Real Wedding – Hannah & Ray, Cheltenham VIC

Hannah and Ray’s dream day is a vision of crisp white-on-white layering with lashings of romantic elegance to elevate the effect. The Goodsmiths curated a vision of stunning style, while Hannah and Ray bring their own brand of effervescent emotion.

For these gorgeous souls, the formula was to choose an all-in-one venue that played the perfect backdrop, a blank canvas still imbued with a sense of place and history that allowed their aesthetics to shine. The Button Factory is all this, and more.

Floral talents Anatomy of Flowers were added into the mix to escalate the dreamy aesthetics, adding layers of vanilla accented with soft lilac and muted cornflower blue, creating the perfect blend of restrained abundance. The visual transition from ceremony to reception is seamless, adding aesthetic harmony to a day already huge on impact.

Finally, Hannah and Ray chose a celebrant who could weave their uniquely beautiful story into an enticing masterpiece – enter our friend Teagan Dole from Panache and Co.

With the scene set for a bliss-filled party, guests hit the bar while Hannah and Ray stole a few minutes together, bathed in golden hour light, captured to absolute perfection by legendary talent White Shutter Photography.

The meeting.

We met in January 2018. I (Hannah) started a new job and met Ray on my second day in the office. We formed a strong friendship pretty quickly, and by mid-year, we had started dating.

The ‘one’.

Ray: It was after a trip with Han and friends to a beer and BBQ festival in Adelaide. We weren’t “official” yet, but we were interested in each other. I was not feeling well, and Han cared for me throughout the evening; it showed me how kind and caring she was.

Hannah: I don’t think there was a specific moment; it was more so a gradual build-up of wonderful times together and the rapid realisation that Ray was someone I wanted to share everything in my life with. Whether it was something exciting that had happened, whether I was happy or sad, Ray just felt like home for me.

The proposal.

We have a favourite lake close to where we live with a walking track around it, where we regularly take our dog, Luna. One afternoon, Ray asked for us to go for a walk, which didn’t seem out of the norm at all. About halfway around the lake, coming up to a cute look out over the water, I noticed something jingling on Luna’s collar. When I looked closer, I realised it was a dog tag with the words “Will you Marry Me” engraved on it. Ray was then down on one knee, holding the most beautiful ring.

Planning process.

Our planning process was very smooth. Before planning our wedding, we knew we wanted to opt for a wedding planner and, hopefully, a venue that offered in-house services so we didn’t have to outsource too many ourselves. We fell in love with The Button Factory when we first visited, which is one of the Nudo Event venues.

Through Nudo, we were introduced to our planner, Katie, and stylist, Tia, who are a part of The Goodsmiths. They helped our vision for the day come to life. It made the countdown to our big day so much more enjoyable and relaxing, and we could really soak in the lead-up with our family and friends without anyone feeling stressed.

Style inspiration. 

Our concept was a European midsummer night’s dream. It was all about creating a dreamy space with romantic lighting, lush greenery, neutral florals, softness, and drapery and utilising tone and texture within the styling elements. Tia, our stylist, was in the process of planning her own wedding, which was taking place in Puglia, Italy, and our photographer Anne had shot some incredible weddings in Europe, one at the Château de Fère and an elopement in Rome, which is where some of our styling concepts also came from as well. After our first design meeting with Tia, I knew she envisioned exactly what we did, and the concept just continued to evolve from there.

I found a lot of insight came from real weddings I had seen online and definitely from friends and family who had been married themselves. Instagram and Pinterest seemed to be my main go-to’s when it came to collating images for mood boards.

The ceremony.

We wanted our ceremony to be relaxed and not too formal. We also wanted to keep it relatively short and sweet. I think it’s really important when looking for a celebrant that you find someone who not only aligns with you but also someone you trust to condense your whole love story into a short masterpiece. Teagan from Panache & Co was that person for us. Our ceremony was filled with moments of happy tears, laughter and a whole lot of love.

The look. 

I knew I wanted modern elegance in the style of my wedding dress, something that was timeless. I didn’t try on too many dresses, so the process wasn’t overwhelming. I ended up choosing a dress from Mariana Hardwick, which we slightly customised and made to measure in-house in Melbourne.

Ray opted for a double-breasted black tuxedo, which he custom-made at InStitchu. The inner lining of the tuxedo jacket was our favourite. It’s covered with regal-dressed dogs and lions and has the date of our wedding embroidered.

Favourite moments.

Ray: It was when Hannah came down the aisle. Although we had already done a first look, this moment just signified to me that we were about to get married.

Hannah: There were so many favourite moments, from taking my heels off and putting slippers on on the dance floor to seeing Ray’s smile at our first look. I think also standing during the ceremony and just looking out at all of our favourite people smiling back at us.

Meaning of marriage.

Marriage to us didn’t really change anything in terms of how solid our relationship is. It more so just cemented that we’re a team for life and that we will support and be there for each other through whatever gets thrown our way and continue to adventure and grow together always.

Wedding soundtrack.

Aisle: Best Part by Daniel Caesar (sung acoustically by Jamie from Little Wolf Entertainment)

Recessional: This Will Be by Natalie Cole

Reception entry: For Once in My Life by Stevie Wonder

First dance: Thinkin Bout You, Daniela Andrade version (sung live by Jamie from Little Wolf Entertainment)

Funny stories or near disasters.

Luckily, there were no disasters leading up to the day! Everything ran really smoothly.

Words of wisdom.

You have to lock in so many elements so far out from the actual day, and you’re bound to be flooded with adverts, images and posts on socials or online that you might compare with your choices. Remember that everything you picked leading up to the wedding, you picked for a reason, and it was part of your vision; stay true to that.

Try to spend some alone time with your husband or wife on your wedding day. Sit down for ten minutes together and really take in the love around you. It’s truly a day that goes by so quickly, so if you can make it slow down just for a moment, that’s wonderful.

Hannah and Ray aced their planning journey, but we understand that at times it can get a little curly. To help you navigate the twists and turns of wedding day decisions, we’ve put together this beginner’s guide – prepare to be unstuck!

HANNAH & RAY’S VENDORS

Ceremony & reception venue: The Button Factory, Cheltenham

Celebrant: Teagan Dole, Panache & Co. Teagan was the most wonderful celebrant; we still have guests comment on how perfect our ceremony was and how captivated they were throughout.

Photography: Anne, White Shutter Photography. Anne was an integral part of our day. Even though our whole wedding vision came to life, we wouldn’t have the memories we do to keep forever without the incredible photos Anne took throughout the day.

Videography: James, Zephyr Productions. James was incredible throughout the day; from the moment he arrived, being in front of the camera just felt natural, and we hardly noticed it was there.

Styling, stationery & signage: Tia Thorne, The Goodsmiths. Every design meeting with Tia felt effortless; she just envisioned everything we did and made it all come to life.

Florist: Anatomy of Flowers

Hair: Kate Lawrence

Make-up: Dani Kennedy

The dress & veil: Mariana Hardwick, Vivianna – custom neckline and arm sleeve added.

Shoes: The White Collection, Badgley Mischka – Feisty

Rings: Rays wedding band – handmade by Hannah through Jane Ruljancich Jewellery. Hannah’s wedding band – Solitaire Jewellery

Bridesmaid’s dresses: Shona Joy, La Lune collection in cream

Suits & bow ties / ties: Institchu

Catering & Bar: Refresh Catering

Cake / Cake topper: Bites By Abbs

Entertainment: Little Wolf Entertainment