I’m continually amazed by the creativity demonstrated by engaged couples when creating their dream weddings. But this one, with the floral arbour and distressed doors at the entrance of the church, left me awestruck. Dominique Cherry captured every stunning detail in this gallery and if you think that’s gorgeous, don’t miss out on the video by Mad Rose Films for even more pretty treats.
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From The Bride… Ben and I had been dating for almost 4 years when one of the most magical days of my life occurred. I was a cheerleader for an NRL team on the Gold Coast and Ben decided (being an avid Rugby League player himself) that the footy field was the perfect place and opportunity to propose. After liaising with our coach, he organised to run onto the field prior to kickoff (whilst we were mid-routine), got down on bended knee and asked me to marry him in front of a crowd of 15,786! Of course, I said “Yes!”
We decided to marry in a church in the lazy town of Murwillumbah where I grew up. The morning of the wedding dawned bright and clesar. It was one of those magical ‘not a cloud in the sky’ days and we could see for miles from the sub-penthouse apartment in Coolangatta where we chose to prepare for the day. The boys shared the same view from a different apartment just five blocks away. The girls received hand-made bracelets and earrings as gifts, as well as luxurious blush pink silk gowns from Homebodii. The boys were given Calvin Klein undergarments, cuff-links and belts to complete their attire.
We wanted a modern, elegant wedding which incorporated both the coastal aspects of Coolangatta, where Ben grew up and where we chose to get ready, and the country charm of Murwillumbah, only a 20 minute drive away. Deciding on a colour palette was easy, blends of ivory, pastel pinks and silvery greys. We had photographs at the old rail road tracks in Murwillumbah and made it to Coolangatta in time for the breathtaking sunset. Our Beagles Bonnie and Clyde even snuck in for a quick family portrait.
We spent a lot of time in the lead up, creating an enormous 10 foot backdrop with soft chiffon drapes to decorate the front of the church. This, combined with rows of hanging candle-filled glass baubles and tulle entwined with fairy lights to line the aisle, created a magical and amazing enchanting atmosphere. Ben, being a carpenter, built a gorgeous flower covered arbour under which we stood to say our vows. The doors we found locally, stripped back and re-painted to give a fresh look while also tying them in to the decor at the church. The arbour and doors were adorned with stunning floral arrangements and greenery created by Flowers by Julia Rose.
My ivory, Maggie Sottero gown took five months of searching to find (after falling in and out of love with a Kleinfield dress in New York!) After trying on an endless number of gowns, I eventually flew to Sydney for the weekend with my Mum and Maid of Honour and we found THE ONE! I wanted to make it even more personal and add something special, so I decided to hand-bead the bodice, adding some lace from my Mum’s wedding dress as my ‘something old’. I designed and ordered my shoes to match perfectly from Shoes of Prey. The Bridesmaids wore Donna Morgan floor length dresses. I gave our florist Julia a fabric swatch of the dresses and asked for ‘a clean, classic and elegant style with highlights of dusty miller framing’ for the bouquets.
The centre pieces for our reception (styled by Rebecca from I do Perfection Weddings) comprised of tall, glass vases filled with living green moss, dodda vine, fairy lights and tortured willow. Glass baubles filled with candles hung from the willow. They set the mood for an evening filled with romance. Our guests received jars of rock candy with a thank you note. Each piece of candy had our names inscribed in the middle.
Our wedding waltz started off to Andy Grammar’s ‘I Choose You’…. This was interrupted by Deee-Lite’s ‘Groove is in the Heart.’ That’s when Ben and I broke out into a rehearsed dance which ended in an impressive flip and lift! That got everyone onto the dance floor, where they stayed as we continued to celebrate our magical day.
I think my favourite images are those of us dancing. I’m so glad we chose Dominique from DEC Creatives Photography. Thanks to her talent, we will always have amazing photographs to share with our family, friends and children – amazing photos of the most magical day of our lives.
Photography: Dominique Cherry | Videographer: Mad Rose Films | Wedding Coordinator: Rebecca Vickery | Floral Design: Wedding Flowers By Julia Rose | Wedding Dress: Maggie Sottero | Cake: Sweet Melissa's Cakes | Shoes: Shoes Of Prey | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Donna Morgan | Makeup: The Makeup Bar By Mia Connor | Hair: Amy Louise Hair | Groom's Attire: Formal Wear Express | Musician: Graham Hobson | Photographer Assistant: Kelly Piez | Robes: Homebodii | Transport: Limousines In Paradise | Wedding Reception: Twin Towns