welcome to the #shananddennis wedding
photographer: Katherine Williams of Something Blue
its official!
the new family portrait
trying to walk through all that mud gracefully and without stacking it
bridal dress by Peter Trend Bridals
custom made head piece by Summer Blossom
suits and shirts by M J Bale and shoes by Florishem
BM's dresses by the Peppy Studio and shoes from the Spurr
After a year and a half of preparation and procrastination, the big day was finally here. The wedding was held at Margan Restaurant in Broke Fordwich on Sunday, 20 March 2016.
After finishing up work on the Friday before the big day, we all drove up to the Hunter Valley on Saturday morning, checked in at the Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley hotel, pigged out on pizza and then tried to sleep.
A few of us popped some sleeping pills but they failed to work. At 3.30 am the next day (yes, you read right), the ladies from CJ Artistries arrived to work their magic while the guys just rolled out of bed and put on a suit a few hours later, just like every other working day.
I was probably thinking, what on earth am I going to do with this dress after the day was over lol
30 minutes after rolling out of bed, they were all ready to jet
Once the entire bridal party was ready, we all headed out for the first look in Broke Fordwich and thank you mother nature for not raining!! After using all my data in constantly refresh the weather app whilst being stuck in the horrendous rain during the lead up to the big day, everyone was so relieved not a single drop of rain came down until.. the end of the day.
waiting for the first look whilst the BM's were "guarding" the entrance
<3
thank you guys for being such an awesome bridal partay
Half way through the morning, we bumped into a bunch of old school bikies who looked like they drove out of a sons of anarchy film set. Thick beards, dust guards, leather from top to bottom, tattoos extended to their finger tips, the full shebang. Pulling up to the old school petrol station and bumping into these bikies was certainly one of my favorite moments of the day.
LOVE this old school petrol station
highlight of the day
When all the initial photography session was finished, it was time to walk down the aisle. Holy shitballs. Heck man, I didn't realize how full on this process was going to feel. I went from feeling blasé to a nervous wreck which is usually unheard of for someone who isn't at all a romantic and never dreamt about their wedding when since they were five years old.
ceremony area styled by Peonies
welcome signage created by Suely Lu
Florals styled by Peonies
dun dun dadunnnn
its official!
Next up after the official ceremony, it was time for the tea ceremony which basically involves the elderly relatives sipping the most expensive tea of their lives, lawls.
tea ceremony
Finally, when all the ceremonies were completed, it was time to begin the reception inside the barrel room, which was also styled by Peonies. When I first looked up Margans online, the first thing I fell in love with was their barrel room especially with all those barrels stacked across the entire wall. Walking in there with the room smelling of wine just made me fall in love with it even more.
drink all the wine from all the barrels
candy bar items by Hello Naomi and My Sweeties
our wedding cake, designed by the Hello Naomi
Custom made guest book / art frame by Rebecca Rees Designs
(FYI, for those that are interested, she does do international shipping)
Stationery designed by Suely Lu
top: Make you feel my love, Adele Adkins
bottom: Summer, Calvin Harris
choreograph by Jaye of Crossover Dance Studios
the first dance
make you feel my love, Adele Adkins
choreograph by Jaye of Crossover Dance Studios
dress by Lover the label and shoes by Siren
summer, Calvin Harris
choreograph by Jaye of Crossover Dance Studios
can't believe this was actually pulled off by the entire BM party
Overall, the day was a success and basically everything went according to plan which was a sigh of relief for any bride. If someone asked me to go back in time and do it all over again, heck I sure would but perhaps I would probably choose a dress which I could actually walk in rather than topple over every 5 seconds.
Finally, DC and I want to thank all our friends and family for coming, eating, dancing and being part of our big day. Your presence meant a lot to us and especially as everyone traveled all the way to Broke Fordewich just to be there. It would not have been the same without each and every one of you.
the crew
signing off, DC and SL