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Mel & Matt

Sydney has been having a run of beautiful weddings lately (so we need more wonderful submissions from South Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory!) but I couldn’t resist sharing today’s gorgeous celebration of Mel & Matt. The sunshine, the spring colours, it seemed to fit perfectly today!

Mel shares their story “This is no ordinary schoolyard romance. Matt and Mel first met when they began working together as teachers at the same high school. There was an instant attraction and a deep friendship grew from that moment, however, it wasn’t until 7 years later that they took their relationship went to the next level. The rest is history.

On Mel’s birthday they travelled to Melbourne with a small group of friends to enjoy the Australian Open Tennis. After sending Mel out to buy a new dress with some girlfriends, Matt arranged for a surprise twilight seafood dinner at “Live Bait” Restaurant at Docklands. After a sumptuous candlelit seafood meal, Matt presented Mel with a special book that contained post-it notes spread strategically throughout stating “10 Things I DON’T Hate about You!”. Dessert was then followed by Matt rushing Mel into a taxi and it was straight off to the 88^th floor of Eureka Towers (the highest viewing platform in the Southern Hemisphere) and into “The Edge” (a glass cube platform which extends 3-metres out from the building!). By the time Mel had recovered from the height and turned around from taking in the amazing view of the Melbourne skyline, Matt was down on one knee and was popping ‘the question’.”

Photos today are by Michelle Fiona Photography. Michelle has a knack for capturing weddings in a beautiful and relaxed manner. Each thought our detail, sunshine filled moment or large enveloping venues are captured on Michelle’s camera in a way that gives a real sense of how the occasion played out.

Mel and Matt made a lot of the accessories themselves “We made the invitations, bridesmaids tops and skirts…All 6 of them (the girls were also given individual bags to match their outfits filled with essentials for the day), bridesmaid hairpieces, reception table decorations, shoes and order of service” Mel wore ballet flats from Witchery which she embellished herself.

Mel says “As a creative people we notice details so our wedding had lots of attention to detail. The decoration on the bridesmaid tops was repeated in the boys corsages, on the serviette holders and also on the top tear of the wedding cake. The colours throughout the day complemented one another and reflected our taste.” Mel and her friend Justine now operate together, creating gorgeous designs under their label Silkpin.

Mel wore a gown from Karen Willis Holmes while Erin Hall styled the flowers.

Mel and Matt were married at St Stephen’s Anglican Church in Newtown. Mel walked down the aisle to ‘To Have You’ by The Sundance Kids. Mel remembers how much she loved hearing the words “I Do”.

After the ceremony, the couple headed to Observatory Hill with their bridal party for stunning Sydney portraits. One of Mel’s favourite moments took place here “I loved sitting on a picnic rug with our bridal party at Observatory Hill sipping on champagne and breathing the whole day in.”

As the sun set, guests gathered at The Loft, Doltone House to celebrate!

Mel says “As soon as we walked into the Loft we fell in love with the space. It had the intimate and contemporary feel we desired for our wedding. We loved the beautiful exposed timber beams, the polished wooden floorboards and the amazing view. The service was top class. Very professional with a personal touch.” The three tier wedding cake was made by The Cake Studio.

Mel and Matt made their stationery together and carried their style through the rest of their wedding “Our invitations included a detailed image of a dandelion and were presented in a delicate soft pouch/envelope sealed with an aqua stitch. The dandelion image and aqua stitch also appeared in the order of service and on the table decorations (we collected dried agapanthias stems and grouped them together in vases of white flowers)”

Mel and Matt had an intimate first dance “It was magically sweet moment of slow dancing to “Magic” by Colbie Caillat with all our guests watching on from the second floor of The Loft.” another favourite memory includes Matt’s dad tearing up the dance floor!

A big thankyou to Mel & Matt for sharing their wedding day with us today on Polka Dot Bride! Congratulations! Thankyou also to Michelle Fiona Photography for sharing today’s gorgeous photographs!

Photos by Michelle Fiona Photography.

It’s a little different for us to do a Wednesday roundup, but there are some fun things I wanted to share with you today!

Suzi of Alannah Rose Stationery has launched her brand new website! Showing off even more of Suzi’s gorgeous designs, galleries, full stationery suites and even “The Rose Lounge” for sharing your favourite invitations with your family or receiving exclusive benefits, it’s Alannah Rose all grown up, tied up with a perfect black bow.

The Wedding List Co is holding master classes in Sydney & Melbourne on Thursday (9th September) night.

Running from 6.30pm to 8pm, each couple will be treated to fine wine and food while being spoilt with demonstrations from the experts! Melbourne couples will learn how to create master chef meals with a demonstration from Le Creuset while Sydney couples will participate in the appreciation and artistry of wine and how important it is the have the right glass with a wine tasting master class by Riedel. Each couple receives a free gift on the night so register on their website to attend.

Therte are lots of other events coming up soon, so check out our new look event calender to get the details.

Prior Engagement have officially launched their candy buffet online store. With absolutely everything you’ll need- from lollies, customisable labels, packaging and scoops, Erin ahs turned her online store into a one stop shop.

