CTCW Wedding Suppliers:
Unique Services/Hire: Albany Party Hire for a marquee and table etc hire
Catering: Gourmet Grub local company, who did finger food, noodle boxes and roast beef rolls. Food was absolutely delicious!
Why did you get married in Albany?
Finn grew up here on the Kalgan River which is just gorgeous so we really wanted to get married there. Montgomery’s Hill Winery is right on the Kalgan and just a beautiful spot. Also as my family is so spread out over the state, anywhere we got married they would have had to travel, so with a lot of Finn’s family being here and this being such a gorgeous spot, we decided Albany would be fine. Also I was really keen on being able to be in my home town for the week before etc.
Was there any time throughout planning your wedding that you felt stressed?
Only the few days before with the weather – everything was outside and the weather can be unpredictable, and it had been raining a little, but as it turned out it was fine on the day.
Who helped you to plan your wedding?
Finn and I really planned what we wanted to do ourselves and then with help from my bridesmaids and mum we got it all organised.
What was the theme and colour scheme for your wedding?
Theme was casual and we really wanted it to just be a big party. We also used a tractor as part of the theme. Colour was blue (my favourite).
Where did you get inspiration for ideas for your wedding?
I grew up on a farm and Finn loves tractors so we really wanted to include that as the theme. With Finn growing up on the Kalgan River, everything else (i.e winery, marquee etc) was planned around that.
What was the hardest part to plan for your wedding?
Trying to get the tractor watermark on the invites! I was taking so much time trying to find something appropriate, almost giving up when I decided to ask a local graphic designer Rebecca Weadon from Croker Lacey who did an image up for us in about 5 minutes, even for free which was really nice of her! Totally made my day!
Did you have a budget for your wedding and did you stick to it?
We were very lucky and got some help from our parents. We didn't really have a budget, we were more just careful about what we agreed to spend. The rings and my dress were two things that I was willing to spend on (being realistic of course) it was whatever I fell in love with.
Who was in your bridal party?
I had three bridesmaids – Robyn, Jodi and Krystle. Robyn, Jodi and I went to school with and have been best friends ever since. Krystle I met when I moved to Albany 2 years ago and has become another one of my best friends. Finn had three groomsmen Gordon Steven and Russell who are three of his best friends.
How many guests did you have at your wedding?
95.
Where did you buy your wedding dress?
In Perth – I planned a weekend in town with my bridesmaids, mum and mother in law. We went to Tuscany first, I tried on about 7 dresses, then the one I ended up buying – fell in love with it and then cancelled my other appointments. The bridesmaids also got their dresses the same day at Tuscany so everything was done by lunchtime, so we just headed to the pub for lunch and to celebrate.
Who went with you shopping for your wedding dress?
Three bridesmaids, my mum and Finn’s mum.
When did you start looking for your wedding dress?
I had a look on the internet just after we got engaged, though didn't have a day planned in Perth till January, so the poor shop girls were a little stressed about getting it in in time.
What flowers did you carry and your bridal party?
Pink lilies, pink frangipanis and white orchids – it was all in a tear drop style bouquet. The bridesmaids had the pink lilies and frangipanis. All parents had white orchid button holes / wrist corsets. Groom’s party all had pink frangipani button holes.
Share with us details about the running of the day and what time did you start preparing etc?
We woke up at about 7am although I didn't have a lot of sleep the night before! The day was perfect, not a cloud in sight! (although a few did come out later) We had a quick breaky and then about 9am headed down to the stylists for hair and makeup. We were there for about three hours and then headed back to the hotel. We had some lunch, popped the champagne and then about 2pm I started getting into my dress. I thought it would take a while for mum to put it on but it was on in no time. My Dad and our two cars then arrived at the hotel and we then had some photos with the photographer in the hotel gardens. We then left just after 3pm to head to the winery for a 3.30pm ceremony.
The boys all got ready at Finn's and my home. They had been to the beach in the morning and of course had a few beers as they got ready. One of the groomsmen though was running quite late which was stressing Finn out. But he arrived just in time to get dressed quickly and they got out to the winery about 2.30pm.
What did you do on the morning of your wedding day to stay relaxed?
I wasn't stressed at all. The hair salon made me a delicious coffee to have while we got ready there. Then just having fun with the girls took my mind off the black clouds coming over the horizon.
