Elise and Denan

When photographer Christine Lim sent through this quirky backyard wedding it made me pine for a garden as beautiful of my own. I would possibly rent it out (for free!) for weddings just so I could have the magic every single weekend. A girl can dream and instead feel lucky that Elise and Denan chose to share their beautiful wedding day with us so I can live vicariously!

Elise tells the story of how she and Denan came to be. “We met through mutual friends at the end of high school. It was a rather amusing scenario that very few people know so we think is better left untold.”

Romance Roses (08) 9497 9994 styled the floral arrangements for the day, a brooch was added to Elise’s bouquet.

Elise’s bridesmaids wore navy dresses with yellow belts from Review and Cue.

Elise wore a wedding gown by Sarah Jane Rukregal.

Much of the decor was done by the couple and their friends, Elise telling, “Denan made the jar lights you see in the photos and we made the light shades from IKEA cups and plates. We held a crafternoon so our friends could help with creating all the crafty things you see. Pretty much anything you can DIY we DIYed. We made all of our own decorations including bunting, flower arrangements, pom poms and 1001 paper cranes.”

For her walk down the aisle (or garden path!) Elise chose Neutral Milk Hotel – ‘In the Airplane Over the Sea’.

Elise and Denan were married in Elise’s grandmother’s backyard. “My grandmother’s backyard is really special place as my (Elise’s) parents got married there 26 years earlier almost precisely in the same spot. Family is really important to both of us and I have so many happy memories from spending time there, it was our one non-negotiable for the day.”

The couple paid homage to their own backgrounds during the day, Elise remembering, ” We feel like every aspect of our wedding had a special detail and we certainly tried to make the day as personal as we could. Denan was born in Bosnia so during the ceremony his mum recited a poem in Bosnian that Elise’s mother translated to English.

Of her favourite stories of the day, Elise remarks, “My favourites are the ones I had forgotten until I spoke to friends about our wedding afterwards or remembered after seeing the photos, such as the high-5 we did when our celebrant told us we were now officially married.”

Do I spy Gorman wedge polka dot heels? The bride wore yellow shoes she found online at Nordstrom.

“We made the bonbonniere (strawberry and chilli jam) and signs.”

Paper lanterns and cranes were strung between the trees, handmade by the couple. Of the cranes, Elise says, “The 1001 cranes we decided to do after a recent trip to Japan…who can’t do with a little more luck and peace in their lives.”

Guests enjoyed afternoon tea and cocktails as the sun set. Elise tells, “We served homemade cocktails with our favourite spirits Gin and Whisky that added an initial touch of class…however our guests reported much regret the next day!”

Of their photographer, Elise remembers, “Christine was amazing!! All we knew is that we didn’t want lots of posed shots and she did the most fantastic job of catching all the moments that make a wedding special. Many of our guests didn’t even realise they had so many photos taken until they saw them afterwards.”

The speeches were a hit, Elsie remembering, “However, probably my favourite moments were the speeches. Our friends and family did the most remarkable job and made us feel so loved (and embarrassed in Denan’s case) to the point were everyone could not stop laughing and smiling, as the photos show!”

For their first dance, Elise remembers, “It was very awkward and funny, neither of us are very attention seeking and aren’t used to so many people staring at us. We chose Fake Empire ( The National) as it is one of the few songs we both adore and is also partially in ¾ time.”

Congratulations Elise and Denan! Thank you for sharing your wedding day with us! Thank you also to Christine Lim for sharing today’s celebration!