella’s.

The Cake…

I ordered a plain iced gluten free white chocolate macadamia cake and decorated it myself with the help of a kind florist from Madonna’s Lilly at Holland Park.  She helped me out with the floral arrangement for the cake and I finished it off at home.

Memories…

I should not mention my fall right at the end and splitting my knee open. I can blame that on big shoes. I would have to say the happy looks on all my family’s faces…. Seeing how much they enjoyed the day just made is so special and memorable.  As Dave’s family live in the UK and unable to travel at that time I wanted it to be about welcoming him into the family. I think we succeeded thanks to my wonderful family.  Also our celebrant Geoff Mazlin did a lovely tribute to Dave’s family and made it so very special.

Wedding Music…

– Classical music for walking down the aisle

The Reception Music consisted of

– Maybe I’m amazed – Paul McCartney

– Two of us – the Beatles

– I believe (when I fall in love) – Stevie Wonder

– Thank you – Bonnie Raitt

– That’s how strong my love is – Otis Redding

– Into the mystic – Van Morrison

– Waterloo Sunset – The Kinks

– Tiny Dancer – Elton John

Photography…

Melissa Gibson from Pelizzari Photography. We really liked her style of photography; I trawled the internet for days and found 3 I liked. Let’s say I had champagne taste on a beer budget. I am very fussy about photography and am not into cliché wedding photos. I loved how she brought out colour and captured the light.  She seemed to be great at bringing out healthy natural glowing skin tones in people. Most of all she captured the moment. Again this was one of the things that exceeded my expectations. I am extremely grateful to her.

They capture the happiness of the day and it helps me remember. After the wedding it just felt like a blur. Thanks to the photos it has reinforced the memories and how I want to remember it.  The photographer emphasized my styling in her shots and picked up that even though simple, I had put a lot of work into it.

Honeymoon…

On the wedding night we had a romantic night at home! We are still yet to have a honeymoon! haha

The Future…

We are currently setting up our own design business to work from home, and have just become the proud parents of twins in April – a boy and girl!  I think they call them honeymoon babies. See what happens when you stay put for your honeymoon!

Photographer Pelizzari Photography Ceremony Venue The Cleveland Courthouse Reception Venue The Cleveland Courthouse Bride’s Dress Ruth McInnes Flowers & Decorations bride did these herself Cake Iced by bride and decorated with help from Madonna’s Lilly.

MW x

P.S Pin an image from this blog post and you can be in the running to win a honeymoon package at the amazing Intercontinental Fiji Golf Resort and Spa. Click here for all the details.

Previous Blog
Next Blog

Find a wedding supplier

OR
  • like us on facebook
  • follow us on instagram
  • follow us on pinterest
Colour Wheel

Blog Categories

Planning Tools

Checklist Budget Manager Guest List Seating Planner Supplier Shortlist
Visit Modern Wedding's profile on Pinterest.

Your next read!

Top 2025 Wedding Destinations

Are you considering getting married in 2025? Imagine exchanging vows surrounded by jaw-dropping scenery, your closest loved ones, and the kind of vibe that makes everyone whisper, “This is the […]

The Best Pre-Wedding Treatments For Picture-Perfect Skin

Me Clinics are on hand to share some of their top recommended pre-wedding treatments for your best wedding day skin.

7 Reasons You Should NEVER Wear Your Engagement Ring to Bed

Your engagement ring is one of your most cherished possessions, a symbol of love and commitment. But did you know that wearing it to bed could be causing damage – […]

Laura’s Bridal Weight Loss Journey With Super Fast Diet

After getting engaged to the love of her life, Laura found that she was struggling with weight gain. With a busy schedule already filling up her life, the added stress of planning a wedding wasn’t helping! With only eight weeks to go until the big day, Laura is feeling fabulous after losing 9kg’s with Super Fast Diet

Win An Iconic Luxury Wedding At The Sofitel Sydney Wentworth

NOTE: THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED Say “Je t’aime” at one of Australia’s most iconic hotels! Modern Wedding and Sofitel Sydney Wentworth are offering an extraordinary opportunity to win a […]

Top Wedding Trends for 2025

2025 is here, and with it comes a whole new wave of wedding trends that are set to dazzle brides, grooms, and guests alike. Whether you’re planning an intimate elopement […]

More Blogs

Popular Galleries

  • Real Weddings
  • Dresses
  • Cakes
  • Flowers
  • Theming & Styling

From Our Blog

  • Real Weddings
  • Wedding Fashion
  • Wedding Themes
  • Wedding DIY
  • Wedding Hair & Beauty

Wedding Tools

  • Seating Plan
  • Guest List
  • Check List
  • Budget

ModernWedding.com.au

  • Wedding Tools Login
  • About
  • Advertising Information
  • Contact
  • Sitemap
Modern Wedding

Copyright © 2025 Modern Wedding PTY LTD. All Rights Reserved. Website by The DMA.

  • Sitemap
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact

Our other brands: Luxury Wedding Blog / Sydney Wedding Blog