Real Wedding - Nat & Bryce, Sorrento VIC

January 31, 2017 In Real Weddings By Natalie Drum

Real Wedding – Nat & Bryce, Sorrento VIC

The sweeping views at All Smiles Sorrento made for the perfect setting for beach lovers Nat and Bryce, who breezed through their wedding planning and threw the ultimate seaside celebration.

Derby Day, where they both met and became engaged, holds special significance to the newlyweds, so it was only fitting that their sweet Sorrento wedding included a hilarious horse-racing inspired game for their guests to enjoy.

Captured by the ever-talented Lost In Love Photography, Nat and Bryce’s special day, complete with espresso martinis and a rocking dance floor, was a real beauty.

In Nat’s words…

The meeting.

Bryce and I were introduced by a mutual friend, Courtney, at Derby Day 2014. Bryce thought he was just going to the Nursery to have a drink with her, and I was told to come and meet her single friend who was an eligible bachelor.

We have been inseparable ever since. We got engaged Derby Day 2015 and we were married the day before Derby Day 2016. So it was only fitting to have a black and white horse racing themed wedding.

The ‘one’.

It was love at first sight for Bryce. We moved in together after five months and it wasn’t long after when I realised that I couldn’t live without Bryce and I knew he was the one for me. Our relationship was very natural and easy, as they say when you know you know.

The proposal.

We went to Derby Day 2015 and Bryce had arranged a custom-made race ticket through a bookie, so when I put on my first bet for the day (on my lucky number 3), two race tickets were printed, the top one showing a horse name ‘Nat will you marry me’. It was very special to have my Dad, Bryce’s brother Hamish and mate Dave and my friend Simmy present for the proposal.

The planning.

I have an event management background, so the planning side was easy. Once we locked in the venue and date, it was a matter of selecting and booking all the other key suppliers early to ensure they were available. I researched each supplier in terms of the work they do and ironically they were all connected or had at least worked together at some point previously. Bryce organised the horse racing arcade game ‘Final Furlong’ and our bonbonnieres, which were mystery bets for Derby Day, all in sealed custom made ‘take a gamble on love’ envelopes.

The inspiration.

The two per-requisites we had for our wedding venue was somewhere with an amazing view and something/somewhere different. When we first saw the panoramic ocean view at All Smiles Sorrento, we knew we had found our wedding venue. I grew up in Torquay and Bryce’s family have a holiday house in Portsea, so the coastal backdrop suited us perfectly.

We loved having a cocktail reception, so it was a relaxed party atmosphere where all our family and friends could mingle together and it encouraged them to hit the dance floor.

The dress.

My dress was from Pearls and Roses Bridal. It was a mesh bodice with beading, lace and Swarovski crystals, with a beautiful satin skirt. I didn’t know what my dream wedding dress was until I started trying them on.

I literally went to 17 different bridal stores/dress makers in Melbourne to find ‘the one’ and knew that I had to keep searching. Having grown up in Torquay, I have driven past Pearls & Roses for years and always look to see what beautiful new gown is displayed in the window. I went in and tried on a couple and it was meant to be that I found my dress in Geelong. Karen and the Pearls and Roses team were wonderful to work with.

Favourite moments.

Walking down the aisle with my Dad was so special and you could tell how proud he was. Seeing Bryce’s face as I was walking down the aisle and giving him the biggest smile. Looking at all of our guests during the ceremony and acknowledging them to let them know how grateful we were to have them all there for us. The speeches and in particular Bryce’s, as it was filled with lots of emotion. Our super fun reception including the Final Furlong horse racing game, photo booth with horse racing props, espresso martinis in single serve jars and dancing non-stop with our guests.

Traditions.

Something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue – as my 90 year old Grandma couldn’t make it to our wedding, I borrowed one of her old lace hankies and carried it with my bouquet. My dress was new and Karen stitched a blue ribbon on the inside of my dress.

Meaning of marriage.

We both come from very close families, so family is very important to us. We are both committed to each other and marriage was a wonderful, exciting and important next step that we were ready to take. It is a commitment to each other and a promise that we will stand by each other through the peaks and troughs of life.

Wedding soundtrack

Pre arrival: Flight Facilities by Clair De Lune feat. Christine Hoberg

Aisle: For You by Angus & Julia Stone

Registry signing: Songbird by Fleetwood Mac and Wherever You Will Go by Charlene Soraia

Ceremony exit: Somewhere Over The Rainbow by Israel Kamakawiwo’Ole and Skinny Love – Bon Iver

First dance: Say You Won’t Let Go by James Arthur (played live by The White Tree)

Funny stories (or near disasters).

There was a planned power outage from 8.30am-4pm on our wedding day at the beautiful Air BnB property which my bridesmaids and I were staying at. We didn’t know until the morning, however thankfully my bridesmaids managed to hire a generator so that we could get our hair done. Luckily there was enough natural light to do our makeup. The girls said I was very relaxed, by that point I was just super excited to see Bryce and get married.

Planning surprises.

We were organised in the lead up to our big day, which made the planning side of things really easy and stress free. Communication is key with your suppliers and bridal party, and make sure you have a run sheet as a guide, so everyone knows what is happening on the day.

Words of wisdom.

Take some time out to spend alone together on your special day, it goes past so quickly and you need to take a moment to step back and take it all in.