Real Life Wedding: Leah and James

Happy Valentine's Day! We thought we'd share a real life wedding with you to celebrate the occasion. James and Leah had a fantastically fun wedding at the Toowong Rowing Club. Here's the story...

How James and Leah Met
At Brisbane State High School - Leah was in Grade 9 and James in Grade 10. Soon worked out that we'd actually gone to the same primary school too - Middle Park State School

Proposal
On Christmas Day morning in 2011 at our house. James had "3 extra presents" for Leah - the first his & hers underwear, the second his & hers champagne glasses and the final one - a beautiful engagement ring he'd had made.

Theme
Party time - NYE!

The Details

No. of Guests: 110
Ceremony: Toowong Rowing Club
Reception: Toowong Rowing Club
Wedding Gown: Elizabeth De Varga
Bridemaid's Dresses: Made by bridesmaid's mum
Groom's Suit: Shoreditch UK
Groomsmen's Suits: Shoreditch UK 

Flowers: Lillipollen
Hair: Friends from Papas & Pace
Makeup: Cousin Dominique Mathisen - Freelance makeup artist in Melbourne
Cake: Cupcake tower with custom made cake toppers by The Cup Cake Taste
Transport: Pterodactyl Helicopters for Leah (a surprise for the groom) + Chrysler 300Cs.

Stationery: Designed by Leah, printed by AFX Digital. Custom envelopes via etsy.
Music & Entertainment: Ceremony performed by Melissa Donley. Reception - G&M DJs
Photographer: Celebrations Studios - Catherine Lowe
Hen's & Bucks: Burlesque class followed by drinks @ Fringe Bar
Honeymoon: Singapore, Langkawi & Melbourne
Celebrant: Johanna Murray - Vogue Vows
Bride's Wedding Ring: Michael Hill Jeweller - 2mm white gold, flat
Groom's Wedding Ring: Michael Hill Jeweller - Tungsten, hammered look
Engagement Ring: Michael Hill Jeweller - sapphire with diamonds surrounding

First Dance Song

If I ain't got you - Alicia Keys

D.I.Y.

• Leah designed all stationery - invites (with rsvp & wishing well cards), persoalised menus (doubled as place cards), ceremony "fans" (as order of service). 
• Worked with White Tulip Designs in USA via etsy to design custom envelopes with liners. 
• Made our table runners (fabric bought from etsy store in USA) to tie in chevron theme.
• Colours were charcoal, orchid purple & coral.
• Handwrote "blackboard" hearts that we tied around wine glasses, and did these as nicknames.
• Made tissue pom poms to hang in reception area.
• Ordered personalised M&Ms from USA for favours, and made stickers for jars and put together with ribbon.

Special Memory
So many...we've been together so long! Travelling the world together and buying our house.

Advice / Comments
Enjoy every minute - you only get to do this once. Don't feel you have to follow tradition, do what makes you happy and illustrates what you and your partner are like as a couple!

Funniest Moment
At the wedding - both of our vows, that we'd written independently mentioned "Sloane" from Entourage.
Before the wedding - getting caught out by our parents ( a few times) as teenagers!

Special Thanks

• Our parents - Russell & Jacqui, Wally & Cheryle.
• Our bridal party - Carla, Matt, Nikki & Leon.
• Our MCs - uncle Rod (Leah) and aunt Helen (James)
• Leah's cousins - Brodie, Kealy & Taylor for the readings.
• Everyone for coming along to celebrate!

Congratulations to Leah and James!

See more real life weddings on the website, and you can submit your special wedding as well! We'd love to see some more gorgeous weddings, we're always surprised and delighted by the themes and stories that come in.

QB x

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