Elinor & Ash

Sydney’s botanic gardens are fast becoming one of my favourite wedding spaces- today’s wedding is all about garden romance. The bride, in her beautiful, elegant wedding gown and groom met before the ceremony for a first look. A special first look because it was also the place where they had their first date! Can’t get much more special than that!

On how they met, Elinor recalls, “We have been dating since high school (yes, high school sweethearts). We took our time getting married though, we were both 28. ”

Welsch Photography captured beautifully elegant photographs today.

The Distillery created letterpress stationery for the day.

Elinor wore a Pronovias gown found at Fashions by Farina . She added a hairpiece from House of Snowball, Melbourne , jewels from Melissa Harris Jewellery Padddington and brown Yves Saint Laurent shoes.

Elinor and Ash met in the royal botanic gardens before the ceremony, also the place of their first date. Elinor remarks, “We are so glad we did this, it was perfect for us.”

Of their photographers, Elinor says, “Karl and Bec from Welsch Photography were fantastic. They helped so much in having the day run well. They were such a calming presence. We are so glad that we had them both there.”

“The day of the wedding was 32 degrees. We were dying in our outfits during the photos. One of my favourite photos from the day is one Karl took of us sitting on a park bench. You can tell that I am really feeling the heat and Ash is making sure I am okay. We spent our first date in the Gardens sitting on a bench talking and I hope will be doing that in good health when we are old.”

“Our trip together to the church after the first look is something we will never forget. We were both so excited to get married and we got to share that with each other.”

For her walk down the aisle, Elinor chose “the bridal waltz played on harp! We walked out to a harp version of ‘Whole New World’ from Aladdin – the one from when they are on the magic carpet (what can we say, we grew up in the ’90s!).  Elizabeth Lawrence learnt for us and played Yellow by Coldplay on the harp during the signing of the registry.”  The couple chose St Brigid’s, Millers Point for their wedding ceremony.

“My uncle was the celebrant and I think the photos show that he was pretty proud and happy.”

Lion Gate Lodge, Royal Botanic Gardens was chosen for the reception. Elinor explaining, “We were looking for a wedding close to the city with a garden area that would let us do our own decorating. Lion Gate Lodge in the Royal Botanic Gardens was perfect. We actually had our first date in the gardens which made it even more special. The Lodge is a venue only space, so we had to hire everything you see in the photos. This made for a lot of craziness in the lead up, but we wouldn’t change anything. We have to say a big thank you to Ash’s mum who helped a huge amount in the last minute preparations.”

“We both have a love of gardening and native plants, which Charlie incorporated into all of the flowers. Charlie, our florist (Red Fragrance Floral Design), is truly amazing. She has a unique talent for choosing interesting and amazing flowers. Even baby carrots featured in our table decorations!”

Aria Catering served the food and wine for the evening. “Aria Catering were amazing. The preparations were seamless, the food was fantastic and the service on the night was amazing.”

“We also collected all the dollies and lace you can see in the aisle decorations at the church and the bunting and table decorations at the reception. I made the bunting, which was lots of fun.”

“We collected vintage crystal cut vases and cream jars for a year before the wedding (some from vintage shops, some from markets). We tied the guest name place cards (printed on letterpress by The Distillery with a gumnut sketch that they designed for us) to the vases with bakers twine and Charlie (our florist) filled them. My mum hand wrote the guests’ names in her beautiful copperplate handwriting. The vases were our guests’ bonbonniere.”

Furniture hire was by Decorative Events, Elinor recalling, “Emma at Decorative Events was great. She came into the planning at the last minute when we had some difficulties with our previous hire company (they could deliver our stuff, but couldn’t set it up). She went above and beyond to make sure everything worked out at the last minute.”  Faye Cahill Cake Design created a garden inspired wedding cake.

For their first dance, Elinor remembers, “It was to ‘At Last’ by Etta James sung by Lily. Lily Dior and her band were fantastic. Our guests (young and young at heart) danced barefoot on the lawn in front of the sandstone lodge with the city lights in the background. She was fabulous!”

Congratulations on your marriage Elinor and Ash! Thank you for sharing your day with us! Thank you also to Welsch Photography for sharing today’s wedding with us!