If you’ve spent any time on Instagram at all, you’ve probably seen her stunning face glowing back at you with a sense of happiness and health rooted in everything she does. Her name is Hannah Polites and while she’s one of Instagram’s most beloved stars, she also happens to be a mother to a beautiful little girl and a now wife to a dashing husband. And today – with incredibly imagery by Jess Fontaine and a jaw-dropping design by Narelle Williams of Global Weddings – Hannah is taking us behind the scenes of her truly spectacular wedding.
What was your inspiration for your wedding design?
Whilst traveling in Bali together we came across the Ungasan Clifftop resort, we were simply blown away and immediately knew this was where we would get married. We both felt a strong connection with Bali and we wanted a destination wedding so that we had more time and a holiday with our friends and family, so booking Villa Tamarama was the first thing we did once engaged.
Tell us about your ridiculously gorgeous gowns!
I wore two custom Pallas Couture dresses that were created over 12 months, with 8 appointments. They also created my daughters matching flower girl dress. My first was a low square back, full skirt gown with a split in the front. The train was long and it was embellished with beads.
I did not initially plan on wearing a fuller gown but decided that I wanted the dress to feel more dramatic and fairytale-like and the dress did not disappoint. As the first gown was so long, I was unable to dance in it so I changed into a body hugging dress with a super low scoop back with a puddle train, in a lace that was almost like wearing nothing but beads tattooed to my body. It was very effective at night in the lights and was perfect to show a different side of my personality. Heels: YSL tribute pumps in nude!
From a health and fitness perspective, how did you prepare for your wedding?
I continued my regular health and fitness routine, not introducing any new diets or training styles. I just wanted to feel healthy and fresh and keep consistent. It was important for the fit of my custom gowns not to try to alter my body drastically as this is very hard in the design process and I wanted to feel like myself on the day. I really focused on skincare in the 6 months leading up, getting regular facials and microdermabrasion and also using homecare products.
Any tips for brides who are looking to not just get in shape or lose weight, but to truly look and feel their best on their wedding day?
Confidence is the best accessory that you can carry on your wedding day, if you feel great then you’ll be glowing. Make sure to drink plenty of water, go for daily walks leading up to the wedding and eat nutritious foods as you will feel amazing for it. I think it’s really important to let go of the planning and find healthy ways to deal with stress so that you can just focus on enjoying yourself on the day. There will be things outside of your control on the day so just make sure you relax, take it all in and have fun!
How did you want your wedding to FEEL?
Romantic, enchanting, modern, timeless, outdoor, glamorous, luxurious, cliffside, classic, fresh.
Walk us through your wedding inspiration and design style.
The colonial style villa is so tropical and white, with lush garden, open spaces and unparalleled ocean views so we just wanted the styling to enhance this. Guests were ushered through the villa, past the pool and giant greenery/white floral wall with our initials in rose gold and then walked down the aisle to be seated.
At the top of the aisle were two pampas grass/ white floral bouquets and white and green floral lined the aisle. The circle arch was just incredible and so romantic, with the backdrop of the ocean and cliffside. We also wanted the ceremony to feel very intimate and personal by writing our own vows and also writing letters to each other to read before walking down the aisle.
The reception was at Selatan Lawn, also cliffside and guests were invited to enter just as the sun was setting. It was the most enchanting space, it truly felt like a magical fairytale with the overhead structures, suspended blooms, garlands cascading the tables, rose gold candles scattered and rose gold signage.
Our French rose gold chandeliers were custom made for the event and created the most beautiful romantic lighting. Floral was one of the most important aspects of styling for us, we wanted it to feel like you were surrounded by blooms and there was an abundance to create the mood we wanted.
Every detail really reflected us as a couple, so attention to the little things was crucial. Our theme colours were ivory, greenery and hints of blush in the napkins and my first dress. We infused a touch of rose gold through all of the styling – signage, candle holders, wishing well, place cards, ring box, Garth’s ring, our initials monogrammed on the dance floor and cake to add a sense of elegance and luxury.
Any creative or unique ways that you infused your personalities into your wedding?
We love to travel. In fact, we backpacked around Europe, Africa and Asia for a year just 2 months after meeting and this really cemented our feelings for each other. With our destination themed wedding we really wanted to infuse our passion for travel through:
Naming the tables after our favourite destinations
Naming the seating chart “Find your destination”
Rose gold world themed coasters for the place cards
Engraved luggage tags as gifts
Tell us about your food and cocktail choices!
We started with a fun Passionfruit Mocktail to welcome the guests. After the ceremony we served canapés along with free flow champagne, wine, beer and our two favourite cocktails: Espresso martinis and Strawberry Caprioskas.
Our dinner service was a 4 Course International buffet and our cake!? It was a stunning 5 tier rose gold and ivory floral cake with raspberry and caramel mud flavourings.
How about Entertainment? Looked like a pretty epic reception!
For entertainment during the reception we started with a choreographed first dance (Perfect by Ed Sheeran) followed by another choreographed father + daughter dance … we began with Celine Dione’s “Because You Love Me” but then moved into a mash up of 80’s hits and classics. We also had Balinese Fire Dancers.
What did you find to be the most challenging part of planning your destination wedding?
Not being in Bali to see things in person and talk it through with the vendors. Luckily, I had an amazing wedding planner who made this a very easy process and I was able to visit twice during the engagement for cake testings and meeting with florists, furniture hire, etc. Traveling to Bali with a large amount of signage and the two dresses was also a bit of a challenge but we overcame all hurdles without too much stress.
Any regrets?
Absolutely none, could not have wished for anything more!
What is your most memorable moment from the wedding?
Other than watching everything come to life exactly as we’d planned, it would have been when Garth surprised me with fireworks at the end of our first dance as he knew how much I really wanted them but we had decided to cut back. It was such a magical moment as we stood, just the two of us, on the cliffside listening to one of our favourite songs, watching the fireworks and looked back to see all of our family and friends just having so much fun.
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Photography: Fontaine | Cinematography: Point One Designs | Event Styling: Bali Event Styling | Makeup : Sheridan Meyers | Hair: Hideaway Hair Studio | Venue: The Ungasan Clifftop Resort | Design & Planning : Global Weddings | Luxury Furniture Rentals: Bali Event Hire | Signage & Stationery: Sketch n Etch | Tableware Rentals: Semeja | Wedding Gowns: Pallas Couture