#rcrealbride Caitlin wore our stunning Tamar wedding dress by Pronovias for her wedding in Laharum, Victoria.
Photography – Thea Jane Photography
THE FIRST SIGHT
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Daniel and I met at a party through mutual friends 4.5 years ago, it was an army themed dress up party, so Daniel was covered from head to toe in khaki body paint, all that I could see was his eyes and teeth, I had no idea who he was, and he didn’t know me. When I entered the room, Daniel says he was instantly drawn to me, and constantly went out of his way to speak to me and to be near me all night. He added me on Facebook the very next day, and we talked back and forth for 6 months, before deciding to meet again. There was an instant spark between us, and all it took was staying up all night talking for us both to realise how similar our personalities and interests really were. We became inseparable. One month later we started dating, and we began living together after 2 months, the rest is history!
THE PROPOSAL
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Daniel proposed in August 2016 while we were holidaying in Port Douglas, our very first holiday together. We had planned a day out snorkelling at Low Isles in The Great Barrier Reef on our third day. While we were waiting on the island for the rest of the group to finish snorkelling, Daniel asked me to come for a walk along the beach. I thought that we wouldn’t have time, but he insisted. So off we went. Daniel was holding the camera, and he asked me to walk towards the water and he will take some photos. I went a long with it, so off I went. When I turned around to face him, Daniel was down on one knee still holding the camera, I began walking towards him thinking ‘surely not’, but then he spoke the words “Caitie, will you marry me?”. I was in such disbelief that I kept saying “are you serious?” until he pulled the ring out of the pocket of his board shorts, and of course I said YES!. He captured my entire reaction on camera!
THE VENUE
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We held our ceremony on Daniel’s family farm, it is a spot he had earmarked for a very long time. We had our alter right next to a beautiful big tree in the paddock, and a stunning view of The Grampians behind us. It is a place that we can continue to return to, and show our kids and grand-kids one day the place where we were married.
THE FAVOURITE MOMENT
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Marrying my best friend, and seeing how big his smile was for the entire day. We had so much fun taking all of our photos. Not to forget celebrating with our family and friends!
THE DRESS
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Where do I start. My dress honestly made me feel like a princess. When I first saw myself in the mirror with my dress, jewellery, hair and make up done, I was speechless, and began tearing up; surely I couldn’t have been that beautiful. For the first time in my life, I felt 100% beautiful. It fitted me perfectly, and showed off my curves which I loved! I even had people commenting that it was the most stunning dress they had ever seen, and that they swear it was made for me. My dress made me feel so amazing.
FINDING THE ONE
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My bridal shopping experience at RC Armadale was second to none. It was the first bridal store I had ever been to. I was assisted by Billy, and instantly she made me feel so welcome and comfortable; she was lovely! She allowed me to walk around and pick out some dresses that I wanted to try on. My gown was the first one that I had ever tried on, and at first I wasn’t sure as it wasn’t what I originally had in mind, but after trying on a few others none of them compared, I went back and tried on my Pronovias gown, and that’s when I knew that it was ‘the one’. I could see myself walking down the aisle in it, and nothing else. Billy was so helpful, and never rushed me. She allowed me to stay in the gown to really take it all in, that’s what I believe allowed me to really be sure of my decision. She was amazing, and I would recommend her to anyone.
ADVICE FOR OTHER BRIDES
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Don’t sweat the small stuff, because honestly you won’t even notice it on the day, besides, it won’t even matter, as long as you marry your best friend, that’s all that matters. Also, be fully present on the day, people aren’t lying when they say that it goes by so quick, it really is over before you know it. Be sure to take a few minutes to take everything in, and enjoy some alone time with your new spouse on the day to reflect, I believe that is so important.
Photographer: Thea Jane Photography
Videographer: Spinkscapes
Cake: Sweet Boutique Custom Cakes
Celebrant: Shae Spry
Reception Venue: The Halls Gap Valley Lodges
Music: Jason Bull Music
Hair: Hair by Millicent, D’Cocos, Horsham
Make Up: Stacey McClure Make up