A N N - M A R I E & D A M I R
F R O M T H E B R I D E ...
The Meeting...
We met 10 years ago at the Hipe Club in Leederville, Perth. Damir was the head doorman and I was the GoGo Dancer. After years of intense flirting we finally got together. Damir came back from a 'three year' Europe trip (cut short to just three months) to be with me or in my case confess his love. We haven’t been apart since. In that time we've got 'real' careers, bought a home and dogs.
Love...
Ann-Marie: The moment when I wanted to share everything with him, even if it was something small like seeing something that day. For the first time in my life, I pictured him with me in all my future plans and I couldn’t imagine it any other way.
Damir: I knew it was love, when she wasn’t around me, I felt incomplete. It may seem corny, but I would count down till the time I would get to see her again and still do. I knew she was the one for me.
The Proposal...
We got engaged in our favourite city, Melbourne, on the 27th December 2012. On Christmas Eve, Damir, with his suspicious ways, convinced me he was going to propose. However, when it came to exchanging gifts he gave me an envelope with flights to Melbourne for Boxing Day. We went to Melbourne, and his laid back, 'no plan' vibes, distracted me from what he had planned. We ended up at the Eureka building one night, where I thought 'we were only taking a look.' Little did I know he had organised a photographer, and there from a glass box hanging from the city skyline known as 'the edge' he got down on one knee and proposed.
Wedding Style...
Every bride wants the fairytale dream wedding. For us that meant having a classic wedding with modern elements that showcased our romantic style while embracing Damir’s Serbian culture. We love our city Perth and chose iconic Perth venues and suppliers to express our classic style. Our theme was a modern day Fairytale. Colours were white, creams and neutrals, mixed into the flowers, bridesmaids dresses and stationery. Walnut browns were used for the tiffany chairs and font on menus, invitations and ceremony booklets.
Pre-wedding Celebrations...
The Bucks was in Seminyak Bali and the hens in Melbourne. We had a rehearsal dinner at my mum’s (bride) house with traditional Malaysian food two nights before the wedding. With Damir’s Serbian tradition, the groom’s family and friends were over at the grooms parents house from 8am in the morning of the wedding day to celebrate with traditional food/drinks and a Serbian band. The family celebrated with music and dancing until it was time to go to the church.
The Dress...
A French lace mermaid couture gown, embroidered onto a nude underlay. A low back connected with lace around the back of the neck and low plunge neckline shaped with lace. I had long sleeves with lace embroidered onto sheer nude material, tulle skirt from the knees on top of satin material with a 2-metre long tulle train and long veil. The gown was made by local Perth designer Galleria Couture.
Bridesmaids...
Ivory delustered satin strapless gowns, with champagne chiffon draping. I designed these and they were made by HC dressmakers.
Groom + Groomsmen...
The groom wore a black tuxedo from Calibre with a white shirt, black buttons and a black bow tie. The groomsmen wore classic black suits, with white shirts and black bow ties from Suits Formal Wear in West Leederville.
The Flowers...
David Austen roses with green buds made up the bridal bouquet while the bridesmaids' had baby’s breath bouquets.
Decorations...
Bridal Table: 36 pillar candles of different heights and tealights. 12 small fishbowl vases filled with white baby’s breath, roses, hydrangas, lisianthus.
Guest Tables: Silver antique candelabras, surrounded by a mixture of seasonal white flowers with greenery in 3 small fishbowl vases. Table number with “our love story” in a walnut font and frame to tie together with the walnut tiffany chairs.
We had a white dance floor with 3 clustered chandeliers and champagne tower.
On the Menu...
It was a Formal sit-down dinner and the menu was one of our most important aspects of our wedding.
Cocktail hour: freshly shucked oysters, with chef’s signature canapés. Antipasto
Entrée: Prawn and Scallop Ravioli, sweet potato puree, saffron and tomato butter OR Saffron Rissoto; lamb ragout
Main: Duck leg confit, chat potatoes, pancetta and green beans, pea puree OR Roast eye fillet of beef, parsnip mash, caramelised onions, served with mushroom sauce OR Grilled snapper fillet, potato puree, fennel and citrus salad
Dessert: Torched Italian Meringue passionfruit tart with vanilla bean ice cream
Bomboniere...
Bottled mini champagne for the females and mini bottles of Rakija a traditional Serbian spirit for the males.
Wedding Photography...
We bonded with our photographer straight away, she was relaxed and really understood what we wanted from our photos. We wanted it to be natural, but also wanted that theatrical feel which was achieved. Kerri’s photos are so romantic as she uses a lot of natural lighting and really captures the moments felt on the day.
We love how the photos captured the love we felt for each other on the day. The photos at bar Lafayette and St Georges college made us look almost editorial, through the theatrical feel. The photos are timeless and really reflect our style and personalities.
Special Memories...
- Walking down the aisle with my mum, as my dad has passed away, was truly a memorable moment, it has always been my mum and I for a long time, so having her give me away was very emotional.
- Pouring our Champagne tower with the Perth city view behind us
- Our first dance to Elvis Presley “Can’t help falling in love with you”
- The groom’s speech- as it was not traditional. Damir walked around the room with a non-rehearsed speech that made it more meaningful as he acknowledged those in his Serbian language and spoke from his heart. Damir’s speech was to me instead of speaking about me like other weddings. I felt like the only one in the room.
Wedding Songs...
Lana Del Ray 'Young and Beautiful'
Christine Perri 'A Thousand Years'
Kings of Leon 'On Call'
Rhiannon 'We found love'
Elvis Presley 'Cant help Falling in love with you'
+ Johnny Cash, Sam Smith, Michael buble
Honeymoon...
Phuket and Koh Samui
Wedding Planner White Events Wedding Photography Kerri Mackintosh Photography Ceremony Venue St Mary's Cathedral, Perth Reception Venue Fraser's Restaurant State Reception, Kings Park Bride's Dress Galleria Couture Bridesmaids' Dresses HC dressmakers Florist Ivy Flowers Candelabra Hire Touched By Angels Cake The Cake and I Tifffany Chair Hire Bride and Groom Events Chandelier Event Style Stationery Annie P Paperie Dance Floor Hire Corprahire Large Mirror Seating Chart Champagne Society
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