Maddie & Tim's green Australian wedding
Real Weddings: Global
By
on August 28, 2008
15
The offbeat bride: Maddie - Graphic Designer
Her offbeat partner: Tim - Hydrogeologist
Location & date of wedding: Wedding: New Farm Park, Brisbane, Australia Reception: New Farm Lawn Bowls Club (across the road). 8th October 2005
What made our wedding offbeat: My husband and I dreamed up every aspect of the day so that when we remember back, it may not have been everyone's idea of perfect but it was everything we could have ever wanted it to be. With very little cash and a whole lot of skilled friends pitching in their skills, this green coloured wedding and accompanying reception 'on the green' was a whole lot of fun!
Our biggest challenge: Trying to include everyone. I think we ended up being able to involve all of our family by including our Mums in the ceremony, my sisters in the wedding party, my brother in the ceremony - who ended up giving a GREAT reading and our Dads in the reception with some awesome (and teary) speeches. It was a lot of hard work but in the end, it meant everyone felt a part of the day (I hope!)
My favorite moment: I sang a song unaccompanied to my husband at the reception. Noone knew I was going to do it (in fact, not many people knew I could even sing!) so it was a BIG surprise to everyone but especially my husband. His expression and our kiss will stay with me forever! Plus it gave a new meaning to our 'wedding song'!
My offbeat advice: Plan for uncertain weather - weather is one thing you can't control! I had thought it would rain (it actually turned out to be a scorcher!) so in fair weather, we planned for the wedding to be in an outdoor rose arbour and in 'unfair weather', we booked the undercover bandstand just in case. Luckily we didn't need to use it - it was a little too structured for our liking.
Enough talk — show me the wedding porn: To see more of this green-themed wedding (and the bride's amazing necklace!) click the photo below:
About Ariel Meadow Stallings
Author of Offbeat Bride: Creative Alternatives for Independent Brides, Ariel acts as the publisher of all the Offbeat Empire websites. She lives, loves, and dorks out hard in Seattle, WA.
Kristin said
The bride is gorgeous. Absolutely stunning! And I love how vibrant her ink looks. Fab.
Steph said
Looks like a great day, everyone looks really happy and calm.
And that necklace is GORGEOUS.
elizabathory said
Yowser!
hot hot hot!
kim* said
simply elegant!
T said
aw, this was a gorgeous wedding. it helps that the bride has some amazing ink adorning her
Goddess Leonie said
SUCH gorgeous pictures!
ariel, just saw these pics, thought you might like:
http://www.ourblogoflove.com/index.cfm?postID=189
Amanda said
Oh My God I know one of your bridesmaids! Miriam did the tats on the backs of my calves. I was just thinking how amazing you looked in your dress with your beautiful back piece. Really elegant.
Maddie said
Wow what a small world! My sister Miriam did all my tattoo artwork actually. She just started her own studio called Trailer Trash Tattoo. I love her work too (but I may be a little bit biased!)
Amanda said
Next time I'm back in Oz I will have to look her new studio up. She is really talented. Now that you mention she's your sister I can see the resembelance.
RubyRedRing said
MUST know about that necklace…spectacular!
sarahevvie said
Where did you get that necklace??? It's beautiful!
natty said
I'm from sydney and i'd give my eyeteeth for a brisbane wedding like that. i love the barefoot bowls and the aussie beers on the sideline, and the obi over the altar was superb. sigh- a girl can dream!! all the best to you both.
Maddie said
The necklace was from a store called 'Steel my Art' in Fortitude Valley. Although primarily an import furniture store, they had an amazing range of handmade jewellery for ridiculously cheap prices!
Sarah said
Steel My Art
622 Wickham St, Fortitude Valley, QLD 4006
p: (07) 3852 2535
… well I know what I'll be doing in between Valley Fiesta bands next weekend! Beautiful wedding, love New Farm bowlo
)
Vicky said
As the mother of the bride (Maddie) I can tell you it was the most beautiful, relaxed and meaningful wedding. Everyone in attendance felt part of the ceremony. Of course the bride looked absolutely beautiful and the bridesmaids not too shabby either! It was a very special day and one that lives closely in our memories. Maddie planned the whole lot and organised the whole thing herself. She is a clever clogs!