Intimate & Relaxed Bohemian Wedding

If there is one thing we have learned after many years of reading about weddings, it’s that you should never let a little rain ruin your big day. Nina, today’s stunning Polka Dot You bride, puts it all into perspective beautifully – “Don’t stress over the little things – life happens, cancellations happen, the weather is out of our control, but the world still goes on and no matter what – when there is love anything is possible! Relax and enjoy the ride whichever way it may go.” Nina & Peter’s intimate & relaxed bohemian wedding, captured by Lindy Yewen, was rained out but that didn’t stop the pair from getting married & celebrating with their loved ones. Nina tells us how they met, and about their super small, stunning wedding day…

We both met at The Argyle in Sydney while out with friends. After about a year of dating, Pete proposed to me in the city we both loved and frequently visited together which was Melbourne. Pete told both of our families that he was going to propose, and I had no clue! He booked the flights, the beautiful hotel for us to stay in for the weekend and he proposed in the room as it was a cold evening and we decided to stay in that night!

The style I was going for was a bohemian/vintage-themed wedding with a very relaxed atmosphere. I love being outdoors in nature surrounded by the noise of the rain, the ocean and the sounds from the birds. I loved the rain on our wedding day – it was a good omen.

We were originally meant to be married at The Casuarina Gardens but due to severe weather warnings, we got married poolside at Noosa Lakes Resort in Tewantin. I’ll never forget getting my makeup done and not hearing my phone ring only to find out that the ceremony was going to be poolside and was already set up due to severe weather warnings! (Having booked the Casuarina twice now and twice it has been cancelled) I had to laugh and just go with it!

My father walking me down the aisle to “Canon in D” and my mother walking with my daughter before me will forever remain so special to me. Our ceremony was wonderful, and the experience was easy and a non-stressful event, even with the last-minute venue change. We felt excited and happy to finally get married and also be able to share this experience with our loved ones.

Peter also bought me the perfume I wore on the day from Sydney airport which was Jo Malone “Orange Blossom” – the scent that Princess Catherine wore on her wedding day to Prince William. Peter and I got engaged on the 29th of April 2013 exactly a year after they married so the perfume chosen was fitting but I also love floral scents and that was one of my favourites!

Having both of our children as our page boy and flower girl was always what I wanted, and I felt so lucky that they were both there and saw their parents marry, and as a family, we were able to share with them this experience. Their happy and excited faces said it all! Our hearts were melted!!

Peter chose a navy-blue suit with a white shirt and a blush pink tie. The blush pink tie matched our daughter’s beautiful tulle dress that she wore on the day.

My favourite photo was the one where Peter and I are signing the documents and, of course, a photo with Peter and my children in it too. Lindy Yewen was incredible from the start; she was always so hopeful and accommodating and we absolutely loved the photos!

The wedding consisted of our closest family members. Both of our parents attended and my two brothers (who were our witnesses) and of course our beautiful children Oliver and Sophia. My mum wrapped 5 colourful sugar-coated almonds in tulle (a Greek tradition) and Greek olive oil in a little bottle for the wedding favours – again something to symbolise my background.

The dress was chosen in 2019 prior to COVID, the experience was amazing as my mum, my children and I had travelled to a Bridal Warehouse in Greater Western Sydney to have a look at what was out there. My style is very natural and relaxed, so when I found the dress from Brides In Love, I knew it was what I wanted almost immediately. Three years later – post COVID – I still loved the dress more than ever with plans to sell it after the wedding, however, when my 6-year-old daughter Sophia kindly told me that she wanted me to keep it for her, I couldn’t help but get it dry cleaned and put in a preservation box for her to have. It is a timeless dress!

For my bouqet I chose a loose coastal textured round style in seasonal blooms with some native flowers and blue sea holly. My bouquet and my daughter’s bouquet had dusty pink, cream ivory a touch of burgundy and deep blue filler flowers, sage and green foliage bound in ivory ribbon. The colours I chose represented each of my family members and the colours that they wore, as an appreciation and to honour them. They had travelled from Sydney and were in attendance on the day and for all their patience, love and support throughout the years, not to mention a three-year wait (COVID cancellations) or more so a 10-year wait for us to get married.

The flowers were stunning and just beautiful beyond belief! Jo from Naturelle Floral Design was so amazing and listened and was able to provide the best bouquets, corsages/wrist corsages I’d ever seen. Deanna Phillips (hair and makeup) was amazing, friendly, and just easy to communicate with and the makeup was natural yet so beautiful too.