Love is not only something you feel, it is something you do. – David Wilkerson. This definition of love really describes the love Alex showed Lydia in one of the most difficult times of her life. To celebrate their wedding day on the same day as her parents was so very special and you’ll see why. #RCRealBride Lydia wore the Maggie Sottero Aralyn gorgeous ball gown with bateau neckline. Photography by Belinda Denny Photography THE FIRST SIGHT Alex and I met at university, we were both studying mechanical engineering. We both thought the other was an excellent student for continuing to show up to this one terrible lecture but it turns out the we were only showing up because we wanted to see each other. Alex offered to come over to my house to help me study and ended up taking me to Phillip Island as he thought I needed cheering up. The relationship really begun to flourish from this point on. Alex was my number one support, 6 months after our relationship began my father past away suddenly and Alex held me up the way no one else could. The way he was able to be there for me left me with no doubt about him being the one for me. THE PROPOSAL Alex had spent time making plans with my mother. At the time I was working for my dads welding company that my mum was running after my fathers passing 2 years earlier. While at work I noticed that my mum had left her laptop and files on her desk and I messaged her asking if she’s needed them. She responded saying that she urgently needed them and asked me to drop them into her on my way home from work. When I arrived at my mums I noticed a trail of rose petal leading from the front door out onto the front deck. Alex was standing there with our song playing in the background in a ring of rose petals looking over the reservoir at the front of my mothers house. THE VENUE Projekt 3488 had something different to any other venue I had seen. It was absolutely stunning in every single way. I wanted to have a wedding at a venue that was unique and didn’t require travel from the ceremony to the reception. The amazing deck out the back of the venue allowed for us to have our ceremony looking over the stunning Australian native garden. The building itself is a masonic hall that has been renovated into a space that is purpose built for an incredible wedding. The upstairs area allows guests to mingle while the down stairs hall had two long wooden suspension tables for dinner that are then moved to create a large dance floor. Mark and Sandi the owners of Projekt 3488 are also the most accommodating and helpful people I have ever met. They really ensure that you have the perfect event and we cannot thank them enough. FAVORITE MOMENT There really were too many perfect moments during our wedding. We really loved the food served by Locavore Catering and our band The Velvet Archers. Everyone seems to absolutely love the food and with the band we were able to party on through the night. We were so blessed with the weather as it seemed that we got one of the only sunny days of the month. The day for us was also very special as the 11th November was also my parents wedding anniversary, as my father couldn’t be there with us it meant an incredible amount to me to be able to share this day with them. THE DRESS I wore the Maggie Sottero Aralyn gown. From the moment I put the dress on for the first time at Raffaele Ciuca it fit perfectly. It made me feel beautiful and slim and like royalty. It was not the dress that I went into the store to buy but once I tried it on there was no other choice I could have, it was absolutely perfect. FINDING THE ONE My bridal shopping experience was great. I had chose and bought my dress within 40 minutes of being in the appointment. The staff were incredibly helpful with showing me different gowns to try on. TIPS FOR ALL THE BRIDES TO BE Make the day the way you want it to be, there will always be people that may not agree with your choices but at the end of the day it is your memories you are creating and you want them to be perfect. Make sure it’s a day you’ll love to remember for the rest of your life, no matter what that day may be. Photographer: Belinda Denny Photography Venue: Projekt 3488 Church/Celebrant: Ceremony conducted by- Lydia’s brother in law, James Allen /Celebrant – Irene Abel Flowers: The Willow Branch Hair: Sasha Madden Makeup: Nikki Domm Shoes: Christian Louboutin Invites: Lilly Kiss – Wood Invites Suits: Politix Band/DJ: The Velvet Archers Bridesmaid Dresses: Review Bonbonerie: Seed Paper Australia Rings: JHJ Creative Jewerly – Custom Designed