Behind The Piece

Sharing the real wedding stories of the couples
that have come through Adrienne’s studio
-

Adrienne Monteverde 24/10/23 Adrienne Monteverde 24/10/23

Long Distance Love

A Traditional Hindu Wedding for childhood sweethearts Anisha and Sagar.

Anisha and Sagar
28th February 2021

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Our beautiful client, Anisha, met her hubby, Sagar, when they were just 11 years old and starting high school. Anisha said they formed a friendship in Year 7, started hanging out more in Year 10 and, well, now they’re married so I guess we know how that turned out!

At the start of 2019, Sagar moved interstate for work and thus began the start of long distance dating for the two lovebirds. With each trip to see one another, they would make an effort to have a special date day or night together. On one of Anisha’s trips to see Sagar, he had planned a day out at Werribee Zoo followed by lunch at the Werribee Park Mansion, which she said she was so excited for. The couple finished up at the zoo earlier than expected (or exactly as Sagar had planned!) and arrived too early for their lunch reservation - so, they decided on a whim (hmmm, yeah right!) to take a walk through the rose garden. To Anisha’s surprise, she found a beautifully decorated gazebo waiting for her and Sagar proposed on the spot! Sagar had been planning the proposal for quite some time, asking her parents months prior and planning the surprise with their sisters, who had arrived earlier to set everything up. They hid in the gardens while Sagar popped the question and were able to look on and celebrate with them when Anisha said yes - a moment which Anisha describes as incredibly special.

Despite COVID-19 and those lovely lockdowns wreaking a bit of havoc for the couple, Anisha describes her big day as “everything it was meant to be and more!” - which we love to hear! Read all about the leadup and the big day itself below.

What was your inspiration or vision when planning your big day? Did you have any must-haves or non-negotiables?

We always knew that we would have a traditional Indian (Hindu) wedding, which is always a few day affair due to all the rituals. Our non-negotiables were just to have the day the way we wanted without worrying about outside noise and influences.

How would you describe your wedding day?

What it was meant to be and more! After many cancellations and change of dates and plans due to COVID-19 (including a snap lockdown the week before and restrictions lifting a few days earlier), the day was more than anything we could have asked for. From initially planning a multi-day international wedding then to potentially a small backyard wedding with our parents and siblings, we were so thankful and lucky to be able to share our wedding day with those who could be there with us.

Were there any cultural wedding traditions you incorporated into your day?

We had a traditional Indian (Hindu) wedding including saree changes by myself (the bride) and the Saptapadi, which is the seven vows in marriage.

And on her experience with Adrienne, Anisha said…

I always knew I wanted something special from our wedding to hang in our home one day, but something more than photos. I came across Adrienne’s instagram page and was so drawn to the style of art and the detail in all her pieces. I showed my husband and he was sold! I sent Adrienne a few photos from both our wedding and photoshoot (what was supposed to be our wedding reception outfits which we unfortunately had to cancel) and she helped guide which would compliment each other when hanging. The artwork was better than I imagined. Adrienne is so incredibly talented. Her attention to detail is incredible and she brings to life the smallest of details. Opening the packaging was an experience in itself, as her packaging and branding is so sleek.

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A Note From The Artist:

Anisha and Sagar’s wedding photo’s speak for themselves, what immense beauty there is in their culture, and what a privilege it was to be asked to depict this in my paintings.

Anisha really wanted to represent both outfits from their wedding ceremonies, one of which they did not formally get to wear due to the hardships of covid cancellations. However they were able to get photographs of themselves in the outfits, so Anisha passed on her favourite images and trusted me to turn these special moments into art.

Traditional Hindu wedding attire is so beautifully detailed, for Anisha and Sagar, I offered the addition of gold paint, which allowed us to get a little shine and texture in there to represent the gold thread detailing used in their fabrics. It’s always a privilege to paint couples of different cultures, especially when you get the chance to depict the unique details that go into their outfits and pay homage to their unique weddings traditions.

