I have to send out a big fat thank you to the wedding world for introducing me to protea. These gorgeous, statuesque botanical beauties have been popping up in the most chicest of weddings and this romantically modern Fremantle fête is one of my absolute favorites. Created by one of our favorite Aussie florists, flower talk, these cleverly crafted arrangements are so wildly perfect. The rest of the wedding, captured so whimsically by Natalija Brunovs of I Heart Weddings, is a total dream. See it all in the full gallery!
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From the bride… Kath and Dave met on July 26 2008, at the Brisbane Hotel in Highgate, Perth, when Kath was being “wingman” for her friend. Her first words to Dave were, “I’m here to distract you while my friend tries to pick up your friend.” Having been in Perth for just five days, and with only four months remaining on his working visa from Ireland, Dave had no idea that he had just met his future wife. Kath and Dave faced a few challenges in the early months of their relationship, including a problematic visa paperwork error that saw a stressful day for the pair at the Department of Immigration, ending with Dave having to leave the country before being able to return on a sponsored work visa. The occasion of Kath introducing her children Emma (then 6) and Harry (then 4) to Dave was also a potentially stressful situation, which ended positively with the four of them sharing burgers and milkshakes across a booth, while the kids sized Dave up. After taking into account his accent, beard, earring and “bold” haircut (as Harry pronounced “bald”), the kids decided that Mum’s new friend must be a pirate!
On a holiday to Italy in 2009 for a friend’s wedding, a little jet-lagged and tired from several days of plane, bus and train travel, Kath and Dave found themselves in Venice, one of the most romantic cities of the world, arguing. After a frosty night in their hotel on the Rialto, on their final day in the city before flying to Dave’s home in Ireland the pair decided it would be best to spend some time apart.
While Dave was in the shower, Kath thought it best to write a note of apology before leaving. She placed the note in the brim of Dave’s baseball cap, and went on her way to the closest ATM. When Dave left the hotel shortly after and stepped into the hot Venetian sun, he took his cap from his bag, and found Kath’s note. Upon reading it, he looked up across the piazza and saw Kath standing at the nearby ATM. At that moment Dave realized what he had to do, and that was get down on bended knee, in the middle of the busy square, and proposed!
The “look” of the wedding was a clean and classic style, with a lot of individuality, featuring:
• wedding invitations hand-typed (by Kath) on a vintage typewriter
• mismatched bridesmaids and groomsmen outfits
• a collection of vintage and everyday glass vases and jars for an eclectic style of centerpieces
• a mix of Australian native flowers (proteas, banksias and gum leaves) with soft and delicate (peonies and David Austin roses) for bouquets and reception decorations
Photography: Natalija Brunovs of I Heart Weddings / Flowers: Jappalin Manning of flower talk / Bride’s Gown: Helena by Henry Roth via Samantha Wynne / Bride’s Headpiece: Samantha Wynne / Bride’s Shoes: Wittner + Alannah Hill / Groom’s Suit: Ben Sherman / Groom’s Boots: Tread Shoes / Groomsmen’s Suits: Ben Sherman / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Review / Hair: Ashley Williams of Fringe Benefits / Makeup: Phoebe Limanta / Transportation: Absolutely Fabulous Wedding Cars / Celebrant: Pauline McKennay / Ceremony Venue: Hyde Park in North Perth / Reception Venue: The Mussel Bar / DJ: Da Doo Ron Ron