The wedding of Helen and Ashley - a collection of beautiful moments, sweet love and fun - exceptionally captured by photojournalist Florent Vidal.
The beginning...
Both Helen and Ashley spent the APEC 2007 long weekend in Melbourne where Ashley first 'noticed' Helen, in a striking red dress, at a friend's party. Back in Sydney the pair hit it off at their local pub. At the end of the night Helen said goodbye with a casual "speak to you later" - Ashley pointed out she would need his phone number if they were going to speak later and so they exchanged numbers and the very next night they went out on their first date.
The proposal...
Ashley's initial plans to propose at Bondi beach on the Saturday of a long weekend were thwarted by heavy rain. It wasn't until the Monday when the weather cleared for a couple of hours that Ashley had a chance to put his plan into action. They walked down to the beach where he presented her with a photo album of their past trips followed by a diamond ring of course!
The wedding...
"We wanted a modern wedding with some classic touches," says Helen. The couple chose a teal colour theme to reflect the Sydney harbour that both their ceremony at Observatory Hill and reception at The Sebel Pier One overlooked. "The colours blended in beautifully."
Helen wore a gown by Aire Barcelona from Peter Trends in Roseville. "I always wanted a fish tail style gown and absolutely loved the pleats on this dress and the way it gave me curves that I much desired! The pleats all the way around the dress gave it a different look and feel which I adored," says Helen. She had a natural stem posy with off white roses, lisanthus, dahlias and some berries with greenery and dusty miller.
The table centrepieces incorporated candle wax bowls decorated with pebbles surrounding tall Gymea and white gladioli along with tea lights in clear votives. Four stunning chandeliers were hung as a feature from the ceiling and another part of the ceiling was decorated with fairy lights, "which added a beautiful magical softness over the area," says Helen.
Chanele Rose Flowers & Styling provided all the flowers as well as an amazing lolly bar where guests could fill gift bags with lollies to take home. The couple chose to have cake pops instead of a traditional cake. The lolly bar as well as a photo booth with props and wild dancing created a fun atmosphere. At one point Ashley dived off the stage and crown surfed with his mates while Helen jumped over a makeshift skipping rope made from one of the tablecloths.
The couple honeymooned in Hawaii, Oahu and Big Island. Their plan for the future is fairly simple - "grow old together and hopefully start a family some day!"
I love all the pictures that capture the crazy dance floor moves. Helen and Ashley along with their guests look like they are having so much fun and these really are the most memorable moments.
Will you be hitting the dance floor big time on your wedding day?
Isabel 🙂