REAL WEDDING | BROOKE & CHRISTIAN AT FIG TREE, BYRON BAY

BROOKE AND CHRISTIAN

Last October we had the pleasure of decorating Fig Tree for the lovely Brooke and Christian. Brooke got in touch and shared her vision of an untraditional arbour that would be placed under the beautiful fig tree at the venue. The colour scheme was white and gold and the talented Bower Botanicals were going to work their flower magic.

However, on the day mother nature had other plans! It was a very wet weekend so it was decided that the Fig Tree be set up for a wet weather ceremony. We created the arbour indoors but luckily for Brooke and Christian there was a break in the weather and they were able to say their i do’s under the fig tree!

The day before we had created a stunning roof installation for another couple who had generously gifted it to Brooke and Christian to use for their wedding. The blooms and blush balloons were removed and we added in some chrome gold to match the new colour scheme. The two pieces worked beautifully together and the amazing team from Bayleigh Vedelago were there to capture every last detail!

And of course, we have to mention the cake from The cake that Ate Paris who made not one but TWO cakes. Chocolate with caramel buttercream and toffee, one had whiskey and gluten and the other did not! Yum!

Now for some words of advice from the bride!

What advice do you have for couples who have just started planning their wedding?

Planning a day like this can be overwhelming, particularly at the start. Even when you both have a vision of what you'd like the day to look like, there can be so many small details to cover off. I've planned corporate functions in the past and still at times found planning our wedding a little daunting. I found the following things super helpful:

  • Lock in the big-ticket items first. Secure a venue for the date you want, lock in your photographer and/or videographer and start looking for the dress. The setting of your big day and the person who captures it all are so important - the venue determines the look and feel and should speak to what you both love as a couple, while the photos and video are going to be all you have to look back on. 

  • Find an app or a full and complete checklist to help guide you! I used the app 'Wed Happy'. I didn't need to do every task in there and there were others I had to add in myself, but it serves as a great reminder tool and helps you to track your suppliers, tasks, contacts and budget all in one place. You can also share access to this with other people (either your husband-to-be, Mum or wedding planner if you have one). 

  • Find a stylist or planner that can help with your vision. For our venue, we had to select everything we wanted on the day with the venue essentially a blank canvas - from flowers, tables, chairs, layout, bars, lighting, linen right down to the knives and forks. Even when you have an idea of what you would love to have, sometimes it can be difficult to see the end result (until you do finally see it - which in my case wasn't until I was walking down the isle) so having somebody that has done this a million times over and can either reassure you on your choices or help guide you to make different ones to bring it all together, is a big help!

  • Decide early on what you are willing to compromise on and what you are not. Weddings can be expensive and at times the budget can get away from you when you find things you need to pay for that you didn't expect in the beginning (this is where a planner/list/app is really helpful). Talk about what aspects of the day you are both firm on keeping and what others can either be left out or a cheaper alternative sourced. On that note, don't be afraid to ask friends/family for help - if they have talents or skills or contacts available, this is a time when they're more than likely happy to share! (We had friends play music through our ceremony, canapés and first dance) Not only can this help save you some $$ they can create some extra special moments and memories on the day!

Oo! One last thing - if you're planning an outdoor wedding, have a plan B (and even C and D if necessary) in place early on. We had everything set outdoors - the ceremony, drinks, dining and dance. As the day drew closer, however, it was apparent that this wasn't likely going to be the case, but were lucky in that we chose a venue that had a great indoor option (inside the restaurant). Dining, speeches and dancing were all moved indoors, however, Fig Tree and Byron Bay Weddings were fantastic in that they were happy to set up an indoor and outdoor ceremony, just in case luck was on our side. A last-minute decision (as my hair and makeup were getting done) we made the call to have our gorgeous balloon arbour set up inside, as we expected most of the day to be in there. Fig Tree then set up an alternative arbour outside for us, which ended up being used. I'm not going to lie, I was pretty gutted that the wonderful arbour inside wasn't able to be used (Lilly and the Bower ladies did the most incredible job) but sometimes not everything can go to plan. 

What was your favourite memory from the day? 

There are quite a few that stand out for me! So many people had told us that the day will go so quickly, to take some moments by ourselves and take it in. For us though, it felt like one of the longest days we've ever had haha But in the very best way! We spent the entire day laughing surrounded by those who love us most - we both knew it would be a day when the love we share would go to another level, but honestly didn't anticipate just how much love we would feel from our family and friends. It was something like we've never experienced before and was so special.

My favourite memory though, was when I arrived at the venue with my Dad and bridesmaids. We arrived early and as we did there was a break in the rain (solid 2 weeks of rain around our day). Since all the guests had arrived we decided to start ahead of schedule in the hopes of beating the next downpour and have the ceremony outside, under the Fig Tree like we'd always wanted. As the music started and the girls began to make their way down the aisle, I had a massive rush of adrenaline as my Dad held my arm, smiled and asked if I was ready. I could have run outside I was so ready haha Those moments though, were filled with so much intensity and love. As I made my way towards Christian, he already had tears down his face, before he took my hand and gave me a twirl!

In the end, the rain came just as we sat down to sign our certificate. Guests told us later that they could all see the rain slowly moving in from the ocean as the ceremony played out. Christian and I were completely oblivious! But they say rain on your wedding day is good luck right? So we made the most out of the day anyway, muddy dress and all. 

CREATING THE ARBOUR
byron bay weddings bower botanicals wedding figtree wedding byron bay byron bay weddings balloon arbour

 

The Wedding

 

WEDDING SUPPLIERS

Photographer – Bayleigh Vedelago
Videographer - Wilde Visual
Florist – Bower Botanicals
Dress – Fiorenza Bridal
Suit - Wil Valor
Celebrant – Michelle Shannon
Hire – The Wedding Shed 
On the Day Co-ordination – Byron Bay Weddings
Makeup – Makeup by Andri
Hair – Jody Callan Hair
Cake – The cake that Ate Paris
Confetti – Everland Petal Confetti 
Decorations - Sketch & Etch
Photobooth - The Photobooth Guys
Seating Chart - Designed by my sister & MOH (Loren), printed by Colour Chiefs
Guest Transport - The Magic Bus