Daniel and Mel

Daniel and Mel

Daniel proposed to me in the most infuriating way possible!!! He left the house looking (and smelling) like an absolute slob, then about 2 hours later he called me to let me know that he had just backed into my car in our driveway and I had to come out to inspect the damage. I came out feeling just about ready to throttle him, when I saw him standing there in his best suit, freshly showered and shaved, holding a long stemmed red rose. He got down on one knee, and I have absolutely NO idea what he even said because in my mind I was just thinking “oh my goodness he’s in a suit, he’s down on one knee! ahh!” and the next thing I know he is flipping open a ring box .. it was empty. He then flipped up his little finger, and on it was the most beautiful diamond ring made by his sister. It was beautiful, intimate, and just so us!

Daniel and I married on Saturday 26th February at Bianchet Winery in the Yarra Valley. Our photographer was John Englezos.

My dress was by Kylie J Bridal. All of our hair was done by a very talented friend of mine, Jess, and makeup was done by Kristy from Embellish Makeovers.

My three stunning bridesmaids wore dresses by Henri Josef.

For the boys we hired suits from Trevor Dudley in Lilydale. ((03) 9735 1136)

Our bouquets were made by a close friend, Kelly of Red Earth Flowers and were made of pink cala lillies, purple lisianthus, green roses, lambs ears and mini monsteria leaves.

My dad walked me down the isle to an original song by one of my best girlfriends, Christina from The Paper Kites Band, who also sang an acoustic item of “This Old Love” by Lior while we were signing the registry.

My favourite moment during our ceremony was when Daniel and I just could not wait for the “you may now kiss the bride” moment, so we stole a kiss once our celebrant, Geoff Padgett, had his back turned! We couldn’t stop giggling!!

Another priceless moment was at the end of the ceremony where Daniel requested a kiss on the cheek from our celebrant, Geoff! Loved it!!

After the ceremony we had some photos taken in the vineyard at Bianchet Winery.

Then our wonderful drivers from Dr Rod Hot Rod Hire drove us to Yering Gorge Cottages to take a few happy snaps. When we arrived at Yering Gorge, there was the most amazing purple helicopter there!! (suited our colour scheme and everything!! haha!). The pilot offered to open it up for us and let us have some photos with it, what an incredible bonus for us!!! We got in, and basically acted like fools, as only we know how to do!

We had difficulty in choosing a song for our bridal waltz. Daniel and I are a very laid back, relaxed couple, and one of the more traditional romantic wedding songs wouldn’t really suit our personality. So it was hard finding something romantic, but still “us”. The day before our wedding we chose Adam Sandler’s “I wanna grow old with you” from the wedding singer, and we couldn’t have picked a better song!!!

Daniel’s dad, Geoff made our cake. The bottom layer was milk and white chocolate marble, the middle layer was chocolate mud, and the top layer was white chocolate mud with raspberry swirl.

Seeing as Daniel and I are big kids, we decided to add something different for entertainment at our wedding, and we hired a walk around magician!! Unfortunately, we didn’t get to see him at all on the night, but we heard from our guests that he was amazing!!! We hired “The Great Who Ton” from The Honest Agent.

To make our guests a bit more comfortable during the reception, we added baskets in the bathrooms which included things like bandaids, panadol, hairspray, bobby pins, deodorant, and all of those things you wish you had in your handbag when you’re out somewhere!

We finished our special day off with a stay at Yering Gorge Cottages in one of their beautiful private cottages. Overall we had the most magical day, and wouldn’t have changed a single thing!

Photography by John Englezos.

Ms Gingham says: What a beautiful proposal story! I just love it when grooms put so much effort into proposing and not just doing the cliche. This wedding just made me smile … thanks so much to Mel and Daniel for sharing their day with us.

Mel says: “My name’s Mel,I’m 22 years old and on Saturday 26th February 2011 I married the most amazing man I have ever met! We had a laid back, relaxed cocktail wedding that we shared with 120 of our family/friends.”