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Planning a Wedding When Depression Has Pulled Up a Chair

09.07.26
Wedding Planning Wisdom Wisdom
Planning a Wedding When Depression Has Pulled Up a Chair
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BY
Benjamin Watkins of Watkins Therapy Group
The After Dark Issue

Weddings take on a special magic after sunset. Think city lights, candlelit tables, bold night photography, and unexpected moments.

This month, we celebrate all that’s moody, sparkling, and unforgettable.

The fun that only happens when the sun goes down.

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“Just to soak it up and enjoy the whole process. “Just to soak it up and enjoy the whole process.” – @timpurchase & stephaniegpurchase ⁠ ⁠ An outdoor reception in Victoria? It's always a gamble, but thankfully this one paid off beautifully!⁠ ⁠ Stephanie and Tim celebrated with jazz, champagne and long tables under the night sky.⁠ ⁠ See every beautiful moment now on Polka Dot Featured!⁠ ⁠ Photographer: @weddingsbyhayden / Venue: @lancemoreevents / Bride's Dress: @vagueatelier / Groom & Groomsmen Attire: @oscarhunttailors / Flowers: @coastandcrop / Band: @orlandocombo / Content Creator: @gracesedit_⁠ ⁠ ⁠[Image one description: A couple walk hand in hand along a garden path after their ceremony. The bride wears a strapless ivory gown with a fitted bodice, flowing skirt and long veil, carrying a bouquet of white and blush flowers. The groom wears a classic black tuxedo with a black bow tie. Their wedding party follows behind as towering manicured hedges frame the sunlit gardens.⁠ ⁠ Image two description: Two vintage kids' cars sit under a large manicured tree. The left is a deep blue, and the right is white with red wheels.⁠ ⁠ Image three description: The newlyweds share a quiet moment beneath the bride's veil, smiling at one another with their arms wrapped around each other.⁠ ⁠ Image four description: The couple stand at their alfresco reception, as the bride reads a speech from a piece of paper in front of her. The groom can't take his eyes off her while they stand under a foliage-covered canopy, taken from behind some guests who are out of focus.]⁠ ⁠ ⁠ #PolkaDotWedding #TheAfterDarkIssue #AustralianWeddings #RealWeddings #EveningWeddings
Join us as we braved a rainy winter night for @hil Join us as we braved a rainy winter night for @hiltonsydney’s Grand Atelier event. One ballroom, two completely different vibes: minimalist on one side, full maximalist drama on the other, plus a live wedding gown runway running straight through the middle. Hosted by Hilton Sydney and @melissadcruzfloral, with some of Sydney’s best wedding vendors set up throughout: @parfumsdemarly_paris, @couturemenswear, @harboursidedecorators and @chandeliers.todiefor among them. Worth the rain! [Video description: Short clips from the Grand Atelier event as “Baby c’est vous” by Sylvie Vartan plays in the background.] #PolkaDotWedding #TheGrandAtelier #HiltonSydney #WeddingShowcase #SydneyWeddings
Does an exclusive, tropical destination wedding - Does an exclusive, tropical destination wedding - or an ultra-luxe pre-wedding weekend - in the Whitsundays sound like your style? For the next while, Polka Dot Wedding is showing you inside and all around @YangaroResort; a collection of private villas uniquely-designed for life’s most important events with your absolute nearest and dearest. There are some truly magical moments coming up. We’re talking private chef feasts, delightful cruises, dining under the stars, and dreamy picnics created at this almost unbelievable wedding venue and accommodation in collaboration with @millsfranks. You can catch up in our “Yangaro” highlight or stay tuned to our Stories over coming days. Come with us to this celebration haven in paradise. One that doesn’t even require a passport. x Ms Fleur de Lys [Image description: A two-storey villa surrounded by bright green lawn at the forefront, a cluster of palm trees to each side and blue summer skies with soft white clouds above].