Vendors: Artwork One (left)

Photographer: Shevan J Photography | Saree Designer: Tilfi Banaras | Rings: Natalie Marie Jewellery (Bride) Temelli Jewellery (Groom) | Jewellery: Indian Trend | Grooms Suit: Manyavar | Hair and Make-up: Pavita Hair and Make-Up | Venue: Shri Shiva Vishnu Temple, Carrum Downs | Celebrant: Weddings by Shamini | Stationary Designer: Rohan & Aparna Luxury Invitations

Vendors: Artwork Two (right)

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Adrienne Monteverde 18/9/23 Adrienne Monteverde 18/9/23

When the Maid of Honour and Best Man fall in love

Carla and Michael’s relaxed, intimate, and non-traditional Italian wedding…

Carla and Michael
14th September 2019

Our beautiful client Carla was first introduced to her now-husband, Michael, as her sister’s husband’s best friend. Carla and Michael were actually paired together as maid of honour and best man at the wedding - a meet-cute straight from a romantic comedy, but the perfect start for Carla and Michael’s love story.

Carla and Michael rocked their entrance to the Calvin Harris’ hit ‘Feel So Close’ - a song that would become something of a theme for these two lovebirds in the years to come.

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Not long after the wedding, Carla recalls they started hanging out a bit more frequently and after establishing a beautiful friendship and seeing each other for a few months, Michael decided to (finally!) ask Carla to be his girlfriend at the music festival Stereosonic (flashback, am I right?!), right as you guessed it, Feel So Close, was playing.

Carla said they had been dating for six years and she was convinced Michael would never ask her to marry him. As another anniversary approached, Carla said she organised the plans as per usual - lunch at China Doll in Sydney and a hotel in the city to stay after.

But, Michael had other plans. At lunch they received a call from Michael’s cousin who was hosting an event on his boat but had a bit of time before the guests arrived, so he was wondering whether Carla and Michael had time for a quick ride. Carla arrived to a band and photographer who were getting ready for the party guests to arrive…or so she thought! Michael’s cousin surprised them with a hamper as an anniversary gift with a beautiful card and poem written by Michael and, when she finished reading it, Michael was on one knee with the most beautiful ring she had ever seen. And, yes, you guessed it - there, on the boat, was a band playing Feel So Close, as they both enjoyed this moment together.

After such an incredible lead up, you just know the wedding would be amazing, right? We loved chatting with Carla to find out a little bit about her perfect day and we know you’re going to love it too.

Where did you start your wedding planning journey?

The year before we got engaged we had taken a trip to Bowral for the weekend. We decided to go to Bendooley for a wine tasting but when we arrived they had closed early due to setting up for a wedding. Instantly I was attracted to the venue and actually emailed them the morning after my proposal. I didn’t want a long engagement and we were given two dates to choose from. We decided on 14 September 2019.

How would you describe your wedding day?

Relaxed, intimate and definitely not a traditional Italian wedding. I really believe our wedding was our own twist and really represented us and our relationship.

Were there any cultural wedding traditions you incorporated into your day?

We played the Italian tarantella which always gets all the guests on the dancefloor.

What was your inspiration or vision when planning your big day?

Simple! I kept everything green, white and neutral. “Classy garden party” was an inspiration.

Did you have any must haves or non negotiables?

A garden ceremony.

We were lucky enough to have the same bishop who married my sister marry us. This was important as we are both Catholics and still wanted a religious ceremony. We also wanted to share platters for food, which is Bendooley’s signature. We wanted it to feel like a family dinner with everyone mingling over good food.

What were your stand-out moments from the day?

My sister, who is a makeup artist, did my bridal makeup which was very special
Having all my nieces as my flowergirls and my eight-week old nephew as page boy, along with our cousin's son.
Having the family dog Gigi attend our wedding, and even had a custom suit made to match the groomsmen
Writing our own vows. This was so unique and special to us, and definitely brought on some water works.
Our first dance was choreographed by my husband’s sister. We did a modern tango which was a surprise for everyone.

What advice would you give to other couples currently planning their wedding?

Do what makes you happy, as you only get to enjoy this once! Don't stress about the small things, as only you would notice these. Choose your splurge items early so you can cut back on other areas to keep costs low. And don't forget to enjoy every moment as time flies by so quickly.

And on her experience with Adrienne, Carla said…

Working with Adrienne was a truly great experience. Great communication and beautiful illustration. Even her branding and packaging is a true representation of her work and quality. After my first artwork I knew I wanted more and asked my husband for my birthday for two more to add to my collection. Once again blown away with her work!

