Oscar and Gemma

Oscar and I met through work functions – back in the days when we were both interior designers. However, it wasn’t until we met through mutual friends that “things” started to get romantic – well what can you expect really – it was Mardi Gras!! It was only a short 3 months before I moved in with Oscar and then a year before Oscar proposed – I guess there’s no need to muck around when you know you’ve found the right one! We just had so much fun together and it was clear that wasn’t going to stop anytime soon.

We faffed around for ages with wedding plans, but when we saw Wandin Valley Winery in the Hunter – we knew we’d found the right place. Everyone was so accommodating and friendly – nothing was too much trouble. It was refreshing after talking with so many wedding venues – we had started feeling like one of those old time punch cards – clock in – clock out. Not allowed in before 5 – must be out by 1o…. Next bride in… out… It was nice to finally bond a little with a venue and really start to get excited about our wedding day.

Then….

We bought a shop… A florist… A very busy florist…. Lotus Botanica, right in the heart of Sydney’s financial district – LESS than TWO MONTHS BEFORE OUR WEDDING. And all our wedding plans went out the window.

Needless to say things were a little hectic.

Luckily I had been a bit organised before and booked our photographer, make-up artist, bought the dress and booked our celebrant. But as the wedding got closer I had everyone chasing me for final bits of info. It was mayhem!! And the hardest part – I just couldn’t decide on which flowers to have in my bouquet! I wanted them all! And then the ones that I did pick, weren’t available one the day… There one week – and then gone – vanished till next season! Sometimes that’s the way it goes… even for a florist on her wedding day!

Eventually it all came together and we had the most wonderful time. We booked accommodation at  Tonic in the Hunter Valley so that all the bridal party and family could be together and get ready together. It was so picturesque! And very close to the venue. I had all the bridesmaids up until 2:45am the night before setting up and prepping flowers, I had the groomsmen stamping names onto place cards, and my Dad hadn’t even started his speech.

We woke up on the day of the wedding and it was raining… Grey and overcast. And there went our beautiful outdoor ceremony. Garlands to drape over the tree – no longer required.

Still, there was lots to do and we spent the morning ferrying flowers to the reception, getting hair and make up done and eventually we were ready. Champagnes in hand!

Luckily Wandin Valley has a truly stunning barrel room with a candelabra that drops through the floor from the Cellar Door above. It was gorgeous! Mum and Dad walked me down the isle to “I say a little prayer” sung by Diana King (My Best Friend’s Wedding Soundtrack). It was surreal. I just wanted to remember every second!!

My friend Issy from Bella Weddings was our celebrant and she talked us through our vows – it was so special. We had given a lot of thought to what we wanted to say and in the end it was perfect! Except for the part where Oscar said “I do” before he was supposed to… And when I put his ring on the wrong finger. No wonder I had trouble getting it on!

Our guests mingled and made their way to the reception venue through all the grapevines on the estate, whilst we had our photos taken. Elisse Hassey from Lisse Photography did a truly stunning job. Our photos were beautiful. Apparently grey skies provide the best light for photography, so I guess there was a silver lining there. The only thing was that by the time we reached the venue, my Carla Zampatti dress was filthy from trailing through all the mud. Oh well – saved us having a trash the dress party!

The reception was FUN! The speeches – short, snappy, funny… and from my Dad, beautiful and meaningful. The sit down dinner was gorgeous – our food was delicious and the wine, plentiful.

We decided to create a cheese tower for our wedding cake and I loved it. We organised it through Formaggi Ocello in Sydney’s Surry Hills and had been to a cheese tasting to pick each layer out – so much fun and sooo tasty!

Our band “The Revel” run by the very talented Chloe West had our guests dancing till they couldn’t stand. They were awesome! And a huge part of our planning went into getting the right band. We couldn’t have everyone traipsing up to our Hunter Valley wedding without putting on a great party!

All in all, we had an amazing time and it will be a day that we will remember forever!

Images by Lisse Photography

Ms Gingham says: What a truly divine celebration. Love, laughter and amazing flowers!!!

About Gemma from Lotus Botanica: “Hi! I was an interior designer and am now a florist! I recently bought a florist shop in Sydney City and then was married two months later! It was a big year. We had a such an amazing day!”