Real Wedding – Emily & Sam, Kew VIC
Often, a relationship truly begins as it goes on. For their first date, Emily picked up Sam from the bus stop. Eight years later, Sam bought three new bikes but still no car!
Eight years later, they exchanged I Do’s in the same place they had that first date, the same place Sam asked Emily that most beautiful of questions and presented her with a stunning ring. We love nothing more than a good story and a gorgeous day to wrap it all up in, and Sam and Emily’s is all that and more!
For Emily, a known Francophile (who also works in marketing, we’ll leave the comparisons to you!), an elegant Parisian feel influenced her styling decisions. Working with her florist Mary Norma Botanicals, a dreamy palette of lavender, lilac blues and sorbet hues gave fresh, uplifting vibes to the elegant soiree.
With our fabulously talented friends at Hey Jack behind the soundtrack, the aural situation amped up to party levels as the sun set on the beginning of forever for Emily and Sam – in the place that holds so many of their special memories. Every sweet harmony of style and emotion is captured with shimmering artistry by The Berhardts.
The meeting.
At our friends 25th birthday is where sparks first flew. Sam was the big brother of Emily’s friend Rachel and he was undeterred by the information that Emily had a boyfriend (which was untrue and said by Rachel to keep Sam away from her friend). We had our first date around Yarra Boulevard where Emily picked up Sam from the bus stop. Eight years later, Sam has bought three new bikes but no new car.
The ‘one’.
Within the first 30 seconds? Sam had a warm presence about him that I knew I wanted to be around him more.
The proposal.
Sam was planning on surprising me by proposing at Yarra Bend Park, where we had our first date. However, every time Sam suggested a walk here, I would be too tired, or would say that it was too cold, or it was getting dark soon.
For about two months the engagement ring waited at home, hidden on top a tall shelf (that Sam knew I wouldn’t be about to see). Finally, one beautiful sunny Sunday morning, I finally suggested a walk here.
While walking right here at Studley Grounds Golf Course, with my hair in a messy bun, chipped nails and some of last nights’ dinner on my jumper, Sam decided it was the perfect moment to ‘pop the question!’
Planning process.
I’d waited seven years for Sam to propose so I basically booked our venue, Studley Grounds a week after Sam proposed! Because I was so excited to finally plan our wedding, I did a lot of planning and booking vendors at the beginning and then I burnt myself out very quickly. I went through waves of intense planning and then I wouldn’t even touch any planning for a month. Luckily, I had been an account manager for five years so I was very diligent with spreadsheets, budgets and keeping on top of documenting everything which helped in not letting things get out of control. But planning a wedding is no joke, it was a job on top of my full-time job.
Style inspiration.
I’ve always been obsessed with France. I’ve spent a lot of time there and being named Emily who works in marketing, I’m a walking cliché of Emily in Paris! I wanted my signage and stationery to be red and white and evoke a Parisian brasserie. For flowers, I initially briefed my florist on playful reds, oranges and pinks but as soon I picked my dress which was very simple and elegant, that colour palette didn’t feel right for the dress. I wanted to tap into Sofia Richie vibes but I didn’t want to go completely white so I went for a gradient of purple, blue, yellow and white.
I found a lot of my vendors through friends, Instagram of Facebook groups. Blogs and magazines really helped with deciding the overall feel and vibe of the wedding which I then shared with vendors to help describe what I wanted.
The ceremony.
The weather, the natural setting, the flowers and the backdrop of the city skyline was the perfect setting. Seeing my husband Sam for the first time, being surrounded by all my family and friends was a surreal moment. I loved our celebrant Felicity who made the ceremony so seamless. I loved how everyone could hear our backstory and what we meant to each other.
The outfit.
My dress was the first dress I tried on at the first store that we went to; Made with Love Bridal. I always knew I wanted a high neckline dress since I was a little girl, mainly because I saw it on Elizabeth James on the parent trap.
Favourite moments.
The speeches were so memorable. I was laughing, crying and so grateful for the people in our lives. I also loved quickly leaving the reception to do sunset photos. We had so much adrenaline pent up, it was nice to just breath and take a little break.
Meaning of marriage.
To be loved, to be seen, to laugh every day and to never go to bed angry.
Wedding soundtrack.
Aisle: To build a home by Cinematic Orchestra
Reception Entry: Sandstorm by Darude
First dance: It’s not unusual by Tom Jones
Funny stories or near disasters.
My five year old nephew who was our flower boy broke his wrist on the monkey bars at school three days before the wedding. Being five, it still didn’t deter him from wrestling with his little brother! I also nearly infected my big toe from a pedicure three days before the wedding. Do your research with nail salons!
Planning surprises.
You can be as organised as possible but there are things that you need to shift and update last minute. There are so many moving parts but you just need to tell yourself that it will all come together!
Words of wisdom.
Try and choose a venue or a location that is special to both you and your partner. Our venue was so special to us because it was so close to where we grew up, where we had our first date, where Sam proposed and where we had our last dinners with family members who had passed away.
Do the dance class for your first dance. It’s a great way to connect and share something together that is actually fun and you can make a date night out of it. It also makes you both less nervous having a dance that you have practiced.
We adored the array of delectable sorbet pastel toned dresses that Emily’s bridesmaids were wearing. For more ideas and inspiration for outfits head to our feature on bridesmaid fashion here.
EMILY & SAM’S VENDORS
Ceremony & Reception Venue: Studley Grounds – I loved how it was such a natural, bush location but so close to the Melbourne CBD. They were so easy to work with and everyone said how good the drinks and food were.
Photography: The Berhardts – We were speechless from our photos, what an absolute gift. Deshani and Stefan made us feel so comfortable and gave a really warm presence amongst all the chaos. We were a bit camera shy at first but they really helped direct us and before we knew it, we were finding our inner Zoolander!
Celebrant: Felicity Meikle – Felicity was incredible to work with and guided us through the whole process. She made some really great choices like purposely standing to the side majority of the ceremony so we could gaze into each others eyes and also recommended doing the witness signing after the ceremony so it doesn’t disrupt the flow to guests.
Videography: Wilkie Productions – Michael was incredible to work with. He just blended into the background, capturing natural moments and it’s really something we will cherish forever.
Signage: Young & Co Custom Gifts
Florist: MaryNorma Botanicals – Elle is so talented, she gave a really modern twist on quite a traditional colour palette. The way she worked with different colours and textures, we received so many compliments on the flowers.
Hair: Sharah Stocco from Harlen Hair – Sharah is booked out 2 years in advance for a reason! My hair has never looked so good. Sharah is in high demand and if she is not doing weddings, she is doing hair for the Brownlow or the Logies. She was one of the first vendors I booked so I wouldn’t miss out!
Make-up: Carissa Tan– I loved Carissa’s make up! She was the perfect balance of glam but also not too overdone.
The dress & veil: Made with Love Bridal
Shoes: Bared Footwear
Rings: Shhh Secrets
Bridesmaid’s dresses: Manning Cartel – Pink dress, The Outnet – Green Dress, Misha – yellow dress
Suits: Trevor West
Cake: Bakes by Her
Entertainment: Hey Jack – Jaaz who was our DJ Saxophone player. The dance floor absolutely went off!
Honeymoon: The Hyatt Regency, Phuket – We left for our seven night honeymoon three days after our wedding and it was the perfect way to mitigate the come down from the wedding.
Dance Classes: Hit the Floor Studio – We had three private dance classes with Peter who coordinated our first dance. It made such a difference, and all our wedding guests were so impressed that we could bust the moves on the dance floor for our first dance.
