Marissa and Jon

A special treat this Friday afternoon! A blissful Sydney wedding and a Super 8 film to go along with it! Today’s wedding has this gorgeous bohemian feel to it with the gorgeous Sydney glamour complimenting it! It also happened during pouring down rain and any couple that can laugh off the rain? Winners in my book!

Marissa explains how she and Jon met. “Jon and I studied the same degree at university but didn’t meet until years later through mutual friends. We started dating while both living in London.”

Marissa and Jon were married at Lion’s Gate Lodge in the Sydney Botanic Gardens “The ceremony was held in the garden of the Lions Gate Lodge, a historic little house in the Botanic Gardens. We loved this venue as it has a slightly rustic feel and everything could be done outdoors. The reception was held immediately after, under the awnings of the house. We really wanted our wedding to be simple and beautiful – but fun!”

Photos are by Cameron Bloom of Bloom Photography with post processing by Jon.

Marissa & Jon – Rainy Day S8mm from Evro Moudanidis on Vimeo.

Moudanier Pictures shot a Super 8 film of the day which only added to the vintage vibe the couple wanted for their wedding day.

The guests sat on park benches tied with hydrangeas. Marissa walked down the aisle to “I’m So Glad” by Royal Wood, a favourite song of hers and Jon’s. One of Marissa’s favourite moments was watching those before her, “I loved watching my niece and nephew holding each others hand as they walked down the aisle together. They were both so nervous, but did wonderfully. Also watching my 3 year old niece becoming more and more excited about her dress.”

The rain didn’t put a dampener on the day. Marissa says “We had laid out paper umbrellas for our guests thinking it would provide shade from the sun… it started raining though through the ceremony and our guests ended up using them to shelter from the rain! The rain though was actually quite beautiful and we ended up getting some great photos.”

Marissa wore a gown from Soma Design.

Great service providers were an important part of the day for Marissa and Jon. “Sarah and Ilka from Girl Friday Weddings were so brilliant and organised, we couldn’t have done it without them. They set everything up before we arrived and cleaned everything up after we had left! Kevin from Gastronomy provided us with the most amazing service and food, we loved everything on the menu.”

Jodie McGregor arranged the flowers while The Style Salon took care of the styling. Marissa explains “Our guests were served dinner on two long communal tables. These were set up by The Style Salon and they did such a beautiful job.  Lining the tables were crystal vases full of hydrangeas and David Austin roses. Lampshades and lanterns hung overhead. My cousin, Samantha Wills is an amazingly talented jewellery designer and she provided the bonbonerie for all our female guests. (necklaces in wooden boxes).” In place of a wedding cake, the couple had cupcakes made by Lushcups.

The couple and their families were heavily involved in the day. Marissa says “For the reception my mother in law made all the runners for the tables and Jon designed all the invites and place cards. We also had our menu written on a big blackboard rather then having printed menus on the tables.”

For the first dance, the couple did something a little different. Marissa recounts, “We had a group first dance as Jon doesn’t think he can dance and it isn’t his favourite thing! (Although I think he can!) We invited everyone to join us on the floor and we all danced together to ‘Once in my life’ by Stevie Wonder.”

Guests danced the night away to a play list put together by the couple and their guests.

Congratulations Marissa and Jon! Thanks for sharing your wedding day with us on Polka Dot Bride! Thank you also to Girl Friday Weddings and Bloom Photography for sending over today’s images!

Photos by Cameron Bloom of Bloom Photography (some post processing by Jon)