The Bendigo Art Gallery in Bendigo, VIC is about to host a brilliant exhibition of 200 years of wedding gowns. Featuring gowns from John Galliano, Vera Wang, Vivienne Westwood and many beautiful designers in between, the exhibition will be White Wedding Dress: 200 Years Of Wedding Fashions will run from August 1 until November 6, 2011.

I love this gorgeous dessert table that Leonie from Happy Cakes in Townsville sent over recently. It’s a bit of a different twist to the normal dessert tables- this one was set up in front of the bridal table and is full of colour and homemade goodies.

Based on Jane’s inspiration board, Leonie created the table in blues, yellows and pinks. She made all the desserts (except the donuts) which were favourites of Jane and Vin’s=- even using some of Jane’s family recipes to create family favourites! A blue polka dot wedding cake was the finishing touch.

Photos from Happy Cakes

What better way to ease into Tuesday with a beautifully sweet proposal? Today’s proposal involves one of my favourite things- chocolate! It’s the story of James Day, a Sydney wedding photographer and his proposal to his now fiancee Catherine!

Matt & Katie of Matt & Katie Photographers shot a video of the special moment.

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James and Cath – Engaged! from Matt E on Vimeo.

But the beauty in any proposal of course, are the words. James wrote this story and shared it with us.

“On the 17th of January I left Armidale with a group of friends on my way to a Christian Youth Leadership conference in Katoomba called NextGen. I pulled over and bought some oil as I thought the oil was low. It was. We went on our merry way and I noticed Smoke coming from the engine and the exhaust. We pulled over & called the NRMA to help us out. 5 hours later we were back on the road. They said I put too much oil in the engine. I have no clue about cars. On the 18th of January, we finally got to Katoomba after having to stop in Sydney overnight because of the massive delay. We turned up late to the conference and I had no idea where to go for the first group meeting. I saw a beautiful young lady walking towards me and thought she looked like a friendly soul so I told her I was lost and asked whether she knew where I needed to go. She was very helpful and helped me find exactly where I needed to be. Later in the day me and a few friends decided to head into the city of Katoomba to go to a Cafe. Just as we were about to go, I saw the same girl and asked her if she would like to join us. The girls name was Catherine.

It didn’t take me long to develop an attraction to this girl especially when I kept hearing about all these guys on the same camp that liked her. I decided I’d just back off and let them go. I figured I still had unfinished business with an ex so it was probably wise not to have another girl to think about. So I did my best to ignore her.

On the last day, we were in a rush to leave as I had to come back to photograph a wedding the next day. Just as I was about to leave I saw Catherine talking to my friends. I thought, what the heck I’ll ask her if she uses facebook. She was very eager in her response to let me know how I could find her on fb. I thought, wow this girl is eager  I was happy about that.

We both went back to our home towns. Cath lived in Sydney & I lived in Armidale, but had plans to move to Sydney a month or two later.

Then we became fb friends and started communicating through facebook.

Then Cath invited me to a church event that she had organised. It just so happened that I was going to be in Sydney that weekend that it was on. Well that’s what I told her. I was at the Central Coast for my buddy Rayne’s bucks party weekend away and would have to skip half the event to see Cath. Oh how the boys gave me crap about the decision to go. I was constantly heckled for ditching the boys for a girl I barely know.

When I got there, I purposely sat nowhere near Cath. Her identical twin sister Jane (who incidentally is dating a wedding photographer) made room for me to sit opposite Cath at this restaurant and ushered me over. I was trying to play cool. After this we kept talking on the phone & hung out a few more times.

At this point in my life I had absolutely nothing stopping me. I was single & about to move to Sydney in a few weeks and so I just asked her out. That was March 12th, 2010.

Bring it forward to June 12, 2010, exactly 3 months after we started dating. Catherine, my now girlfriend was in Canberra on her Occupational Therapy prac and I decided to go visit her. I handed her a chocolate in the shape of an M. The following day she received an A.. then an R.. then another R..and so on until it spelt out M A R R Y M E.

At this point, it was still a statement and not a question yet. The next morning I picked her up super early and took her back to the place we went on our first date in Cronulla. I had put together a picnic basket with lots of Cath’s favourite foods. I had organised my photographer buddies Matt & Katie to come to Sydney to photograph the proposal as it happened, without Cath knowing they were there photographing us. I pointed them out to her and we ended up making up a story about who these people might be and what they were photographing. Katie became “Nikon girl with Boots” as she was shooting with a Nikon & had some pretty epic boots on.

I made it seem like I was going to propose there by Cronulla Beach, then we simply left and I started driving her home and told her it was just a big tease and that she would have to wait for the proposal.

