Real Wedding - Shannon & Fiona, Melbourne VIC

June 29, 2022 In Black and White, Burgundy, Industrial, Ivory Inspiration, Latest Posts, Pick Your Colour Palette, Pink, Real Weddings, Uncategorized, Urban, Vendor Vibes, Victoria, Wedding Styles, Wedding Venues Australia, Wedding Venues Victoria, White By Kathryn Brandt

Real Wedding – Shannon & Fiona, Melbourne VIC

Where do you go in Melbourne when your wedding brief is modern, industrial chic? Well, Higher Ground of course. Shannon and Fiona fell in love with the exposed brick, arching windows and vibe, which is why they hosted their family and friends there for their dream day.

The ceremony was framed by outstanding floral structures created by Tori Allen Events with floating orchids of pinks and whites, epic pampas grasses and deep maroon foliage. Everything toned so beautifully with their wedding party dresses and suit jackets and Shannon and Fiona looked ever so elegant and dapper in their Oscar Hunt suit and Marquise bridal gown.

Dee from Finder Seeker Photography was the one who caught Fiona and Shannon smiling from ear-to-ear in every photo and all the beautiful candid moments across the evening. Seeing these photos for ourselves, we can’t help but mimic that ear-to ear-smile too.

The meeting.

We met in 2017 when we both swiped right on Tinder and matched! I sent him a GIF and the rest is history. Our first date was at the Posty in Richmond, we chatted the whole night and had instant chemistry.

The ‘one’.

There wasn’t a particular moment, it just happened naturally over time. We got along right from the start and fell in love pretty quickly.

The proposal.

Shannon popped the question in June 2020. We were in between lockdowns, and he surprised me with a picnic at the Botanical Gardens in Williamstown. He had bought all my favourite picnic goodies and captured the moment on video so we could share it with my family back in WA. I was very surprised and glad I had gotten out of my active wear.

Planning process.

We had originally planned to get married at Xanadu Winery in Margaret River, I’m originally from WA and have a lot of friends and family there. I had basically planned everything when we had to cancel due to the uncertainty of borders re-opening. So, as everyone has had to do, we pivoted and organised our wedding in Melbourne. Our first Melbourne date couldn’t go ahead due to lockdown so finally, on our third date in January we were married. I thought if I was going to have a wedding in Melbourne I wanted it to be in the CBD at a venue that was quintessentially Melbourne. We came across Higher Ground as my parents frequent Dundas and Fausset (Darling Group) and as soon as we saw it, we knew it was perfect. We loved the exposed red brick, big arched windows and black trimming. Planning a wedding during covid definitely had its complications but we had such amazing vendors that we were never worried about how the day would turn out.

Style inspiration.

The inspiration behind the style of our wedding was modern, industrial- chic. The colours were a mix of soft pink, white, latte and gold.

For us the most useful inspiration was real weddings, I followed a lot of wedding Instagram pages and was constantly screen shotting things I liked. This helped me build a mood board that I shared with Tori Allen for the style. My husband Shannon is a graphic designer so I sent him a lot of inspo around how I wanted the signage and stationery to look.

Inspo through Instagram: The bridal journal, Love stoned bridal , Ivory Tribe, Amber jasper stylist, Hire Society and Modern Wedding Magazine

The ceremony.

Our ceremony was held at Higher Ground and it was fun, sentimental and set the mood for the night, all thanks to our amazing celebrant Nat Sproal. She really included the guests, made it lighthearted but it also represented us.

The look.

My dress was custom made by Marquise Bridal (Tanner bodice with full skirt), they were amazing to deal with. I am still obsessed with my dress. The fabric of the gown is truly magic, it moved beautifully as I walked and photographed so incredibly well. I also purchased the Amina Muaddi Gild White Crystal Embellished Sandal. This shoe is incredible and completed my look.

Shannon had his suit made by Oscar Hunt Tailors.

Favourite moments.

Our favourite moment of the day was the moment after our ceremony before we went to get our photographs.

Another favourite moment for me was just before we left for the ceremony. My bridesmaids put on the song ‘going to the chapel’ and we sang and danced. This was so fun and really helped ease the nerves.

Meaning of marriage.

Having your best friend by your side for the rest of your life. Someone to support you, bring the best out of you and someone to share all of life’s adventures with.

Wedding soundtrack.

Aisle: Can’t help falling in love by Elvis Presley (performed live on acoustic)

Reception entry: Happy by Pharrell Williams

Signing song: Fresh Eyes by Andy Grammar (performed live on acoustic)

Planning surprises.

How much time it actually takes, especially the things that pop up in the weeks prior. It’s a real thing – seating charts are a killer!

Words of wisdom.

Do your research and choose amazing vendors that know the business and spend the time to get to know you. A lot of our stress was alleviated because we were working with amazing people on the day.

Finder Seeker Photography is all about the huge smiles, happy tears, whole belly laughs, dancing with abandon, and a whole lot of fun and love and capturing it all on camera. Get in touch here if this tickles your fancy for your own wedding photos.

SHANNON & FIONA’S VENDORS

Ceremony and reception venue: Higher Ground, Melbourne

Celebrant: Nat Sproal

Photography: Dee, Finder Seeker Photography

Videography: Danae, Monaco, Me and My Camera

Styling and Florist: Tori Allen Events

Hair and Make up: Shara Ferguson

The Dress: Marquise Bridal

Shoes: Amina Muaddi

Rings: Janai Jewellery

Bridesmaid’s dresses: One Fell Swoop

Suits: Groom – Oscar Hunt