How did you decorate your wedding ceremony?
We had some red carpet over the bridge to the main spot we had the ceremony. The bridge railing also had some ribbon draped around it. The aisle also had a red carpet. Trees around the area had ribbon tied around them too.
Where did you hold your ceremony as in a photo it looks like on a hill overlooking a farm (how’s that photo with the clouds doing a heart sign)?
The ceremony was near the wine cellar which does over look the Kalgan River and vineyards. I know, couldn't believe the heart cloud!! My Grandad who I was very close to died on that day many years ago (hence some of the reason we picked the day) so I felt it was him with us.
Describe what happened at your ceremony?
Our ceremony was reasonably short. We had my mum say a small story about two dinosaurs falling in love (was one that Kate recommended which was really nice). Kate spoke about Finn and I, how we met, our dreams and what we love about each other. We did some traditional vows and some fun ones and also wrote some of our own to say to each other.
Did you say traditional vows to one another or write your own?
We had to do the ‘legal’ type ones and then we did a few funny ones – e.g. Finn promised to bring all the Tupperware containers home from work, only talk to me during ad breaks of Packed to the Rafters, to go for a walk twice a week etc and I promised to let him go skiing, tinker in the shed and have steak twice a week etc! We then said some words to each other we had written.
What made you initially choose Kate to be your celebrant?
Kate had been recommended by some friends of mine and I also knew of her through her other work.
What did your guests do after your ceremony while you and Finn went off and had wedding photos?
They had nibbles and drinks around the ceremony area.
Where did you go for wedding photos?
Down onto the river and into the vineyards.
Why did choose Montgomery Hill Winery as your wedding venue?
Because it was on the Kalgan River, which had a lot of meaning to Finn, the wine is fantastic and the scenery is gorgeous.
Why did you choose a cocktail style wedding?
We wanted people to be able to mingle as much as possible and to have it more like a big party. A lot of people we had there hadn't seen each other for a long time so we needed to maximize their ability to all catch up.
How did you decorate your wedding venue?
We had a white marquee with cocktail style tables (and a few normal ones for the oldies) with white table cloths, we had hay bales in the marquee, ribbon around the poles and some red carpet walking into the marquee. Very simple.
What happened at your reception?
We had a dance floor and lots and lots of dancing. We had speeches from my mum, best man, my dad, Finn’s dad and Finn. All had some fantastic stories and were very touching.
Bridal Waltz Song?
I’m not sure if you would have heard of it. It was called All I Want is You by Barry Louis Polisar – it is on the latest Songs to Make you Smile CD.
What was the style of catering at your reception?
We had finger food like chicken kebabs, quiches, spring rolls and then noodle boxes and roast beef rolls.
Best moment of your wedding day?
Gosh, to hard to pick one. Seeing how happy Finn looked when I walked down the aisle, being pronounced husband and wife, walking up the aisle with my dad.
Describe the look and flavor of your cake, plus any other desserts that were served?
Two tiered square cakes with white draped icing and pink frangipanis. It was a fruit cake made by Finn’s mum and was delicious. No other dessert's.
What were the bombonnieres for your guests?
Wine bottles with a Finn and Ali label and stubby holders the same.
Did you make anything for your wedding?
I made the wedding invites.
How do you feel now that your wedding is over?
So excited to call Finn my husband and to be a little family. I also love wearing my new rings and relaxed now that life can go back to normal – don’t have to worry about the planning. Disappointed I wont get to wear my dress again as I loved it and it was so comfy.
Were did you honeymoon?
We went to Airlie Beach in Qld for a week. We did a few tours to the different Whitsunday Islands but mostly relaxed by the water, ate out and slept in! We stayed at Airlie Beach Apartments which had great views over the water and was a quick walk into town.
Advice for other planning brides
Plan your day exactly how you want it to be, enjoy every minute as it goes so fast, don’t forget to eat.
When you look back what would you have done differently on your wedding day?
I probably would have invited a few more people who I didn't have on the original list. Especially being a cocktail style wedding there was a few people I wish I had invited.
I would like to thank....
My gorgeous husband for being so excited about marrying me and making the whole experience as special as it was , my beautiful bridesmaids who made it so much fun, my mum and dad for absolutely everything and all our family for making the effort to travel so far to come. | 
Alison & Finn's Albany Wedding 
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