Our style was cottage/shabby chic inspired. I couldn't decide for ages then I seen a picture of a bouquet on Florist Gump’s blog and fell in love, this also led to the decision of the green for the bridesmaid dresses to match the green of the hydrangeas
What resources did you use to plan your wedding?
I asked around a lot and got a lot of recommendations, I also attended the Sanctuary Bridal Expo and of course I used Coast to Country Weddings.
What was the hardest part to plan for your wedding?
Deciding on the cake. I just couldn't decide on what design I liked, I think I left it till the last possible moment decide.
How was your wedding paid for (yourself or parents)?
Parents
What was the one thing you weren't going to comprise on your wedding?
Our wedding photos. I couldn't be more happier with what Clair produced.
How many guests did you have at your wedding?
85
Details about your wedding invitations?
I designed and made them myself. They were Cream and Green to match the Bridesmaid dresses. I also embellished them with Pearls. I was very lucky I went to get some more paper when I was
almost finished but the paper was discontinued so I had enough for just one spare invitation.
What was the dress attire for your wedding guests?
We never told the guests what to wear, we wanted them to be comfortable as it was quite a hot day.
Details about your beautiful wedding dress and accessories:
It was a light cream strapless, a-line dress with a lace overlay that was adorned with pearls and beads, it had tulle underneath so i didn't have to wear a hoop. I wore a pearl bracelet my Nana gave me for my 13th Birthday and pearl earrings. My shoes were from Shoebedoo and they were a Bluey/Silver colour for my "something blue".
When did you start looking for your wedding dress?
I started looking ages before the day but I didn't try on a dress till 8 months before the wedding and that was when I picked my dress out. I think it was the 3rd dress I tried on.
How did if feel wearing your dress for the whole day was it comfortable?
My dress was very comfortable, lucky my Mum is a seamstress so she did alterations right up till the wedding day so it fit perfect.
What flowers made your wedding bouquet?
it was predominantly roses, peonies and hydrangeas.
Any pre-wedding parties?
I had a Hens Day & Graeme had Bucks Night
How did you sleep the night before your wedding day?
I slept OK I had done everything that night so I just had to get up and leave in the morning.
What was the relationship for you and Graeme to choose the people you did for your bridal party?
I chose my 3 closest friends as Bridesmaids Erica, Jess & Paige and my Maid of Honour Amy who I have known since the day I was born. Graeme chose his mates Shaun as Best Man, Luke, Glenn & my Brother Brayden as Groomsmen
What was the running of the day what time did you start preparing etc?
I was up at 6am and at the hairdressers by 7am. it was so much fun getting ready with my bridesmaids we all left and went to my parents place, we got makeup done there and photos the limo arrived and we had just finished final touch’s so it was perfect timing. We then left for the ceremony .The running of the day could have been more perfect.
You were presented to Graeme by both of your parents, why?
I wanted the wedding to be a bit more modern so I wanted both Mum & Dad to give me away, both my parents raised me so I wanted them both to share that experience.
First words Mum and Dad said to you when they saw you dressed in your wedding gown?
I don't remember to much but I know there was a lot of smiles and tears...
Your wedding ceremony was performed in the grounds of Alverstoke what was it about this venue that made you want your wedding here?
Being from Harvey I always drove past it and Graeme is from Brunswick so that played a big part in picking our location also we didn't want to have our wedding in a public place or council park its great that Alverstoke was so private. Alverstoke also suited the style of the wedding with the heritage rose gardens. I booked Alverstoke a year before the wedding but I only went there 2 weeks before the wedding I seen a few photos of it prior but I knew it would be perfect.
Describe what happened at your ceremony and the time it start?
It started at 3.30pm and I arrived a fashionably 5 minutes late. We entered through the rose garden then we had a beautiful ceremony that was simple and modern. After the ceremony we had family photos then bridal party photos.
Did you have any music playing as you walked down the aisle and what was the song?
I chose Pachelbel - Cannon in D major to walk down the aisle to. Michael Buble - Everything was played as we were pronounced Mr & Mrs and went up the aisle.
Who were the witnesses for your marriage?
Maid of Honour Amy & Best man Shaun
What did your guests do after your ceremony while you and your Graeme went off and had wedding photos?
Most of them did there own thing, a lot of our relatives lived around the area so they either went home for a while or went into Bunbury for drinks.
Where did you go for wedding photos?
We had photos at Alverstoke and BP Beach, Bunbury.
How was your wedding venue decorated and did you do this yourself or hire a business?
I brought all the decorations myself and the Parade staff decorated it for me. It was good buying all the decorations as I then got to sell them on and I gave the table centrepieces to family members.
What happened at your reception?
As we had a cocktail reception it was very informal which was great, everyone was relaxed and got to mingle. Within an hour of entering the reception my heal broke off my shoe, lucky I had been planning to put flats on then anyway... not long after a waitress dropped a large bowl of tomato sauce which missed my dress by an inch I was waiting for a thud but nothing happened. Later we cut the cake, then had speeches followed by our first dance which kicked the dancing off for the night. During the speeches every time someone mentioned our Son Cooper he would clap his hands and say "yay Cooper" I think he stole the night when he was busting the dance moves all night. We finished off the night with the Bouquet toss which was very entertaining and the Garter toss. We left our reception with a farewell circle.
Your bridal waltz song?
Never let you go - Evermore
What food was served at the reception?
We had a variety of cocktail food. Fish gorgons, sushi, mini gourmet pizzas etc
Most memorable of your wedding day?
Walking down the aisle and seeing Graeme. Our speeches were really good and just remembering how much fun we had its so important to enjoy the day!!
What was the flavour of your wedding cake?
My good friend made our gorgeous wedding cake which we served as desert. It was 3 tiered chocolate mud cake, caramel mud cake and he top tier was fruit cake so we are saving that for our 1 year anniversary.
Did you make anything for your wedding?
I made all the stationary, bridesmaid jewellery, thank you banner which we had a photo with and put on our thank you cards which I also made and thank you tags tied to the bombonnieres.
What were the bonbonnieres for your guests?
Roc Candy that had our names in it, as it was cocktail we didn’t have any way of giving out the bombonnieres so we set them up in a really cute box next to the wishing well and guest book so when the guests used this they were able to take them.
How do you feel now that your wedding is over?
Happily married to the man of my dreams and looking forward to living the rest of our lives together.
Were did you honeymoon?
Graeme and I were planning on going on honeymoon/family holiday later in the year but our bridesmaids decided otherwise and organised a honeymoon at Karri Valley Resort, Pemberton. We got to go a few weeks after the wedding so it was great! It was our first time away together that was more than just a night without our Son so it was quite special. We are still planning on a holiday but it will be more of a family one now.
Advice for other planning brides:
Enjoy every moment of the process, from planning to the reception. Delegate, delegate, delegate!
its so important not to try do everything yourself, family and friends love to get involved. And start planning early so your a lot more organised in the coming months to the wedding, the earlier you book and decide on everything the easier it is!
When you look back what would you have done differently on your wedding day?
Absolutely nothing! I loved everything about our day.
Tessa & Graeme's Bunbury Wedding 
