S A R A H & M I C H A E L
F R O M T H E B R I D E …
The Meeting…
We met travelling in Europe 8 years ago – hilariously on a Contiki trip. As cliché as it sounds, it was a really amazing time – our first date was in Monaco at the Grand Casino, first Christmas in Venice and Vienna, first New Years in Berlin at the Branden Burg Gates.
Love…
I guess when your courting period is 24 consecutive days it grows pretty quickly. You get to know about each other pretty damn fast when you are together 24/7. I think for both of us it was when after the trip we spent time apart going in separate directions around the world. When we finally got back to Brisbane and met again it was pretty obvious right there and then that we had something special.
The Proposal…
We both have a love of travel, and have been to some incredible places together. Every time we would go away everyone was expecting Michael to propose. But Michael wanted something intimate and very personal. I arrived home from a week away in Melbourne and Michael was cooking a beautiful dinner, had champagne chilling in the fridge. We were drinking champagne on the couch catching up, when he proposed – down on one knee. While not hyped and sparkly, he did it in a way that symbolised that we didn’t need to sugarcoat our love and that we are built on being together first and foremost and the rest of the world was just for show. I cried – which I wouldn’t have done if we were in public.
Wedding Style…
We wanted a simple wedding under a tree.
On a trip to India at Pench National Park (where the Jungle Book was based), I had dinner under this amazing tree filled with Lanterns. It was incredibly breathtaking. At the time I had said, if I get married one day – this is what I want it to be like.
So with the support of an amazing team, we brought that vision to life – but in an urban setting and not really all that simple in the end……
Our event designer and planner, white+white weddings and events, worked to create the concept from scratch with some incredibly unique elements. It was a classically beautiful ceremony in a romantic chapel and an alluring reception. As guests arrived they were greeted with an outdoor soiree where they could sip champagne and dine on canapés. A trio played under festoon lighting, before guests entered a magnificent reception which dazzled and delighted with candle light. A white baby grand piano and magical tree made stunning focal points. The colour palette was natural wood, dusky blue, antique pewter, dove white and champagne pink.
The Dress…
I engaged Margaret from MXM Couture to create my wedding gown. She did an amazing job – I absolutely loved it. I had quite a clear vision of what I wanted – something fitted and backless with a train, and Margaret brought that vision to life.
Bridesmaids…
As my bridesmaids were quite different body shapes and heights, they wore soft blue convertible dresses, which suited them all individually. They wore crystal and pearl accessories with champagne coloured heels.
The Flowers…
A full shaped bouquet with some wired stems including David Austin roses, full opening roses, spray roses, lisianthus and dusty miller foliage with highlights of champagne tones. Finished with foliage
Decorations…
Guests were wowed by a stunning vision inside; A magnificent tree and baby grand piano made for a surprising sight.
Pre-drinks began outside in the garden. A decal on the bar outside mirror read “Michael loves Sarah”. Guests were entertained by the sounds of the white baby grand piano playing from inside the reception room.
After guests had a glass of champers and something to nibble on they headed into the reception room. To their amazement a stunning tree was placed behind the bridal table. It was lit up with warm yellow lighting and hanging glass votives.
Guests dined at one of the three rustic wooden long tables. Siting on mahogany bentwood chairs with ivory cushions, their name tag was tied to the chair with ribbon. Ivory lace table runners ran along the tables – accompanied by cut crystal glass wear, votives and candle sticks. Soft dusty pink, ivory and greenery were dotted along the table in an assortment of mercury vessels. Ivory napkins were placed at each setting on top of silver charger plates with menus.
A side table piled with macaroons and the rest of the wedding cake with tea and coffee was displayed stylishly on a gold side table. The macaroons had tiny flags saying ‘Thank you’ on them.
Wedding Cake…
The cake with the tree motif was a real feature. Made from a close friend. It stood on a beautiful ornate mirror table to the side of the bridal table.
Wedding Photography…
I had attended a photography workshop held by Marcus from Studio Impressions and absolutely fell in love with his photojournalistic relaxed approach and his passion. His images are beautiful, natural, and truly capture the moment as they happen – and that meant a lot to me. They truly reflect the happiness and emotion of the day. My grandmother recently passed away and having recent, beautiful images of her has been really special.
Videographer…
We approached Matt very shortly before the wedding, as we had some family members unable to attend for health reasons. It was a decision that we did not regret. Matt’s film was incredible. It truly brought the memory of the day back.
Bomboniere…
We chose not to give traditional bomboniere, instead we served macaroons as a late-night snack.
Memories…
Michael forgetting to say, I take you as ‘my wife’ during his vows. I tried to kiss Michael too early during the ceremony. My matron-of-honour Lauren had a song written and recorded for us as part of her speech – it was hilarious.
Wedding Songs…
Our first dance was to I’ll be Your Man by the Black Keys. Michael wanted a male perspective on the love song that wasn’t traditional soppy stuff. He thought the song symbolised that no matter what he would be my man and take care of me. We also had IFLY by Ball Park Music and Elvis by The Rubens. Both are local bands that we love.
Honeymoon…
We share a love of travel, so our honeymoon was a 5 week combination of typical ‘honeymoon / holiday’ and ‘adventure trip’ in Central America and the USA.
We flew straight to Playa Del Carmen in Mexico and spent 6 nights at the luxurious Blue Diamond Riviera Maya Resort. We said beforehand that there is no way we will just sit in a resort for 7 days and relax, but we did. We ate, swam, sun baked, ate, drank and repeated.
We then spent 2 ½ weeks travelling overland down to Belize and across Guatemala, which was an amazing experience. We snorkelled, went diving, caved the Crystal Caves, climbed an active volcano, took salsa lessons and stayed with a local family.
We then headed to Atlanta (to watch Baseball cause that is where Michael’s favourite team is), spent a week in New York and finally a few days in Los Vegas – with an incredible suite at the Wynn. While in Vegas we got married by Elvis which was Michael’s way of showing how easy a wedding could have been.
Now…
We recently moved from Brisbane to country NSW as Michael was appointed Principal in a primary school. It is a fairly big move for a recently married couple, but we’re fairly sure it’s in our blood (both our sets of parents moved to regional areas when they first married.)
Photography Studio Impressions Wedding Ceremony St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Fortitude Valley Celebrant Father Gerry Heffernan Wedding Reception Venue Mirra Private Dining Bride’s Dress MXM Couture Hair Papas and Pace Makeup Natalie Papas Event Planning and Design white+white weddings and events Flowers Bouquet Boutique Stationery Little Peach Co. + Bride Tables and Glassware Little Gray Station Furniture Hire Amini Concepts Wedding Cake Levi (one of Michael’s Groomsmen) Videographer Matt Barwick Films
MW x