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A Note From The Artist:

It’s the highest compliment for an artist when clients get in touch a second time. To have someone trust you to create such a sentimental artwork, that represents one of the most important days of their lives, is truly a huge privilege. So, you can only imagine how humbling it is when that client comes back, years later, for another artwork.

Working with Carla again was very special and sentimental. I had created her first piece back when I first started my business and now, over 2 years on, I had the chance to create a larger, more detailed artwork of the couple to celebrate their anniversary. It was such a beautiful way of representing their growth as a couple in the form of art and I’m incredibly humbled they asked me to do so.

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Adrienne Monteverde 11/9/23 Adrienne Monteverde 11/9/23

Add friend…find love

When social media introduces you to your future husband, you know it’s going to be an exciting journey!

Stefanie & Cameron

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When Cameron sent Stefanie a friend request on Facebook back in 2017, we bet he didn’t think he had just added his future wife to his friend list!

Cameron said he added his wife based on the “people you may know” suggestions and, before long, the two started talking on Facebook Messenger more and more. After about a month they met up in person and, as Stefanie says, the rest is history!

This lovely Canadian couple had planned on enjoying a European holiday, where Cameron was planning to propose in front of the Trevi Fountain in Rome - che bella! Unfortunately, COVID-19 had other ideas so Cameron pivoted his proposal plans. He ended up bending down on one knee on a beautiful beach, with the help of their dog, Odin, and one of Stefanie’s best friends.

Stefanie describes her wedding day as “magical - full of tears and pure happiness”. Find out how they made it all happen below!

What was your inspiration or vision when planning your big day?

The more flowers the better was my goal! We ended up having two giant trees with a bunch of flowers within them and our head table was floating with flowers.

What were some of the harder parts of wedding planning?

Awaiting the RSVPS.

What about the more enjoyable parts?

Selecting the flowers and my wedding dress.

Were there any helpful apps or websites you used to help plan your big day?

I have to say The Knot, 100%.

How many wedding dresses did you try before you found ‘the one’?

I tried on 4 and said yes to the one that same day.

What are your stand-out moments from your big day?

When Cameron cried during our first dance, he really showed all his emotion that day and it was beautiful.

What advice would you give to other couples currently planning their wedding?

Do not sweat the small stuff because everything will be as perfect as it can be on your big day and, trust me, you won’t notice if it isn’t!

And on working with Adrienne, Stefanie said…

“Adrienne’s work is stunning and I wanted our moment transformed into a painting to really bring our wedding to life through art. We have our illustration framed on our wall and it always brings me back to that day when I see it. Adrienne is amazing and so is her team, I am so thankful I came across your work and social media page!”

A Note From The Artist:

There are not a lot of times when I get to create a beautiful landscape piece, but when my Bride has a beautiful long gown, it’s pretty much the perfect excuse for it! Landscape pieces are so beautiful, they work exceptionally well with an image like Stefanie and Cameron’s where the couple are sharing a kiss.

This side profile shot focuses on a really intimate moment between the couple but we still get to feature and give the Brides incredible dress some much-deserved attention as well.

We created an A3/Medium Custom Landscape Painting for Stefanie and Cameron.
*Landscape is not available for A4/Small wedding paintings.

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Adrienne Monteverde 4/9/23 Adrienne Monteverde 4/9/23

Truly the best day

After a decade of loving each other, Chloe and Jake’s day was nothing short of perfection.

Chloe and Jake O’Connor

Our beautiful client Chloe describes her big day as “truly the best day” for her and her now-hubby, Jake. We absolutely love this because that’s exactly how it should be - especially after 10 years together!

Chloe and Jake met briefly at a local nightclub when they were both 18 years old and, just like all modern love stories of our age, he sent her a message on Facebook. They chatted for a week or so and organised to meet up for dinner. The couple’s connection was instantaneously established and Chloe says they have been inseparable since, barely spending a day apart for the duration of their relationship.

