Friday, June 5, 2009

Memories....

Tomorrow is our 11th Wedding Anniversary and I was looking through our album and realised what a tight budget we had to create our whole Wedding. So, I thought I would give you all a look at a Wedding done cheaply...but with style. This photo was taken in the secret garden we were married in. We hired for the weekend an old Manor on 2 acres and had the entire thing there. Interstate guest stayed in the rooms and had a full breakfast in the morning.
The interior of Gundarimba was beautiful. Stained glass doors, dark panelled walls and high ceilings just added to the ambiance. I even dressed there, which meant I didn't have to worry about being stuck in long weekend traffic and we only needed the one car to transport Mic to the venue...the car was a white Chev Impala that belonged to a friends wedding business.

My favourite photo with my Dad. It is a bit grainy as it is one of the small proof photos (trying to get the album to scan was a tad tricky).

another favourite shot with Dad.
Here is a better shot of the secret garden. The side the photo was taken from is where we were married and the guests stood where we are in the shot. I bought white floating candles from a $2 shop which were placed in the pond with white gardenias which were from the venue. The flagstones are amazing.

The cake was designed by me from a photo I had seen and changed to what I was after. If you do this yourself, you will be surprised with how inexpensive it can be. This cake was chocolate mud cake, which we incorporated into the desert with raspberry coulis and fresh cream...yum! The little cherubs that are supporting the cake were hired from the cake shop. The whole thing including making it and delivery was $180.00. For the one in the photo I seen it was $850.00!!! HUGE difference, just be sure and get a few quotes. The top layer was left for us...but someone ate it while we were on our honeymoon!
My bouquet was made by the local florist and the roses were from Berry, which is about 30mins from the florist. I think there was 20 roses and twisted willow and gardenia leaves and the big satin bow. From memory it was $120.00, which included the bouquet, bridesmaids bouquets, grooms and groomsmens' flowers and our mother's corsages and a throw away bouquet. Pretty good I think. Flowers in the venue were in the price to hire Gundarimba.

We had a wonderful Photographer, Anna Blackman, but as we couldn't afford to have her for the entire evening, we had a faux cake cutting!!! Can you tell? I don't think so.

The inside of Gundarimba is amazing and this is the huge mirror in the main area which is flanked by stained glass windows. All of the chairs were period and originals to that era and our bridal table was just to the right.
Our little cherubs that I bought for $1 each! These were given to the women and I glued little halos of flowers around their heads and painted their hair shades of brown and the little cloths over their legs champagne to match my dress, and the wings gold. the boxes were made by my fab chief bridesmaid, Mel and I and were filled with 3 Ferrero Rocher chocs for the men.
The tables were set simply, but beautifully. We bought the candelabras very cheaply and dressed them with bows and soft gold candles to match the bridesmaids dresses.
I had a hairstyle in mind and knew where I wanted it done. The makeup artist I wanted, happened to work there as well, so I had a discount offered for the bridesmaids and I. This, along with the photographer is one thing we didn't skimp on. It is amazing what a good makeup artist can achieve, cause in reality...
This is me! fast forward 11 years.
Anyway for a stylish wedding that won't date, keep it simple, stick to a colour palette and don't go with whats in fashion, cause when you look back it will show. If you go with what you love and stick to timeless designs your wedding will look beautiful forever.
Happy Anniversary Mic...."you and no other, forever"
Ness xx
all photos, except last one, Anna Blackman Photography

36 comments:

  1. you were a Princess in every way, what a gorgeous wedding, Happy anniversary xx

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  2. Happy Anniversary to you and Mic. I have long believed style and money do not always go together. A secret garden sounds a wonderful place to make your vows.

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  3. Ness! What a gorgeous wedding! Amazing little secret garden. You could never tell it was 11 years ago as it looks so fresh and modern! Timeless and perfect. You look exactly the same!!! Beautiful :)
    xoxo
    Judith~

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  4. Thanks for sharing your special day with us. It looks like a beautiful, happy day. I love the photo of you with your boys - you look gorgeous!

    xx

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  5. Wow..Beautiful Wedding with a style. Great photos..

    Julie

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  6. Happy Anniversary! You looked amazing!!! Love your new banner too :)

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  7. Very Happy Wedding Anniversary to you and Nick.
    XX
    V

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  8. What a beautiful wedding with very special & thoughtful touches. You looked absolutely amazing & Mic's legs didn't look too bad in that kilt either!! Thanks for sharing. Lee :)

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  9. All beautiful in every way! and you...just stunning...

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  10. Happy Anniversary, Ness! I completely agree with your wedding tips. Have a wonderful weekend!

