The couple and their guests wandered along the path to a boardwalk where they caught a ferry to their reception

Traveling with their guests on the ferry to the reception was magical as the Brisbane city lights lit up.

While their guests headed into the reception at Alchemy Restaurant, Chelsea and Mark had another surprise in store.

Paper cranes became the overwhelming theme of the reception. From the minute they got engaged, Chelsea started folding 1001 paper cranes. The pair knew they would have an extended engagement (18 months) and Chelsea wanted to fold the cranes as a symbol of her patience and endurance to Mark. Once she’d finished the cranes, she started creating the other projects- invitations, favors, programs and more!

Sakura entertained guests while they feasted and drank

Meanwhile Chelsea changed into her tea length wedding gown (also created by Leigh Buchanan (website coming soon), with matching headpiece (made by Chelsea)

Upon rejoining their guests, Chelsea and Mark danced straight into a modern jive to into “I Love It” by Sneaky Sound System  (with a few ‘robot moves’ thown in for good measure!!)

Months earlier, Chelsea and Mark had attended a Sneaky Sound System concert (one of their favourite bands) and won a back stage pass after asking the “best question” which was “ We are doing our bridal waltz to “I love it”- can you show us your moves?” The couples two very special friends (previous modern jive teachers from Brisbane and London) choreographed the routine for the couple.

Chelsea’s grandfather sent a video message of congratulations

Paper cranes adorned every corner of the room

The cake- made by Chelsea!

Chelsea and Mark set up their own photobooth with props for guests to take happy snaps

Chelsea’s has this advice for brides to be “Connect yourself to the day…. make sure your fingerprints are all over it!!”

Thankyou Chelsea and Mark for allowing me to share your beautiful wedding day on Polka Dot Bride! I wish you all the best for a beautiful life together!

Photos by Renee Brazel

We’re back with the second part of Chelsea and Mark’s big day! Now onto the business part- the ceremony!

After her parents and bridesmaids before her, Chelsea walked down the aisle to “Case Of You” by Joni Mitchell performed by Soul To You

Chelsea’s grandfather was unable to be there on the wedding day, so Chelsea and Mark made special mention of him during the wedding ceremony. Her grandfather send a video message of congratulations to the couple.

The couple had many readings from loved ones, including this one from Chelsea’s godmother and her husband from The Velveteen Rabbit. The pair donned masks and read what Chelsea describes as “the most special piece about love, life romance and reality that rocked the audience and allowed everyone to ‘breathe in and breathe out’… it couldn’t have been planned but it couldn’t have been more perfect“

The couple read their vows off cards that matched their wedding stationery created by Chelsea

The couple wore rings from Australian jeweler Canturi

While signing the register Soul To You played “Better Together” by Jack Johnson and for the recessional “Let’s Stay Together” by Al Green

Chelsea and Mark chose their photographer Renee Brazel as they didn’t want any posed photos or to be separated from their guests.

After champagne and mingling, the wedding party and their guests wandered along the path together to their next destination

The reception of Chelsea and Mark is just beautiful so check back soon to see it!

Photos by Renee Brazel

Chelsea and Mark

I love today’s beautiful wedding- the gown is absolutely stunning, the special touches are perfect for the couple and the photography is beautiful!

Today’s bride Chelsea is a long time Polka Dot Bride reader and I am so thrilled to share her wedding with you today. The special touches are going to make you swoon! I had so much trouble picking which photos to show out of the beautiful range Chelsea sent me, there will be three entries today!

Chelsea is an architect (studying millinery) and Mark a builder and met through work! Mark proposed in a hot air balloon by a company called “Fly Me To The Moon” A song which Chelsea sang to him right after their bridal dance.

Today’s photographs are by Renee Brazel

Mark’s family traveled from the UK the week of the wedding, there were many sightseeing trips in the days leading up to the event!

Leigh Buchanan (website coming soon), runner up of Project Runway Australia and a friend of Chelsea’s designed and made her beautiful wedding gown.

A labor of love, Chelsea and Leigh transformed Chelsea’s mother’s 1978 wedding gown into Chelsea’s two gown wedding dresses. The pair drew inspiration from Dior’s  1947 “New Look” and the V&A’s exhibition “The Golden Age Of Couture”. They spent many lovely afternoons together sewing (Leigh sewed the dresses while Chelsea created her head pieces)

Chelsea’s ceremony bouquet were magnolias picked from a neighbours garden.

Chelsea carried a second bouquet after the ceremony of bouvardia (both bouquets were created by Pink & Purple Petals)

Chelsea’s hair was by Hair By Popular Demand

Chelsea wore hot pink shoes from Giuseppe Zanotti and Chelsea’s bridesmaid wore a gown from George Wu

Chelsea’s mother’s friends stayed the week before the wedding helping to finish off last minute DIY tasks and making a video diary of the week before. Chelsea says “… a wedding is not just one day…. it’s all the days before and after… it’s all of the moments that people share with you that come together….. “

Chelsea chose to have a bridesmaid and a man of honour

Soul To You provided the ceremony music. The couple chose to hold their ceremony on the banks of the Brisbane river between the city and Kangaroo Point (at the base of Kangaroo Point cliffs), an area they had walked through many a time while they were dating.

Chelsea and her man of honour created survival tote bags as favors for the female guests. They contained her grandmother’s famous Anzac biscuits, flip flops, umbrellas amongst other goodies.

Up next! The ceremony with the sweetest wedding reading I think I’ve seen in a long time!

Photos by Renee Brazel

Today’s stunning wedding of Geoff and Cait was sent to me by Jonas Peterson- a Swedish Brisbane photographer! Jonas only started photographing weddings last year and Geoff and Cait were one of his first clients.

Cait’s hair was styled by Christian Alexander and her makeup was by Jane Mangini

Cait’s hair was styled by Christian Alexander and wore a gown by Jo Jo at Arushie Bridal Couture.

Geoff and Cait married at Broadway Chapel in Woolloongabba

Check back later today for the location shots and beautiful Asian inspired reception by the river of Geoff and Cait!

Photos courtesy of Jonas Peterson

Today’s pretty in pink beachside wedding comes to us courtesy of Manyana who married Nathan in October 2006. The couple held their wedding ceremony at The Old Teahouse in Mudgeeraba and held their reception at Vanitas Restaurant in Palazzo Versace.

Manyana wore a beautiful Lisa Gowing gown in “Chantilly” with Peter Lang earrings and carried a bouquet of Delbard roses.

Manyana and Nathan involved their children in their wedding day, above is son Logan. Manyana’s daughter was the couples flowergirl.

The wedding stationery was by Fresh Creative. The bride walked down the aisle to “Upside Down” by Jack Johnson

Manyana loved their reception at the Palazzo Versace.  Manyana’s good friend Anna said an opening welcome greeting to everyone in maori (A nod to Nathan who is maori) followed by a very touching speech. Manyana’s father also surpised her. Normally a quiet man he have an amazing speech to the newlyweds.

The cake decorated with pink blooms was by Yenmart Pastry Art the couple danced their first dance to “If I Ain’t Got You” by Alicia Keys.

Photos courtesy of RMK Photography