Rachel and Mike

I am so in love with today’s wedding. it is quintessential Melbourne to me- glamorous, laid back and a whole lotta love. I needed this Melbourne home wedding today, it’s a clear your head kind of wedding!

Rachel and Mike met on dating site RSVP “We met online through RSVP in June 2006 and had our first date one week later (2 July 2006). All our conversations for that first week were online only and are still documented! I was on RSVP for just under 3 weeks before meeting Mike, who was my first date from the site.”

Photos today are by Xiss Photography.

The ceremony of Rachel and Mike was held at their home. Rachel says “We held the ceremony in our back garden, behind our Californian Bungalow home. Fortunately the weather was perfect on the day – mid 20’s and overcast!”

After much practice, Rachel did her own hair & makeup for her wedding day! She wore a stunning slimline gown from Baccini & Hill with a crystal strap and added some extra sparkle with a Stephanie Browne brooch. Rachel also splurged on a Marino black clutch by UK designer Anya Hindmarch.

Rachel walked down the aisle with her mother to Climb Every Mountain (piano instrumental) from The Sound of Music. She carried a simple white bouquet arranged by Flower Bar.

In lieu of traditional gifts, the couple suggest guests give wines to fill their collection for future celebrations!

The reception was held at Church 364 in Richmond. Rachel and Mike invited more family & friends to dance the night away with them.

Each table was decorated with a hurricane lantern. Rachel says “We purchased hurricane lamps for each table from Le Desire. The idea came from an identical hurricane lamp we were given as an engagement gift. After our wedding, we gave these lamps to immediate female family and friends.”

Guests were seated black Tiffany chairs with white cushions and there was a twist to the seating chart “Mike and I also decided on a seating arrangement whereby every guest was given a table number and they could sit wherever they wished on that table. We found it a good compromise.”

The music was provided by the couple’s own music collection “Our first dance was a waltz to the Magic of Love sung by Russell Watson & Lionel Richie.” There was no cake, but there was plenty of dancing!

Oh I have such a wonderful feeling after looking over Rachel & Mike’s photographs! Thank you Rachel & Mike for sharing your wedding day with us! and thank you also to James Boddington of Xiss Photography for sharing today’s photographs!