Lauren & Nick

During the month of July, we’re celebrating all kinds of suits and today? It’s the divine jumpsuits of Lauren’s beautiful bridesmaids. And this one? It’s a wedding that was all about chilled out style. In fact, the bride and groom were so relaxed they had no idea the decor design, or even the venue – the entire thing planned by Lauren’s mum and sister. “We didn’t find out the location until arriving on the day. We gave them a budget and brief of what we would like. Somewhere chilled with festoon lights and a relaxed atmosphere.”

A beer garden fit the bill, and the day was just like a lazy Sunday session. Drinks, food and merriment galore (and I am not sure you could ever wipe the smiles off the newlywed’s faces)! All captured in style by the duo behind Will & Co Photography.

After meeting when Nick attended boarding school with the bride’s brother and a sneaky kiss on New Year’s Eve, the groom waited ten years until he popped the magic question. Lauren reminiscing “We like to go driving checking outback roads. Nick packed our bags and we went for a drive one at night. We weaved our way from home to south end going along beaches. We arrived at Millicent, checked into a hotel and got changed for dinner. Nick advised me he had booked us into Maruya Station for dinner (amazing food) we had some time to kill so went to check out the beach down the road. I climbed the sand dune in heels!

We admired the sunset and then Nick grabbed my hand and said: “There is something I need to ask you” (Nick has done this many times before to me so I thought I was a joke) he got down on one knee as he asked the question. I thought he was joking and pushed him and went to walk away. He held my hand tightly while slowly falling down the sand dune, to which I knew he was being serious. Nick didn’t propose with a ring, however, when we got in the car he showed me the one he’d carved from wood. It was adorable. I wore that around for months. I now wear another he made from wood which is in the shape of a diamond.”

The bride chose a beaded gown from Jadore. “I couldn’t afford the dress I wanted. After trying on many dresses I just settled for a lovely dress. I did end up pulling it completely apart and relining it with a white fabric two weeks before the wedding. Crazy! Weddings make you crazy but are great fun! I wanted beads and I got lots of them. It was a formal dress which was purchased.”

The beer garden at Stanley Bridge Tavern set the scene for a gorgeous outdoor ceremony and reception. The venue met Lauren and Nick’s brief to the bride’s mum and sister of “somewhere chilled out with plenty of festoon lights”. Tells the bride “I really didn’t enjoy it at all, mostly thanks to a tight budget. It doesn’t help when you and your partner are both indecisive. What a challenge. Hence mother and sister organising most of it. The venue did an amazing job. The food was to die for.”

Lauren’s mum and sister styled the day. “My mum did the setting up” remembers Lauren, “however ran out of time and when she went to put things out the guests were arriving, she was running around like a mad hatter. Details were missed however it didn’t bother me as it still looked amazing.”

There was plenty of room for balloon holding flower girls and ring bearers to make their way down the aisle.

The bride walked down the aisle with her father, to a song, chosen in secret by the groom – Ed Sheeran’s “Perfect”.

In keeping with the vibe of the day, the ceremony, conducted by Married By Lucy Short was “Short, sharp and shiny. We both to the point type people, more about friends and food. Our vows were Dr Seuss vows along with a dear friend reading a poem from my favourite childhood book ‘Winnie the Pooh’”

“My advice for brides is to go with your gut, your first choice is normally the one you end up going back to” tells Lauren. “However I would go back knowing what I do now and would have a ball organising it.”

The bride and her sister styled the bouquets themselves with flowers from Kidman Flower Co. “My sister and I did the flowers, they were very basic” remembers Lauren. “The groom loves king proteas so our bouquets consisted of them along with stringy gum.”

One of those decisions that these two found easy to make? Their photographer! Lauren shares “Our photographer was great. Dana was really easy to liaise with. She had great ideas but also listened to what we wanted as well. Even to the point of putting Beyoncé music on for us to dance to on top of a hill. We had some great fun with Dana and Doug. They truly are talented.”

 

And just like a normal beer garden, there was drinks, food and fun as the reception began. “We loved having everyone with their best clothes on just for your special day. It really means the world to have your nearest and dearest around” remarks Lauren.

The first dance? Impromptu and hilarious! “We didn’t plan on having a first dance however the maid of honour (Kylie) had written a song to which she made us get up and dance” remembers Lauren. “Not the easiest when she had changed the lyrics to events which had happened in our lives. Twerking on your new husband is probably not the best start to married life, but it was fun.”

A big congratulations Lauren and Nick! What a joy it was to share your beautiful day! Thank you to you both and thank you to Will & Co Photography for today’s beautiful images.