Real Wedding – Emma & Chris, Warrnambool VIC
It’s safe to say, once Chris popped the ring was on Emma’s finger, she could not wait to get planning, and what a wedding it was!
In their hometown of Warrnambool, New Years Eve was the perfect date to celebrate their love story and they did it beautiful style. With a mixture of modern, lush, and luxe styling, all they wanted was their guests to have fun as they danced the night away. With smiles on their faces and very full hearts, Smitten Wedding Photography captured all the happy moments.
In Emma & Chris’s words…
The meeting.
Chris: We met through friends at our local Football and Netball Club. Our relationship took a while to blossom, mainly due to Emma’s stubbornness. However, Emma finally came to her senses and we soon realised that we complemented each other in more ways than one and haven’t looked back since!
The one.
Emma: Chris spent a summer in Darwin to play football a couple of years ago and it was probably around this time that we both realized that we wanted to spend the rest of our lives together. It sounds cliché but distance does make the heart grow fonder, and we certainly learned a lot about each other during that time, especially not to take each other for granted, but rather cherish the moments we do have together.
The proposal.
Emma: As we quite often do, we took Sully (our little dog) for a walk along the beach in Warrnambool. Chris got down on one knee to “tie Sully back up” and I soon realized that he also had a ring and he popped the question.
Chris had asked for my hand in marriage from my Dad, so they were eagerly waiting for it to happen and when they heard the good news, our family and friends all came to our house and the celebrations began.
The planning.
Chris: Emma started planning the wedding almost immediately; to say she was in her element was a complete understatement!
Emma: We had spoken about a NYE wedding for a while and were a little bit hesitant as we were unsure what people would think, however everyone really seemed to love the idea! Given that is such a busy time of the year, we booked a lot of the big things in quite early and then worked all of the finer details in around them.
Style inspiration.
Emma: Our inspiration was a mixture of; modern, lush, luxury and fun! Both of our parents were very easy going during the whole process (which was awesome), the only requests from them was that they wanted good food, drinks and plenty of dancing – easy as that!
The dress.
Emma: My sister, Mum, and I booked a girls trip to Melbourne to go dress shopping. We had gone to the One Fine Day Wedding Fair earlier in the year. As a result our first stop was Suzanne Harward and we didn’t end up going anywhere else, other then dinner and cocktails!
All of the Suzanne Harward dresses are beyond divine, however, it’s the whole experience in the studio that makes it so special and is everything that you want when looking for the most amazing, special dress you will ever wear, and that is so ridiculously comfortable! Everyone was helpful, attentive and truly a joy to deal with.
Favourite moments.
Emma: Oh gosh, it was all so wonderful! The ceremony was really beautiful and full of so much love with all of our favorite people being involved in their own special way! The limousine trip to the reception venue was lots of fun. The whole bridal party just couldn’t wipe the smile off their faces.
The speeches also really got us by surprise. They were moving, funny and a lovely moment where we could sit back and reflect on what we had created with our nearest and dearest.
Traditions.
Chris: We got married at the same church that Emma’s Parents and Grandparents got married in, which was really special.
My Grandparents and Emma’s Great Aunty lit candles at the start of the ceremony in loving memory of those who are forever in our hearts and the symbolization of the joining of two families.
Both of our Mum’s signed our Wedding Registry for us.
Emma: My Aunty prepared the flowers at the Church. This is a Roache family tradition as Emma’s Grandma and Great Aunt would do this when she was growing up. Maria did a beautiful job and the old Church came up a treat!
My late Grandma made me a blue scarf (to be her “something blue”) and the ladies at Suzanne Harward sewed a piece of it into the dress as a love heart. My Charlotte Mills shoes also represented the, “Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue, and a Silver Sixpence in Her Shoe”.
We love having fresh flowers in our home, so for our favors we had a “Flower Station” set up, where guests could pick and wrap up flowers to take home, which was a big hit!
The meaning or marriage.
For us, marriage means forever and it’s the best feeling knowing you are spending forever with someone that you totally adore.