Then I pulled over on the side of the road out the front of a small handmade chocolate shop called Nina’s that is right near Cath’s place. The time was 8:45am and the shop wasn’t due to open until 9am. I knocked on the door and had preorganised with the owner George to be there & to let us in. He invited us in, let us taste test anything in the store and showed us around the shop. By this time, my friends Matt & Katie were standing in the factory behind the counter dressed up as though they worked in the store & putting together boxes for the chocolates to go in. Then George told us he had something special to show us. He walked out with a treasure chest made of chocolate with a ? on the top of it. He placed it in my hands & I got down on one knee and told Cath, among other things that she was my treasure & I love her and I didn’t even want to spend another day without her in my life and would she please marry me. At this point Matt & Katie have their cameras in hand taking photos & shooting video. Now we can share the story with you ”

Congratulations James & Catherine! Best of luck planning your wedding and impending marriage together!

Photos by James Day of Three Words By James Day and Matt & Katie Photographers.

I’m delighted to share these new gowns with you from Karen Willis Holmes today. My favourite? Betsey who takes centre stage in this post. She’s covered in polka dots and we all know that I can’t really ignore anything with such a sweet twist on it!

Karen’s classic English is almost a nod back to her English heritage. Her philosophy of classic, vintage style gowns with a modern edge is reflected in her gowns through fluffy, elegantly draped skirts, a nipped in waist or beautiful lace detailing.

Beautiful. Elegant. Bliss!

Photos from Karen Willis Holmes

Spring is certainly in the air at Polka Dot Bride! There are photos full of pastel coloured flowers and sunshine landing in our inbox and everyone seems to have a little more pink in their cheeks!

Monday mornings are the one time of the week we pay special homage to those that support us and allow Polka Dot Bride to continue every day. Without their support, well it wouldn’t be the site it is today! So please support our vendors whenever you can!

This week’s vendor of the week is Melbourne musicians Baker Boys Band!

The Baker Boys Band may be based in Melbourne but they travel to Sydney and worldwide- not only that but they have a special discount for couples who marry in “exotic places”. They’ve just returned from a glorious wedding in Papua New Guinea where not only did they help a bride who was dying to have a  “Frank Sinatra style band” at her destination wedding at a 5 star resort, but they got to have a fantastic two week trekking holiday afters. So their policy? The guys in the band are guys who love nothing more than the idea of a seeking holiday in a country filled with head-hunting cannibals, surfing, incredible wildlife, and the promise of trouble.  So after playing their hearts our at the brides PNG wedding, the Baker Boys Band plan on hiking into the highlands of PNG for 2 weeks for a holiday.  It is a great deal for everyone!! The newlyweds gets the Baker Boys Band for a fraction of the cost, and the boys in the band get a crazy holiday!”

The Baker Boys band play a mix of Jazz, Swing, Rock, Gypsy music, Afro-celtic, 80s and Top 40 and their musicians are some of Australia’s best- one just recorded with Crowded House on their new CD, another is a key member of amazing Australian band Cat Empire while yet another won an ARIA award for “Best Male Artist”. These guys are the cream of the crop! With combinations ranging from 3-14 band members, you can check them out at their regular Sydney (once a month) & Melbourne (once a fortnight) showing nights.

To learn a little more about the Bakey Boys Band, we asked Baker Boys Band member Michael five questions in five minutes!

What is your favourite after five drink?

Vodka Martini. Yep – I always wanted to be James Bond.

Your favourite weekend getaway?

Weekend?! For a musician?! I don’t know the meaning of the word.

Favourite restaurant?

Spice Market in Melbourne.

What can we find you eating for breakfast on a Sunday morning?

Ummm… Sunday morning? As I said, I’m a musician. I don’t see mornings on a Sunday.

Your favourite wedding story?

That is easy. A huge 1000 person wedding in Melbourne – the bride was a professional dancer. The groom was a professional ice skater. The bridal waltz was performed on roller blades, with full 12 piece band playing high energy swing. This was a complete surprise to EVERYONE at the wedding – they didn’t warn their parents, co-ordinator, band, or bridal party. The most amazing thing: they NAILED it!!! It looked like olympic ice skating – full scale aerial acrobatics, lifts, swing moves – EVERYTHING. The couple wore their formal wedding dress throughout, black tie, and a beautiful wedding dress, specially designed to allow movement.

Everyone’s jaws dropped as we watched – and the band had serious trouble playing – we were so in awe of the dance routine. At first the crowd was dubious. By the end, 1000 people were cheering, applauding, going absolutely crazy!

Since the wedding, the band and bride have become great friends, and we regularly ask her and her dance friends to perform with us.world.

Visit the Baker Boys Band to find out more about our Vendor Of The Week! Baker Boys Band are a member of Ms Polka Dot’s Directory

I fell in love with this wedding and this photo not only because the bride, Lisa wore an amazing red and white polka dot wedding gown but also because I love her expression in this photo. (See more of Tom & Lisa getting married here)

Photographer Anna Hardy, who took the shot says, “It was my friends’ Tom and Lisa’s wedding, and Tom was adamant that he wasn’t going to turn round to look at Lisa until she was right next to him.

I love that his best man Matt is smiling watching him do it and that Lisa had to prod him to make him turn round! On the previous picture you can see in their faces how hard they were trying not to look!”

Photo by Anna Hardy