B R A D L E Y & J E S S I C A

F R O M T H E B R I D E ...

The Meeting...

We initially met in high school (as classmates only). Never did either of us ever entertain the thought that we would one day be married. We were in very different groups of friends at school. Over a decade later, his friend happened to add me on facebook and a group of us decided to meet up for old times sake. Brad came along. As soon as I saw him I thought 'wow'.

Love...

I am a package deal and have a very strong bond with my son. The way to my heart was to truly love and bond with my son as well as me.

Brad says it was 'love at first sight'. Aww. (We are having his eyes checked soon haha)

The Proposal...

Brad took me to my favourite lighthouse for a skyhigh picnic, and pulled out a ringbox hidden among my favourite foods. It's our special place, and we can always visit there and remember that day.

Background info: Brad and I planned this wedding in 6 weeks from start to finish. I was 31 and half weeks pregnant on our wedding day. It can be done Wedding Style...

A small boutique intimate wedding with only our closest friends and family. Everybody who attended needed to feel special and feel part of something magical. Simple, elegant and set amongst natural surroundings with a whimsical secret garden feel - wooden swings, leafy archways, ponds with carps, European stone archways etc. A private world away from regular life yet within our home, the Gold Coast.

We wanted the beauty of nature to be the main theme with added elegant touches. We didn't need many floral arrangements because of the beautiful surroundings, just two shattered glass urns on pedestals as focal points and rose petals down the aisle. A silk marquee with chandelier provided some protection from the elements and gave the ceremony ambience. We used white, soft lavender and cream as feature colours with silver embellishments such as lanterns and a chandelier for ambience.

Wedding Ceremony...

We held our wedding ceremony at Evergreen Garden Venue in Parkwood. We knew from the moment we went for the viewing, that this was the only place we would choose to get married. It just gave us that instant feeling of 'this is it'.

Wedding Reception...

We held our wedding reception at our home. We wanted a catered reception with a relaxed feel where people could just feel at home.

We organised a private coach (driven by a family friend) to transport all our guests to and from the wedding so that transport or parking was not an issue when it came to celebrations. Celebrations started on the way to the venue, and from what I'm told there was some interesting song choices and commentary too.

The Dress...

I wore an ivory dress with a fitted bust line, then free flowing with a long train and crystal embellishments under the bust line. I bought this 5 weeks before the wedding from Luv Bridal. I wanted a more classical silhouette. Simple and classy.

The Flowers...

I chose white, cream and soft lavender roses with sprinkles of dusty pink.

The Cake...

We had a cupcake stand, 45 cupcakes (half chocolate cocoa, half vanilla bean) with rose looking frosting and a traditional white rose frosted cake on the top of the stand. We wanted our guests to be able to enjoy a cake at the reception and then each take one home as a momento if they wished. We provided little boxes for the cupcakes.

Photography...

We chose Jessica Brown from Bella Lei Photography because of the beautiful whimsical feel of her photos. Her personable nature helps you to feel at ease and relax, so she can then take the most flattering beautiful photos of you beyond your expectations.

You don't realise it at the time, but the whole day goes by so fast that you don't always have the opportunity to stop and take it all in! I can look at the photos and feel as if I am back in that moment. We love the venue we chose, it was just perfect and it is captured in the beautiful photos. We will return to Evergreen in one years time for a romantic anniversary dinner by candlelight and to take some anniversary photos too.

On the Menu...

We had a Water and Champagne drink station at the ceremony venue for after the ceremony, so guests could enjoy a refreshment and toast during photos. Guests then boarded the coach to the reception for cheeses and fingerfood. We then had a fully catered selection of hot meats, bbq food, salads, rolls, baked potatoes and fruits prepared and served by a chef.

Wedding Favours...

We provided some disposable cameras and umbrellas (it was overcast and sprinkling at times - it never did pour thankfully). We had a polaroid camera with handmade props like glasses and moustaches and hats, so guests could take an instant photo and then take those photos home with them as momentos or leave them in our wishing well for us to keep. Also guests took home their cupcakes in cupcake boxes.

Wedding Music...

We had an amazing Harpist originally from Wales, Janice Preece, play her beautiful harp at the ceremony. We chose songs from Romeo and Juliet, classical music and bridal songs. Janice has played for royalty, prime ministers, governors and won several awards for her beautiful talent and we were privileged to enjoy her talents. She was great.

Memories...

• My mother, sisters, sister-in-law and I arrived via limosine through the wrought iron gates of Evergreen. Waiting to escort us up the steps to the alter was my beautiful son Kainoa and my dad Greg. Kainoa was standing there in a suit, eating a chocolate he had found. It was a beautiful moment.
• My 8 year old son Kainoa walked me up the steps and down the aisle along with my father.
• Kainoa stood alongside Brad and I at the alter and a special verse within the ceremony was dedicated to him and our baby-to-be.
• Brad and I both loved the fact we chose all the wording in our ceremony and did our own vows to each other.
• We chose to have a ring box instead of a ring pillow. Inside was a photo of Brad's late mother Rhonda, whom we wanted to honour.

Those were special moments.

Photography Bella Lei Photography Ceremony Venue Evergreen Garden Venue Bride's Dress Luv Bridal Ceremony Styling Sugar & Spice Events Flowers White Ivy Design Cake Two Little Bakers

MW x