One of my favourite blogs is Girl With A Satchel, Erica, a writer and lady of the Australian magazine circuit writes a fabulous, witty commentary on all things glossy (which is very helpful for my own addiction, which one to buy and which one to skip!).
For those playing at home, you might have seen Erica grace the pages of Bride To Be magazine recently in their “Your Day” annual (or any number of the magazines she’s worked at!).
Erica was lovely enough to share some of the special details of her wedding day. As Erica is a writer she wrote some fantastic answers to my varied and many questions!
So I hail this week- Erica & James Week! Erica & James had such a beautiful wedding it’s too much for one post (plus there are plenty of pictures too!)! So I’ll be sharing the details of their wedding all this week!
Let’s start off with the sweet story of how Erica and James met….
Here’s Erica, doesn’t she look thrilled about answering Polka Dot’s bride many questions?
The Planning
How did you meet?
My mother, sister and I were on holiday at Burleigh Beach in the summer of ‘04/’05. Every morning we’d go for a walk along the esplanade. I’d recently broken up with a boyfriend and decided that one of my new year’s resolutions would be to take up surfing – something I’d always wanted to do. I’d noticed a surf school stand on one of our morning walks and I decided to check it out. Jim happened to be working there that morning (he did surf coaching part-time in the summer with his cousin, Andy).
I enquired about surf lessons and he was very obliging and encouraging. He was the hottest guy I’d ever seen – his smile could melt a polar ice cap. A great incentive to sign up! I returned a couple of days later for my first surf lesson, but unfortunately he wasn’t taking the class. So I continued to casually walk by the surf school, keeping an eye open for The Hot Guy. My mother and sister found this very amusing!
Burleigh Beach as captured by luvjnx
After hiring my own board and returning it to him, we had another nice chat, so I resolved to ask him out: what did I have to lose? The next day he was working at the surf stand, so I rocked up and asked if he’d like to have a drink or dinner that night. He said that would be great and he’d call me later in the day. I waited by the phone like a lovesick teenager! We went on our first date (a Mexican restaurant) and spent a lot of time together over the three days before I went home.
After that, we maintained a friendship, then decided to give long-distance dating a go – there was no denying the connection (we’d talk for HOURS non-stop on the phone). The rest, as they say, is history!
How did the proposal happen?
Burleigh Beach, of course! I was completely taken by surprise. He picked me up from the airport on October 5, 2006, at around 7pm and took me to Burleigh for a drink. Then he decided a nice walk would be a good idea. I followed him up to a lookout, with only the moon lighting the way, whingeing that I was scared of the dark!
I thought it was very strange. As we neared the lookout, I saw hundreds of little tealights lining the path, with rose petals scattered everywhere. There were tealights surrounding the lookout and more rose petals, and a table with a white tablecloth with two chairs, two champagne glasses and his guitar.
He told me that I was very special to him and to sit down because he’d written a song for me. He played the song (which he also played at the wedding), then got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. I was so taken aback I hesitated, then said yes. I was utterly gobsmacked!
Erica and James as newlyweds!
What ‘feel’ did you want for your wedding?
I wanted it to reflect us. I’m a minimalist, so I wanted everything to be as simple and fuss-free as possible. We were going to have the reception at Oscars at Burleigh but eventually decided on having it in a marquee on his parents’ property on Mount Tamborine, which is like heaven.
How did you decide on your colour palette?
Things just fell into place! We found the bridesmaid dresses in Charlie Brown on our first shopping venture and as they were navy blue, I decided navy and white would underpin all the decorating and the invitations, etc. The motif of bluebirds came from the invitation design by Poppies For Grace.
Erica and her bridesmaids
Tell me about your attendants?
I had five bridesmaids – my sister, Jessica, Jim’s sister, Melissa, and my three dearest friends, Aime, Brooke and Caelia. They each brought something special to the planning and the day itself. I was so in love with them all on the wedding day – they were my rocks!
What was your hardest decision?
Settling on a date and the venue, definitely. After that was settled, everything else just flowed.
What was your easiest decision?
Choosing bridesmaids, deciding to have my dress made and flowers. Easy peasy!
Stay tuned- next up Erica shares her wedding day story with us!
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