Real Wedding – Alice & Steve, Inverleigh VIC
Organisation was key for longtime lovers, Alice and Steve, who pulled together a spectacular celebration from the other side of the world. They found there was plenty of time for time for pinning and Instagramming between trains and connecting flights.
After a quaint ceremony at the Geelong College Chapel, Alice and Steve celebrated their wedding day with loved ones in a breathtaking marquee setup at the Gladioli Gardens in Inverleigh.
The couple knew that only Shonel from Nomad Styling could combine modern, geometric and rustic elements and pair them seamlessly with soft green foliage and and simple white blooms. She truly nailed the brief. If you need to see it to believe it, take a look at the stunning imagery and cinematography captured by Tribe member, The White Tree.
IN ALICE’S WORDS…
The meeting.
Steve and I met when we were just sixteen years of age. We were both at a house party and mutual friends introduced us. He says he didn’t have eyes for anyone else in the room that night but I think he just said that to be charismatic! He asked me out three months later in Melbourne at the top of the Rialto Tower.
The one.
We have been best friends right from the beginning. We’ve grown up together for basically our entire adult life so we’ve been able to experience all the exciting life changes that come from getting older, together. We just knew this was going to be forever.
The proposal.
Steve had planned a whole weekend away in Melbourne, but Friday night traffic made for a stressful start to his night. I was getting frustrated at the ‘rush’ he was in, and kept telling him it didn’t matter if we were a little late to dinner. As soon as we parked the car, he whisked me away in the opposite direction to the restaurant and I knew something was up when I saw the Rialto Tower. At the bar on the top level of the tower, Steve seemed so nervous and fidgety. I tried to talk to him, but he kept looking around and seemed very distracted, but I didn’t say anything to spoil what he was planning.
He took me on to the balcony where he’d asked me out seven years prior, downed two glasses of very expensive champagne before finally getting his knee halfway to the ground and said “Righto, let’s get this done, Alice, will you marry me?”. It was Steve’s type of proposal, quick and to the point. It was perfect!
The planning.
We’d picked a date by the end of the proposal weekend because we knew we didn’t want to wait! We chose the Labour Day weekend in March because it always had beautiful weather and we like a party so a long weekend seemed fitting! Steve and I were leaving to live and work in the UK for 12 months not long after getting engaged. We knew we had plenty of time for planning, but most of it happened overseas. Whilst waiting for trains, flights or even just on a quiet night in, we found time to pin, Instagram and discuss ideas that resonated with the both of us. The organised bride in me kept a running sheet, ensuring we were thinking of every aspect!
Style inspiration.
Hiring Shonel from Nomad Styling was our best decision. With multiple skype dates to begin with, Shonel put all our ideas into motion and helped us feel so confident with what she could plan for us. She asked us to formulate a Pinterest board with pictures of everything we loved (wedding and non-wedding related) to gauge what our style was. She could tell we wanted something classic but modern, geometric but symmetrical, beautiful but rustic and all with a simple colour scheme to keep a premium feel.
The dress.
We got engaged, left for overseas and began traveling right away, so I never had time to look in any bridal stores before I left. My parents came to London to visit Steve and I for Christmas, so whilst the men went off for an afternoon, Mum and I decided to visit a few bridal stores in Chancery Lane. After many dresses and stores later, Mum picked out one last dress. Exhausted and famished I stated, “I just can’t try on any more!” She insisted and I knew it was the one as soon as it was zipped up. Covered in beautiful, thick lace, with an open back and structured bow, the Spanish Designer Novia D’Art had made a dress with my name on it! I ordered it on the spot and picked it up five months later. I was leaving the UK with so much more than just fond memories.
Favourite moments.
Our speeches. We had such beautiful words said about the both of us from the Best Man, bridesmaids and both our fathers. Every speech was completely different but all filled with so much emotion and humour; we just didn’t want them to end. Coming in a close second would have to be the father of the bride Foo Fighters dance solo in the middle of the dance floor. Test Pilot Molly absolutely made his night by organising that!
Traditions.
We both wanted to say traditional vows. For us, there was something special in saying the same vows both our parents said many years ago. Having said that, Reverend Tim Edwards, was able to put a bit in a ‘modern day spin’ for some of the lines.