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  11. Ness!!!! SO BEAUTIFUL but you are just as beautiful now!!! (Your blue eyes!!!!!)
    xoxo,
    lauren

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  12. Happy Anniversary! Love the idea of renting an estate and holding the wedding there. I'll remember that for my daughter some day...Yesterday was my 21st anniversary. Have always thought June is a wonderful month to marry.

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  13. Congratulations Ness, wishing your 11th anniversary to be as wonderful as the day you married...if not better:-)

    Best wishes, Claire

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  14. Happy 11th Anniversary to
    Ness & Mic~
    The beauty on your wedding day still shines bright today~ those big blue eyes and your beautiful boys with the same eyes...and Mic happy is all the beauty in the whole world. Your day was amazing... your smiles touches me~
    XOX's
    Janet

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  15. What beautiful pictures! Thank you for sharing them with us. Congrats to you both.

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  16. what a gorgeous bride you are! truly a timeless wedding. the photos will look as fresh and stylish in 50 years as they do today. Happy Anniversary.

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  17. Hi,
    Lovely photos and beatuful wedding.
    And really cute kids.
    Congratulations for the anniversary.
    Bye,
    Lúcia
    www.fazemosdeconta.com
    www.luciamrusso.com

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  18. Happy Anniversary and you had a beautiful wedding!! your pictures are great.
    LuLu

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  19. Happiest Anniversary, Ness! You were such a stunning bride and your wedding was beautiful. That secret garden is so sweet, and just where I would picture you getting married! The photos with your dad made me weepy -- I always cry at weddings LOL.
    xo isa
    ps you and your boy have the most amazing blue eyes!

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  20. Happy Anniversary! What a beautiful day to begin your beautiful life. You look just as radiant 11 years later, with your sweet children. Nothing is as wonderful as being happily married!
    Lidy {34 years and still so happy}

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  21. Let them eat cake!! That was a looker. You and your boy have gorgeous blue eyes.

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  22. Happy anniversary to you both. Thanks for sharing your beautiful wedding.

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  23. Beautiful pictures, Happy Anniversary and many more. Sandi

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  24. Thank you all for your lovely comments. It is so nice to sit and remember what a lovely day it was, especially seeing it didn't cost a fortune like some weddings.
    Ness xx

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  25. Happy Anniversary guys! Wow 11 years has gone by already? What a beautiful day it was, gives me shivers thinking about it!...and I can still taste that chocolate cake and raspberry coulis...oh that was sooooo good. I think I ate mine and everyone elses who couldn't finish hee hee :) I still remember one of my fav photos was of you Ness (I don't think it was one of Anna's) scratching up her shoes on the outside window ledge for traction, wearing trackies and a singlet with all done hair, makeup and veil...classic!
    Cheers to you both for many many more to come.
    Mwah ~M~ xx

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  26. That secret garden shot with your wedding party aside is as rich & yummy as your cake !!! I love that they let you float the candles in the pond. Kudos to the venue. Some can be soo not this, not that.
    Happy anniversary!! A toast to your lovely family!!!

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  27. I think we share the same dream uyou are discribing in your Next time post *sign*

    happy Anniversary to you and your husband......

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  28. Who would have guessed how different the world would be 11 years later. Your little angels are proof of that! Your wedding was magnificent, you two will always be a gorgeous couple!

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  29. As if I would show that one Mel!!! Like the one of us in the car with hair, makeup and veil in driving my little car to the venue with a singlet on and trackies so I wouldnt wreck the hair when I got dressed. I have so many funny shots that I love from behind the scenes...and you are in most of them!!!
    Thanks for being such a wonderful Bridesmaid Mel.
    Ness xx

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  30. Happy Anniversary. These are beautiful shots, I love the one of you peeping over your arm.Thanks for stopping by Beach Vintage and leaving a comment xx

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  31. i just love these .
    thank you for sharing these wonderful moments !
    you are both fabulous !

    xx

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  32. Gorgeous photos Ness - looks like a beautiful wedding and you look(ed) marvellous! :)

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  33. If I had a chance to go back- I would do it simple. I think I was somewhat pressured into doing things to please other people than myself.

    Having it in the garden makes it so special. You two look so sweet together. Eleven years, it does go fast!

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  34. Gorgeous, gorgeous wedding! And you were a perfectly beautiful bride.
    Although, you have to admit...when the groom is wearing a kilt...it has to be a glorious wedding!!

    Congratulations and all the best of wishes!

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  35. Happy Anniversary Ness. You were a very beautiful bride. I think the best weddings are not how much money you have to spend but the happiness of the day beyond anything from this world.
    Hayley

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  36. Hi Ness, Happy anniversary! Looking at your photo's brings back beautiful memories of a really happy, peaceful & fun day/night!
    Cheers !! to many more!!
    love Linda xoxox

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