T E S S A & P H I L L I P
F R O M T H E B R I D E ...
The Meeting...
We met at a high school party and lost touch after a few months. Then five years later I sat down in front of Phillip in a Virgin Australia Terminal Boarding Gate in Canberra Airport. The rest is history.
Love...
A few months into our relationship, we went on an unplanned and very spontaneous trip to the US. The trip brought us together, we realised we loved spending time together, and had so many things that we wanted to share together in the future.
The Proposal...
We got engaged on the 15th February 2013. Phillip sent a car to pick me up for work, the car took me to the Melbourne Botanical Gardens and I was then given directions to find a location. Upon arriving Phillip was standing there with a beautiful Charles Rose box. He got down on one knee as I approached and asked me to marry him. He had a picnic set up with beautiful art deco patio set, La Belle Miette Macaroons and a bottle of Veuve Cliquot.
Wedding Style...
I think really the critical element for us was to do things that meant something to us. We didn't want to just do things because they have always been done. I guess all we wanted from the day was to ooze charm and sophistication emulating back in the 20s where style, dancing and champagne was in full force.
That being said there were a few details that were a must...
- the 'chuppah' meaning 'covering/protection' would symbolise our 'home' and cement our future together. With no desire for the chuppah to be one typically used in wedding ceremonies, we felt the meaning behind it carried most of the weight. In the end it simply complemented the surrounds and captured the overall styling of the wedding.
- Champagne! Top champagne names adorned guest dining tables as the table number, a large gilt mirror as the seating chart with a quote from The Great Gatsby, champagne nectar & stone chocolates for the guests to enjoy, and a champagne tower to start off the event
- orchids! potted and stems filled the tablescapes, bridal bouquets, chuppah, hanging installation above the tables.
The Ceremony...
In the gardens at Sault, Daylesford and conducted by the amazing Matt Finch. Matt was fantastic at truly helping us create a modern wedding. It was very important to us to only say things to each other that we would normally say and that were aligned to how we think and feel. Our ceremony was filled with us laughing at each other, and committing to be each other’s biggest fan, team mate, and best friend.
Reception Venue...
In the restaurant at Sault, Daylesford
The Dress...
My amazing mother Davida Forshaw creates Haute Couture clothing. She has made me many beautiful dresses over the years. We had a wonderful time collaborating on my wedding dress and the two bridesmaids dresses. The fabric was sourced from Bewitched Fabric in Sydney and included Italian silk satin and beaded French Chantilly Lace.
Bridesmaids...
These gowns were also made by my mother.
Groom and Groomsmen...
Navy three piece suits from the Suit Shop in Melbourne, and bow ties made by Huxby Haberdashery
Flowers...
Orchids and foliage. The Orchids were a deep red/purple colour. The bouquets were then designed to be included into the presentation of the reception room when we went inside.
Planning and Decorating...
Pretty much the entire wedding was pulled together by the amazing Lettuce & Co! Without them we would have been at a total loss. When we got engaged both of us pretty much lived in different cities to Melbourne for work. Naturally that made wedding planning really challenging, so that, coupled with the understanding that professionals like Lettuce & Co could do a much better job than we ever could, we asked for their help. They were recommended to us through the One Fine Day collective…. Whenever one of my colleagues gets engaged and asks for my advice on the wedding… I always say the first thing you should do, before anything else, is get a wedding planner.
I have to say that Lettuce & Co. really made it all come to life. They wanted to incorporate our love for things art deco and keep the tables delicate with nothing too floral or over the top. Not being a huge fan of cut flowers as I think it’s such a shame to waste them, they worked on using smaller crystal cut vases and gold vases filled with single blooms and simple fern leaves as well as using some of our family crystal decanters as some of the vases.
Other table details included potted orchids which the guests were able to take away with them afterwards. Phill and I also have a love of champagne so rather than table numbers each table was named after a top Champagne, something that was really ‘us’.
Other styling details included the wishing well which was set up with decanters, family crystal vases filled with orchids and an amazing old gramophone. All the styling touches complemented both the style and the colours we loved.. from the flowers, the menus, to the place settings.. it all worked.
Rather than a formal cutting of the cake activity, we had a Champagne Tower that we poured together after the ceremony. For dessert we had one of the beautiful Bianco Lattes Ice Cream carts.
On the Menu...
We started with canapés and champagne outside before coming in for the meal.
ENTRÉE: Shared Regional Tasting plates and house made bread
MAINS: Herb crusted lamb cutlet, braised shoulder, gratin dauphinois, ratatouille. Alternating with Chicken Wellington, mushroom duxelle, spinach a la creme, seasonal vegetables
SIDES: Potatoes with rosemary and Mixed leaf salads
DESSERT: Flourless Chocolate Cake, Macaroons, and Bianco Latte ice cream
Wedding Favours...
Our focus was more on the event and providing amazing desserts that some guests took home – like Macarons. We also had potted plants on our tables which the guests were welcome to take home. What we love about this, is that just the other day one of our guests sent us a photo of the Orchid budding again – 11 months on from the wedding, that beautiful plant is still flowering on a table in their living room.
Wedding Photography...
Jesse Hisco is amazing. I love photography so really wanted beautiful photos, not just pictures of people. We loved that Jesse positioned himself as a fine art photographer, and he did our engagement photos which were amazing. Jesse sees the little details and makes them a focus! I love that – the small moments of children running through the lavender field, and a moment shared between two guests.
We also got a three shot kiss sequence turned into art by the amazing Panel Pop in Fitzroy. They are our living room centre piece and just look amazing.
Memorable Moments...
The whole thing was a blur. What we loved the most was actually the morning of the wedding. We went for a jog together, got a coffee and just hung out before all the crazy happened. We loved that time together. Other than that, Phillip's mothers gave the most amazing and hilarious speech that really stands out as an amazing moment.
Wedding Songs...
We asked the band to start the day off with early Jazz – the likes of Cole Porter, and transition through eras of Jazz as the day progressed. Our band was Downtime Jazz
Honeymoon...
We did quite a fun trip. LA, New York, a quintessential inn in Connecticut, Puerto Rico, The US and UK Virgin Islands, Miami, and New Orleans. We also did a premoon to the Intercontinental in Bali. We loved that time the most! 10 days, of 90 min morning gym sessions, hours by the pool and lovely cocktails.
After the Wedding...
We're living in Silicon Valley California where we'll continue sharing experiences, going on adventures and loving each other.
Wedding Planner and Stylist Lettuce & Co. Photography Jesse Hisco Photography Ceremony + Reception Venue Sault, Daylesford Bride's Dress + Bridesmaids' Dresses Made by Davida Forshaw Hair Stylist Giovanni Tedesco from Rokk Ebony Makeup Rachel de Zylva 0403 326 546 Bride's Shoes Jimmy Choo Bride's Headpiece, Earrings and Bracelet Stephanie Brown Bride's Ring and Necklace Charles Rose Suits Suit Shop Bow Ties Huxby Haberdashery Flowers Pomp and Splendour Stationery Design Ham and Pea Linen Tablecloths Table Art Linen Napkins Di Simmons
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