There might be a massive ‘thank-you’ in order for Vanessas brothers forgetful memory in leaving his wallet at Cameron’s house.However, thumbs up to Vanessa being the caring sister she is and went and got the wallet the next day. Who ever is responsible for bringing this couple together we may never know but what a beautiful union we can see listening to Vanessa + Cameron love story. Special mention to Vanessa who told Cameron to “Shut up!” when trying to propose! You go girl!
#RCREALBRIDE Vanessa wore the striking ‘248’ by Wedding Societé. One of our most recent of brands to join Raffaele Ciuca, exclusively. Sweetheart neckline with bow detail at waist. Figure hugging silhouette to low hip the skirt featured a delicate lace overlay with cascading train.
Photographer: Bonay Photography
THE FIRST SIGHT
My younger brother had asked me to pick up his wallet from someones house, which he’d left there the night before. Having grown up in Melbourne, if someone didn’t know a person directly, they knew someone who did, I knew ofCam but didn’t know him. Well, it was Cam’s house my brother had been at and being a nice sister I went and knocked on the door of Cam’s place. My first impression, very good looking with piercing blue eyes!
But, it wasn’t for a couple of years until we started dating.
THE PROPOSAL
It was September 2017 (been together nearly 3 years) and we decided to book a weekend away in Daylsford, work had been really stressful and we needed to take a moment and just spend some time together. I didn’t see it coming as such, but when he picked me up from work that Friday, I saw Chamapgne in the back amongst other wine. In September 2016 we were flying from Venice to Santorini, and he insisted that we should get a bottle of Champagne duty free…I had assumed something “special” was happening and lets just say – I didn’t want to assume incorrectly again! That Friday night, I came out of the bathroom and he was on one knee, he hadn’t actually said anything yet, but I recall telling him to shut up, and asked if he was joking and saying it was just a bracelet in the box. When I got closer, I saw a beautiful solitaire diamond ring. I accidently had him in a headlock from hugging him so tight I was so excited. I still smile and feel the same excited feeling when I think about that moment.
THE VENUE
Truth be told, we had stayed there for a weekend and I was in the lift when a staff member from the restaurant (Spoonbill) came in with a tray of desserts for a function, they looked so good, I just had a thought and asked Cam if we should just query their function space. We had looked at a few places but weren’t getting anywhere so we decided to talk and work out what exactly we wanted our day to be. We didn’t want a traditional wedding with a timeline, or sitdown reception etc. Once we realised we just want to have a party and celebrate with our family and friends, we started thinking of places that fit that description. We arranged to look at The Olsen’s poolside space on level one, Cam and I really liked it and felt it was perfect for what we wanted so we asked about dates, and it all just started falling in to place.
FAVOURITE MOMENT
Its hard to only mention a few, theres so many favorite parts throughout the day! But I have four moments that really come to mind. One is, the morning of the wedding when I saw the flowers. I was just lost for words. The flowers were a big part of the whole day! Jane had really outdone it, I was getting comments about the quality of the flowers for weeks after. Another, is when I was with my dad, just before the ceremony started. Having sometime alone before he walked me down the aisle, was really special. Then during the ceremony Cam started swinging my hands from side to side, it wasn’t a nervous thing it was more like an outburst of excitement, he was just as excited as I was! If not my favortie of the entire night, its very close, Cam’s youngest sister requested a song I’ve always loved and reminds me of Cam and when we lived in our old apartment (DeJ Loaf – No Fear). She ran around to find us and instructed us to go the dance floor and then my song came on, I can’t even remember others being around us – they were there in the photos, but I just remember dancing around and singing the song to him.
THE DRESS
On the way to my fitting, I said to my parents this was going to be the last fitting and I’ll just go with a plain satin slip style. I’d tried quite a few and nothing felt the way I thought the dress should. I showed Teresa what I liked and what I thought I wanted. She asked if I’d be open to suggestions, which I was. I hadn’t considered a sweetheart strapless style, I hadn’t even tried a strapless at any of my fittings. Its hard to explain, but I became weirdly emotional and wanted to cry, but wasn’t sure why? It wasn’t nerves or a negtive feeling, it was one I’d not felt before and I put it down to the dress. That was when I knew I’d found my dress. I loved the lace overlay, it had this delicate look and shimmer through the pattern. It was like nothing I’d seen or would have thought to try, the other bonus was it had just arrived in store, RC had a trunk show for the new line. I didn’t want something that was the same as everyone elses. I wish I could wear it again.
FINDING THE ONE
I felt like a Cinderella, and Teresa was my fairy godmother! Not once did I feel pressured, or like she was just saying what I wanted her to say. She was honest from the start, and knew what she was talking about and what to suggest. When I initially looked at the dress when she brought it over, I commented that the bow would have to come off, I didn’t think I’d like it on me because of the cut and the little bow at the waist. Never judge a book by its cover! I’m so thankful for Teresa’s help, for what was a miserable cold wet Saturday soon turned into a day where I was on cloud nine!
ADVICE FOR OTHER BRIDES
If you don’t feel like something is right when you’re making a decision, if you have any hesitation – don’t commit to it. Don’t do what others are doing, or have what others have, its your wedding day, it represents the two of you, not your guests or anyone else. Although it was stressful and at many stages I wanted to just give up, I planned our wedding, I didn’t have the bridetribe or a wedding planner, there were hurdles – but on the day, it was perfect.
Also, can you give us a tip on how to keep a happy relationship?
My tip, talk about things before assuming or letting something that’s small turn in to something big. Like any relationship, we only want the best for each other, but sometimes it may not come across like you think it should.
We took the time to understand our own flaws and each others, we’re not perfect, but we’re a team and work together not against each other.
VENDORS
Dress: Raffaele Ciuca Bridal
Photographer: Bonay Photography Venue: The Olsen Hotel, Level 1 Poolside / @artserieshotels
Church/Celebrant: Susan McBride / @melbournecelebrant
Flowers: Jane from Hampstead Flowers / @hampstead_flowers
Cake: Burch & Purchese, South Yarra / @burchpurchese
Hair: Natalie Virgona, Melbourne Hairstylist / @natalievirgona Makeup: Adriana Rose, Makeup Arstist / @adrianarosemakeupartist Shoes: Carvela Kurt Geirger, David Jones Invites: Vanessa Fahey Suit: Canali Table Centrepieces: Flowers by Jane / @hampstead_flowers
Rings: Michael Hill, Elizabeth Street Melbourne
