In 2014 we’re predicting a classic wedding comeback with elegant affairs just like this. Think church and ballroom style weddings with a nod to tradition, and brides so elegant it could bring you to tears. Head over heels for this classic Perth I Do? Visit the gallery of Erica Serena’s photos for soooo much more.
From the Bride… From the second I said yes to Ben’s proposal I was planning my big day. Well, perhaps I mean to say all the Women in both of our families were planning to make our day perfect! I knew I wanted the day to ooze elegance and grace of a time once passed, so I made this my brief. Every aspect of the day was organised to perfection and it really was a group effort, bringing both our families closer together.
After very little sleep the previous night, the day started in style with champagne and sweet treats, as we got fussed over by Justin and his wonderful team at Maurice Meade, Garden City. The attention to detail was amazing and they really perfected the look I was after. When we arrived back at my Parents’ house, my Mum hand tied my stunning bouquet of fresh Phalaenopsis Orchids. When our photographer Erica Serena arrived, the fun really began. Erica made us feel very comfortable and made getting ready really special. I couldn’t wait to see my bridesmaids all lined up in their Alannah Hill beaded dresses, and of course I couldn’t wait to finally put on my stunning Pallas Couture gown!
I was also very honoured to wear my late Nan’s pink sapphire ring that she was given by my Grandad on their 40th wedding anniversary. It is a true symbol of their everlasting love and was a privilege to wear it on my wedding day.
Dad and I arrived in style in a vintage ivory Jaguar. We really relished the drive and the time we had alone before arriving at the church. We chose to get married at Christ Church Claremont, which is a particularly beautiful church we often worship. It was lovely that Father Peter paid mention to this during the service, we were very touched by his kind words.
With the bells pealing for us as we left the church, it felt a fitting way to announce to the world the beginning of our married life together. Our guests began the celebrations in the church hall with canapés and champagne, while the bridal party went for our own celebration at Defectors Bar, which is a fantastic old world bar that made for a wonderful photo shoot.
Pre-dinner drinks and canapés were held in the stunning ivy clad Quadrangle of St George’s College UWA. The Quad was decorated with old world Bentwood chairs and tables, along with white market umbrellas and beautiful trophy urns that were filled to the brim with a mixture of white, green and cream flowers along with foliage that was handpicked from Ben’s Nanna’s garden. It was great to have a little piece of Nanna’s garden at our reception as she was too unwell to attend. It also brought with it, the fond memories Ben has of playing in his Grandparents garden as a child, making it all the more meaningful. The day before my wedding, my Bridesmaids, Mother-in-Law and I, helped my Mum (as well as another Perth Florist, Nahid and her assistant Elizabeth) decorate and arrange all the flowers for the reception.
As the guests climbed the flower adorned staircase, past the statue of St George into Hackett Hall, their breath was simply taken away. The beautiful long wooden tables were left without table cloths, and decorated with damask runners made by my Mother-in-Law, allowing the beauty of the wood to shine through, and picking up the detail of the beautiful wood panelling and Jarrah flooring. On top of these, thousands of flowers spilled out of an assortment of vases. Lanterns with moss green candles and tea lights lit the room, reflecting in the crystal glassware and silver cutlery. Small green potion- like bottles marked each place, filled with our homemade Limóncello as a favour to our guests.
As soon as your eyes met the magnificent cake, it was hard to stop staring. My Mother handmade and decorated the huge four tiered ivory wedding cake, which took three men to lift having been jam-packed with fruits and liqueur.
The night went off without a hitch, with the food being a real stand out. Tear jerking speeches and bottles of champagne later, we hit the dance floor for our first dance. Not one seat was filled once the dancing started. After the bouquet throwing and the tossing of the garter the night seemed to go so fast and before we knew it, shoes were off and our vintage car had arrived to whisk us away into the night.
If there is one piece of advice which I can give future Brides, it is to invest in an amazing photographer, as we did, because the two things you have left at the end of the day are your memories and your photographs. Those images will be passed on through the generations and they are filled with the most important emotion of all – Love.
Photographer: Erica Serena Photographer | Wedding Dress: Pallas Couture | Ceremony Venue: Christ Church Claremont | Reception Venue: St George's College | Bride's Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Wedding Bands: The Jewellery Centre | Bridesmaids Dresses: Alannah Hill | Bride's Earrings: Samantha Wynne | Cars: Belle Classic | Floral Design, Event Styling, Cake: Mother Of The Bride | Groom And Groomsmen Attire: Garry Anthony - Mensland | Hair & Make-Up: Maurice Meade - Garden City | Head Piece And Veil: Fara Couture | Music/DJ: Western Sounds