Melissa & Billy

Sometimes celebrating a wedding can oddly feel like the hardest thing of all. For Melissa and Billy, their day was not only important for the next stage of their life but also to honour the two very special people in their lives (the bride’s grandmother and groom’s father) who passed shortly before the big day. The losses leading to a day that focused less on detail and more on treasuring family, on honouring them and holding them dearly and through serendipity, it all worked out beautifully. “The ‘divine intervention’ of all the components aligning was my favourite part. The flow of the day and the weather that complimented all of the components was the highlight” shares Melissa. With Tahnee Jade Photography, behind the camera, the bright blue skies of Williamstown as their backdrop and a little silver sparkle to add a little magic, it’s our honour to share such a beautiful day.

Melissa fell in love with the vintage gowns from UK designer Vicky Rowe Designs. She remembers “Keeping with the atmosphere of my expectation for the wedding I wanted something striking but effortlessly chic. The process was surprisingly easy. I searched the internet for vintage style dresses, and it wasn’t very long before I came across Vicky Rowe designs. I instantly fell in love with a dress from Vicky’s Art Deco Collection, the Evelyn dress. My only obstacle was Vicky Rowe is a UK (Wales) based designer. Presuming this would be a significant obstacle, it was actually a very easy process. Multiple emails later, I received my dress via the mail. It couldn’t have been more perfect. Minor adjustments and I had my dress ready for our special day.

The detailed exquisite floral applique embellishment on the neck, sleeve & waistband, and numerous crystal beading, with shimmering lines running vertically on the bodice and skirt, certainly shimmered and radiated in the afternoon sun of our wedding day.”

The couple dressed at their home, with a “first look” allowing them to travel to their ceremony together.

“I love the photo of Billy and I having a moment, looking at each other, laughing during our photo’s, truly capture how we felt on the day. Naturally relaxed, laughing and allowing the day to unfold” says Melissa.

Of their photographer, the bride shares “We choose Tahnee Jade Photography to capture the main components of the day. Tahnee’s style of photography resonated with me as we wanted natural and candid images captured from the day in her photojournalism style. Tahnee was amazing to work with and fitted perfectly into our seamless day.”

Blush Floral Design created a last minute bouquet for the day, Melissa remembers “Keeping to simplicity I was not going to have flowers, but I had an amazing mum at my daughter’s school, that arranged the flowers for the day. I wanted a vintage style bouquet, that complimented my dress.”

The bride added a special nod to family on her bouquet, telling “My mum had given me three maternal generations of rings to carry on my bouquet. My mother and grandmother’s wedding rings, and my great grandmother’s engagement ring. This was very sentimental to myself and my family, with the recent loss of my grandmother.”

Williamstown’s beautiful Pier Farm set the scene for a wedding by the water. Melissa shares “We chose to have our wedding by the water and marina at Pier Farm (old Anchorage Restaurant) in Williamstown. The venue was chosen for its location, view and atmosphere. Billy’s whole life has been around boats and the water and seemed fitting for the day.
In addition, we wanted my arrival at the wedding to be special and unique, as I arrived with my parents and children by boat.”

 

Melissa made her grand entrance by boat, her father escorting her down the aisle after her children, best friend and mother.

Melissa and Billy chose Sarah Aird to perform their ceremony, remarking “We found a marriage celebrant that could deliver a ceremony that was casual and short and was inclusive of our own marriage vows. As significant as marriage vows are, we wanted to focus our day and time, with the significant people that were in attendance.”

 

Guests celebrated with a cocktail reception under the blue skies, the vibe exactly what they wanted for their day, Melissa explaining “We wanted a simple “low key” wedding. Keeping with simplicity, we didn’t want to focus or stress on the little details and just allow the location and gathering of our nearest and dearest, to organically dictate the day. The initial idea to get married after such a long courtship was solidified when we focused on family. The idea of bringing all our families together for a joyous day after a period of recent loss leading up to the wedding (Billy’s dad and my grandmother).
The extra special component of the day was to have our beautiful children (Willow, seven  & Turner, three )involved and present on the day. The opportunity to complete the circle of our love but also of our little family.”

Melissa and Billy made sure to honour Billy’s father on the day – even choosing the live band of Orlando Combo because of him. The bride explains “Due to the recent loss of Billy’s dad, we wanted to fill the void of his inability to be present, so we created an atmosphere with the music he loved. We filled the day with jazz and the 1930’s era music, provided by Orlando Combo.”

Melissa & Billy, we’re so thrilled you shared your day with us! Thank you to both you and Tahnee Jade Photography for sharing all of the beautiful photographs.