Heidi and Tim

If there is one thing I know about Polka Dot Bride selections, it’s that it’s all about how a photo makes me feel and Heidi and Tim’s engagement photographs captured by Kim Cartmell Photography enveloped me with the romance and warmth of how much these two high school sweethearts love each other. Heidi so kindly shared pictures of the engagement celebrations too, so be sure to check those out!

Of the proposal, Heidi tells, “We were up in Byron Bay over New Year’s Eve with some close friends. Poor Tim had been trying to get me alone for a few days,which was a bit of a struggle given my reluctance to be ‘anti-social’! But the day that we were headed back to Melbourne, Tim took me up to the Byron lighthouse at the break of dawn to watch the sunrise, and completely blew me away when he got down on one knee, presented me with an incredible ring and asked me to be his wife. It was a very emotional moment for us both. Tim and I have journeyed through many years together, and experienced both the immense joys, and heartaches of relationships.

In 2010, our relationship took a bit of a turn and we agreed to take some time apart. I spent 6 months in Byron Bay whilst Tim was away on exchange in London. Byron became a bit of a safe haven for me as I dealt through things emotionally, and I spent a considerable amount of time reflecting & journaling at one of my favourite beaches in Byron, Watego Bay. They say distance makes the heart grow fonder, but this was definitely true in our case. In December of that year, I surprised Tim with an ‘earlier than planned’ visit to England, and the rest is history…! I’m not really one for glitz and glamour or anything too fancy… so Tim’s choice to propose in Byron couldn’t have been more romantic and sentimental. It was also lovely to be able to share this with our closest friends who were holidaying with us at the time.”

For their engagement photographs, Kim, the photographer tells, “The couple decided to have some snapshots taken down by the Yarra River in the Warrandyte State Park- a place of sentimentality, where the couple walk regularly together, and spent many afternoons after school when they were younger. Heidi told me “that is where Tim originally ‘asked me out’ …before he slipped on a rock into the Yarra..! Tim has developed from my best-friend and high-school boyfriend, to a life-time partner, soul mate and the love of my life”.”

Heidi also shared some of the fun engagement party celebration photos with us that she captured herself and with her friend Anneliese Christensen.

Ellie Makeup styled Heidi’s makeup look.

The engagement party was held in Tim’s parents home and influenced by Heidi’s eclectic taste and love of vibrant, exotic colours – with a twist of ‘bohéme’. Heidi tells, “I spent weeks leading up to the engagement scouting Melbourne’s fabulous op-shops, antique stores and boutiques, collecting old coloured bottles, lanterns, candle-sticks and vintage artifacts for the outdoor table setting…” Heidi and her father in law visited the Melbourne Farmers Markets in the wee hours of the day to buy fresh flower arrangements for the bottles.

Photographer Kim tells, “The couple wanted to create a relaxed, outdoor environment to enjoy their celebration with their closest friends and family, and despite a light sprinkling of rain (to make it all the more ambient) it was a beautiful evening filled with joy, love and friendship.”