Real Weddings... Edith and Michael

At Karen Willis Holmes, we love when our brides share their photos with us from their wedding. It is so wonderful to see how all the elements come together on the big day, and also to see how each bride puts her signature on the gown they have chosen.

Today we are lucky enough to share a “Real Wedding” story that is very close to our hearts. One of our employees from the Paddington store, Edith, married in October 2009 and has kindly allowed us to share with you the story and photos of her wedding.

Michael and Edith

Edith and Michael had been dating for about 9 years when he proposed while holidaying in Europe. “Michael had planned to propose in Paris when we were going to go to the ballet and out for a beautiful dinner,” said Edith. “But after he lost his credit card in Barcelona, the location was scaled back to a beautiful bridge where he proposed with the Art Deco engagement ring that belonged to his grandmother”.

Then, with a date set for Friday October 23^rd, Edith and Michael began planning for their big day.

Deciding on the beautiful Carrington Hotel in Katoomba for the location was the natural choice, after having spent several anniversaries in the area. “We love the cold, the antique stores, and the natural landscape in the area,” said Edith. “We have always loved the grandeur of The Carrington. It was perfect for our old-fashioned sensibilities.”

And it is these sensibilities that helped to create the theme for the day. Being devoted to all things of the 1940’s and 50’s, Edith wanted the event to be reminiscent of these eras stylistically. “I wanted the whole thing to feel like one of the jazz age ‘swell parties’.”

Even though Edith was always surrounded by Karen Willis Holmes gowns at work, she said she was unsure what direction she would take when it came time to picking her own gown. After meeting with both Karen and Francesca from the Paddington store, Edith tried a few different options but decided it was the couture Sharon gown that really captured her. “The impeccable construction and the intricate surface detailing reminded me of corsets from the Victorian era, which fit nicely with the theme.” said Edith.

Edith's gown - the couture Sharon gown.

For something extra special, Edith opted for silver fabric to be used when making the gown. “I did not plan on wearing silver but as soon as I tried it on I fell in love with the lustre of the fabric and the way the colour changed with the light.” With Edith’s beautiful red hair and milky skin, the silver contrast looked absolutely amazing on her. Edith finished her outfit with a beautiful silver garter that was made for her by a friend.

The silver colour looked especially fabulous when teamed with the gorgeous purple bouquets made by Ria Floral, Bondi. Edith entrusted all artistic direction to Ria for the floral arrangements, who created pieces filled with Burgundy David Austin roses, Queen of the Night tulips, silver Dusty Miller foliage and Juniper berries in floral arrangement stands and bouquets for Edith and her bridesmaids to carry.

Edith's bouquet and flowers by Ria Floral 

The bridesmaids each wore a different black gown from Wayne Cooper, Morrissey and one bridesmaid wore a vintage black dress, while the groomsmen were donned in handsome suits from David Jones suit hire.

Edith and her three beautiful bridesmaids

Michael wore a beautiful charcoal, lightweight, Australian wool suit from Farage, Strand Arcade teamed with a pair of olive coloured ostrich skin cowboy boots from Route 66, just to add some extra flair to his attire.

Music played a key part in Edith and Michael’s wedding, as Michael is a musician and Edith absolutely loves to dance. They had the “Snaketown Rattlers Swing 5 Piece” perform, along with “Wheelers and Dealers Irish Trio”. The song chosen for the first dance was “Dance Me to the End of Love” by Leonard Cohen and was actually sung by the groom.

Edith and Michael

All in all, Edith and Michael said that they had a truly wonderful day and thoroughly enjoyed themselves. We may be slightly biased, but we do think that their wedding was just beautiful and we love the overall look of the day.

Photos by Infinity Sydney