Adam and Sarah

The morning of the wedding was absolute chaos! My bridesmaids and I had to set up the entire ceremony. I was sick with a cold, nervous and running out of time to get everything done. If it wasn’t for my hairdresser Linda Weatherill (Arwon Hairdressing (ph: 0403 646 980)) and Lisa Katis my makeup artist, I think I would have blown a fuse. Luckily once I started to look all spick and span, my nerves calmed and I was excited with anticipation for 2pm!

My head bridesmaid Kiera left parts of her speech until the morning of the wedding. It didn’t matter though, because when she got up to read it, the words came from her heart, not the paper. My Bridesmaids were the glue that held the day together, there whenever I needed them in moments of crisis and joy.

Grace and Aliyah our Flowergirls and Caleb our Page Boy really did us proud. They were so grown up made every guest ‘awww’ at them. In the morning rush, Grace [3] approached me and asked if I was OK. She could tell that nerves were getting to me, and her sweet voice calmed me and made me take a moment to breath in and relax, and remember what it’s all about.

We were all getting ready at Merribee where we had our ceremony and in stark contrast to what was happening in my cottage, this photo depicts what a true Aussie guy will be doing on the morning of his wedding. Downing beer and chilling with his mates. Adam and the groomsmen were getting ready in the cottage next to us at Merribee. I could hear their laughs all morning from the main house, and it made me so happy that he was enjoying the day, and relaxing as he should be. They had laughs with moustache props and ping pong tournaments before getting ready. Often the groomsmen came into the house to get more cold supplies from the fridge.

When our photographer Kevin from Dreamlife Photos and Videos suggested I hop in the bathtub, I was a little hesitant! My first thought was ‘How will I get out?’, but with some clever manoeuvring we were in business. I love the way my dress hung over the edge and my body sank in. Sometimes the most unusual requests make the best moments.

Our day had a Teal theme throughout. The invitation suite and decorations from The Tie That Binds, the boys socks, Caleb our pageboy’s high top shoes, girl’s headpieces, carnival lollypop favours, and personalised bridesmaids singlets and totes made by my Aunty.

Their buttonholes from Shady Fig looked amazing, and exceeded my expectations. Months on, they are still in a bud vase looking fabulous. Michelle did a superb job with all the florals for the day. The boys all wore Ray Ban inspired glasses, Vans shoes with slim suits and ties from Roger David. They were all dressed to the nines.

My Dad, walked me down the aisle to the Angus & Julia Stone song, ‘Wasted’. Bon Iver, Big Scary, Xavier Rudd, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Feist were played during the ceremony. We wanted all of ours and our friends favourite songs to be incorporated into the day.

Throughout the ceremony, which was conducted by our celebrant Cari Worstencroft, Adam and I were oblivious to what was going on, and I couldn’t tell you what words I exchanged. I don’t even remember. I was so caught up in his eyes and huge smile that nothing else around us mattered. After the initial steps were taken down the aisle, I knew the rest would be a breeze.

I ordered this gorgeous ring dish from Palomas Nest. It reads ‘BE HAPPY BE LOVING BE TRUE’. Three words we are basing our marriage on. Adam and I both had our rings made by Renald Brown at Mara Jewellery.

The gardens at Merribee where we had our ceremony were plentiful and each area had its own theme and maze. We served sweets and treats by Sky Martin ([email protected]) to the guests as they wandered the gardens, hidden in little pockets where no one could see them.

Adam’s Nana, Joyce had been looking forward to our wedding since the day we became engaged in 2008. She bought a new frock for the day, and was so proud of her eldest Grandson, and glad to see him happy. This was special for me too, as my Nana, Joy, had passed away 6 months earlier. Joy was watching from above and Joyce was keeping an eye on things from the ground.

The photos on the beach are some of my favourite. We were lucky enough that on the day we visited Culburra Beach it was unoccupied, and the sky was as blue as could be. The bridal party all wore thongs and had beer and champagne on hand. The slight breeze made the photos look wonderful, and at the moment this jumping shot was snapped, there was a huge gust that made my dress fly into the air. Perfect timing.

The jumping was a little hard to coordinate, and I must say us girls did a much better job keeping in time. Our photographer gave us the freedom to do whatever we wanted, and even with that choice, our positions turned out perfectly.

My wedding dress was by Bridal Bliss Designs and the Bridesmaids’ from Forever New

We spent our wedding night at Cedars Cottages and our reception was held at Cambewarra Estate Winery. The reception provided much hilarity and sore faces from smiling while Adam’s brother’s Best Man speech had us gasping for breath. My Head Bridesmaid’s speech reminded me of all the reasons  I fell in love with Adam. There were tender moments between speeches and tears of joy throughout. I felt so blessed to have all of my favourite people together in one place, to celebrate, catch up, and remember why I have these people in my life.

We danced our Bridal Waltz to ‘Home’ by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. The lyrics explain that your home is where your heart is, and home is when you’re together. Halfway through our waltz, the DJ, Moovin Moosic ((02) 4421 0785), released their bubble machine onto us. We had no idea they were going to do this, and it created an enchanted environment as our bridal party joined hands and danced circles around us, all singing and whistling our song. It was the most memorable moment of the day. Surrounded by friends and family, facing the person you’ve chosen for the rest of your life. I can’t think of anywhere else I would have rather been.

Our photobooth was rarely vacant, and with the array of props available such as moustaches, boas, glasses and hats, our guests made use of their time in-between meals to take some snaps, or wander in the vineyards at Cambewarra. After each meal, the marquee was empty, with guests on the dance floor, sitting on the benches under the fairy lights, or talking to the on-site Alpaca.

Photography by Dreamlife Photos and Videos

Ms Gingham says: Thanks to Sarah for sharing her beautiful wedding with us. Thanks also to Kevin from Dreamlife Photos and Videos for sharing his lovely images. We wish Sarah every success with her business [Too Many Keys] Wedding Planner.

Sarah says: “The inspiration I got for such a beautiful wedding, made me want to help other couples who did not know where to start sourcing elements for their wedding, or needed a little assistance putting it all together. So I started a wedding planner business [Too Many Keys] Wedding Planner and Photobooth Styling Company (Chipped China). It’s allowed me carry on organising weddings, each one unique, but with the same outcome, sharing love and joy for one special day.”