Today is our fourth wedding anniversary. Looking back through the wedding photos it feels like a small lifetime ago. A wedding can really capture a couple sometimes. A moment in time, where you're both looking your best. Toned, tanned, not sleep deprived and wearing the best dress that you will possibly ever get the chance to wear in your lifetime. As much as I love our life, and our family now, a part of me feels quite nostalgic about how we were back then. Life was certainly more simple when there was only two of us to worry about.
We rarely look through our wedding photos. Of which there are a ridiculous amount. But I do always find myself glancing through our album on our anniversary. It was one of the most magical days that we have shared together as a couple. And one of the most special, alongside having our daughters. It wasn't a perfect wedding. There were a few hitches, some family dramas, missing boutonnieres. But in the end, none of it mattered. Then or now.
What did matter to us. That so many of our friends and family made the effort to be a part of our day and share it with us. Particularly since we were living in Perth, I had lived and still had friends in Melbourne, and on top of that we were getting married in Tasmania. With all our important people scattered all around the country, it was indescribably special to have them all in the same place, at the same time. And for us.
Who knew how much thought and time it took to plan a wedding? Certainly not me. Particularly when all I'd really wanted was a little garden wedding, morning ceremony and lunch/brunch reception at the local surf club overlooking the beach. No speeches. No formality beyond the "I do's." No first dance in front of everybody. All of that isn't me. I didn't want to be the centre of attention in a big wedding. But, the big wedding was what my husband really, really wanted. That and a cupcake wedding cake. And in the end, he really, really wanted it, more than I really didn't want it. So the big wedding and the cupcake wedding cake it was. With as many compromises on all that formality as I could sneak in.
It should come as no surprise, that the girl with the yellow heart, might have had yellow as her colour of choice for her wedding day. I toyed with other colours, but in the end there was just no other colour I really wanted. And so I dressed my oldest friend, my best friend and my half-sister, all pale skinned and dark haired, in a colour not ideally suited to any of their complexions.
We married at Mum's house, in her garden. Built by our family in the early 1900's. Mum had an arbour already set in the perfect spot for a wedding ceremony (not sure what she had been planning all those years ago). Followed by a dinner reception. The weather was perfect, the beach looked stunning. Mum's garden, after all her hard work, looked amazing. We were very blessed to have the day that we did. And I managed to find, and surprise my husband with the VW split screen kombi that was his dream wedding car.
My last check in the mirror before the ceremony. I love this photo because I wasn't aware that my Great Great Grandfather who built this house, is watching over me in the photo.
And my tips for you, if you happen to be in the midst of planning a wedding.
Choose your wedding photographer wisely, they're worth spending money on. Don't get caught up in all the small details, your wedding doesn't have to be styled like one out of a wedding magazine (seriously those wedding magazines and pinterest have a lot to answer for in regards to bridal stress ). Choose your bridal party carefully, it's your big day, but it won't change a persons behaviour or feelings about your wife to be! In the name of honesty, (which I feel is important considering that I have included a photo of the bridal party), while my bridesmaids are still an important people in my life, the same can't be said for my husband's groomsmen. It wasn't peachey perfect on the day. And it isn't now. That's life. Which leads me to my next tip, don't let any issues, family or otherwise, stop you from enjoying your day (and your married life!) Relax and have fun. More than anything, I wish I had been more composed and relaxed, particularly during the big moments like the ceremony. My knees were literally knocking.
If you're planning a yellow wedding, I hope I have given you a little inspiration.
Happiest of anniversaries to my husband. In you, I have always found someone who has loved, supported and accepted me for who I am. For better or worse. For that I will always be grateful.
Love you x
And now to the important questions.
Isn't yellow so happy?! and
Does anybody know anyone selling a split screen VW kombi?
We're in the market for one for Sunday drives after living here.
Love you x
And now to the important questions.
Isn't yellow so happy?! and
Does anybody know anyone selling a split screen VW kombi?
We're in the market for one for Sunday drives after living here.
A much nicer drive than any 4WD!!
Oh my goodness Carla, you are stunning!!!! Your photos are beautiful, love your dress and Vdub vans, very cool. Happy Anniversary! xo
ReplyDeleteThanks Elaina xx
DeleteHaha the comment about the bridal party's feelings about the wife to be did make me laugh, and also reminded me of Amelie hysterically laughing at my wedding crasher story. I know it isn't funny how they are but you also know I indeed know how you feel x
ReplyDeleteHa, I remember that laugh of Amelie's too. Funny moment x
DeleteOh my goodness, what stunning photos!! Loved reading all about your special day. Happy Anniversary, here's to many many more. Mel x
ReplyDeleteHope so Mel x
DeleteHappy anniversary! What gorgeous wedding photos! You look amazing and so happy. I just LOVE the vws too. They look in mint condition. I'd love to have one of those to drive around on weekends too :)
ReplyDeleteWell if you find one Renee let me know!!! x
DeleteWhat beautiful photos and what a gorgeous couple you make!
