Patrick and Carmen

Patrick and I met over 7 years ago at a friend’s New Year’s Eve party. After only 6 months of being together I needed to let Patrick know I was moving to Europe to work. After many tears together we vowed that we would remain together whilst I was overseas. Patrick phoned every day and after four weeks and at 19 years of age, I was determined that I had found “the one” and had to return home to Patrick. I would have thought Patrick would have realised back then that I was bound to move around a lot. Over the coming years we lived in 3 cities, sometimes with each other and most recently, lived interstate from each other for 18 months. They say distance makes the heart grow stronger and we certainly believe this to be true because here we are now … happily married, and living in the same city.

Our wedding was all about what we wanted right from the beginning. We are both morning people and our favourite meal of the day is breakfast. So we chose a breakfast wedding with our ceremony at 7:30am. A breakfast wedding sounded like such a great idea until about 2 days before the big day, when reality set in … 3:30am hair and makeup, photographer arriving at Patrick’s home at 4am to get his photos and our florist having to be at work at 2am to ribbon our flowers. We owe a lot of people favours for all being awake so early. The day was perfect, the guests loved it and we wouldn’t change a thing!

With our relaxed “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” theme decided it was time to get started. Living away from Brisbane when organising the wedding meant we needed to do most of the organising online. I have absolutely fallen in love with Etsy.com. We used Etsy.com for our invitations, cootie catchers, cross words and guest tree. The one thing I would not find online was a photographer. This was going to be our biggest investment on the day and needed to meet photographers face to face. When I met Marija and Greg from Sullavan Photography, I knew that instant, they were the ones! They are so passionate about their photography and make each wedding unique and this is exactly what I needed to have confidence in my photographer.

Mum spent days working on my wedding dress. She sewed countless bits of lace and beads on not one, but two dresses for me. Having mum work on my dress so much meant so much to her and I. My final decision in my dress was so far from what I originally thought I would wear. From day one I was sure my dress would be simple and sleek. My Pronovias inspired gown could not be further from this. But I loved it and it was perfect!

Patrick and I have a very strong sense of family and close friendships so we had only 40 of our family and friends join us on the day. We also were married at the church my parents were married at which was so special to Patrick and I. Dad drove me to the church. The priest from our local parish, who held my hand right through primary school, married Patrick and I. Patrick even had his sister as his “best-lady”.

Our florist, Joanne, from Brilliant Blooms is a family friend. She did an amazing job at all of the flowers. From my first meeting with Joanne I knew she would put together outstanding flowers. The flowers were so fresh and exactly what I had envisaged.

Our wedding bands were from Gillett’s jewellers who Patrick has used for many years. Patrick knew my engagement ring needed to be perfect. So, he proposed with the diamond, mounted on a pendant, so I could wear the diamond on a necklace until I had found the exact design I wanted. Bruce Robinson Jewellers made my engagement ring. With the wedding ceremony over, Patrick and I headed to Roma Street Parklands for our photos while our guests headed to our reception venue, Clovely Estate Winery, for some light breakfast refreshments and champagne. The team at Clovely were outstanding. The food was fantastic and service impeccable. The look and feel of the venue was exactly as we dreamed.

Dad’s speech was priceless. When we arrived at the reception, there were all of these small plastic animal figurines on the table. No one had any idea what they were all about! During our engagement, Dad kept telling Patrick that he needed to give Dad a dowry of 2 cows and 4 camels. Of course, Patrick did not do this. Only a few days before the wedding, he realised, he in fact, as father of the bride, needed to give Patrick 2 cows and 4 camels! So, during Dad’s speech, he presented Patrick his 2 cows and 4 camels (toys of course!).

Our cake was supplied by Jocelyn’s Provisions. It was a delicious Chocolate and Sour Cream cake with White Chocolate icing. Patrick and I also love Macarons, so after many tastings of Macarons, Belle Epoque were the ones we chose to provide these. The guests loved the Macarons!

To Patrick and I, our wedding was perfect and exactly what we wanted. Many of our guests have commented on how memorable and special the day was.

Photography by Sullavan Photography

Ms Gingham says: I love the idea of a breakfast wedding! These photos have the brightness and vibrancy only that time of the day can offer. Thanks go to Carmen for sharing her day with us.

Carmen says: “We have been together for over 7 years and spent the past 2 years living in different cities. It was such a special day for us both”