Ilona & Paul

Ilona & Paul
October 10th 2009
VIC

How you met

I met Paul while working at a pharmacy in Warrnambool three years ago.

The proposal

My husband proposed in an ‘Amazing Race’ style, complete with clues, tasks for ‘teams’ to complete and instructions for the next task. Amazing! My husband also chose my engagement ring without my assistance (Hardy Brothers, Collins Street, Melbourne, Vic) and chose the perfect ring for me – it’s stunning!

Planning the wedding

I was very lucky as Paul was a very active participant in our wedding planning. We made all decisions together (except my dress of course), making the process enjoyable for both of us. We had a lot of fun spending time with a glass of wine looking over the many options and making decisions. We were very lucky that both of us agreed and had the same image in our minds of the perfect wedding.

The wedding dress

My dress was by Essense Design. An off-white intricately beaded lace over champagne silk taffeta, complete with beaded diamante lace straps and a flowing train.

The bridesmaid’s attire

I wanted the girls to be dressed in a neutral colour so we wouldn’t be limited with colour decoration and I didn’t have a favourite colour that I had dreamed my bridesmaids to be in, so we went charcoal with a mint green sash. The dresses were made locally, enabling all three girls to be comfortable (especially as my sister was 6 months pregnant). The dresses were knee length, halter dresses with gathered skirts.

The groom’s attire

Paul wore a two button, single breasted grey suit with very subtle pinstripe, provided by Trevor West menswear in Toorak.

The wedding theme

We didn’t have a specific ‘theme’ however we wanted the day to be elegant and colourful, while creating a relaxed intimate experience among close friends and family. We opted for bright flowers and decorations to add a touch. We used Sue Swayne (Functions Unlimited) who helped us choose our decorations for the reception. She also set the entire room up for us, meaning there was no pressure and did an amazing job!

The wedding cake

Our wedding cake was done by an amazing local woman, Val Driessen, who would have spent hours making our cake! It was everything we had dreamed of and one thing every guest comments on. Our cake consisted of 100+ individually decorated chocolate mud-cakes, complete with a 15cm fruitcake top tier to be cut on our first wedding anniversary.

The wedding flowers

Looking through flowers, I loved the bright colours, so opted for orange and cream tulips. To mix it up a bit, I carried the coloured bouquet with the bridesmaids carrying cream – something a bit different. The flowers bouquets were created by O’Grady’s Florist Warrnambool.

Transport

We had immense difficulty finding cars for our wedding so were left with little choice but to find our own. We used our own silver Mercedes ML500 and found two other people in town who had them.

Honeymoon

We spent 4 days relaxing in luxurious Dubai before heading to East Africa for a two-week safari trip. We spent 4 days in Hong Kong on the way home to split the journey and enable a spot of shopping.

Also

• Walking down the aisle, I first realized that I was going to spend the rest of my life with the man I loved. With mum by my side, I was crying. She asked if I was okay and I replied, ‘yes, but I can’t see.’ I think I spent majority of the ceremony in tears but was proud I was able to get my vows out.
• Guests were each able to enjoy their individualised chocolate place cards – created by Chocolate Works.
• We wanted a little something unique to remember our day, so had a canvas created by ‘Little Man Ink’ which guests were able to write a message to us.
• Guests enjoyed a coach ride from the ceremony to the reception In Port Fairy with the same bus returning guests at the end of the evening.
• Our day was perfect in every way - the dress, suits, flowers, hair, weather, everything! Everything was planned, which meant we could relax and enjoy our special day.

Advice

The day goes by SO fast. Remember to relax and take a moment to stop and look around. Enjoy the moment because it will be gone before you know it!

Photographer: Mark Williams Photography – 0419 396 305, http://www.markwilliamsphotography.com.au/index.html

Reception: The Victoria Hotel, Port Fairy - www.vichotelportfairy.com.au/

Decorations: Functions Unlimited, Sue Swayne – 0409615611

Dress: Geelong Bridal House - (03) 5222 6272

Florist: O’Grady’s Florist - 03 5562 5859

Cake: Val Driessen - 55614658

Place cards: Chocolate Works: http://www.chocolateworks.com.au/designer.html

Canvas: Little Man Ink - http://www.littlemanink.com.au/

Wedding location: Warrnambool, Victoria. Presbyterian Church (ceremony) and The Victoria Hotel, Port Fairy (reception).

Guests: 103

Wedding style: Elegant, classy, relaxed, colourful and fun.