Real Wedding – Sari & Mark, Sorrento VIC
The stunning seaside town of Sorrento was the perfect location for Sari and Mark to seal the deal in front of their much loved family and friends.
This pair had a ball planning their celebration and they stuck to a style that was timeless, yet encompassed dramatic elements and also dotted their day with personal touches their loved ones would appreciate.
While they experienced some tense times in the lead up to their day (a case of food poisoning and an abundance of rain) they didn’t let it spoil a thing.
Sari was a vision in her One Day Bridal gown, and capturing their love story in all its glory was Katie Harmsworth.
In Sari’s words…
The meeting.
Eight years ago, the old-school way – outside a bar in South Yarra. I was walking past with my girlfriends and Mark was out the front having a drink and he just said hi… followed by ‘heads or tails?’, for a bottle of champagne. I definitely rolled my eyes at the heads or tails reference, but will never say no to champagne. I can’t remember what I said and if it was indeed heads or tails but the rest is history.
The ‘one’.
Very early on when we decided to travel to Europe together and discovered how aligned our values of family and friends were. Being in Paris obviously helps but it was Mark’s chivalry and thoughtfulness throughout the whole holiday to ensure that we could experience every amazing thing together was ‘that moment’.
The proposal.
We were at the beach house and were going for our usual Saturday walk when Mark said he found a new walking track to try called ‘Spray Point’ (he had actually driven down that week to ensure the location was right and did a ‘site inspection’ which I loved, as we do site inspections at work all the time). The location was on an amazing cliff and I was very preoccupied taking pictures and insta stories that he had to point out that there was a funny arrow on the rock… (He woke up earlier that morning to carve an arrow and hide a handwritten card). I read the card and looked up to find Mark on one knee and the rest is a teary blur!
After the proposal we returned to Mark’s family house where I knew his family would be but add another surprise (and more tears) my parents and grandmother were also there. Mark had organised for them to drive down that morning and they were hiding around the corner as we drove out for our walk and while we were out were popping champagne and prepping lunch. Sorrento means so much to Mark and I but so do both of our families and I was so touched and happy they were there to celebrate with us.
The process.
Planning was fun…. it was obviously fun to finally plan an event for me (us)! My vision for the day hadn’t wavered for the past couple of years so I had a clear idea of what I was after which helped. We booked suppliers where there was only one of (eg: celebrant, photographer, videographer which remains my #1 tip) to ensure we didn’t miss out on who we wanted and then other elements we chose along the way to enjoy the process.
Style inspiration.
In terms of style, I love timeless yet dramatic elements of dark blue and black hues contrast against soft whites and pale blues – and florals to match – which all sounds quite intense but it needed to hero the house and the surrounds. The underlying theme of the whole day was to have personal touches of our family and friends who have influenced our lives in some way or another and who we’ve been there along the journey of us as a couple.
The dress.
My dress was from One Day Bridal – the Gilmore set, something I had seen a while ago and a style that always resonated with me throughout all the trends.
I did my due diligence and tried on many beautiful gowns (which is so much fun in itself) but nothing could match the feeling I had in the Gilmore set; effortless yet with a modern edge and most of all something that I felt comfortable in.
Favourite moments.
WOW so many, sorry I have more than one because they all flowed so well from one to the next…. Spending the morning with my maid of honour, my parents and my sister in law as it was such a chilled and fun morning and meant I really got to take it all in and that I was BEYOND ready to see Mark at the other end of the aisle… and then being introduced for the first time as Mr and Mrs Ferrari to all our loved ones as we made our way out onto the crazy pool deck I created.
Meaning of marriage.
It means making a formal and lifetime bond with the person you can’t live without, and a promise to continue to love, support, inspire and treat each other with the utmost respect.
Wedding soundtrack.
Aisle: Here comes the sun
Entry (on the pool deck): Best of our love
Entry (into the reception): It’s you, it’s me
First dance: Sorrento Moon – so cliché but so perfect at the same time
Funny stories (or near disasters).
Haha yes, take your pick….
I had food poisoning the Monday leading into the wedding- contrary to popular belief it’s not a blessing in disguise!
Sweeping rain out of the marquee on the day with my sister in law and surprising everyone that we were just laughing and not crying! What else can you do, and every bride needs to work in events and experience 52mls of rain on Cup Day to know that everything will be okay in the end!
Then finally when we arrived at Spray Point (where Mark proposed) for our photos we found out they were sadly hosting a memorial on that day. So on the spot we had think of a new location to shoot so we raced to another beach (where there were two other wedding photos taking place) and tucked ourselves into a beautiful rocky alcove… I’m forever thankful to the dream team (Katie and Tango) who came up with a location that was even better than the first.
Planning surprises.
How special the moments are with your partner and what you learn about each other as a couple in the planning…. there were definitely times I drove Mark crazy with all my to-do-lists and alike, but from picking songs that have significance to you as a couple or meeting our amazing celebrant who reminds you of what the piece of paper you sign signifies is surprising and special and why they call it the best day of your life.
Words of wisdom.
I hold by trying to book suppliers where there’s only one of someone…. but most of all enjoy the planning process; keep it fun and as light hearted as possible and remember why you started.
The Mornington Peninsula is a a dream destination for weddings. Some of our favourite places in the region might just be your perfect venue. Click here for the round-up.
SARI & MARK’S TRIBE
Ceremony venue / location: Sorrento Historic Park
Reception venue / location: Private property, Sorrento VIC
Celebrant/Officiant: Lara Williams Celebrant – A natural who takes her role as a celebrant seriously, coupled with a true talent to capture all the personal moments of our relationship
Photography: Katie Harmsworth – I just knew I had to have her and felt pretty honoured that we did. She is a true professional but has a way of making us feel comfortable and laugh along the way.
Videography: Tango Films – Lochy is so talented but also very fun and having that smiling face smile back at you makes you forget there’s also a camera there!
Styling: Bride
Florist: Badlands and Co
Hair: Renee Camilleri – it was so windy by the beach and my hair didn’t move an inch!
Make-up: Danielle Gardiner – My go to for any occasion and just a beautiful and talented person- someone who you definitely want the morning of your wedding
The Dress: One Day Bridal
Veil / headwear: One Day Bridal with a Jeanette Maree Clip (also purchased at ODB)
Shoes: Wittner
Earings: Sable & Dixie
Rings: Patterson Fine Jewellers
Bridesmaid’s dresses: One Fell Swoop
Menswear: Oscar Hunt and SOHO Workshop
Catering: Blakes Feast – Blakes created the perfect custom menu of all of our favourite things including an oyster bar and bilini bar, delicate and beautiful entrees, followed by a sharing feast of lobster pasta to remind us of the Greek island, steaks cooked out in the garden on the barillas, followed by a cheese trolley, mini ice creams and croque monsieur’s for later in the night….
Bar: We chose the wine from wineries in from the Mornington Peninsula, with G&T cocktails (we love anything gin), magnums of rose and French champagne and Negroni’s for night caps
Cake / Cake topper: we had a Negroni bar and mini ice creams instead of a cake… followed up an Ice cream cake the next day at the recovery (long history of getting each other ice cream cakes so it only seemed fitting)!
Entertainment: Verve Agency – They came up with the perfect combination of our singer and sax for cocktail hour with Café del Mar vibes followed by the dancefloor well into the night
Décor and hire:
Honeymoon: Hamilton Island for a mini-break post wedding and now counting down the days until our European honeymoon!
