Real Wedding – Cynthia & Dale, Curlewis VIC
Is there anything that brings on loved-up vibes better than a couple who absolutely cannot stop smiling on their dream day? We think not. Enter: Cynthia and Dale. After two covid-thwarted attempts to exchange their I Do’s, these two effervescent sweethearts celebrated their love in style, in a day overflowing with incredible energy.
As well as looking breathtakingly happy, Cynthia epitomised their wed day theme of classic contemporary in a stunning gown by Mariana Hardwick. With statement gold accessories and alongside her bridesmaids in tones of buttercup, soft tan and cream, she was the centrepiece of an inspired vision.
Stylist and florist Florette took inspiration from the beautiful backdrop of Baie Wines to create a softly modern look with touches of timelessness. A blend of classic vanilla roses, soft native florals and textural greenery with highlights of gold leafing made for an exquisite effect.
We can’t get enough of this wonderfully warm, upbeat day, captured to perfection by photographer Tahnee Jade. Scroll on for the perfect endorphin hit.
The meeting.
Dale and I met at Glenn College O-Week at La Trobe University in 2009. I noticed him on the dance floor at Retro Sports Night in tiny shorts and a fluro headband. I was wearing my year seven hot pink lycra leotard. It definitely wasn’t love at first sight, but we became great friends quickly, and by mid-year 2010, we started hooking up.
The ‘one’.
Cynth: When we could still have a laugh after losing our luggage in the Cairo Airport for four weeks after living in London for two years. It also helps that he’s always super dancy & keeps me laughing. A lot. Mostly at him!
Dale: The day I realised I couldn’t not have her by my side. Ages ago. Probably sometime before we moved to London.
The proposal.
Poor Dale had planned to pop the question while we were at the holiday house in Lorne with his family. Unfortunately, I had a migraine that weekend, so I had to stay home.
He then planned for the next weekend while everyone was still there, but I got food poisoning driving down after work that Friday night, so I was sick the whole night. He eventually lured me out of the room the next morning (after making me shower and brush my teeth) with the bribe of getting a fresh juice and a stroll on the beach. Whilst I was wallowing about how unwell I’d been, he suddenly stopped on the rocks between the Surf Club and the Pier and popped the question – with his brother-in-law lurking in the bushes taking photos of it. It definitely perked me up!
Planning process.
We always knew we wanted to get married in a winery (mostly because we spend so much time at them on our weekends) but really wanted to keep it as natural, chilled, and simple as possible. BAIE was the quintessential winery for this. Its stunning views over the ocean and vineyards brought in the calm nature while providing a classic wine shed for our reception. Lauren, Anne and Peter were just amazing. From the beginning to the lead-up and the day of, they were so lovely and helpful, and then just so flexible and amazing when we had to keep on rescheduling. They made the whole process just so easy when it could have been a nightmare. We cannot thank them enough.
I found inspiration from real weddings useful. Being able to see how real people (the couples) and their wedding party and guests looked and how the aesthetics of the day looked was amazing.
Style inspiration.
We always wanted something classic, minimal, and with clean lines. No fluff or extra faff. Hence, we went with classic contemporary keeping with predominantly native florals, just simple greenery and candles on the tables, white linen and then the beautiful bare structures of the BAIE wine shed.
The outfit.
I booked four dress shops on the one day and took along two of my bridesmaids and my mum (the other two were still living overseas). Such a big day of white and getting in and out of gowns! Mariana Harwick was the third one, then Bluebell Bridal. I narrowed it down to two dresses, one at Mariana Hardwick and an Alex Perry one at Bluebell. Mum and I went back a few weeks later, and once I put on the Pearl Gown at Mariana Hardwick, I knew I was done. I just said, “Yep, I’m done now. That’s it.” and that was it. I think the girl at MH thought it was a bit anticlimactic!
Favourite moments.
All of it! But seriously, after two reschedules, we were all just so excited that we could finally get it done and were all there and healthy that I literally think we loved every moment of it. We’d always kept it chilled and fun during the planning process, but seriously, by the third attempt, we were so excited and ready for our party that we just weren’t fazed by anything and had the best day.
Being able to be with all of your favourite people in one place, especially after two-plus years of not being able to see most of your loved ones, was pretty surreal and amazing. You don’t really get to do that often, and it’s crazy the amount of love you feel. Pretty beautiful, actually.
Meaning of marriage.
It means having someone who sees your and life’s imperfections perfectly and loves them. Someone you can adventure with, laugh with, and go through all of life’s muddles and hard times with and always know they’ll love and support you, and you’ll do the same for them. It’s pretty cool.
