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"We wanted the day to be as cruisey as possible, neither Josh nor I are formal people, so just wanted to make sure people were relaxed and carefree." Gemma & Josh
Meeting through a mutual friend over a "quiet" Sunday drink, Gemma and Josh started non-stop talking, and became quickly inseperable. " We became engaged after 7 months together – although I think we had been talking about it after just one month, might be cliché but “when you know you know!”
Tell us about the proposal: Like us – the proposal was casual. Josh had ordered a ring about a month prior so was sitting there ready and waiting for the perfect opportunity. I suggested a Sunday afternoon picnic at Cabarita Headland – Josh quickly realised this was his chance. He was being so nervously restless and well, annoying ha ha
Which I figured out why after he popped the question! I was shocked and asked him to repeat himself about 3-4 times before it really sunk in. We then called our loved ones and popped a champagne bottle in celebration.
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What led you to decide on your Wedding venue? Riverwood offered such an incredible calming vibe from the moment we saw it. We both felt so at ease there, the property is beautiful! Carmen was so welcoming and helpful, offering so many tips, ideas and vendors to be in contact with. And the fact that we could have our little fur baby there with us was even more enticing!
What was the inspiration behind your Wedding theme? We were aiming for a bit of a relaxed Boho Luxe. We wanted the day to be as cruisey as possible, neither Josh nor I are formal people, so just wanted to make sure people were relaxed and carefree. Riverwood is so naturally beautiful with so much lush greenery, we didn’t want to overdo it with styling etc.
What was the inspiration behind your Wedding theme? We were aiming for a bit of a relaxed Boho Luxe. We wanted the day to be as cruisey as possible, neither Josh nor I are formal people, so just wanted to make sure people were relaxed and carefree. Riverwood is so naturally beautiful with so much lush greenery, we didn’t want to overdo it with styling etc.
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Your most favourite moment/s of the day: Ceremony – the sun was shining in just the right warm light, all our favourite people were there, it was so peaceful down by the river, it just felt so magical and surreal.
What was your favourite detail/s about the day? The flowers were to die for!!! EXACTLY what I had imagined, which was probably hard to nail as I had sent a few inspo pics and she managed to mesh them all together so well.
How long did it take for you to find and how was your dress/suit shopping experience overall? Not long at all really. I went to 2 dress shops, and quickly decided on the Emanuela dress from Grace Loves Lace.
We had some trouble finding a suit jacket for Joshua as there is a lot of blue/grey around. However we ended up going with a custom made Sandy coloured jacket from Made with Class and it was perfect! Even had our initials and Wedding date embroidered on the inside pocket – such a elegant touch.
What was your favourite detail/s about the day? The flowers were to die for!!! EXACTLY what I had imagined, which was probably hard to nail as I had sent a few inspo pics and she managed to mesh them all together so well.
How long did it take for you to find and how was your dress/suit shopping experience overall? Not long at all really. I went to 2 dress shops, and quickly decided on the Emanuela dress from Grace Loves Lace.
We had some trouble finding a suit jacket for Joshua as there is a lot of blue/grey around. However we ended up going with a custom made Sandy coloured jacket from Made with Class and it was perfect! Even had our initials and Wedding date embroidered on the inside pocket – such a elegant touch.
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What does marriage mean to you? Being happily stuck cheekily annoying each other for eternity!
Any classic stories you want to share from the day? Speeches! I fumbled my words big time telling a story about Josh and I’s first date at Little Mermaids. I was meant to say: “for those of you that don’t know Little Mermaids it's situated next door to a sex shop”
However I said: “for those of you that don’t know the SEXUATION”
It was pretty hard to come back from that!
What advice would you offer to other couples planning a Wedding?Take time out for you and your partner throughout the day. Its easy to get caught up talking to guests and having a great time. But taking 10 minutes alone with your partner every few hours to really see each other and swap fun stories of the day. It is so special and some of the best moments that have stuck in my mind.
Any classic stories you want to share from the day? Speeches! I fumbled my words big time telling a story about Josh and I’s first date at Little Mermaids. I was meant to say: “for those of you that don’t know Little Mermaids it's situated next door to a sex shop”
However I said: “for those of you that don’t know the SEXUATION”
It was pretty hard to come back from that!
What advice would you offer to other couples planning a Wedding?Take time out for you and your partner throughout the day. Its easy to get caught up talking to guests and having a great time. But taking 10 minutes alone with your partner every few hours to really see each other and swap fun stories of the day. It is so special and some of the best moments that have stuck in my mind.
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Any stand out vendors for the day? Someone that went above and beyond?Every single one of them really! But top 3:
Jess from Wilde Visiual has produced some seriously amazing photos and footage of the day which we will be forever re-living the moments... So easy to work with and felt like she became one of our pals.
Our on the day Co-Ordinator Carmen from Riverwood – she was amazing!! So helpful and provided so many tips and vendors.
Also Amy from Global Vintage Hire – I was lucky enough to stumble across her in the start-up phase, communication was so easy and she was very accommodating and helpful in achieving the look we were going for! All her pieces are so unique and special, need to plan another event so I get to utilise them all again!
Jess from Wilde Visiual has produced some seriously amazing photos and footage of the day which we will be forever re-living the moments... So easy to work with and felt like she became one of our pals.
Our on the day Co-Ordinator Carmen from Riverwood – she was amazing!! So helpful and provided so many tips and vendors.
Also Amy from Global Vintage Hire – I was lucky enough to stumble across her in the start-up phase, communication was so easy and she was very accommodating and helpful in achieving the look we were going for! All her pieces are so unique and special, need to plan another event so I get to utilise them all again!
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Wilde Visual
Wedding songs:
Aisle – Dustin Tebit – The Breach
Recessional Songs – Ziggy Alberts – Love me Now & Vallis Alps - Oceans
First Dance Song – Rise Against – Swing Life Away
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Recessional Songs – Ziggy Alberts – Love me Now & Vallis Alps - Oceans
First Dance Song – Rise Against – Swing Life Away
Creative Wedding Team:
OTD Wedding Coordination Carmen at Riverwood Weddings @riverwoodweddings
Tipi Giant Single Kata Gold Coast Tipis @goldcoast_tipis
Furniture: Global Vintage Hire @globalvintagehire
Caravan Bar Service: My VintageLane @myvintagelane
Catering: Double ZeroBroadbeach @doublezerobroadbeach
Dessert: Bubble O’Bill Ice Creams
Music: Jesse Pumphrey @jessepumphrey
Celebrant: CatherineLongworth
Photography & Videography: Wilde Visual @wilde.visual
Florist: Lolas Wildflowers @lolaswildflowers
Bridal Dress: Grace Loves Lace ‘Emanuela’ Gown
Bridesmaids Dresses: Assorted miss-matched styles - Alice McCall; Stevie May Byron Bay; Seed; Shona Joy
Groom/Groomsmen Suits: Josh’s Suit Jacket – Made with Class - skinny leg-Levi Jeans/White Line Shirts-Industrie
Wedding Car: Uber (ha-ha)
