Real Weddings… Matt and Mel

The story of Mel and Matt is no ordinary school-yard romance. The couple first met when they were both working as teachers at the same high school. While there was an instant attraction between the couple, it took seven years for them to finally take their relationship to a romantic level.

After a two-year courtship, the couple were holidaying in Melbourne with friends to take in the 2010 Australian Open, when Matt arranged a very special birthday surprise for Mel. After sending her out shopping for a new dress, Matt put together a magical night to remember. Kicking off with a surprise twilight seafood dinner at ‘Live Bait’ Restaurant in Docklands, the couple enjoyed a beautiful meal and Matt presented Mel with a special book containing post-it notes strategically placed throughout stating the ’10 Things I DON’T Hate About You’. Once the meal was complete, Matt rushed Mel to the 88^th floor of Eureka Towers, which has the highest viewing platform in the Southern Hemisphere, and took her out into ‘The Edge’, which is a glass cub platform, which extends three metres out from the building. Mel said by the time she had recovered from the height and turned to Matt, he was down on one knee asking her to be his wife.

The couple then put together their dream wedding in just a matter of months, with their big day falling on the 8^th of May 2010. The reason the couple pushed forward with their plans was that with so many family members overseas, this was the one time where they could everyone in one place to share in their special day.

St Stephens Anglican Church in Newtown played host to the ceremony, with Mel explaining the venue choice coming down to “the beautiful neo-gothic stone architecture, and surrounding of Camperdown Cemetery” – we have had a few of our brides opt for this venue and agree that it is a beautiful choice.

The reception took place at The Loft, Doltone House in Pyrmont. Again, the architecture, teamed with the view captured the couple’s attention. “We loved the exposed timber beams the polished wooden floorboards and the amazing view” said Mel.

Mel prefers a more understated, elegant look, which is what made her decide to come into Karen Willis Holmes. After trying on a few gowns she brought her Mum back in for a second opinion and opted for the for the ‘Roberta’ gown (without the ruffles on the skirt) teamed with the ‘Adele Shoulder Corsage’ and ‘Adele train’ after her Mum cried seeing her in the gown – she knew it was the one.

Mel said the bustle train and detailed handmade shoulder piece were the highlights of her gown, making it unique and completely her own.

Mel finished her gown with rose gold earrings and Witchery ballet flats which she then embellished herself, to match her earrings.

Keeping the theme elegant and fresh, the couple opted for colours of ivory, taupe, aqua and rose-gold. Mel showed her creativity and kept the planning of her wedding personal by even designing and creating their invitations, with the help of her friend.

The couple enjoyed the company of a large bridal party, each having a combination of relatives and friends as their six bridesmaids and six groomsmen.  

Mel and her business partner made her bridesmaids outfits, with Mel taking care of the tops and her partner the skirts (www.silkpin.com.au). Each of the bridesmaids also had individual bags to match their outfits, along with individually made hair-pieces.

Engaging in the services of Erin Halle as a florist, who was recommended by a friend, Mel and Matt were thrilled with the creativity used in the arrangements and how they complimented the colour scheme for the day.

Michelle Fiona was the photographer for the day Mel said, “Michelle is a friend with an amazing talent! She is a fantastic photographer; Beautiful, elegant, non-intrusive, friendly, flexible, fun, captures the moments between the moments, amazing!” (www.michellefionaphotography.com.au) 

The couple shared their first dance as husband and wife, which Mel described as “A magically sweet moment of slow dancing to ‘Magic’ by Colbie Caillat with all our guests watching on from the second floor of The Loft.”

The other key elements that made Matt and Mel’s day so perfect included their close friend, Paul Johnston, acting as MC keeping the day personal. Also, the beautiful cake from The Cake Studio was finished with a small rosette on the top that Mel made to match the bridesmaid outfits, again giving the whole wedding the personal touch of the couple.

   

Mel has kindly shared her five great memories for the day, which do sound absolutely beautiful and help us to get the real feeling for the magic of Matt and Mel’s wedding day.

“The sight of amazing sunshine and cloudless blue sky (despite forecasts of rain)”

“The smell of Matts cologne.”

“The sound of the words ‘I DO’”

“Having all our family and friends there to share in the day with us and so many of them involved in making the day great”

“Sitting on a picnic rug with our bridal party at Observatory Hill sipping on champagne and breathing the whole day in.”