Wedding soundtrack.
Aisle (bridesmaids): Fidelity by Regina Spektor
Aisle (bride): I Say A Little Prayer by Aretha Franklin
Recessional: Exactly How You Are by Ball Park Music
Reception entry: This Girl by Kungs Vs. Cookin’ on 3 Burners
First dance: Fly Me To The Moon by Frank Sinatra
Second dance/ guests joining: Young Hearts Run Free – Mix of Candi Station to Kym Mazelle
Funny stories or near disasters.
Rescheduling three times due to the spicy cough?!
Catching COVID 1.5 weeks out from our bucks and hens day third attempt (made it out of isolation two days before!).
The minister went rogue during the ceremony putting in a whole lot of things we had deliberately cut out. One of them being the vow “Love and SERVE” just for me, the bride – no mention of it for the groom. There was a pretty awkward silence from me and laughter from our guests before I choked out the words like a deer in the headlights. I’m pretty sure Dale slipped him some money while waiting for me to arrive to put that bit back in the vows. He also then forgot to actually sign the register, so we had to do it when we finally realised like a month later!
Planning surprises.
At the beginning, trying to work out just what exactly you had to do to plan a wedding. As we went with BAIE, we had to bring in everything. Lauren, Anne and Peter were amazing with their lists of vendors and helping to organise it all, but in the beginning, as a couple who had never really thought too much about their wedding, it was a bit crazy to try to piece it all together and try to not forget anything. Once we knew the basics and framework, it was then much easier to just slowly start to put it all together.
Words of wisdom.
Have fun with it! I got told by some friends that it would be stressful and hard, so we deliberately tried to make the planning as fun as possible. Every time we had to sit down and do any major planning, we made sure we had a couple of cocktails and fab music on in the background, so it was fun as opposed to a chore. To find a venue, we just had a family winery weekend. Dress fittings always had a lunch and drinks attached. Make it fun your way!
Do whatever you and your partner want. Not what you think you should do. After two years of lockdowns and two reschedules, you really appreciate the things that actually matter. For us, having each other and our most loved people all together in real life for a party was the most important thing. Everything else was just a bonus.
Everything costs money! No matter how hard you try to keep to your budget, you’ll always go over it. Try not to stress about it or think about how much it’s all costing. Pick the things that matter most to you and your partner and focus on how amazing these things will make your day. It’s always worth it in the end!
For Cynthia and Dale, having their day filmed is the gift that keeps giving. If you’re unsure about whether a videographer is for you, we chatted to Lightbox Media to find out what they can bring to your dream day.
CYNTHIA & DALE’S VENDORS
Ceremony & reception venue: BAIE Wines. Lauren and the Kuc family were just so beautiful and helpful from day one and just so much fun on the day. Thank you so much!
Photography: Tahnee Jade Photography.
Videography: Ellena Louise Films. So amazingly talented and fun. Her video is so clever and has captured so much of our and our guests’ personalities. Couldn’t recommend her highly enough!
Styling, décor & florals: Erin Cusack at Florette Weddings. So talented and helped create such a beautiful and classic day with her florals and styling. She was so amazing and helpful with all her advice on everything from the flowers and colour scheme to how to bring all the styling elements together to create the classic contemporary aesthetic we wanted.
Hair & make-up: Hilary Holmes Makeup.
The dress & veil: Mariana Hardwick, Emporium. Emma and the team at Mariana Hardwick were so beautiful to work with, making every fitting fun and fabulous. Through two years of fitting reschedules, they made the whole process as relaxed and flexible as possible. Thank you so much for my stunning gown!
Shoes: Loeffler Randall, Dahlia Gold Pleated Bow Heel. So comfy- cannot recommend them enough!
Rings: Diamond Exchange.
Jewellery / Earrings: By NYE.
Bridesmaid’s dresses: Zimmerman, Shona Joy, Friend of Audrey, Acler
Suits & bow ties / ties: Carl Navè
Catering & bar: The RK Group
Cake: Georgia at Festive Taste
Stationery / Signage: Quill and Co
Entertainment: Lark Music. Kenny from Lark was fabulous! Such a great DJ who kept everyone dancing all night as well as incorporating our track list and requests from the bride and groom. He also was all over the timeline of the day and helped keep my brother, the MC, on track!
Transport: Meredith Transit
Hire: The Small Things Co
Honeymoon: Kangaroo Island: Lifetime Private Retreats & Sea Dragon Lodge. Barossa Valley Jacobs Creek Retreat.
