There were only 2 people that I was going to miss the the Brisbane International and the Australian Open for, and that was Melissa and Aaron. When these two lovely people asked me to be their wedding photographer for their Barossa Valley wedding, there was not a moment of hesitation before I said yes!
There was little hesitation in their courting too, they’d met before at a local club in Coober Pedy but nothing happened between them until they met again at a Melbourne Cup function. They chatted, stirred each other up, and had a great night, but Aaron was busy when Melissa was leaving, so she made her way out to her car before saying goodbye. She sat in her car for a moment, thinking she’d give him a minute, and before she knew it Aaron was running out the door towards her yelling ‘wait, wait!’ They exchanged numbers and agreed to meet up for coffee before he left for 6 weeks overseas.
“He made me laugh, he was cheeky, fun and sweet, and over all just a genuinely good guy. For our first Valentines Day together (only a mere 4 weeks after he got back from overseas) he surprised me with a gourmet picnic and wine out at the Breakaways. I was already head over heels, then I was watching him entertain one of my friends daughters one day and he was so genuine and gorgeous that it just cemented that feeling I had right to my core that I loved him.”
“The night Mel told me she loved me, I knew I already loved her but didn’t want to say it too soon in case she ran for the hills!”
The couple were together for 6 years and had a beautiful little boy with another loving bundle on the way, so Melissa though their time for getting engaged had passed. “I definitely didn’t see it coming.” On their anniversary, they went to a hotel for the night and Melissa made Aaron hide in the bathroom while she assembled her gift of all of his favourite things. He then sent her into hiding, and she came out to see a box on the bed, thinking it was the bracelet she had been hinting about. “As I opened it, there was a smaller box inside, then when I opened that, there was the beautiful ring and Aaron popped the question. I was in tears, so was he, then we just laughed and laughed, it was a happy moment.”
Their wedding day was equally as happy. On a cold day in January (my first wedding of 2015…after 40 degree days….and it was cold!) they were joined by around 80 guests for their vintage aussie bush style wedding day. The day had been organised by both Mel and Aaron, and it was great that they had shared all of the planning together. To make their aussie bush vintage wedding theme a reality, the wedding was decorated with bush flora displays they’d created themselves. They used Pinterest and the Australian Bush and things they love and are passionate about for their wedding planning inspiration. The wooden vases were handmade by Aaron, all of the chairs had flowers on them, there were flowers all over the tables and even the place cards were leaves! Love!!
Melissa followed her children down the aisle, who were blessed with the role of Flowergirl and Pageboy on their parents wedding day (I love to see family be involved). William had spent time with the boys getting ready, while Vivien had spent the morning with the girls. Vivien was so precious, and watching them walk down the aisle together, you could see how proud William was to be by his little sisters side on such a special day.
There was a lot of fun to be had while everyone was getting ready – the guys were given some fantastic gifts – a box filled with special treats, as was William – he loved his lego man! A gorgeous bunch of flowers arrived for the bride from her groom; ‘A beautiful bunch of flowers for a beautiful bride,’ read the note. Swoon. How sweet it was when Vivien got into her flowergirl outfit, and capped it off with her mum’s veil and wedding shoes. A special moment with unique wedding photos to cherish forever.
Mel looked beautiful with a classic updo, red lips, and a lace dress. Underneath her skirt she hid a pin holding special and lucky charms for her big day – including her touch of blue!
An emotional ceremony had nearly everyone with tears in their eyes, and Mel, the mums and grandmas proudly let them flow. I had a hard time holding my own back (lucky I can get busy with my camera to hide the fact!)
We were really under a time crunch all day and the weather was not helpful, so we missed out on the chance for first look photos with the kids and getting bridal party photos was a push. But the greatest time crunch came earlier in the week. The bridesmaids’ dresses were being custom made…but by Wednesday before the wedding they still weren’t done. So off they went that day to buy alternatives, what an awesome job they did!! They looked so perfect in the landscape and the ideal touch of classic vintage colour to match the glamorous bride.
When it came time for the reception, the couple worked alongside Gab, the wedding coordinator at Gomersal to ensure the reception went smoothly and they had little to worry about, she really went above and beyond. The food was amazing and the décor, I can’t stop speaking about how stunning it was…and so Aussie! Instead of the traditional photobooth or signing book – Mel and Aaron combined the two, inviting guests to take a photo (or 10) of themselves and add to it a little note for the bride and groom. As the speeches began, tissues were a must. The heartfelt words from Aaron’s mum brought tears to even my eyes, and the anecdotes about marriage from ‘Nanna Marks’ and ‘Pop Clifton’ were super special.
Melissa and Aaron took everything in their stride and had a beautiful day, a heartfelt ceremony, and the best part – a marriage that is the last piece of the puzzle tying their gorgeous family together. It was such an honour to be a part of it xx
Wedding Dress: Jenny and Gerry’s
Shoes: Betts
Jewellery: Etsy
Suits: Jenny and Gerry’s
Florist: Miss Maggies
Rings: Michael Hill
Cake: Barossa Creative Cakes
Decorator: DIY wedding decorations
Wedding Celebrant: Janine Gilland
Make up and Hair: Olivia Reynolds, LIV’N’MAKEUP
Venue: Gomersal Winery
Transport: Cars of Class
Entertainment: Supreme Sound DJ
Stationery: Zoe Campbell Photography and Design
Wedding Photography Adelaide: Jade Norwood Photography
Fantastic