Samantha Dunne is a phenomenal maker, baker, lover of all things colourful and confetti! Her gorgeously pretty blog, Dunne with Style, invites you to hang around, pour a cup of coffee, try a DIY and leave a little more inspired to start living your dreams!
Rather than a cup of coffee (next time perhaps), today I’m excited to have a glass of bubbles with Sam and discover a little more about the inspiration behind her wedding day!
Tell us about you and your business/blog?
My creative lifestyle blog, Dunne with Style, (aka your online creative haven!) aims to inspire and empower creative souls.
Tell us about your wedding?
My husband and I were married in December 2009. Our ceremony was in the cloisters at Toorak College where I went to school and the reception was in the gardens of The Briars – a historic Mornington Peninsula homestead set on 230 hectares. I knew from the very beginning that the confines of a church and traditional reception centre were not for me, and I had my heart set on a garden ceremony followed by a cocktail party in a marquee where I could have ultimate creative control over all of the elements. I wanted a wedding that was enjoyable for not just my husband and me, but a wedding that every guest loved being at – no long drawn out ceremony, no awkward seating arrangements, no sitting and waiting for a meal to be served or cleared – just hours of endless enjoyment and dancing – so much dancing!
What was your most memorable moment (or moments!)?
There are so many! My wedding day was by far the most enjoyable day of my life and I loved every single minute. What I’ll never forget though, by the time I came to the last few items on my ‘to organise’ list, I had well and truly spent most of my budget, so there were a few things that I decided to go with my second option on to save a few dollars. I decided we didn’t need a fancy wedding car and that I would have my Uncle pick me up and drive us to the ceremony. At the ceremony, I originally wanted a white carpet but at three times the price of the red carpet I added red to the list!
On the wedding day I heard a car arrive at my Mum and Dad’s house (where I was getting ready) and heard my Dad out the front talking to someone (who I assumed was my Uncle coming to pick us up) but I didn’t recognise the voice. I walked out the front and there were two vintage Jaguar’s waiting to collect us which my Dad had organised!
After a few tears we left and I was calm and composed (I was determined not to be a bubbling mess of tears at my wedding!). We arrived and walked up to the courtyard where the ceremony was and the tears started pouring as all I could see was a white carpet running down the aisle. My Mum and Dad had gone back to the hire company after I’d finalised everything and changed all the elements back to those that I initially had my heart set on.
I’ll also never forget ‘the spider’ incident. Our photographer had showed us images of a location that he wanted to take us for photos after the ceremony. It was a pine forest on the cliff of Shoreham Beach – he may have forgotten to mention that it was a small hike through a forest to get there! With everyone in the bridal party pitching in and holding up their section of tulle we finally got there and back, we piled back into the wedding cars and as we began to drive off, I saw a spider about three layers of tulle deep in my dress!!! There was a flurry of tulle flying everywhere as we tried to get it out; after the initial fright I don’t think I’ve ever laughed so hard!
If you could change one thing, what would it be?
I’d do it again and again and again (with the same man of course!!)
Who were your favourite vendors?
Fig Florist for the beautiful blooms and Wise Choice Fine Foods for the delicious food!
Who was your photographer?
James Harvie Photography
What advice do you have for others planning their wedding?
Be organised and if you’re not the organised type – hire someone to be organised for you! Map out every minute of your wedding from your perspective and from a guests perspective too – so often you get caught up in what you and your bridal party will be doing, you neglect the two hours that your guests will be ‘waiting’ for you to have your photos taken. Everyone should know what to expect (or else, let them be super surprised by the awesome entertainment and refreshments you have for them whilst you’re off making memories!)
Where possible, have a hangover breakfast the next morning! We invited all of our guests back the following day for breakfast at my parents’ house and that was almost as enjoyable as the wedding day itself – to be able to see everyone again and reminisce with those people about the entire day was such a special experience.
Images by James Harvie Photography
Thank you Sam for sharing your beautiful wedding day photographs and stories with us: I love the idea of a breakfast the day after to continue the celebrations! If you’re looking for a creative escape, visit Sam at Dunne with Style – it really is an inspired online haven for busy souls!
Join the conversation