Andrea and Ashley

I am so delighted to bring you a wedding today from one of my favourite venues- The Convent in Daylesford. A relaxed countryside wedding with a hint of vintage and a lot of gorgeous olive green, soft pink and latte colours.

Ash proposed to his bride Andrea in a very special way.  Andrea told the story “Ash used to take me to Daylesford for weekend getaways when I was studying at law school and during my first years as a lawyer. On one of the weekend getaways, Ash took me to a lookout at sunset, got down on one knee, pulled out a bottle of French Champagne and a ring (of course) and popped the question. After searching through many wedding venues in Melbourne, we could not resist having our wedding at the beautiful Convent in Daylesford.”

Today’s photographer is Stewart of Stewart Leishman Photography. I’ve long admired Stewart’s work as I’ve come across it- there’s an artistic beauty to his work. Each shot could easily be an oil painting, full of warm, rich tones.

Andrea wore a strapless gown from Linda Gorringe Couture. She says “The dress was a strapless vintage lace in ivory with pearl detail.   The girls at Linda Gorringe were amazing. Their attention to detail was fantastic and there was nothing they wouldn’t do. All of the jewellery was also from Linda Gorringe which made it a lot easier because we could try the jewellery on with the dress. The beautiful earrings and bracelet were a gift from my parents as the “something new” that I wore on the day.” She wore shoes from Mallouk Shoes- made to match her wedding gown.

Stewart says, “Both Ash and And’s family had hired cottages directly opposite from the Convent for the weekend but on different sides of the road so that the Bride and Groom could not sneak a peak at each other before the ceremony. It was so special to both Ash and And having the day of the wedding (up until 4pm) with their respective families.”

The wedding was structured to make it easy for guests with The Convent providing the perfect all-in-one venue. Andrea says “The day was structured so that the ceremony was held at 4pm and the guests were not required to drive anywhere after arriving for the ceremony. The ceremony was held in the Chapel, followed by drinks and canapés in the St Lawrence Room, the reception in the St Michael’s room and finally the after party in the Altar bar (all within the Convent Gardens). The venue is just beautiful and every room so different. The views are stunning.” Andrea walked down to a string quartet playing Pachalbel’s Canon in D.

One of Andrea’s favourite memories was all about the loved ones “I loved having the whole family together and seeing everyone so happy on the day.”

Before the reception, the bridal party had a quiet drink together. Andrea says “Ash and I also allocated half an hour between photos and the reception to escape to the pent house (also at the Convent) with their bridal party. The group sat there drinking champagne and talking about the day before firing up again for the reception. That was the Stewart’s idea based on his own wedding experience and it was great advice!”

A beautiful white iced cake was decorated with roses and made by La Dolce Vita Pellegrino’s in Shepparton. Flowers were styled by Wombat Hill Florist. Andrea and Ash made the favour boxes and name tags. The favour boxes were filled with iced short breads made by a Dolce Vita Pellegrino’s in Shepparton.

The Baker Boys Band had everyone on the dance floor all night. Andrea says “Most of our guests stayed in Daylesford for the weekend and so everyone was in the mood to party. There was barely a time when people were not up dancing and one of the highlights was a huge Conga Line which everyone joined in on weaving in and out of the tables to the music.”

Thank you to Andrea and Ash for sharing their wedding day on Polka Dot Bride! Thank you also to Stewart Leishman Photography for sharing today’s photographs with us!

Photos by Stewart Leishman Photography.

Bron & Chris

Today’s wedding has so many gorgeous little touches- lots of colour, lots of lovable details and a very relaxed married couple. Everything in today’s wedding is DIY, so it’s a full of fun and quirky reflections of the couple!

Nothing could be better for hump day! Bron and Chris married near Cape Snack  Bron retells the story of how Chris proposed for us. “The proposal came with the picking up of a new puppy! After picking up ‘McGee’ the Brittany Spaniel, Chris stopped the car at the end of the street to get the puppy’s new collar out of the boot – complete with engagement ring attached! Bron was so overwhelmed, puppy, ring…oh, where to look?!?! The answer of course was ‘yes’!”

Photography today is by Sarah Black and Kim Selby, of Red Telegram Wedding Photography.

Bron and Chris were married at Howard’s Hill (0417 306 415) near Cape Schanck. “Both the ceremony and reception were at the property of Howard’s Hill. We didn’t want to move anywhere after the ceremony – straight into the party was the plan!! The bush setting of Howard’s Hill was perfect – so us!”

Bron’s gorgeous green bouquet was created by family. In fact, there isn’t much not created by family in this wedding! Bron wore a gown from Elizabeth Serferian who also made the bridesmaid gowns.

The groom and groomsmen wore suits from Mickey Blue in Mornington. Bron made buttons for the guests (and is now selling them in her Etsy store bronbronhandmade. Bron says “One of the highlights for me (Bron) was looking out into the crowd in the ceremony and realising that all the guests had their buttons on already!”