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The couple leveled up from boyfriend and girlfriend to being engaged when traveling together. Chloe and Jake were holidaying in Europe and, when they got to Paris, it all unfolded. Chloe remembers starting the night by going to the Moulin Rouge, which she says was amazing, and then they headed back to their hotel via the Eiffel Tower. They decided to pick a quiet spot in the garden and take some time to watch the Eiffel Tower light up and then, of course, our dashing Jake got down on one knee and asked Chloe to marry him. With such an incredible proposal story and 10 years of love and history between the two, no one was surprised that it was a definite yes

Cue the wedding day! The couple became husband and wife in the beautiful gardens of Mewburn Park and partied the night away in an elegant, ivory-styled marquee - everything Chloe was dreaming of.

Chloe said the day flowed smoothly from start to finish and, most importantly, was free from any stress - that almost never happens! She credits the success of the day to the “exceptional efforts” of their immediate families, friends and vendors. While there were some pre-wedding stress and tears, the day was nothing short of “magical”.

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And the cherry on the sundae? Her custom illustration by Adrienne of course! Chloe said she was “counting down the days” until she received their piece and was “amazed by Adrienne’s talent and her attention to detail”. Chloe and Jake have their piece hanging in the entryway to their home and says every time she walks in the front door she’s “in awe”.

Custom Wedding Painting by Adrienne Monteverde

Find out more about the leadup to Chloe and Jake’s big day with our questions and answers below!

What was your inspiration or vision when planning your big day?

When envisioning my wedding, my inspiration and vision was to create a wedding that was classy and elegant. I envisioned an ivory colour theme complemented by a champagne tower and dreamy floral installations.

Did you have any must haves or non negotiables?

My beautiful hanging installations in the marquee, a stress-free wedding morning and of course my must-have dream wedding dress. It was also important to me that our immediate family was dressed in neutral colours to enhance the overall aesthetic of the wedding.

What were some of the harder parts of wedding planning for you?

Finding vendors that were all available on the same day, luckily we landed all our dream vendors on our big day.

What were some of the more enjoyable parts?

Sourcing vendors and meeting them and putting my vision into play with them. Along with dress shopping of course! It was also enjoyable having the best bridesmaid who helped me through the whole planning process to make it run smoothly.

Was there anything you planned into your big day that you recommend other couples consider for their own?

No kids! This made the day less stressful and allowed the parents with children to enjoy their night!

I also got ready at the venue the morning of the wedding which allowed us to relax a bit more and no need to be rushed to get to the venue in time!

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A Note From The Artist:

The second Chloe came across my inbox and shared her wedding photos, I immediately thought of elegance. There are just some brides you meet and you know they have a timeless style, and that was Chloe for me. Now, for some artists this would come with a little bit of anxiety, knowing your client already has beautiful taste which can sometimes come with high expectations for their order. But, for me, it just meant that I was doing exactly what I loved - painting for brides who trust me and resonate with my work. I have always described my paintings as timeless and elegant keepsakes to remember your most important moments, so to have a client that oozed these qualities - well, it was the perfect fit.

For Chloe and Jake, we created an A2/Large Close-up Wedding Painting in a matching White Frame. It felt modern but classic, which made the perfect timeless piece for this stunning couple!

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Adrienne Monteverde 21/8/23 Adrienne Monteverde 21/8/23

An ‘Untraditional’ Wedding

Mexican and South African heritage with a mariachi band, piñata, and margaritas - Cheers to that!

Angela and Wade
January 15th 2022

Image Credit: Madison Hausman @madsthesedays

Our lovely bride, Angela, met her soulmate, Wade, the good, old-fashioned way - at a bar! They both reported not wanting to go out that night, but their friends begged and pleaded - and lucky for Angela and Wade they were persuasive!

Angela says after meeting Wade that fateful night in 2012, they were inseparable. Seven years later, the pair went on a trip to Tofino, a beautiful beach town on Vancouver Island, with eight of their closest friends. While on a beachside stroll, Wade surprised Angela by getting on one knee and popping the question! Angela said it was an amazing moment and she’ll never forget spending the rest of the weekend celebrating with their chosen family.

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Fast forward to the big day in 2022 - a day Angela describes as a “party - but very untraditional and unique”. It was important to the bride that they included both her Mexican heritage and Wade’s South African heritage throughout their big day, so they paid special attention to bringing those incredible elements to life. The pair got married at a hacienda in Acanceh Mexico and had a mixture of Mexican and South African cuisine with a mariachi band, piñata and margaritas. Cheers to that!

Read more about this incredible wedding day and some of Angela’s tips, tricks and advice when heading into wedding planning.

