Nicola and Steven

While every love story has it’s fairytale moments, one that really struck me last year was the one I get to share with you today – the beautiful fairytale of Nicola and Steven. Nicola, a Sydney wedding florist (of Ruby & Joy) traveled to Scotland and upon her return announced her engagement. Nicola is a wedding professional I have always admired, not only for her sheer talent (hello beautiful florals!) but because she is always joyous and happy. So I couldn’t think of a nicer person to experience the magic of a fairytale love story than Nicole – Sydney’s wedding scene will certainly miss you dear one!

Nicola explains how her love story unfolded. “We met in2005 at a camp in Scotland but nothing happened then. But when I went back for a holiday in January 2010, I stayed at the camp for a few nights (Steven was the manager), and on my last night there he took me on a date. I didn’t think he was interested, and nothing happened. But the next day I went to Edinburgh, and he came through to spend the day with me. Nothing happened again, and I went to Europe for 7 days. On my way back from Paris, when I got to the station he was there waiting for me!He asked me to be his girlfriend that day, and we had 4 days together as a couple before I flew home to Australia. He was my first (and last!) boyfriend, first kiss, and only love. We were long distance for a year before he proposed in October 2010 in Australia.”

Photos today are by Michelle Fiona Photography. Michelle has captured the light and love of this relationship with such style – and the florals, oh how she’s captured the beautiful blooms! Such a feature of the wedding and such a part of Nicola.

Nicola says, “We had no theme as such, but I did love the raspberry and peach colours that we used as highlights throughout the stationery, bridesmaids’ outfits etc. So as we just picked everything we loved, everything was special!”

Nicola wore the French Floral Beaded Lace Gown from the Collette Dinnigan Snow White collection with earrings from Fletcher & Grace. One of her favourite memories was her grandmother’s homemade touches to her outfit. She recalls “My Nanna making my veil, garter and hair flower was so special to me.” Nicola’s hair was by Melanie Burnicle, and makeup by Casey Boniwell (0402 349 871).

Nicole’s bridesmaids wore blush coloured gowns from Portmans. “My bridesmaids were excellent, my 6 month pregnant maid of honour, sister Jillian, was and is my hero.”

Nicola and Steven were married at Church By The Bridge (St Johns Anglican). Nicola recalls “We walked in to ‘Hoppipolla’ sung by Sigur Ros, and walked out to ‘Pencil Full of Lead’ by Paolo Nutini. The first is a song that we had listened together lots, and was a beautiful musical piece. The words were in Icelandic, but it was still beautiful – I think it’s about gumboots! The second was a song that was in the first movie we saw together”.

Nicola says “We used the traditional vows but added a little bit on each at the end, which was a surprise on the day. It was wonderful having my Nanna and Pop and my friend El pray at the ceremony, my brother and my friend Madi read at the ceremony, and so many other friends involved, was wonderful.”

“There are so many special details from the day, but one of my favourites was when we were pronounced man and wife. It was amazing! And meant we’d be together forever!”

Nicola, of course, took joy in the bouquets. “I did all the flowers which was loads of fun, exhausting, but fun. It was incredibly exciting to go to the flower markets and choose whatever I loved! I was like kid in a candy store!”

In keeping with the nod to Scotland, the groom wore his full kilt outfit, and the best man wore his full trews outfit.

Nicola and Steven did have one memorable mistake. “On the way to the church I realised I’d locked our honeymoon suitcases with padlocks but left the keys at home! At the reception I was in the car, and my Dad, Steven and his best man Robbie had our suitcases on the path in Walsh Bay, trying to bash them open with a spanner and hammer they’d borrowed from the venue. It was hilarious!”

Following the church ceremony , Nicola and Steven held an afternoon reception at Sydney Dance Lounge. “For our reception we used Sydney Dance Lounge, which was a complete discovery when we were looking at other venues in the area.  We had an unusual time of 3pm – 7.30pm, and really struggled to find a place that would be flexible for us. But the Sydney Dance Lounge not only had a gorgeous venue, but were really easy to work with. We loved the high ceilings, and industrial feel…and I loved the chairs! The location was stunning too… canapés and entrées by the water was absolutely wonderful.”

Nicola and Steven had their stationery made by Nicola’s dear friend Madi of Little Paper Pantry “Madi at Little Paper Pantry is a dear friend of mine and designed the most beautiful stationery, better than we ever could have imagined, so that was so special. I loved the beautiful little name tags everyone tied onto their chairs at the reception with gorgeous fabric. For the bonbonierre she made little envelopes for the boys with ‘a tasty treat’ on the front and we popped in Scottish tablet Steven had made (a traditional Scottish treat, like fudge), and for the girls she made envelopes with ‘a love story’ on the front, with a mini book she made. I’d written a little story on my blog about our story of meeting, so we edited it and she created a beautiful little gift for the ladies”

Nicola and Steven wandered with their bridal party for more photographs before the evening celebrations began.

A traditional Ceilidh was held for guests in the evening. Nicola recalls “The Ceilidh was held at St Thomas’s Memorial Hall in North Sydney, a beautiful old hall which was perfect for lots of Scottish dancing! My mum made a fruitcake for the reception which we had as well as the ‘proper cake’ which was made by Faye Cahill“. The couple arranged the lolly buffet themselves.” Jo at Wild Fig Catering catered the event.

The first dance was romantic. “We had our first dance at the Ceilidh, to ‘What Can I Do (But Love You)’ by Joy Williams. It was perfect.”

The last moment of the night, was one of Nicola’s favourite memories. “Everybody singing Auld Lang Syne at the end of the Ceilidh while we stood in the middle of the circle was wonderful.”

Congratulations Nicola and Steven! Tank you for allowing us to share your wedding day on Polka Dot Bride! Best of luck on your new life together in Scotland! Thankyou also to by Michelle Fiona Photography for sharing today’s images!