One of Bron’s favourite memories was all about the reaction Chris gave ” I remember Chris’ smile when I first saw him at the ceremony – and the fact that he whispered he loved my dress in my ear (phew, relief!!).” Bron waked down the aisle to “Turn Me On” by Norah Jones.

When I asked Bron what DIY she and Chris did for the wedding, she said “ALL OF IT! Chris’ mum and her friends did all the catering (there was more than plenty and it was amazing!) and we calculated and supplied all the alcohol. Other family members chipped in with some of our favourite desserts.

We bought all the furniture, vases, etc from second hand places and got it all there in a removal truck. I (Bron) made all the wedding favours (magnetic buttons that guests could wear for the night and then take home for their fridge!) and family helped me complete the bunting flags, table runners, flowers.

Chris and I made and glued buttons to all the couches too, to tie in with the wedding favours. The set up and work put into the day was immense and not without its tense moments! Friends that stuck it out with us and helped were amazing. Seeing the joy and surprise on the guests faces on the night as they took in all the personal details made it worth it though.”

Congratulations Bron & Chris! Thank you for sharing your wedding day with us on Polka Dot Bride! Thankyou also to the Red Telegram Photography girls for sharing today’s photographs!

Photography by Sarah Black and Kim Selby, of Red Telegram Wedding Photography

Rachel and Mike

I am so in love with today’s wedding. it is quintessential Melbourne to me- glamorous, laid back and a whole lotta love. I needed this wedding today, it’s a clear your head kind of wedding!

Rachel and Mike met on dating site RSVP “We met online through RSVP in June 2006 and had our first date one week later (2 July 2006). All our conversations for that first week were online only and are still documented! I was on RSVP for just under 3 weeks before meeting Mike, who was my first date from the site.”

Photos today are by Xiss Photography.

The ceremony of Rachel and Mike was held at their home. Rachel says “We held the ceremony in our back garden, behind our Californian Bungalow home. Fortunately the weather was perfect on the day – mid 20’s and overcast!”

After much practice, Rachel did her own hair & makeup for her wedding day! She wore a stunning slimline gown from Baccini & Hill with a crystal strap and added some extra sparkle with a Stephanie Browne brooch. Rachel also splurged on a Marino black clutch by UK designer Anya Hindmarch.

Rachel walked down the aisle with her mother to Climb Every Mountain (piano instrumental) from The Sound of Music. She carried a simple white bouquet arranged by Flower Bar.

In lieu of traditional gifts, the couple suggest guests give wines to fill their collection for future celebrations!

The reception was held at Church 364 in Richmond. Rachel and Mike invited more family & friends to dance the night away with them.

Each table was decorated with a hurricane lantern. Rachel says “We purchased hurricane lamps for each table from Le Desire. The idea came from an identical hurricane lamp we were given as an engagement gift. After our wedding, we gave these lamps to immediate female family and friends.”

Guests were seated black Tiffany chairs with white cushions and there was a twist to the seating chart “Mike and I also decided on a seating arrangement whereby every guest was given a table number and they could sit wherever they wished on that table. We found it a good compromise.”

The music was provided by the couple’s own music collection “Our first dance was a waltz to the Magic of Love sung by Russell Watson & Lionel Richie.” There was no cake, but there was plenty of dancing!

Oh I have such a wonderful feeling after looking over Rachel & Mike’s photographs! Thankyou Rachel & Mike for sharing your wedding day with us! and thank you also to James Boddington of Xiss Photography for sharing today’s photographs!

Photos by Xiss Photography

Welcome back to Jaime and Ben’s mega wedding post! The next part of Jaime and Ben’s wedding was their traditional western ceremony.

Jaime chose a gown by Lusan Mandongus. Her wedding day hair & makeup was styled by Hayley Mac. Jaime wore a mantilla veil she made herself, vintage style earrings from Body Art and wore her mother’s diamond bracelet as her “something borrowed”. Jaime also made the boutonnieres for Ben, his groomsmen, her dad and father in law.

The ceremony was held in the garden marquee at Butleigh Wootton. Jaime made boxes of rose petals of guests to throw as well as the ceremony programs. Jaime says “We chose colours of white, chocolate, purple, fuchsia and green, applying it suitably across all stationery and décor so that everything didn’t look too matchy-matchy. Using the dove as a symbol of God’s love for us, I designed our placecards and wedding programs but also included elements of Butleigh Wootton in our invites with illustrations of a chandelier and one of us taken in a garden”

Handcrafted ceramic bird bowls acted as ring bowls and were a nod to the couple’s bird theme. Jaime walked down the aisle to “I Believe In You” by Il Divoa & Celine Dion. She says “Il Divo and Celine Dion’s I Believe In You. We had originally planned for an instrumental number by The Secret Garden but one night we were in the car and I Believe In You played on Ben’s iPod tracklist. We knew that was the song for us. The words were meaningful and the length of the song perfect for all my girls and I. It’s a wow song and an emotional piece.”

