How long have you and Todd been together and when did you decide to get married?
Todd and I first met 3 years ago (October 2007), we were both in the FIFO mining industry. 18 months later in January 2009, we went camping for the Australia Day weekend in Denmark. Walking along Parry's Beach just before sunset, Todd suddenly knelt on one knee and asked me to be his wife. It took the cheering of bystanders to make it finally sink in what he had just asked me, and I promptly burst in to tears. I think he had a moment of concern there for a minute, before I managed to blubber out a yes!
What was the theme and colour scheme for your wedding?
Fresh green and white.
Where did you get inspiration for ideas for your wedding?
From hours of pouring over bridal books and Googling wedding pictures! The internet is actually how I came across Alverstoke itself when I found photos of another couples wedding that was held there. I also got the idea of the succulents from pictures on the web, which fit perfectly with my green and white theme.
You work fly in fly out was it hard to organize your wedding?
It was pretty hard...we have internet up on site, but after working long, hard 12 hour days, 14 days straight, the last thing I wanted to do was pour over wedding plans. All the organising was done on our R&R weeks and considering we only set the date 7 months before the wedding day (much to my sister's horror, who thought we'd need more time) I think we did a pretty good job of it.
How many guests did you have at your wedding?
We had 72 guests.
Details about your dress and attire:
After doing the trip to Perth with the girls and narrowing down the style of dress I wanted, I still hadn't found THE dress. My sister and I finally went in to Bunbury Bridal & Invitations to see what they had. The dress was the first one of 5 we choose to look at and the last one I tried on. I'm not sure why we bothered with the other 4, because we both knew that first dress we'd seen was THE ONE.
Originally a strapless gown in champagne satin, with stunning bead work on the bodice and train, a fitted body and A-line skirt, I had the dress made with satin cap sleeves added. Buying my dress in Bunbury meant no trips to Perth for fittings! Maryanne at Bunbury Bridal did a magnificient job with my alterations, especially when I lost a complete dress size and she had to take it in 2 weeks before the big day.
When did you start looking for your wedding dress?
I starting looking for dresses as soon as we set the date in April 2010, knowing there could be a 4 month waiting period for it to be made.
What flowers did you carry?
Both bouquets consisted of white asiatic lillies, white roses and white oriental orchids, with green accents in the succulents and foliage, falling in an unstructured slight cascade. The guy's also had small succulents woven into each of their buttonholes. Dot Bodrigai, of Eaton, did all the arrangements for us, including the matching cake topper and also donated the little white cups to us to pot up more succulents for table decs & gifts.
Tell me about the running of the day what time did you start preparing etc?
Todd and I stayed at home together the night before and exchanged wedding gifts with each other in the morning. After a quick breakfast, we drove over to Soho For Hair for the 9am appointment with the hairdresser and beautician. Todd only had to go around the corner to the Parade Hotel, where he spent the morning with his family getting ready. It was great having Todd's family so close to where I was getting my hair and make-up done, as Todd's mum and sister could walk over and be a part of the process too.
Our photographer spent the morning with my sister and I at the salon, before heading back to our place to photograph the dress and accessories before we got back ourselves. Mum had organised Subway sandwiches for us and I had lunch with my family at home, while Todd lunched with his family and relatives at The Parade. At 1.30pm the FJ holden arrived, with Tony our driver for the day who drove me, my dad, sister and nephew Jarrah out to Alverstoke for the 2pm ceremony.
Describe what happened at your ceremony
It was total magic! Earlier in the week, we had gone out to Alverstoke for our rehearsal and using the car had run through the song we were using for my entrance umpteen times, until we got the timing right. We wanted the song to be played in full as it was one of our favourite pieces of music. On the day, the FJ cruised through the gates at Alverstoke as Delores from The Cranberries began singing Ave Maria. We had timed it perfectly and I stepped out of the car as Pavarotti began his part of the duet. My sister had actually burst into tears at our rehearsal 4 days prior and on the day, I don't think there was a dry eye to be seen. Our ceremony was everything we hoped it would be, full of laughter and tears, and the massive smiles on everyones faces said it all. Our celebrant Emma had put together a truly moving and memorable service and had delivered exactly the emotional experience we had asked for. We still have family and friends telling us it was the best wedding they've ever been to - one friend said it was better than her own!
What did your guests do after your ceremony while you and Todd went off and had wedding photos?
