Names: Charlotte Strapp & David Paton
Wedding date: 7.04.18
Ceremony & Reception Venue: "Ernebank" - Tallangatta South
How we met and the marriage proposal:
We met at Prince Alfred’s bar on Church St in Richmond soon after I had moved to Melbourne from Sydney. It took Dave 3 months to pluck up the courage to ask me out to dinner and while later I admitted I had completely forgot meeting him three months prior, I went anyway and never looked back! The marriage proposal was at his family farm where the wedding was but down by the river. Dave and I would often venture down there on the hot evenings as the sun would set and I would watch him have a fish while I enjoyed a wine. This time, while pretending to get his fishing gear ready, Dave was building up the courage to ask me the best and biggest question ever. Before I knew it, he was in front of me on one knee, shaky as hell. It the most nervous I had ever seen him, but I soon calmed his nerves by saying a very big YES!
About our wedding day:
Joined by 165 of our closest family and friends Dave and I got married on his dairy farm in Mitta Mitta, North East Victoria. We felt very lucky to be able to marry at such an important place to the Paton family with the farm being in the family since they settled in 1860. With the entire wedding being located outside in a marquee, I spent the four weeks prior closely monitoring the weather. While all the farmers were hoping for rain I was hoping otherwise! Turns out, we couldn't have been luckier with blue skies and a tiny bit of cloud which made for some beautiful photos. Dave and I wed in a paddock overlooking an incredible back drop which included the dairy cows coming in for the afternoon milking. While our guests took in the amazing view and sunset over canapes and drinks, we were whisked off all over the farm with our amazing wedding party, photographer Tony Evans and videographer Alice Stephens. Our favourite photos were captured when Tony took Dave and I (in a ute of course) alone up to the highest point of the property which offers incredible 360-degree view of the valley during its final light. Not only were these our favourite photos of the day but it gave Dave and I the chance to be alone for the first time as husband and wife. Reception followed in a beautiful fairy light lit marquee. Between speeches Tony whisked us off again into the paddock we married in and captured an incredible photo of us standing together under the stars. We then cut our cheese wheel cake, had our first dance and then the real party began. The firepits were lit and at 10.30pm the espresso martini's and whiskey came out which kept the party going until 3am. What made the day truly remarkable was the willingness of our family and friends to go above and beyond what we expected of them to create a day we could not find fault in. We started with a blank space, and over the 16 months leading up to the day, grass was sewn, mowed, stairs and fences were built and the garden was meticulously maintained. We will forever be grateful for all their hard work. Looking back on the day, we wouldn't have changed a single thing and like most brides and grooms, we wish we could do the day all over again!
Our wedding style:
Being on the family farm, we had a blank canvas for our wedding. We wanted to pick a style that complemented the amazing surroundings of the property. While we chose black tie dress code, we also wanted to also create a relaxed, country feel. From the pale pinks, white and green beautifully messy Australian bouquets and flower arrangements, to the wine barrels, firepits and signs, we think we achieved exactly that. There were DIY projects galore, my favourite being the bar tops and stairs down into the ceremony paddock we built out of red gum grown on the farm itself.
Finding my wedding gown:
Suzanne Harward was my final stop for the day but secretly all day I knew I would find my dress there. With my two older sisters both getting their amazing dresses from there, I knew I couldn't go wrong. I tried on a range of different styles, from what I thought I would pick to dresses I never thought I would have tried on. Dresses earlier in the day I didn’t feel myself in or felt too old. Carly took this on board and I am so grateful that she encouraged me to have an open mind because in the end I picked a dress I never imagined and that I absolutely fell in love with. It was fun, timeless and even had pockets! Wait for that moment when you find your dress, it gave me goose bumps. It is quite an emotional experience so keep that champagne pouring!
First dance song:
"Home" by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. Dave and I enjoyed spending hours listening to spotify with a red wine in hand. Both being hopeless dancers we knew we wanted something a bit fun and carefree rather than a slower song. We also knew that the farm setting deserved a laid back, country-like tune. Every lyric in this song we loved, from "Home is wherever I'm with you" to “man, oh, man, you’re my best friend”. We could absolutely resonate with this fun-loving song.
Advice for future couples:
Dave and I were told prior to our wedding to make sure we take a moment to step away and look back at the wedding. It is so easy to get caught up in the excitement and fun of the day and it goes by in such a blur. When we took a step back for a few moments and looked back at all our guests it was a truly amazing view to take in. Even if it's just a few minutes, do it! Oh, and don’t sweat the small things, in the end you don’t notice the little details.
Couture experience at Suzanne Harward:
I would highly recommend Suzanne Harward to everyone! I was the third sister in my family to choose a Suzanne dress and for each of us Carly and the girls were flawless, an absolute dream team. I appreciated their advice and honesty throughout the trying on process and it helped me make what was going to be a very difficult decision easy. I loved the bottom of one dress and the top of another and the girls were more than happy to make it work for me. From the moment I picked my dress to the day I picked it up it was a totally enjoyable experience that involved no dramas whatsoever. If you are looking for your dream gown, then Suzanne Harward is the place to go!
Book an appointment today to find your dream wedding gown at Suzanne Harward.
Photographer: Tony Evans Photo
CREDITS
Photographer; Tony Evans // Videographer; Alice Stephens (FilmbyAlice) // Groom’s attire; Oscar Hunt Tailors // Bridal party attire; Scanlan Theodore // Brides shoes; Bianca Buccheri // Bride’s accessories; Lucy Folk earrings // Hair & Makeup artists; Hair: Boudoir Hair. Makeup: Mumu Makeup // Florist; Thistle & Fern // Glamping: Twilight Glamping // Marquee + Furniture; Barlens Events Albury // Catering + Cake; Fiona Landy Catering // Planner / Stylist; Fiona Landy // Stationary; D&D Letterpress (invites, menus, placecards) // Entertainment; Liam Dalby