Hollie & Aaron

Unique wedding locations give us goosebumps! Today’s intimate wedding took place at Fremantle Prison in Perth and is overflowing with beautiful, personal and DIY details. What’s more is that the bride and groom’s families came together to help them create the perfect setting, making their day even more special. Capturing all the gorgeous moments on the day was photographer Emma MacAuley.

But let’s rewind and get to know how our couple, Hollie and Aaron, became a bride and groom. The pair met through mutual friends in 2009 and saw each other out on the weekend and at events every now and then. It wasn’t until 2014 that they went on a date. After that, they were inseparable.

When it came time to propose, Aaron and Hollie were sitting on the lounge and Aaron suggested to Hollie that they go out for dinner that night. “He insisted on going to this restaurant down at Hillarys Boat Harbour,” says Hollie.  “He then followed up by saying he had got me something. It all clicked and I asked if it was a ring. He just gave me a grin and said he had it hidden in his car. He got the ring from his car and then showed me and I tried it on. We just looked at each other and I started crying. He said ‘so does this mean we are engaged?’ Of course I said yes. We later went out to dinner and he got down on one knee and did it all like he had planned. I guess he just couldn’t wait any longer!”

For her dress, the bride knew she wanted something strapless with a long train and lace details, but also something a bit different. “I went shopping for a dress with my mum and mother-in-law but nothing really ever stood out,” says Hollie. “I ended up looking online and finding something I couldn’t compare anything to. The dress turned up just it time and was better than expected. I also ordered my veil that had little stars on it, as stars made a few appearances in the ceremony from the exit song to the confetti.”

As a sentimental touch, Hollie had her nana’s ring pinned to the inside of her dress, just over heart, as she wished she could have been there to celebrate with her.

Hollie’s stunning blooms were arranged by Signature Floral Design. “I had came across Signature Floral Design on Facebook,” says Hollie. “All her arrangements and installations were amazing. I loved how they were all so unique and as if you walked through a garden and picked out a bunch of flowers. This turned into the theme of my bouquet. A cottage garden with greenery and ribbon.”

So why did Hollie and Aaron choose a prison as their wedding venue? “We loved Fremantle and how it was so unique with lots of history,” says Hollie. When they came across Fremantle Prison and the options they had for hire, the couple knew it was their venue. “We fell in love with the east workshop and it’s limestone walls with amazing industrial features and the fact it was a blank canvas. Also it was so out there and unique just like us.”

History and remembrance was also important in their ceremony, with the couple making sure they had two seats on each side of the aisle with photos of people they’d lost throughout their lives.

Hollie’s dad walked her down the aisle to a cover of Elvis’ ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love With You’, sung by Hayley Reinhart.

The couple wanted a relaxed ceremony and wrote their own vows. “It was really intimate with just under 50 people,” says Hollie. “It all went so quickly but the thing that stands out is Aaron didn’t take his eyes off mine the whole ceremony. I could see that he was so happy and in love.”

Another personal touch was the signing table, which used to belong to Hollie’s great grandparents. It was the dining table from their home, and Hollie used to sit at this very table when she would spend the night there.

Aaron’s classic black tuxedo and black bow tie were from Connor. The couple agreed on this look as it was something that would never go out of fashion.

Behind the camera on the day was Emma MacAuley. I came across Emma on Facebook,” says Hollie. “Her photos were so beautiful and in the moment. Nothing staged, as if she was just in the back letting life play out while snapping away. And that is exact how we wanted our photos. I booked her as soon as she replied to me.”

The bridal party consisted of Emma’s best friend who she’s known for 20 years. Hollie  had always known that when it came time to get married that Emma would be her maid of honour. Aaron’s best man was his step-nephew who he had grown up with.

Hollie admits to DIY’ing pretty much everything she could for her wedding! “I love making things and I did my own macrame arch. My dad built the frame for it, plus the chalk board and mesh seating chart. I hand painted our names onto a welcome sign and the wishing well.”

The couple’s favourite detail of the day was decorative set up of the venue. Their families helped them to make their vision come to life, which they say made it extremely special. Hollie is especially appreciative of her dad, “He was such a big help and I got to spend lots of time with him [while planning the wedding], sitting down and making lists, and we even went and cut down pampas plants down by the river.”

The bride and groom’s advice for planning a wedding is very fitting. “Don’t be afraid to ask for help from your family or friends,” Hollie says. “It can get to be a lot, and stressful, but they will help you and may have ideas on things you might be stuck on.”

They also recommend thinking outside the box when putting your day together. “You don’t have to go by the rules. It’s your day, make it your own.”

Congratulations on creating the wedding day of your dreams, Hollie and Aaron, and thank you for sharing your story with us. What an incredible setting and your DIY details were so thoughtful and beautiful. Thank you also to Emma MacAuley Photography for today’s stunning images!