Karen & Craig

A long lunch at one of Melbourne’s restaurants was the perfect way for Karen and Craig to celebrate their wedding- which they planned in six weeks! The relaxed, causal style of the event suited Karen & Craig to a tee!

Karen explains how they met. “Craig and I met in 2003, when Karen had just moved to Edinburgh and started a job with the city of Edinburgh council where Craig worked. We became close friends and maintained their friendship over the following years, even once I had moved back to Australia and our lives had taken different directions. When visiting Craig back in Scotland in 2009, we both knew.  After a couple of trips between Australia and Scotland and maintaining a long distance relationship with daily Skype calls and expensive phone bills, Craig moved here permanently in July 2011. Everything from that point on was easy, including the decision to get married. After waiting such a long time and navigating a number of challenges to be together, we decided they didn’t want to have to wait any longer and arranged everything in 6 weeks!”

Photography today (and making his Polka Dot Bride debut!) is by John Deer. John has a unique and raw sense to his captures, very candid and serene!

Karen and Craig had an informal bridal party, who all wore kilts hired from House Of Scotland. Karen says, “We decided we didn’t want a bridal party as such but we asked my brother Dave and cousin Danny to be our witnesses. The boys were also keen to wear kilts, so that actually became a bridal party of sorts.”

Karen’s hair, makeup and flowers were all put together by wonderful friends – Megan Champion & Flowers of Canterbury.

Walked down the aisle by her parents, Karen chose an elegant Lisa Ho gown. The couple wed in Carlton Gardens.

Gina Andrews performed the ceremony.

Karen and Craig held their lunchtime reception at popular Melbourne restaurant Cutler & Co. Karen explains “We chose Cutler & Co for its sensational food but also as it’s not a traditional wedding venue and had a relaxed atmosphere.”

Cutler & Co also provided the wedding cake. Karen remembers ” Cutler & Co made us an amazing chocolate cherry mouse cake with violet crumble ice cream , covered in white chocolate”. The centrepieces were put together by Karen and a girlfriend.

Karen notes “Although Craig’s family and friends couldn’t make it out for the wedding, they were all so supportive and had a simultaneous party in Edinburgh. We are going back to Scotland this year for a part two celebration with Craig’s family and friends.”

Karen describes the wedding as a mix of “Close family, best friends, fantastic locations, amazing food and wine and of course, cake.”

Of their photographer, Karen says “John Deer is a good friend of ours and we wanted to involve people that are important to us as much as possible. It was a bonus that he is an amazing photographer! He captured all of the moments, as well as the atmosphere, emotion and excitement of the day.”

After photographs, guests adjourned to The Union Club Hotel for an after party. Karen explains, “The Union Club is one our favourite pubs, so that was an easy choice for the after party!”

Congratulations Karen & Craig! Thank you for sharing your wedding day with us! Thank you also to John Deer for sharing today’s photographs!