ReplyDeleteThank you Karen x
DeleteWow, Carla - what beautiful photos of an absolutely gorgeous wedding! I LOVE the Kombi Vans too! Happy Anniversary!
ReplyDeleteWe love them too, such a happy car! x
DeleteHappy Anniversary!!
ReplyDeleteWhat gorgeous wedding photos! Love the yellow flowers and your dress is just beautiful. Such a special venue
Love the choice of wedding cars.. My parents drove a split screen Kombi when we were kids, we used to think it was so embarrassing! Only now do I appreciate how cool it was!
That photo of your Great Great Grandfather looking over you is wonderful.
Oh Hello!!!
DeleteI'm so jealous that you grew up with one. Joel used to actually own one back in his younger days. Wishes he'd kept it, but the engine blew in it lol.
Lovely car, not always so reliable perhaps!!! x
So beautiful, yellow - what a perfect choice!
ReplyDeleteThere is an old unregistered kombi sitting in one of the driveways of an apartment building near where I live, I walk past every day on the way to school drop off and every day I wonder what is happening with it. I'm waiting to see them start fixing it up, surely they will...
So incredible your family have lived in that house all that time. My house was built in 1908 too (must have been a good year!) but I have no idea who lived here prior to 2009.
Lucky them. They are so hard to come by, particularly ones that don't require a lot of work. And those that are in good condition are fairly expensive now xx
DeleteAwwww! I love this post! You look like a model Carla, absolutely stunning. I see so much of you in your girls (or should that be the other way around?) And I love the idea of getting married at your parents' place that they built - how romantic.
ReplyDeleteThanks Maya, wedding photographers take so many photos!!! Out of the couple of 1000's there's bound to be a handful that are nice xx
DeleteHappy Anniversary! What gorgeous photos. We had yellow too, ours was a Spring wedding, thought it poured with torrential rain all day. LOVE the Kombi vans! xx
ReplyDeleteOh a fellow yellow bride. There aren't too many of us! x
DeleteHappy Anniversary Carla, your wedding looked glorious! Our anniversary was on Tuesday, and it was such a happy day too, even though I was 8 months pregnant!
ReplyDeleteYou're so lucky that your mum has such a gorgeous garden, perfect for a beautiful wedding :)
I was really lucky. It made choosing the venue easy! Thanks for stopping by Lisa xx
DeleteWow such beautiful photos! And check out those beautiful curls on your flower girl. I would love to do a photoshoot with those curls xx
ReplyDeleteBecca
Her curls are extremely photogenic!! x
Delete...
ReplyDeleteI love yellow!! What beautiful photos. They make me regret not having better photos taken at my own wedding. We were a bit slap dash, but years later I reckon it would have been a great investment in our future lives. xx
ReplyDeleteTime for a renewal of vows......?
DeleteHappy Anniversary and thanks for sharing your beautiful wedding photos. They are stunning and you two make such a lovely couple. I love the setting and the cars were amazing. It is great you splashed out and have so many photos of your big day that you can treasure forever
ReplyDeleteThanks Jenny x
DeleteWhat amazing wedding photos! Looks like you had the perfect day. Pips
ReplyDeleteThanks Pips x
DeleteI'm planning for my wedding just now!!!!! What you said made a lot of sense and is helping me to reduce bridal stress :) hehe. I like that you're so honest about not everything being peachey perfect - cause that's what makes life interesting! Thanks for sharing - the pictures are beautiful! Viv
ReplyDeleteThanks Viv, honesty is mostly always the best policy x
Deletehappy anniversary! what lovely pics - and for someone who didn't want the whole wedding she-bang, you looked gorgeous. and yellow is a beautifully happy colour. it's sunshine!
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts on yellow also x
DeleteIt's funny how much we all really enjoyed those wedding photos...even though it was such a while ago. I love your dress by they way. Lovely photos too. Happy Anniversary.
ReplyDeleteThanks Andrea x
DeleteOh you guys make for one mighty gorgeous couple and your wedding was stunning.... and let's not even start on the Kombie love!!! Be still my heart! Happy Anniversary you love birds and I wish you a lifetime of celebrating that special day xx
ReplyDeleteThanks Sonia x
DeleteWhat a STUNNING bride you made, Carla. A gorgeous couple, in fact. I just loved the soft butter colour of your wedding too. Happy anniversary! The best bit about the whole wedding is that you are still just as in love today as then. May that always be how you roll. x
ReplyDeleteThanks Bron x
DeleteHappy belated wedding anniversary. What an absolutely stunning couple! Your wedding looked absolutely perfect. Wishing you many more happy years together.
ReplyDeleteThanks Neets, that 's the plan!!! x
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