Real Wedding – Sam & Erin, Cheltenham VIC
When they first met at a crowded pub, Erin and Sam simply couldn’t wait to explore their instant spark on official date. So, they left their friends and went to a cocktail bar around the corner.
Given the way their love story began, it’s fitting that on the night of their engagement party they simply couldn’t wait any longer to get married – and so they surprised their loved ones with a wedding.
The Button Factory provided the ideal industrial setting to compliment the couple’s vision for a New York inspired aesthetic complete with secret garden style ceremony enhanced by the work of Anatomy of Flowers.
The talented Motta Weddings cemented his status as the king of candid moments, capturing both the priceless reactions and undeniable romance of the occasion.
Jess Stanley, the warm energy and word wizard behind Stan By Me Ceremonies, harnessed all the shock and delight of the big reveal to deliver a celebration that was relaxed, lighthearted and brimming with joy.
The meeting.
We were both out at the Esplanade Hotel in St Kilda on a Saturday night about five years ago. Sam remembers the day as it was Blue Diamond Day (he’s a huge horse racing fan). He’d been at the races, and I’d was out with friends. My friend knew his friend. And as they were chatting, we started talking. A few drinks and a dance later. Sam couldn’t wait and asked to take me out on a date then and there. He found a cocktail bar around the corner and we had our first date that night. Nearly five years later, here we are.
The ‘one’.
We both cannot put it down to an exact moment that we knew, but looking back now we can see that it was obvious early on. We felt instantly comfortable around each other and could be our true selves. We knew things were serious and we were ready for commitment when, after only a short time living together, we decided it was time for a puppy. Bringing up a puppy (our Winnie) together really shows how you work as a team. And we were a great team. Before we knew it, we adopted our kelpie Maxie, purchased our first home, and got engaged and now married.
The proposal.
It was only fitting that when it was time to ask the question the two dogs were involved. Sam organised a weekend away at Phillip Island and caught me completely off guard. He said nothing was planned and I didn’t have to pack anything nice because we were just relaxing around the house. I was in the bath when Winnie came running in with a beautiful pink ribbon around her neck. All I could see was how pretty she looked. Then Sam said look what’s on the ribbon and Sam was on one knee holding the ring. Turns out Maxie had the job of holding a sign saying ‘will you marry me?’ but Max being Max he wasn’t cooperating on the day. So it was all on Winnie and Sam. The answer was easy -it was a ‘yes’!
Planning process.
Sam and I knew that we were not going to have a traditional wedding. We knew that we wanted to take the stress off ourselves and our guests and surprise everyone with an engagement party turned surprise wedding. What we thought would be less stress was true in some aspects but the added pressure of just four months to plan it all did get to us at times! Mostly though it felt like it was all meant to be. We viewed a few venues until we visited the Button Factory. As soon as we saw the gorgeous garden room and how it would work for the big surprise, we knew it was the one. After that it was ensuring we had an amazing photographer. We contacted Alex Motta and by luck (or you could say fate) he was free on our day! The rest was all thanks to the team from Nudo Events (owner of the Button Factory). Our planner Katie was amazing. She understood our vision and took the stress out of the planning. She recommended our amazing celebrant Jess Stanley from Stan By Me, who brought the best energy to our day, the floristry by Anatomy of Flowers, which was so gorgeous and so far beyond expectations. And we had the best coordinator, Abbey, on the day that kept things fun and stress free.
Style inspiration.
The key theme and look we were going for was a New York elegance aesthetic. Once we decided on our venue we took a lot of inspiration from it. We wanted something that was classic and timeless, with a modern and unique twist as our party was all about the surprise. We took a lot of inspiration from real weddings, through websites like Ivory Tribe and I created a Pinterest board with imagery I liked. The more you research the more confident you become in your decision making. Making a mood board for styling, floristry, hair and makeup, and the overall look helped us and our vendors understand our vision.
The ceremony.
