Real Wedding - Louise & Sebastian, Fitzroy VIC

December 12, 2018 In Burgundy, Church, Most Popular, Real Weddings, Urban By Natalie Drum

Real Wedding – Louise & Sebastian, Fitzroy VIC

Family and friends were at the core of Louise and Sebastian’s city celebration. It was a day all about celebrating their relationship and putting on the greatest of parties for those that they love.

With the goal of highlighting their own personal style and embracing all the things they both love, Lou and Seb managed to combine heartfelt traditional elements and gorgeous, creative styling to showcase an elegant and romantic affair.

Behind the lens to capture all of their goodness – from a dreamy chapel ceremony to the epic Panama Dining room reception, was Georgia Verrells.

In Louise’s words…

The meeting.

We swiped right technically, but the real meeting happened at Carlton Club in Melbourne. Seb was heading off overseas for an extended holiday next day, we decided to go on the only Tinder date we have both ever been on. We ended up staying in contact the whole time he was away and the rest is really history.

The ‘one’.

We went down the coast for our first New Year’s together after having known each other a few months. On the drive down, we chatted all about life and our families and I think in that moment we both knew.

The proposal.

We were on holiday in Maui, Hawaii and Seb had organised to secretly have my engagement ring shipped from Mociun in NY to Maui in Hawaii. The proposal was perfectly us, nothing to fancy or over the top, it was on the balcony overlooking the ocean in our hotel room.

The process.

We tried to remain relaxed about the planning process and the lead up. However, in reality I am a details person so to most we probably appeared quite organised. We kept a PowerPoint pack that detailed the day end-to-end, this helped us keep track of inspiration pictures, what was organised, what we needed to do and what we might have forgotten about. It was also really useful to help get our vendors, families and bridal party across the plan and vision for the day.

Style inspiration.

We wanted the day to highlight our personal style and the things that we love. Family and friends were at the centre of this. In terms of the details that brought it all to life they were detailed around the two venues for the day, and both of these venues had special ties to our relationship. We chose Newman Chapel at Melbourne Uni as both my parents and my grandparents were married their and by chance Seb had gone to the college next door at St Mary’s. Being such a traditional venue, we wanted to continue some of this tradition into our day and this flowed into Panama Dining with our slightly more formal table settings.

The majority of the day was heavily influenced Panama Dining Room, it was the location of our second date and has always been a special place to us. We loved the use of greenery and the original features that are spread throughout the space. I (Lou) love florals and flowers and this was really the last source of inspiration for the day, we keep the bridesmaid’s dresses white to allow the flowers to pop and the table decorations relatively simple with beautiful pink, burgundy and plum flowers in vintage gold vases.

The dress.

I struggled to find a wedding dress at first, until I was recommended to try Bluebell Bridal. That’s when I spotted my Sarah Joseph Couture gown.

Favourite moments.

Seb and I took a moment in the cocktail hour to step back together and take everything in together. It was wonderful.

Meaning of marriage.

Marriage for us was about sharing our existing commitment to each other with our friends and family and celebrating our relationship.

Wedding soundtrack.

Aisle: Pachelbel’s Canon in D – performed by the Newman College String Quartet

Reception entry: We are family by Sister Sledge & Jade

First dance: September by Earth, Wind, Fire

Funny stories (or near disasters).

There were a few close calls with the white bridesmaid dresses and some mud, but it all worked out perfectly in the end.

Planning surprises.

It was a bit more hectic in the lead up than I had imagined. If I was to do it all again, I would probably take a few extra days off to prepare and just chill out in the lead up.

Words of wisdom.

Everyone says it, but try not to get too stressed out in the lead up or on the day when little things go to plan, it really does go so quickly!

Take a moment to step back with one another to take it all in.