Alex & Chris

It is Autumn that has my heart – this much is evident through my gushing about Autumn every time I get a glimpse of its beauty, but weddings like Alex and Chris’ stunning Autumnal wedding in the Southern Highlands are proof that there is so much beauty to this season, and that is something that can’t go uncelebrated. Captured beautifully by Fox & Kin, the couple chose elements of their day to reflect the Autumnal hues of the Southern Highlands. Beautiful peachy pink and raisin bouquets, deep dark greenery and cozy, warmth wove their way through every aspect of the day. it was indeed a day of Autumn splendour.

The two water lovers met on the dance floor before the groom proposed on a weekend away. Alex explains. “We are both surf boat rowers, and at the notorious “mad Monday” of the Aussie Surf Lifesaving championships we met on the dance floor! We were inseparable for the rest of the day and night! And then forever!!

When he proposed, it was my birthday weekend and we planned to spend the weekend away in Agnes in Queensland.

On Friday night my sister Sarah and her fiancé Nick surprised me by arriving at our apartment which was SO exciting. On Saturday morning Chris and I both woke up about 6.30am, and it was my birthday. Chris said, “Do you want your birthday present?” I was thinking, isn’t it a bit early for pressies.. but sure! So he handed me a gift bag and I looked inside and it was a little jewellery box. I thought, oh yeah, a nice piece of jewellery for my birthday, I love jewellery! So I pulled out the box and opened it, and it was an engagement ring! I was shocked and excited because I had NO idea it was coming!!! I was thinking “is this just a ring, or is this an actual engagement ring!!” So I looked at the ring, and back at Chris who was staring at me with a GIANT smile on his face and then I said: “SAY SOMETHING!!!” Then he said “Alex, will you marry me?” and of course I said “yes!” and gave him a big hug! Then we laid in bed talking about how he planned the ring, the engagement, and the weekend.

I poked my head into Sarah and Nick’s room and said “hey Sarah, look what I got for my birthday” I poked my hand around the door frame and she immediately started bawling her eyes out because she was so happy for us and she had an idea that it would happen after something Mum and Dad had said to her. Then we all walked along the beach to brekky and talked about weddings and later drank lots of champagne and wine. It was the best.”

The bride worked with designer Lisa Gowing to create her vintage-inspired gown. She tells “The first thing I did after we got engaged was start dress shopping. I tried on SO many dresses, I reckon over 50. I had never paid attention to wedding dresses, their styles, fabrics, different colours, nothing, so I really had no idea what I was looking for. After about six months I found love in Lisa Gowing because of the high quality of fabric she uses which is so soft, and I love her style which I think leans towards vintage and classic. Her style definitely suited me better than anything else I had tried.”

“Getting ready was awesome. I almost forgot that all the other guests were coming because I was so excited about seeing Chris and kept wondering what he was up to” notes Alex.

Alex and Chris chose the beautiful Briars Country Lodge & Historic Inn, Bowral  for their big day. “My Dad had been there for a few functions and said it was really good because there is also accommodation there, which is ideal having so many people travelling to the wedding (almost everyone)” says Alex, continuing “My Aunty Leonie and Uncle Peter also got married there some years ago so it was pretty cool to have that (slightly) historic family connection there.”

“Our dog Fergus was part of our ceremony. After Chris and I walked back down the aisle together at the conclusion of the ceremony, Fergus walked up to me and laid down on the train of my veil and dress which was about 2 metres long combined! I couldn’t move and the veil was being tugged from my hair!”

 The bride walked down to an acoustic version of “Higher & Higher” by Jackie Wilson with her parents on her arms.  

Janice Oxenbould performed the ceremony, of which Alex notes “We wanted the ceremony to be traditional, easy, and short!”

“Chris chose five friends from his hometown in Gladstone, all of which he rowed with at Tannum Sands. I chose my sister as maid of honour, two friends from high school, a friend from work and my brother. It was great having my brother part of the bridal party!”

Of their photographer, the bride remarks “I went to High school with Nic (Fox & Kin) so we have known each other for a very long time. She was also the photographer for my best friend’s wedding and I loved the photos she took on the day, and the way she worked with them so it was a no-brainer to have her photograph our wedding as well. Chris is very awkward in photos and Nikki made him feel very relaxed which was important. Everything was very natural with her.”

Redbud Floristry styled the Autumnal floral details of the day, the bride telling “I really wanted to highlight the autumn colours because they are so amazing in the Southern Highlands at that time of year, so I opted for really dark and warm flower colours like burgundy and dark green. I was also inspired mostly by a vintage/rustic theme but was very easy going when it came to decorations. I wanted vintage looking flowers, I trusted my florist to come up with something perfect. The florist chose white and burgundy roses and a mix of florist things that I have no idea about! They were amazing!”

“Both Chris and I loved all the speeches. They couldn’t have been better! There was so much laughter in the room, it was great. The cheering also topped it off.”

The couple chose Sam Cooke’s “Bring it home to me” for their first dance, before inviting their guests to join them on the dance floor led by Impression DJs  “Rochana at Impression DJs was amazing,” says the bride “She helped create such an awesome vibe at the reception. Her set up was awesome and she said we had an awesome crowd which was even better.”

Congratulations Alex & Chris! Thank you for sharing your beautiful day with us! Thank you also to  Fox & Kin for sharing today’s stunning images.