We had a lot of photo's taken at Alverstoke itself, while many of the guests wandered around the grounds looking at all the old heritage farming equipment. Those who lived in the Bunbury area went home for a couple of hours to freshen up and nap and our out-of-town family and friends went back to The Parade Hotel to sit on the boardwalk over-looking the inlet for a quiet drink.
You had your wedding ceremony at Alverstoke on the Brunswick, why and what was your overall experience?
We wanted an outdoor ceremony somewhere beautiful and I hadn't been able to find anywhere local that fit the bill. It needed to have gardens and trees that provided shade and when I stumbled across the photos on the internet, I knew it was the place. The old buildings and farming equipment were an added bonus. The Clifton family still own the property and are wonderful people to deal with.
Where did you have your wedding reception?
The wedding reception was held in The River Room at The Parade Hotel, Bunbury with a wall of windows over-looking the Leschenault Inlet.
What happened at your reception?
We were having so much fun with Pete our photographer, that we arrived half an hour late to the reception. Tony, our FJ Holden driver dropped us at the Parade Hotel and on our introduction, literally danced into the room to Florence and the Machines "You've got the Love". After dinner we had the speeches followed by the bridal waltz.
What was your bridal waltz song?
Todd and I did our bridal waltz to "Green Eyes" by Coldplay........then I danced with my Dad to Eric Claptons "Wonderful Tonight". Straight after my dance with dad, we surprised everyone when Todd's niece Bella, aged 6, led the bridal party in "The Macarena". It was a great laugh for everyone and quite a few guests got up and joined in, which was awesome!
Did you make anything for your wedding?
We made our invitations ourselves, which once I started was really easy and I was quite pleased with myself! We also put together the cd's with our wedding music, complete with labels, which were our bonbonieres along with the potted succulents
What food was served at the reception?
We went for a buffet menu, which included Roast Pork & Lamb, Grilled Snapper with Lemon Butter, baked vegetables, a selection of salads and a Thai Green Curry Chicken with Fried Rice. For dessert the was a lemon cheesecake, or apple strudel to choose from.
Best moment of your wedding day?
The whole day was magical, but if I had to choose just one moment, it would have to be the moment I stepped out of the FJ and saw the huge grin spread across Todd's face when he saw me.
Describe the look and flavor of your cake?
The wedding cake was a top tier of chocolate mudcake, with 5 more bottom tiers filled with 75 individual cakes alternating between carrot cake & lemon flavoured, all iced in white with tones of green ribbons, crowned by a cake topper to match the bouquets and sprays of oriental orchids peeking out from the mini cakes.
What were the bombonieres for your guests?
Our bombonieres were the potted succulents that doubled as tables decorations and cd's with our wedding music.
Your wedding photographer was Pete at Real Image Photography how did he perform on the day?
Pete was just fantastic......and not just on the day itself, but throughtout the whole process. Photography has always been a passion of mine, so it was a pretty big deal for me choosing a photographer. I did a lot of searching on the internet and came across Real Image Photography. Pete's style and obvious passion for his work went a long way in his favour, but it was his commitment to be with us all day, from early morning til midnight or for as long as we needed him, that sealed the deal. We met with Pete several times before the wedding and his shared vision and excitement for our ideas for photo's just confirmed we'd made the right choice.
Now, I'm not that comfortable in front of a camera lens, but I can tell you, Pete made me feel like a film star that day! I was a bit worried that I'd be nervous and look stiff and uncomfortable in the photo's, but Pete made me feel totally relaxed - the whole experience was awesome. We didn't stop smiling and laughing the whole day, from my sister's hamming it up in front of the camera, to the groomsman's cheeky comments in the background!
Pete has captured one of the most important moments of our life and has woven a truly magical story together of our special day.
How do you feel now that your wedding is over?
We spent so much time organising the wedding and then it was suddenly here and then just like that it was over! The very next day both Todd and I said we'd do it all again! Although it's been a few months now, we still talk about the day and pour over the photo's, remembering little details that make us smile.
Were did you honeymoon?
We went to Bali, first time for both of us. We had our first 3 nights in Ubud, then stayed 5 nights in Seminyak, where we got upgraded to a Royal Villa with our own full size pool in a walled garden. It was amazing!
Advice for other planning brides:
Don't sweat the small stuff & don't try to get everything "perfect". Relax and have fun!
When you look back what would you have done differently on your wedding day?
Not a thing! The day was totally perfect and everything we wished for. | 
Deborah & Todd's Bunbury Wedding
