With a bridesmaid from Melbourne, another from Sydney, and the final from Adelaide, and the Groomsmen being so close as kids that they combined their surnames into one special super last name, it’s pretty clear that Christine and Chris are great people who make genuine and lifelong friends anywhere they go. Given their close relationships, it was decided that there would be no single best man or maid of honour at their wedding as each were too special to the couple to name just one!
When it came to planning the wedding, Christine and Chris took on a relaxed and DIY approach. “Neither of us are particularly traditional, so it will be a relatively laid back (wedding). Chris and his family and friends are very fond of wine. We both wanted to have a big food and whine focus for the wedding. I wanted to steer clear of the traditional white, so you will notice a lot of wood and burgundy instead. We did a lot of crafting, I made the invites, menus and place cards, and designed the print in the background.” With the help of Chris, she also grew all of the succulents that they were giving to guests as the bonbonniere, and sanded and stained the chairs they picked up at a market to use for the signing table. And for a little bit of fun DIY idea; “We drank all the wine from the bottles that we cut up and sanded to turn into pots…in hindsight that was a lot more work than we had anticipated…”
Christine was nervous about the wedding “I don’t like the focus being all on me, so I am looking forward to getting the ceremony done and being able to relax at the reception!” She said. But she was super calm on the morning of the wedding and was all organised –which always helps!
Christine had trouble finding her dream wedding dress in Adelaide, so on a working trip to Sydney she went wedding dress shopping with bridesmaid Candice. “I always imagined myself in a big fat poofy skirted wedding dress, just the dress I see in my head when I think of weddings. I was lucky that one of the shops in Sydney had just got the new seasons in and thankfully there was a larger range of dresses with straps and different necklines. Candice was really good at suggesting dresses that I wouldn’t have otherwise picked and we both agreed that I had “the” dress once I put it on. It wasn’t the poofy dress that I envisioned, but I think Chris will appreciate this one a whole lot more :)”
And Chris got to take a look before any of the other guests. Christine and Chris did one of my favourite things on the day of their weddings – had a first look! It was a beautiful moment, so special, with massive smiles, lots of happiness and even a few tears – a first look gave the excited couple a lot more time to soak in the fact that they were about to get married, and share that excitement in a more intimate way than in front of a crowd. Given Christine’s nerves about being the centre of attention (which is a brides prerogative!) I think a moment like this would have allowed her that moment to breathe!
I think by the time the moment rolled around, and Christine was walking down the aisle to her handsome groom wearing her gorgeous dress to the sweet sounds of the Aurora Strings Quartet, I am positive that she didn’t even notice all eyes on her, because they only had eyes for each other.
Christine had organised some gorgeous vintage style sofas to use as props in their wedding photos – which looked FABULOUS! Big thanks to the bridal party for carting them around to the photography locations – it was so worth it and from her sneak peek photos, I think Christine agrees and got the dream wedding photo she was after – which is a high five moment as a wedding photographer!
Speeches at the beautiful Mount Lofty House wedding reception were short, but incredibly heartfelt. Afterwards, we did something else I love in wedding photography – photos after dark! This opportunity can sometimes be missed with couples as they don’t feel there is time to factor it in between meals, speeches, cake cutting, and incredible first dance moments, but I am so glad Christine and Chris had this in mind. I have been bursting to share these photos – it’s so fun to get creative with photography late at night! Christine and Chris, thank you for entrusting me to deliver your dream wedding photography vision, and allowing me to share this special day with you. May you be blessed with an infinite number of happy days of marriage!
Wedding Dress: Maggie Sottero from Abbey Bridal
Bridesmaid Dresses: Sorella Vita Tulle Gown – Blush – Glamour Room
Jewellery: Everett Brookes
Suits: Joseph Uzumcu
Florist: Stems Design
Cake: Sugar and Spice
Wedding Coordinator: Natalia – Coordinator at Mount Lofty House
Wedding Venue: Mount Lofty House
Wedding Celebrant: Debbie Hinge
Vintage lounge: Vintage Scene Hire
Entertainment: Aurora Strings Quartet and Party Band
Wedding Photographers: Jade Norwood
First look about to happen!! I LOVE this..
After dark photos… Ummmmm Yes Please!!