Modern Spring Wedding - Polka Dot Bride

Rachel & Dane

There is a bright bubbly feel to Rachel and Dane’s modern Spring wedding. The beautiful country setting, the beautifully coloured blooms and the food that was the focus of the day. It all wove together seamlessly to tell the story of their wedding day. Rachel and Dane chose Hello Sweetheart to capture their day.

Rachel kicks us off with the story of how she and Dane met. “I first met Dane when we were both 16 and 17. Young and going to two different schools, I was introduced to Dane officially and his circle of friends one time at a backyard party. Always seeing each other at events, it wasn’t until I was 19 that we became best of friends. I then went over to New Zealand for a holiday one summer and we couldn’t stop talking everyday. When I returned Dane took me out on a couple of dates and then we began to start dating. 6 months into the relationship, I moved in and we decided to save for our first home. I was 20 and Dane was 21 when we brought and build our first home. It was there that Dane proposed in our new backyard. It was a message in a bottle that read ‘ Will you be my girl, forever’!”

Rachel chose a sequin gown from designer Karen Willis Holmes, telling, “I wore a Karen Willis Holmes dress called Carina. I remember being on a plane with my sister looking at dresses before the we had to turn my phone on to aeroplane mode and randomly we stumbled across the Carina gown from the KWH collection. It was everything I wanted. Long sleeved, sequined and fitted. Both my sister and myself said it was perfect and I knew deep down I didn’t have to look anymore because this was the one! I remember landing, saving the page and going through all the details once we arrived home. I knew I had to book an appointment as soon as possible. The following week, I called and asked if I could schedule an appointment to try on the Carina gown. I wanted a size 4 and was praying they still had my size in stock. She mentioned they have stopped making the gown and it’s only what is available. Unfortunately they didn’t have a size 4, but had 1 size 6 left in the NSW. I remember thinking, if this isn’t fate, I don’t know what is.

I asked if I could arrange a fitting and the lady at the Paddington store mentioned that it’s about a 1-2 month waiting list for appointments. My jaw dropped. I was devastated and thought I don’t have a plan B. This was the only dress I wanted to try on. So, I put my name on the waiting list and hung up the phone. It was about 3 days later that a lady called and mentioned that there has been a cancellation and they can fit me in this coming Saturday. I was so excited! I asked my older sister, my mother and mother in-law to join me and we arrived at the Paddington store first thing that morning. I was one of the first appointments and straight away tried on the gown. It was perfect. Though, it was big in some areas, it was everything I wanted. I was brought to tears and knew this was the dress I wanted to get married in. To ensure what I was feeling was right, I tried on a couple more dresses from her collection to triple check it was the one, and it was. I had to have a couple of fittings for all the alterations but a month before the wedding I had my last fitting with my mum and was brought to tears. It was just so perfect and completely me.”

“Leading up to the big day, it was raining non stop and I really didn’t know what to do. We did have a plan B, however it wasn’t going to be as perfect as if it was outside. As any crazy bride is, I was praying all that I could to ensure it didn’t rain that day. Thank goodness, I woke up and it was overcast, but perfect for a wedding.”

Sheldonbrook, Menangle hosted the reception, the bride explaining, “We got married at Sheldonbrook in Menangle. I remember organising a visit for Dane and myself to view the property with Karen and Lee (owners). It was organised for a sunrise viewing (totally worth it) as they were extremely busy with back-to-back appointments with future brides. Dane and myself left in awe of this property. It had everything we wanted. The simplicity of the rolling hills that sounded the property and the multiple locations within the property for photos.”

The wedding processional began with someone very special, Rachel remembering, “Dane and I wanted to ensure our beloved French Bulldog, Benny could be apart of our wedding. Karen and Lee were so accommodating and something I will be forever grateful for. We made sure he matched Dane so my girlfriend made him a navy bowtie to wear and my sister-in-law walked him down the aisle. This was such an incredible moment and something I will treasure forever. My sister also lives in London so her flying back for the wedding was extremely special.”

“I walked down the aisle to 500 miles, the acoustic version by Sleeping at Last.”

Roses Lace Confetti officiated the ceremony, the bride noting, “I wanted our ceremony to be simple, not too long and encompass the love of our relationship. Both my parents walked me down the aisle and it was amazing. I still remember looking at each other and reading our vows that we had personally written for each other.”

Clementine Posy styled the floral arrangements for the day, the bride remembering, “Ashleigh is one of my sister’s best friends, so I knew as soon as I got engaged that Ash would be doing my flowers. I was also very blessed to have her do our flowers for our engagement party, and a flower crown class at my kitchen tea. I knew I just wanted a big bouquet with really vibrant colours and that is all I said to Ash. I knew what ever she created was going to be perfect, so I just left her with those notes and that I’d like my bridesmaids and flower girls to be flower bombed. And that she did.

Ash went above any beyond and created the most amazing flowers, whether it be the breathtaking bouquet or the love heart arch that we go married under. Everything was simply amazing and something everyone still talks about to this day. She has an amazing talent and we are so blessed to have apart of our special day.”

Of their photographer, Rachel says, “I don’t think I can put into words how amazing Tim and his crew are, however I will try. If you are looking for the most professional, amazing, vibrant and passionate photographer, Hello Sweetheart is where you need to go. You will be treated like a superstar from the beginning and the photos/video will blow you away and far beat any of your expectations. Hello Sweetheart did both our photography and videography and we couldn’t be more happier with the detail that was captured. Every single bit of detail from the day was photographed perfectly.

I even said “I cant believe he caught that moment” a couple of times when reviewing the photos as I didn’t even remember him being there at that time, but he was. Tim ensured all aspects of our special day was captured and that’s why we couldn’t recommend Hello Sweetheart enough.”

The Italian Food Project hosted the reception, Rachel remembering, “The reception was then held at The Italian Food Project in Camden. A local town twenty minutes from Menangle. We wanted an outdoor reception, with lots of food and good company. Alison and her husband own The Italian Food Project and have made such an amazing atmosphere. Everyone left raving about the food and it’s still something we talk about today.”

Doughheads were a bit hit at the reception, trays of different flavors surrounding a decadent cake by Cupcakes Charisma.

“I wanted to do a lot of DIY for the wedding. My mother loves making cards, so I knew she would be able to help me with all of the save the dates and formal invitations. Also Dane being a plumber, I wanted to incorporate some of that aspect into the table. So he cut up copper pipe in 5 cm sections and then used a grinder to grind a slit into the middle so that the name cards could sit in. My sister also wrote out all of the signs on the day. I think there was 7 in total.”