Craig and Jessica

Craig and I never actually started planning a wedding, it just slowly and fluidly became a wedding. In the beginning we decided we would have an engagement party in our backyard, something low key not too flashy, but then we started to worry about the weather, so we decided we should hire a marquee and then we wanted a spit roast but that would require seating, so we would need to hire that as well. Before we knew it we had decided to turn our engagement party into our wedding and that’s when the planning really started.

Craig and I hadn’t decided when we wanted the surprise to be. Craig was big on people coming to the engagement party to find we were getting married. I thought this was obviously gong to be a logistical nightmare for me and my bridesmaids to get ready and be there when the party began. Instead, we came to the decision that we wouldn’t tell anyone we were getting married until they received their invites in the mail. This way it would still be a surprise but it would take the pressure off me.

With the planning going on and people helping but only knowing it was an engagement party I chose a fun theme that could work for a wedding as well. Red and white polka dots which I just happen to love. The colour red was also a special nod to my mother who had passed away over a year ago. I also carried her photo on my bouquet, so that she could still walk me down the aisle in spirit.

There was a lot of diy for our wedding and my wonderful bridesmaids who are also my sisters spent many hours helping pull the whole affair together. Actually nearly every single aspect of our day was done by us. I spent hours sewing over 60m of red and white polka dot bunting. We collected jars for months before the wedding and de-labeld and washed all those jars to tie red and white polka dot ribbon around the rims.

Craig went to the market at 6am the morning of our wedding to pick up all our fresh flowers for the tables, which my bridesmaids and I styled that morning while having a champagne breakfast. Our bouquets were created by myself, using real touch flowers and jewels and we also created our own invites with help from See be Art.

With so many diy projects it was stressful at stages leading up to the wedding. Setting up the day before I was so worried but then Craig and My bridesmaid Tina strung up the fairy lights across our backyard and my vision was coming together. It was a wonderful moment and made all the just melt away. The wedding I had planned in my head was sitting in my backyard all ready for the big day and I couldn’t have been more excited

The day of our wedding was simply magical. I cannot pick a favourite moment. A couple that stand out for me, are my son walking me down the aisle. As my mother had passed away I had no one to ‘give me away’ so my 6 year old son walked me down the aisle and when asked ‘who gives this woman’ he proudly replied. I do for Nana Michelle (my mum). It was a really lovely moment for her to be honoured by her grandchild.

I was stunned by how amazing it was to get married. Standing in front of all our friends and family declaring that we will love each other forever was heart touching and very memorable.

Our first dance was nothing flashy. No amazing routine here but Craig can dance and so for weeks before the wedding he had taught me a little waltz we could do on the night. Many a toe was stood on in practice and we had such fun dancing in our backyard each night. But having our first dance together as husband and wife was moving. And I didn’t step on his toes either which was a plus.

There are so many more things about our wedding we loved and cherished. So many more things we did ourselves to see our vision for our big day come true. It was hard work and yes stressful at time but so worth it because in the end our day was our dream wedding, it was relaxed, fun and we were husband and wife at the end.

Photography by Clair Bremner from See be Art

Ms Gingham says: I adore the calm, loving vibe that seems to come with backyard weddings! Maybe it’s the relaxed state of the couple being in familiar surroundings. Gorgeous!

Jessica says: “I am a crafty 28 year old with 2 beautiful children and a wonderful stepson and I recently married the love of my life. In our backyard in complete DIY Style.”