Wedding soundtrack:
Aisle: Ave Maria by Beyoncé
Signing the Registry: I’m Gonna Be (500 miles) by Sleeping At Last and I Believe in a Thing Called Love by Delta Goodrem
Recessional: I Love You Always Forever by Betty Who
Reception Entry: Crazy in Love by, Beyonce
First Dance: Stand By Me by Ben E King
Funny stories/near disasters.
Emma: Chris had picked out the engagement ring all by himself (and it was spot on!), however he left it in the back of his unlocked Ute for the next few months, completely un-phased that maybe that wasn’t the safest of places to keep it hidden. Thank fully it made it safely onto my finger!
Planning suprises.
Emma: We were surprised at how much we enjoyed the process. It was so much fun to work on the fun, creative elements of the big day with lots of very talented people!
Although at times it can feel stressful and all of the little things seem to be consuming your life, at the end of the day, you are marrying the love of your life whilst surrounded by your closest family and friends which is the most important thing and this makes all of those little jobs on your to do list all worth it in the end!
Words of wisdom.
Stop to capture as many moments as you possibly can and treasure the planning phases as much as the big day. It is all so much fun.
Lastly, get both a photographer and videographer that you love. We can’t stop looking at our beautiful photos and video from the day. It’s so nice to be able to re-live it and remember how much fun and special it was.
Love the Great Ocean Road? Take a glimpse at the gorgeous celebration of Claire and Jeremy.
EMMA & CHRIS’S TRIBE
The Dress: Suzanne Harward
Bride’s Shoes: Charlotte Mills
Suits: Clanceys Menswear
Bridemaids: Zimmermann and Scanlan Theodore
Jewellery: Samantha Wills
Flowergirls: Dubois Boutique
Photographer: Smitten Wedding Photography. Jemima and Jenna were a delight to work with. The entire bridal party got a long with them so well and everyone felt really comfortable with them. They captured all of our precious moments perfectly and we just cannot stop looking at our beautiful shots – a keepsake we will have forever!
Videographer: Moon and Back Co. Ryan captured the day so beautifully. We honestly did not notice him; all of the moments were so natural and showcased our day perfectly.
Hiring: Memphis Hire, Warrnambool Party Hire and Event Art
Hair / Make Up: Cara Sheppard, Hair by Stephanie Weel and Ashlea Handby. These ladies made our morning so enjoyable and relaxing. Not only are they extremely talented in their respective fields, but they are also our friends which made it even more fun (not to mention them sweeping floors, drying flowers and going over and beyond their point of call to make it all happen!).
Flowers: Our dear friend Alex Quinlan from Wunderbar Flowers
Styling: Lush Events. Where do we start with these ladies? To say that everything completely exceeded our expectations would be a total understatement. No request was too much, they were relaxed and easy going and their work was completed with precision and excellence. It completely blew us away!
Stationary & Signage: Daniel Roache (Emma’s Brother) He is unbelievably talented and his work really set the scene for the day – we were so lucky to have him at our constant beckon call!
Sweets & Welcome Sign: Sketch and Etch
Place Settings: Letters From Belle
Table Number: Willow and Ink
Photobooth Sign: Foamtastic Party Decor
Blackboard Illustration: Ella Webb
Catering: Wyton Events. The food that they served was divine! We had sharing platters and all of our guests commented on the quality and quantity of food & alcohol (especially the Espresso Martinis!) and the exceptional service.
Dessert / Cakes: Sweet Boutique Cake. Grace’s attention to detail, gorgeous presentation and delicious treats were simply heavenly.
Band: Luke Bourchier Music. Luke and Duncan played during the Ceremony and at the Reception and were an absolute dream to work with. All of our guests were raving about them and as a result we all danced our way into the New Year!
Photobooth: Shutter Hub
Car: Exoticar
Ceremony venue: St Joseph’s Church Hawkesdale
Reception: Public Dining Room – Warrnambool Racing Club
Celebrant/Officiant: Father Lawrence O’Toole
Honeymoon: The US – Los Angeles, Las Vegas, New York and San Francisco. We booked this through Nic Bolden at Helloworld Warrnambool. He is an expert in his field and everything was organized to perfection, it was a dream and an amazing adventure!