What was your inspiration or vision when planning your big day? Did you have any must-haves or non-negotiables?

I wanted the wedding to be timeless and not too trendy. It had always been my dream to have a family style dinner with long tables. I wanted it to be intimate. I also knew I wanted a memory table to recognize all those we loved who couldn't be there. That was very important to me, and our wedding planner executed it beautifully.

Do you have any stand-out moments in the day?

The first look was by far the best moment of the day. We each wrote a letter to one another to read beforehand. The tears were flowing before we even laid eyes on each other. I remember thinking, the rest of the night could fall apart and I would still be the happiest woman in the world.

How many wedding dresses did you try before you found ‘the one’?

I tried on dozens of wedding dresses. I couldn't decide between an a-line gown or a more fitted silhouette. I ended up splurging for a second look and I'm so glad I did. My second dress is the one featured in our portrait by Adrienne.

Who was the stand-out vendor that you worked with for your wedding?

Our wedding planner Joe Bolanos. Planning a destination wedding during COVID-19 was not easy and she managed to execute it flawlessly. To this day I consider Joe one of my good friends and I can't wait to reunite in Mexico one day.

What advice would you give to other couples currently planning their wedding?
Remember that this day is about you and your partner. It's not about anyone else. It's something I had to remind myself of often in the planning process.

And on her experience with Adrienne, Carla said…

The moment Adrienne's page appeared on my feed, I knew I had to have one of her portraits. She's talented beyond words. I wanted something special to commemorate the day that was unique and different. Adrienne helped me decide between 3 of my favourite photos and I’m so glad we picked the one we did - a photo of our first dance, one of the most special moments of the day.
I had our portrait custom framed and it’s hanging in our entrance way. Every time I look at it my heart is so full.
I had never commissioned art before and I already know I will be reaching out to Adrienne for more pieces. She made the process so seamless and really took the time to ask questions and understand what it was that I was looking for.

A Note From The Artist:

If I could create a perfect client, it would be Angela! From the moment she got in touch for her custom piece she was such a ray of sunshine, so excited and grateful before we even started the process.

When Angela sent through her photos, the image of her and her husband sharing their first dance, was a clear winner!

There are so many moments that get captured on your wedding day, with most of the key bride and groom shots being captured either before or just after your ceremony. So for me being able to paint a moment that as later in the night, that felt candid but equally so significant, was the perfect choice for their wedding piece. It was a really important moment between Bride and Groom, that they will now never forgot.

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Adrienne Monteverde 16/8/23 Adrienne Monteverde 16/8/23

A Serbian Affair

The wedding of Sanja and Alek, a day rich in cultural traditions as they honored their Serbian heritage…

Sanja and Aleks
28th May 2022

Here at By Adrienne Monteverde, we are firm lovers of all kinds of weddings - a statement that will shock no one, we’re sure. Whether it’s an elopement, saying your vows on the beach, an overseas affair, a big, lavish party or something in between, we’re on board. Had a themed wedding? Love it. Had four dress changes? Obsessed. Serenaded your guests? Amazing. Invited five guests - sorry, five hundred? How cool is that!

But, truth be told, one of the things we love seeing and learning about from our clients is the beautiful cultural traditions they work into their big day. Adrienne and I come from Italian backgrounds, so traditions stretching back generations were special parts of weddings we each attended growing up. Traditions from all over the world and those that are part of all different religions are often so special to all those involved and mean so much to the couple and their families - it’s hard not to fall in love with these gorgeous elements of a big day!

Cue our lovely client, Sanja, and her now hubby, Aleks. Their wedding was rich in cultural traditions honouring their Serbian heritage which we loved hearing about and seeing in their photos.

Sanja’s morning started off with her closest family and friends at her parent’s house for the morning festivities as she got ready. Aleks then made his way down to Sanja’s house, socialising with all the guests on his way over, for their private first look.

The couple had two specific groomsmen, the ‘flag bearers’, that carried a Serbian and Australian flag throughout the day. During the morning festivities, and also later in the day, guests were also given a boutonniere with a sprig of rosemary and ribbon to wear, which acts as a welcome to all those who came to celebrate the happy couple.

