KEELEY IN HER CUSTOM PARIS AND PARTY LOOK

Cory and I met at an event at the racecourse in Toowoomba. He played for the same football team as some of my friends who I attended the event with. I was really sick at the time so didn’t stay late but he walked me out to my uber and asked for my number to make sure I got home ok.

It was a lot of little moments over a period of time. It was very much that cliche of ‘a little bit at a time, then all at once’. Cory is one of the most kind and caring people I have ever met and I have always felt so safe with him.

When we have time off towards the end of the year, we often drive out to the beach at Bribie. He had planned for us to go do this early in the morning. He was being a little suspicious as he normally wouldn’t miss an opportunity to go fishing but hadn’t packed his rods that morning. We got there to watch the sunrise and he cooked me breakfast on the beach. We were spending a little time lounging around when he suggested going for a walk up on the sand dunes where he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. Of course, my response was a very teary but enthusiastic YES! We are both pretty low key, so I feel like this was perfect for us.

We both love a good time and wanted that to be reflected in our wedding. Our vision was for it to be a super fun day for us and our guests and that’s exactly what we got. Asides from the nerves and excitement in the morning, we got to experience a day celebrating our love with all our closest family and friends and just enjoy each other’s company.

We are both a bit traditional, so we wanted something classy and romantic but not over the top. For me it was a lot of beautiful flowers and candles everywhere which complimented the beautiful spring season in the Garden City of Toowoomba. The floral theme was definitely continued with my choice of my beautiful wedding dress.

I had looked at so many beautiful gowns online but found I was drawn to a few particular designs from Ella Moda. I also loved the fact that the show room was based locally in Brisbane. I was so impressed from the very first appointment I had. The Bridal Department Manager Dharma made the try on experience so amazing, and I couldn’t be more grateful for her help throughout the whole process. The show room was absolutely beautiful and there were so many options to try on. What I found even more amazing was that all the gowns were made in Brisbane which allowed for multiple fittings.

The gown I ended up choosing was the very first one I tried on and the complete opposite style to what I thought I wanted. I wasn’t even planning on trying it but it was suggested I pick one more even if it wasn’t what I thought I’d go with. I was blown away as soon as I stepped out in the dress. Given the reactions of my mum, aunty and MOH, I knew this dress was going to be hard to beat. While I got to try a lot of other beautiful downs on, nothing compared to the first dress. I was adamant I wanted a fitted long sleeve gown but ended up with a strapless flowy gown, but I couldn’t have felt more beautiful.

We did make a few customizations to my gown. I really wanted a mini dress for the reception but also didn’t want to have a completely different dress. We ended up customising the Paris gown into a 3 piece gown. That way I was able to have the beautiful long gown for the ceremony and photos but have the mini dress version for the reception so I could get into full party mode! Designing the dress this way allowed the beautiful details of the lace to shine through and also make the dress less heavy and easy to move around in.

It was the point where I was right at the end of the isle and my now husband Cory turned around to see me. The immediate emotion on his face is hard to forget. I just remember my heart beating so fast but I couldn’t look away from his face and to me that was the most special part of the day.

On the day I had my mum, aunty and best friend/MOH with me. My mum and best friend had immediate tears in their eyes and my aunty said she knew straight away that this was ‘the dress’.

When my partner saw me for the first time he was super emotion and there were definitely a few tears shed. He knows me very well because in the lead up to the wedding he guessed very closely the style of dress I ended up going with.

It sounds cheesy but I would love to relive the whole day. The whole process was so special and I was conscious to try and be present so I could remember as much as possible. From waking up in the morning with all my bridesmaids, getting ready, my mum helping me put my dress on, seeing dad for the first time, the excitement just before walking down the isle, the look on my husbands face as I walked down the isle, our dreamy sunset photos, entering the reception and celebrating with all our friends and family. It’s so hard to pick one moment because all the little moments of the day is what made everything so special.

Emotional

Its amazing how a stunning gown can make you feel. The beauty and confidence you feel, how emotional and sentimental. I felt so elegant on the day and was so happy my second dress was still technically the same dress as I didn’t want to take it off. It’s really so special having a gown made specifically for you.

While the planning process can be super busy and stressful, do not sweat the small things. Plan everything exactly how you and your partner want them and don’t let other peoples opinions influence your decisions. You don’t want to spend the day wishing you had done things differently.

Take time, take a breath and don’t get caught up in the rush of things. The best parts are the quiet moments through the day.

Venue: Preston Peak Functions
Photographer: Jac Lee Noosa Wedding Photographer Instagram: @jacleeweddings
Videographer: Joel & Courtney Films Wedding Videographers Brisbane | Joel & Courtney wedding films Instagram: @joelandcourtneyfilms
Florist: Aurora & Co Events Aurora + Co Events Instagram: @auroraandcoevents
Hair & makeup: Hair: Clay Hair | Toowoomba Hairdressers | Toowoomba Hairdresser Queensland Instagram @clay_hair Makeup: Brisbane Makeup Artist | Makeup With Emma Instagram: @emmamaguire.mua
Shoes: Bella Belle from The White Collection Instagram: @thewhitecollectionau
Jewellery: Amelie George Bridal AMÉLIE GEORGE BRIDAL Instagram: @ameliegeorgebridal (jewelry + veil)
Celebrant/planner/stylist (if applicable): Natasha Hill Natasha Hill – Brisbane Marriage Celebrant – Hills Celebrant Services Instagram: @hillscelebrant