Graham and Erin

12 years ago, Graham and I met in high school. I was 15 years old and in Year 9, Graham was 16 years old and in year 10. For months and months he pursued me, trying to get me to date him. I continually tried to get him off my back, even going so far as to try and get myself a detention after class when he told my friend he was going to ask me out! I finally succumbed to his charm and 12 years later here we are and he is the absolute love of my life…

After being together for close to 11 years, Graham finally thought it was time to pop the question. He asked my dad for permission, and planned the big proposal for our holiday to Darwin and Bali. I think his nerves got the better of him, as he asked on the first day of our holiday whilst we were sitting on a boat jetty at sunset in Litchfield National Park, clearly VERY nervous!

After the proposal came many hours of researching, planning and sourcing all parts of our wedding. I was truly in my element and loved every minute of the entire process! We set our wedding date for the 31 March 2012, about nine months after we got engaged. We hired out an entire summer-camp style venue in the beautiful town of Healesville. As soon as we saw the venue, we knew this was where we wanted to get married, it was truly magical!!! Our venue included cabin-style accommodation for our 120 guests, of which over 100 stayed.

My dress was couture made by Luci DiBella in High St Armadale and exceeded all of my dreams and expectations! Luci and Clara were a pleasure to deal with on all occassions! My beautiful bridesmaids wore dresses by Cocktail Boutique and looked truly stunning. We all had our make-up done by Kelli from Magical Makeovers who was fantastic!

We had the most beautiful spot for our ceremony, amongst the huge  hundred-year old forest trees with kookaburra’s that laughed during our ceremony, and allowed the sun to shine through the trees during our vows on a day that was a perfect 28 degrees! The entire way to Healesville from home, my dad never let go of my hand in the back of the car… very precious! The most overwhelming feeling I have ever felt in my life was driving into the venue, with my mum and dad in the car, seeing every person I love standing there under the forest trees waiting for me to arrive. It blew me away like nothing I have ever experienced and something I will never forget.

A special part of our wedding was based around the travelling Graham and I have done together over the years and we knew we certainly wanted was to incorporate this into our catering. Andrew and Bec from Yarra Valley Catering understood our vision perfectly! For cocktail hour, we served Spanish influenced canapés and Sangria, and then for the reception we had various food stations (Thai, Italian and French) around the venue based on other countries we had travelled together and loved! These live and interactive food stations included chefs preparing the dishes to order for our guests. They were truly amazing and a definite highlight.

Various chalkboards and signs were used around the venue to direct guests to the different parts, and truly added a personal touch to the day.

The photobooth, provided by our amazing photographer Ger from Hynesite Photography was full the entire night, as was the candy buffet (set-up hired from Denise at  The Wedding Zone). Both provided so much fun for guests to indulge in! My Aunty made the delicious cupcakes!

During my Dad’s speech at the reception, he said “God could not have made you look any more beautiful than you are tonight even if he had put angel wings on you himself”. A tear-jerking moment!!

We were lifted up on to the shoulders of our nearest and dearest friends whilst everyone sprayed champagne and beer on us whilst dancing!

Something special to only Graham and I – I gave Graham a wedding present that I had put a lot of time and effort into making over the nine months before the wedding. I collected and recorded memories over the past 12 years that myself, my family and my friends remember, then sealed them up with a love heart wax seal, put them all in a box, as well as a few blank ones for us to fill in for the future. I sent my dad to drop it around on the morning of the wedding. Graham then called once he had read half of the present in tears to tell me it was the most amazing thing anyone had ever given him.

There were so many laughs and smiles throughout the entire day that it is hard to find a photo without a smile… it was truly the most amazing day of our lives and one we will cherish forever!

Ms Gingham says: Erin shares her lovely wedding to inspire us today! So many smiles and yummy food! It looks like it was a very beautiful day for all.

Erin says: “My name is Erin Clark (previously Heap). I married the most amazing person in March this year, after meeting when we were 15 and dating for 12 years since (highschool sweethearts!!). I am 27 years old from Melbourne and live with my husband and our fur children (2 pugs called Zara and Vader, yes as in ‘Darth Vader!!’). I love to travel, cook, eat, drink, hang out with my friends and family, and I especially love a good book to curl up on the couch with!”