Shawn and Erin

Do you know, I never actually saw marriage as being a part of my future. I’ve always been very work focused, and the idea of spending what I considered to be a fortune on a single day was a bit beyond me. Those closest to me certainly didn’t see me as the “romantic type” by any stretch. Which was a reasonable assumption – I couldn’t tolerate chick flicks (opting instead for crime or horror themes) and was generally the friend who was first to shout “get a room!” the moment anyone around me began showing any sort of affection.

I had been running my own business for about a year, when I met Shawn. Offering marketing and managerial services to businesses who didn’t need full-time staff was my specialty, and Shawn needed just that. I would work with him until well into the evening, both of us giggling and laughing as he joked around and just generally made a clown of himself. He asked me on a date within a month or so, and I was smitten pretty much immediately! And I mean SMITTEN! We are talking long bubble baths alone with a glass of wine and headphones, listening to songs which might be suitable for a bridal waltz and imagining my first dance as the wife of this guy!

Lucky for me, Shawn was on the same page and it was less than a year into our relationship before we began talking marriage. There was only one problem: no ring! Oh I tried to be patient but in my mind I just couldn’t wait for the day he would pop the question and we could begin planning! It seemed to take an eternity, however on the 2nd of September 2010, Shawn dropped to one knee and asked me to become his wife “officially” – and then the fun began!

The big day arrived faster than I could have imagined – September 29th 2012. The day began early, with Rachel Leung MUA doing an incredible job of my airbrush makeup and my dear friend Chloe styling my long hair into curls. I felt like such a princess – and of course the Sofitel had an incredible gift for Shawn and I: personalised bathrobes with “Mrs Allan” embroidered on mine. A glass of wine and the help of my girlfriends later saw me in my dress which was made to my measurements by a private tailor.

By Forever Collective : Lifestyle Photographer

By Forever Collective : Lifestyle Photographer

We decided on having the ceremony at the place we always went to celebrate our happy times – the Sofitel at Broadbeach on the Gold Coast. And being that we were having the ceremony there, the reception might as well be held there, too! Shawn was so wonderful to plan the wedding with. He wasn’t a typical “whatever you like, dear” husband-to-be. We did everything together, right down to picking the colour scheme (which Shawn was so kind to allow me to have my favourite colour – pink – to dominate!). I could barely breathe, I was so nervous! My brother arrived at 3pm to walk me down the aisle – and we had to stop more than once on the long journey down to the poolside ceremony so I could collect myself! Deep breaths, Erin! I walked down the aisle to “Bitter Sweet Symphony” played by “16 Strings” String Quartet to my handsome husband-to-be who was already teary, God bless him.

In a ceremony which Shawn and I helped to write, Celebrant Jenny Ashen soon declared us “Husband and Wife, til death do us part” – and we were finally married! I thought I would burst I was so happy at that moment!

By Forever Collective : Lifestyle Photographer

By Pink Chille Photography

We had two photographers, Pink Chille Photography and Forever Collective : Lifestyle Photographer as they both had such amazing yet different styles about them. Pink Chille were very dramatic, whereas…

By Forever Collective : Lifestyle Photographer

By Forever Collective : Lifestyle Photographer

Forever Collective had that sweet vintage look, both styles which I adored and could never have chosen between!

By Forever Collective : Lifestyle Photographer

By Forever Collective : Lifestyle Photographer

By Forever Collective : Lifestyle Photographer

By Forever Collective : Lifestyle Photographer

The ceremony and reception were decorated by the incredible “Cherish – Weddings and Events” who also helped coordinate – what an amazing job she did! The reception looked so beautiful with our pink and black colour scheme. She did an unbelievable lolly buffet in our colours, using lollies from Lollyworld.com.au. We had pink orchids as our floral centrepieces which were done by Flower en Counter in Broadbeach – along with my beautiful bouquet!

The food served by the Sofitel was unbelievably delicious and the DJ (Axess Entertainment) kept everyone dancing all night. Our bridal waltz was a latin choreography by ZR Dance in Brisbane which made the night even more fun (and nerve wracking!) – but luckily I had a second wedding dress made which was identical to the original gown, only shorter, to dance in!

We had the most amazing night of our lives – and I went from being the woman who never pictured herself as a bride to having a wedding I couldn’t have dreamed of being more perfect!

By Pink Chille Photography

By Pink Chille Photography

By Pink Chille Photography

Images by Forever Collective : Lifestyle Photographer and Pink Chille Photography

Ms Gingham says: How amazing to be able to have two photographers capture the day with two totally different styles! A beautiful love story. Thanks to Erin for sharing her day!

Erin says: “I would have to say that my wedding and honeymoon have been, by far, the most incredible times of my whole life to date.”