For many couples, wedding planning is happening al For many couples, wedding planning is happening alongside anxiety, depression or burnout, and that's something we don't talk about nearly enough.⁠ ⁠ As part of our After Dark Issue, therapist benjaminwatkinswtg of @watkinstherapygroup shares a thoughtful guide for anyone trying to plan a wedding while carrying more than just a to-do list.⁠ ⁠ Tap the link in our bio to read more.⁠ ⁠ [Image description: A dark blue tile with white text reading: "Mental health does not always follow the calendar. It does not pause because there is a wedding coming up." – Benjamin Watkins. Planning a Wedding When Depression Has Pulled Up a Chair."]⁠ ⁠ #PolkaDotWedding #TheAfterDarkIssue #AustralianWeddings #RealWeddings #EveningWeddings
The thing you need to know about us, is that we do The thing you need to know about us, is that we don't want the content we write to be disconnected from you. It's not an us and you kind of situation where you turn glossy pages, swipe past, and read about people so far removed from you. It's you. Your wedding, your work, your story.⁠ ⁠ Which means, when we plan our issues and our features, it's you we want to hear from. The couples who've tied the knot who are scrolling past, the vendors we know and love time and time again. Hi. Hello. How are you?⁠ ⁠ We're currently on the hunt for beautiful garden wedding inspo, real weddings, styled shoots, whatever you've got. Newlywed and got a garden wedding to share? Send it to us. Wedding vendor and know how to plan an epic garden wedding, or got a garden wedding you've worked on? Send us your work. DM us or email us at ⁠ gardenweddings@polkadotwedding.com. We have a lot we want to talk about with you!⁠ ⁠ Photo from Erin & Max’s Black Tie Alfresco Wedding at Hughes Park captured by @storystudioadl⁠ ⁠ #PolkaDotWedding #GardenWeddings
If you're a newlywed with a treasure trove of less If you're a newlywed with a treasure trove of lessons and experiences to share, we've got the perfect platform for you!⁠ ⁠ Polka Dot You was built for, well, you. It's the place where you, as a newlywed (or newly engaged, we accept all kinds of stories), get to share your narrative. It's not about the highly curated or edited story; it's not about us deciding how to share it. Nope, this one is all yours!⁠ ⁠ We publish everyone who submits to Polka Dot You (turning you down gives us the ick), and we've done a horrible job of getting the word out that this is your blog, your space, your place to share.⁠ ⁠ So here we are, just a team of love story-obsessed writers standing in front of newlyweds, asking them to share their stories. We can't wait to hear from you!⁠ ⁠ Photographer: @sarbostudio⁠ ⁠ [Image description: The couple share a kiss on a wooden jetty overlooking the water at dusk. The bride wears a strapless white ballgown with a full flowing skirt as she points a large smile at the camera, while the groom wears a classic black tux without his jacket, with an arm wrapped around his bride's waist as he presses a kiss to her cheek.]⁠ ⁠ ⁠ #PolkaDotWedding #FeelGoodWeddings #AustralianWeddings #AustralianWedding #WeddingStory #WeddingInspiration #RealWedding
Before your guests notice the flowers, they'll fee Before your guests notice the flowers, they'll feel the room. That warm, inviting glow, sense of intimacy and the atmosphere that makes everyone want to linger just a little longer. That's the magic of candlelight.⁠ ⁠ In our latest After Dark feature, Perth candle stylist Aimee Shadbolt from @lovedbylucyxo shares why candles are so much more than a styling detail. From creating depth and romance to making the most of your styling budget, she explains how thoughtful candle placement can completely transform the way your wedding feels.⁠ ⁠ Whether you're planning an intimate winery celebration or a grand ballroom reception, this guide is full of practical inspiration for creating an unforgettable atmosphere.⁠ ⁠ Tap the link in our bio to read more.⁠ ⁠ Photography: @normanyapphotography⁠ ⁠ [Image description: A luxurious wedding floral installation featuring cascading blush pink and deep burgundy flowers, complemented by glowing pillar candles in glass vases and rich burgundy draping. The installation is set beside a blush velvet chair beneath a timber-framed window.]⁠ ⁠ #PolkaDotWedding #TheAfterDarkIssue #AustralianWeddings #RealWeddings #EveningWeddings

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