Our ceremony was our big reveal and surprise. We greeted our guests in the gallery space in our engagement outfits, and after 30 minutes we disappeared into the hidden bridal suite to change into our outfits ready for the wedding. After doing our first look privately in the Garden Room, I returned to the bridal suite and Sam stood ready to see the surprised faces on our guests. As the big reveal happened, we had our amazing musicians Aurora playing Come And Get Your Love by Redbone. Sam was greeted with surprised faces and cheers and I could hear them from the bridal suite. You could feel the love and excitement! When it was my turn to walk down the aisle, I could see everyone’s excitement, smiles and tears. It was a moment I will never forget.
The outfits.
Having such a short time frame to find the perfect dress, we had to act fast. With no one knowing, my mum was amazing. She made herself available and kept me on task. I can be very indecisive and want to know all the options. We went to three bridal shops all that had stunning dresses, but all was just missing something and they weren’t 100% me. I had watched one of my best friends find her dress at Ivory Thread earlier in the year and knew I had to visit Gemma. She makes you feel so comfortable, doesn’t rush you and wants you to find THE dress. Not just a dress. The designers she stocks are from all around the world, which adds to the uniqueness and finding something you won’t find anywhere else. I pulled some options and tried them on, all gorgeous. Gemma suggested an option that I had missed. As soon as it was on, I knew it was the dress. I felt bridal and I felt like me. It was timeless, modern and had the most fluid fabrication and draped so nicely. Gemma was a gem, she contacted the designer directly and explained it was a surprise wedding. The amazing designer said she could make it in the short time frame and it was made specifically to my measurements and arrived from overseas on time! My engagement dress was harder! It had to be perfect but also not scream wedding. After lots of shopping instore and online, I found it from Odd Muse. The pearl embellishments spoke to the almost pearlescent fabric of my wedding dress.
Favourite moments.
Walking down the aisle locking eyes with each other and then seeing our loved ones faces and how happy they were for us. The energy was indescribable. So much excitement and love in one room.
Meaning of marriage.
Marriage to us means partnership and endless love. After being together for nearly five years, buying a home and having our two dogs, marriage was about celebrating our love and making the commitment to always feel and celebrate that love.
Wedding soundtrack.
Surprise/reveal song: Come and Get Your Love – Redbone
Processional: Can’t Help Falling in Love – Kina Grannis
Signing: Bloom – The Paper Kites
Entrance song: Feel So Close – Calvin Harris
Funny stories or near disasters.
Luckily no near disasters! With our tight time frame it was a very stressful week beforehand. Final dress alteration fitting and collection was only one week beforehand. Hair trial the Wednesday before! However, it all worked out on the day and was smooth sailing.
Planning surprises.
All the details and all the decisions! I thought I was a detail-oriented person; however, I had no idea how many decisions go into the big day. Without the help of my mother (who thankfully helped keep track of the emails and pretty much became my personal assistant), our real planner Katie (Nudo Events) and all the help from our amazing vendors, there is no way we could have pulled off our big day.
Words of wisdom.
Do it your way! It’s hard not to get swept up in what is “expected of you” in the traditional wedding sense. However the whole day is to be enjoyed. Let go of the stress and just enjoy it, because it goes so quickly!
For more surprise wedding goodness soak up the joy of Kim & Matt’s special day.
SAM & ERIN’S SUPPLIERS:
Ceremony & reception venue: The Button Factory– One of the main two things for us was finding the right venue, not only a beautiful spot to celebrate the day but a venue that has amazing food and wine. The Button Factory exceeded this.
Celebrant/Officiant: Stan By Me Ceremonies
Photography: Motta Weddings – Alex was amazing and went above and beyond. Your day goes so quickly, and he captures the moments so you can relive them on and on. Sam and I are not the most comfortable people in front of the camera. However Alex worked his magic and made it fun! His shots capture the day, and our personalities perfectly.
Styling/ Stationery /Singage: The Goodsmiths
Florist: Anatomy of Flowers
Hair: Miss Jaye Salon
Make-up: Elise By South Make up
The dresses – Odd Muse engagement dress and Ivory Thread Bridal gown & veil
Shoes: Wittner
Rings: Cushla Whiting
Suits – YSG Tailors
Catering: Nudo Events
Cake / Cake topper: Miss Trixie Drinks Tea
Entertainment: Unplugged Entertainment (Aurora)