The meaning of marriage.
For us, marriage means forever. It’s the best feeling in the whole entire world knowing you are spending forever with someone who totally completes you.
Wedding Soundtrack.
Aisle song: Live acoustic version of Ellie Goulding’s How Long Will I Love You by Matt Baird.
Reception entry: Long Way To The Top by ACDC. It got everyone up and about!
First dance: I Can’t Help Falling In Love With You by Elvis Presley
Funny stories or near disasters.
I have to be sensible here and say no. Everything pretty much went to plan, but there was one stress that we could mention; the weather (the one thing you CAN’T control). The weather on our weekend was looking like it was going to be humid, raining AND windy. All our venue flowers had to be put into place the day before, and with having a clear roof marquee it can potentially be ten degrees warmer inside. Three days before the wedding we had to make a call whether to pay for hot weather gear (roof skins and air conditioners) as well as wet weather gear (extra marquee panels and umbrellas). This meant also making a decision on whether to enclose the outside dance floor if it was to be raining. All our beautiful visual plans were being crushed. I can’t tell you how many times we checked the BOM website, and the countless text messages from mum and dad updating me on the weather situation. Luckily, our executive decision to not pack the wet weather gear but to pack the hot weather gear paid off, as there was not one spot of rain, but it was 35+ degrees inside the marquee the day before. Winning!
Planning surprises.
I actually found the timing of events to be surprisingly hard. Coordinating the starting time of the photographers, the starting time of the hair and makeup girls, what time I’d get into the dress, the start and finish of the ceremony, to post wedding photos and what time the buses left for our guests etc. I found when I was writing our running sheet it got down to five minute slots, which seemed ridiculous! I wanted everything to run smoothly and perfectly, which isn’t always easy to do when coordinating so many suppliers. It became stressful if we knew we weren’t running on time. I think it’s best to disregard any sense of time and let whatever happens, happen!
Words of wisdom.
Everyone says not to let it overwhelm you, but it’s really hard not to. With finding the time to work, exercise, see friends AND wedding plan, it can send you a little crazy. Take the time to look after each other, your happiness and your health because guaranteed, once the wedding is over (the day does come and go), you don’t want to be spending the first few months of husband and wife apologising for the person you became in the lead up. It’s meant to be fun, so enjoy every single moment of it!
Anything else you wanted to add?
Try to grab your new husband at some point during your reception to just stand back and take it all in. Look at each other and know that you’re at YOUR wedding. The wedding you’ve always dreamt about. It’s a wonderful feeling knowing every single special person in that room is there to witness the first moments of your life together as husband and wife.
ALICE & STEVE’S TRIBE
Ceremony venue / location: The Geelong College Chapel
Reception venue / location: Gladioli Restaurant Gardens, Inverleigh
Celebrant/Officiant: Rv. Tim Edwards
Photography: The White Tree
Videography: The White Tree
Styling: Nomad Styling. The best part of our planning. Shonel took the stress out of everything, was honest with us, and most importantly created incredible magic in our venue. I simply cannot recommend her enough!
Florist: Katie Marx
Hair and Make Up: Momu Hair and Makeup
The Dress: Novia D’Art
Veil / head wear: Bluebell Bridal, Melbourne
Accessories: Swarovski
Shoes: Alan Pinkus
Rings: Duffs Jewelers
Bridesmaid’s dresses: Shilla, The Label
Groom’s suit: Calvin Klein
Groomsmen suits: Calvin Klein
Catering: Gladioli Restaurant – Matt Dempsey is an incredible chef!
Favours: DIY individual personal memories. We wrote quotes on every guests menu card (yes, this took us a million years to do, but we loved the process of ensuring every single one of our guests were made to feel special to Steve and I).
Cake / Cake topper: Miranda Jane Cakes
Stationery / Signage: Our invites by Ivy Invite
Entertainment: Matt Baird + Test Pilot Molly, through Geelong Entertainment
Transport: Range Rover Wedding Cars
Honeymoon: Seminyak, Bali
Other: Prop and furniture hire: Dress My Wedding and Dann Event Hire