Ben’s favourite moment was the classic walk down the aisle “I guess the biggest thing for me was watching Jaime walk down the aisle. A few other friends of mine who recently got married got quite teary eyed when their brides walked down the aisle towards them. They teased me that I would cry as well. I told myself I wouldn’t and that I would keep my cool. I guess I kept my cool throughout the whole planning process but when Jaime walked down the aisle, what can I say, it was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen, the crowning moment of one and a half years of planning and I just gave in! I was bawling my eyes out and it’s in the video and photos!”

Jaime’s bridesmaids wore the million ways dress from Kookai. The flowers were by Flower Temple.

There was never any doubt that Jaime would wear a fantastic pair of shoes “I chose my wedding day to wear a pair of purple Jimmy Choos. Like him, I was born in Malaysia and I’m constantly inspired by such talent, having won a shoe design competition before. After trying many pairs of shoes elsewhere, this pair felt right and I’m happy to announce that I didn’t suffer from sore feet the night of my wedding and kept my shoes on the whole time even when I swapped to my dancing shoes!”

A three tier cake was created by Kat’s Cakes and topped with wooden cake toppers painted to match Jaime and Ben’s outfits (including their accessories!) from Etsy.

The guest tables were decorated with Jamie’s handmade placecards (from The Bridal Gene) and black candelabras with crystals from Centre Of Attention Centrepieces, Jamie says “Preet is so lovely she’s become friends with us after the wedding! Preet provides quality products and services and goes above and beyond to create a stylish setup. She is willing to help in every way, customising to suit colours and themes AND most importantly, budgets! Sweet, friendly and just fabulous!,

As bonbonierres, we gave out a pair of wooden chopsticks to each guest with the inscription “Jaime & Ben 25 09 09” on one stick and “When Two Became One” on the other stick, to symbolise how you can’t use one stick without the other and also as a representation of our Asian background and our love for food.”

The head table was decorated with wooden letters, glass tealight holders and the bridal party’s bouquets in glass vases.

For the reception, Jaime changed into a gown by Maggie Sottero with a fascinator from Edna Mavis. Ben found his drum pin brooch on etsy. Jaime says “Accessories aren’t just for the bride so we searched high and low for a subtle yet fitting one for Ben and found this beautiful diamante drum pin on ebay. He swapped his boutonierre for the brooch for reception and our wooden caketoppers were painted to match our reception ensemble with details of both my hair fascinator and Ben’s drum lapel pin. ”

Jaime and Ben chose elements that really reflected them- like their choice of “Strawberry Fields” by Coldplay playing as they entered the reception.

Jaime and Ben’s first dance was a highlight of the night (see the video here) “Oh, we had such great fun! Our dance was something we really looked forward to! We had never danced before so going for bridal dance lessons was one of the things we got to learn together as a couple. We didn’t want the traditional ballroom dance or the other extreme of something too hip-hop R&B. So together with our choreographer (anushka Ranasinghe at The Secret Garden of Dance), we came up with a routine to suit our song, Hey! by Leeland which isn’t a famous song at all so it was going to be a surprise to our guests. The lyrics really told our story and words cannot describe what a pleasure it was to dance to that song. It was a mix of rhumba, ballroom and a whole lot of fun. Our weekly dance lessons was something we looked forward to”

Jaime made some extra special treats for guests “It’s very common for Asian weddings to have a big projector screen with a slideshow of childhood images of the couple. Instead of hiring one and due to the lack of space in the reception area, I decided to print our childhood pictures and wrap them around chocolates we had bought in bulk from Chocolate Box – milk chocolate for Ben and dark chocolate for me. Little did we know it would be a big hit at the wedding with people snapping them up like collectors’ items and not actually eating the chocolates till this day!”

Jamie’s bouquet tossing provided a highlight of the evening, it caught the chandelier and promptly did a ninety degree fall to the floor.

When asked about her favourite moment, Jaime said “Till this very day I feel so thankful that the day was really and truly special. It rained, our friend who was performing an item for us during the ceremony was stuck in traffic, I had to run through a quick rehearsal with the girls that very morning as they missed out on it a few days before (also due to traffic!), but despite all that the whole day still went so smoothly and just having my family and friends there knowing that they were all truly happy sharing our joy is the best thing to sum it all up.”

A big thank you to Jaime and Ben for sharing their wedding day on Polka Dot Bride! Congratulations on your marriage (Jaime it was such a joy to see all your words come to life!) Thank you also to Rodney Hobbs Photography for allowing us to share today’s photographs!

Photos by Rodney Hobbs Photography.