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Tuesday, June 28, 2011

DIY Garden wedding by Quinn OConnell Photography...

First up for this week's real weddings is a gorgeous DIY garden affair from Quinn O'Connell Photography. It's got quite the quinessential New Zealand feel to it with those gorgeous beach vistas. I love the assortment of bridesmaids dresses... and the colours. And also the fishing references... I know sometimes as giddy brides we get carried away with incorporating all the pretty we can, but sometimes it's good to take a back seat and let the groom have some input as well... at least one or two ideas of his own right :-) There was DIY abound in this wedding and if you read on you'll find out more about some of those projects from the lovely bride Kirsten herself...

Shae and I met during our fourth year at university when we were next door neighbours. Fast forward five years and Shae was down on one knee on a beach in Santorini! When we returned home we set about hunting for the perfect venue. Nothing came close to the idea of a relaxed garden wedding at home…much to Mum and Dad’s horror we only had 12 months to recreate the garden.
Our inspiration for the day was to truly capture who we are as a couple. We knew from the beginning that we wanted our day to be full of personal touches.  I’ve always been interested in art and design so was in my element with the DIY detail and planning. The country garden setting worked well with the rustic vintage mismatched look I loved. I was inspired by lace, vintage details and soft colour tones. Throughout the planning I was also conscious of including Shae and his personality. His passion is fishing and he suggested we name our tables after fish. I had no idea how I was going to tie fishing into my soft, vintage theme but the end result worked magically! 

When it came to picking a wedding dress I knew what I didn’t want but had no idea what I wanted. It was one aspect of the wedding I lost sleep over. I fell in love an expensive pair of heels long before I had any idea of what I’d wear, regardless of the price I just had to have them as the wedding dress hunt has left me so disheartened. I eventually shaped a design that I think reflected me and my style. It was made 2 weeks before the big day, I adored the finished product and would love any excuse to wear it again!

 
 
 
 

When it came to picking a wedding dress I knew what I didn’t want but had no idea what I wanted. It was one aspect of the wedding I lost sleep over. I feel in love an expensive pair of heels long before I had any idea of what I’d wear, regardless of the price I just had to have them as the wedding dress hunt has left me so disheartened. I eventually shaped a design that I think reflected me and my style. It was made 2 weeks before the big day, I adored the finished product and would love any excuse to wear it again!
I knew early on I didn’t want the girls in matching dresses. The mismatched idea came about for a number of reasons, mainly because I hated the idea of the ‘ball dress’ unflattering bold looks, but also because of my indecisiveness to pick just one style. All the girls are so different and I wanted something that reflected each of their styles and personalities. I also knew I didn’t want bold colours but soft, pastel tones that complimented my dress. Through their input I came up with designs for each of them that complement each other.

 
 

I saw the candy bar idea online and as a candy lover, had to have one! I found a great supplier of candy and lots of our old favourites online and built up a tempting collection over the course of six months. The vintage style stamp set I’d found was used to stamp the brown paper bags with our guests names that then doubled as place settings and candy bags.
For centrepieces I’d collected old jars and bottles which held roses and vintage looking flowers in whites, creams, soft pinks and apricots. Guests found their seats by collecting their handmade and stamped luggage tag tied to an old fishing hook from Shae tackle box that hung from an old wooden gate.

 
 
 

The morning of the wedding is such a blur. I couldn’t believe my big day was finally here! I woke up to a beautiful view of the sea and an amazing breakfast prepared by my equally amazing bridesmaids. The makeup artist arrived at 8am (while my husband-to-be spent the morning fishing!) and the fun began! Watching all my ideas come to life was pretty special; from seeing my girls in their dresses each looking so beautiful to slipping my foot into my gorgeous shoes that matched my stunning dress perfectly. Seeing my Dad for the first time was a highlight of the day. I’m so lucky our photographer caught these details. All day everyone kept asking me if I was nervous...there were no nerves I was just so excited to be marrying my best friend!
I carried my Nana and great-grandmothers engagement rings tied in my bouquet alongside the 40 euro ring Shae had proposed with on the beach in Santorini which was very special.
We chose our date to take advantage of warm late summer nights but unfortunately the weather didn’t cooperate which moved our outdoor wedding ceremony into the reception marquee and eliminated the post ceremony garden party plans. But by the time I arrived for the ceremony, my excitement about seeing friends who had travelled from all over the country and world and to be marrying my best friend had me forgetting the weather.

 
 

Seeing Shae for the first time was very special. The ceremony was so personal, the celebrant that married us took the time to ask us both individually what we loved most about each other and read them as a surprise on the day.
Selecting a photographer was easy. I had always admired Quinn’s work and when we met him he made Shae feel so at ease. On our wedding day, Quinn and his wife Katie (who was 8 ½ months pregnant at the time!) were just incredible. They captured every element of our special day without being intrusive and made us feel so comfortable. We couldn’t be happier with our photos.

Shoes – Benjamin Adam, Photography | Quinn and Katie from Quinn O'Connell Photography, Make up | Krissy, Fairy Finger, Hair | Blow, Tauranga, Dress | Designed by the bride, made by Robyn Pascoe Shea, Bridesmaids shoes | Nude Footwear, Grooms and Groomsmen | Frank Casey, Invites | Rachel at Digital Dove, Flowers | Grey Street Florist, Tauranga

15 comments:

Kismet said...

Gorgeous wedding!

postcards and pretties said...

The bridesmaid dresses are my absolute fave. Gorgeous wedding!

A Crimson Kiss said...

I'm head over heels for this wedding-how gorgeous!

Kristen {Savvy Deets Bridal} said...

Such a gorgeous wedding! So full of DIY inspiration! The dresses are phenomenal! Gorgeous photography indeed!

Erin said...

love the girls dresses!!!

Steph {bubblerock} said...

A really amazing wedding - perfectly shot, with stunning details and great couple. And her dress is beautiful. So cute!

Life,Styled said...

I adore the girls dresses! Such a pretty color for the beach ;-) And I think tables after the names of fish is fabulous! Lots of lovely pics here ;-))

xoxo
kristi

Alicia@CharityWedding said...

I LOVE the Bridesmaids dresses! Everything is just gorgeous!

party center said...

It's got quite the quintessential New Zealand feel to it with those gorgeous beach vistas. I love the assortment of bridesmaids dresses and the colors..
Thanks for sharing..

Chelsea said...

Gorgeous wedding, so bright and fresh feeling, what amazing photography. Love the pics of the girls and their umbrellas

Naomi Goodman said...

Oh my!! Now this wedding is amazing! What lovely details and the dresses on the "maids"...so very perfect. The gents are quite dapper as well, no? Love it!

Kirsten said...

Hi girls, its the bride herself here! Thanks for all your lovely comments. I have to say I was in my element with the wedding planning and DIY and have suffered some post wedding blues! If I have a dollar for every time someones said 'you should be a wedding planner' I might actually have the money to start up, in saying that I'm happy to help any brides to be with their wedding planning/styling!

dressesshop said...

amazing!! the wedding is so wonderful!! i am longing for such romantic wedding ceremony!

Laura kate said...

Love everything about your wedding!! Did you have the girls dresses made or buy them all?!

Kirsten said...

Op's sorry I just came back to look and noticed your question! We got the girls dresses made.

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