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The couple were pronounced husband and wife in a Serbian Orthodox Church. Their ceremony involved the exchanging of the rings three times to represent the trinity; the tying of the hands with a silk towel to symbolise unity between the bride and groom; the wearing of the crowns to represent the royalty of marriage; and the drinking wine out the common cup to symbolise the sharing of happiness between the pair.

As their big day went from ceremony to party mode, guests enjoyed a Serbian band at the reception and traditional Serbian dancing. The groomsmen and the proud father of the bride all wore a cutura, a round, decorated, wooden bottle, filled with rakija, the traditional Serbian spirit.

We loved hearing about Sanja and Aleks’ wedding and their incredible journey to the altar. Check out our Q&A with her below!

How would you describe your wedding day?

Absolutely magical! Our day was filled with so much raw emotion and love, there honestly wasn’t a moment of the day that we didn’t enjoy.

What were some of the harder parts of wedding planning?

Definitely finances - the costs accumulate very quickly when planning a wedding. And time - so much of your energy and time from your afternoons and weekends go to wedding planning.

What about the more enjoyable?

Wedding dress and bridesmaids dress shopping and the events leading up to the wedding. In general, I quite enjoy planning so I had an absolute blast during the process. Aleks was also incredibly helpful throughout, and is fantastic at creating spreadsheets that kept me accountable. He had also planned our entire honeymoon which was a massive help.

What was your inspiration or vision when planning your big day?

Ahh so many inspos! My vision for the style itself was something romantic. I wanted a venue that was quite modern and classy with chandeliers and lots of pink/white florals (heavy on the roses, no greenery). I was absolutely set on having reflexed white roses as my bouquet and pink roses for the bridesmaids.

Did you have any must-haves or non-negotiables?

One of my non-negotiables was actually our photographer, Mark Jay Photography. As soon as we saw Mark’s incredible work and reached out to Leanne, we both knew this was actually who we wanted to capture our special day. We decided on our date around their availability because we loved their work so much!

How many wedding dresses did you try before you found ‘the one’?

I always knew I had my heart set on a Pallas Couture dress but the cost had been a massive barrier for me. I had visited three different bridal boutiques and tried on about 9 different dresses but with each dress I couldn’t get Pallas out of my head. In the midst of another COVID-19 lock down, I finally booked a zoom meeting with Pallas Couture to secure my dream wedding dress.

Who was the stand-out vendor that you worked with for your wedding?

All of our vendors were absolutely incredible, but a few special shout-outs go to our photographer, Mark Jay Photography; our videographer, CC Media; our MC, Elvis Miletic; and my hairdresser and hair stylist, Kaatya from Natalie Anne Hair. Mark, Christian and Elvis worked incredibly well together and went absolutely above and beyond for us both in the lead up and on the day itself to ensure everything went seamlessly for us. You can see how passionate they are through their incredible work.

Kaatya from Natalie Anne Hair - not only did she absolutely nail my wedding hair but she also eased all my morning nerves. Always an absolute pleasure to be around.

What advice would you give to other couples currently planning their wedding?

During the lead-up to the wedding, take some time off - you’ll need it!. Make a budget (with some wiggle room) - things can get expensive, real quick. And don’t go down the rabbit hole of instagram, there is so much out there and it is so easy to become overwhelmed and second guess your decisions. Wedding planning is incredibly stressful, make sure you spend some quality time with your soon to be.

As cliche as it is, the day really does fly by - don’t sweat the small stuff, enjoy any chance you can with your partner. Have moments to yourselves and stop for a minute to take in the amazing day and everyone that is there to celebrate your love. Would absolutely choose to relive our wedding day if we could!

And on her experience with Adrienne, Sanja said…

“I’m in awe of Adrienne’s talent. Our artwork is everything we wanted and more. Our family and friends were so amazed at how accurately she drew our features. Adrienne was also absolutely lovely to deal with in the process of organising which size and photo we wanted to choose for our artwork. Would highly recommend - such a special keepsake of our favourite day! Our artwork sits on display next to our wedding cutura keepsake on our hall table. We pass this area of the house every day and it makes me incredibly happy to see it.”

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A Note From The Artist:

When Sanja got in touch, she knew exactly what she wanted, which of course, makes my job that little bit easier. I always say that sometimes the hardest part of my job is looking at my couples wedding album full of endless amazing photos and having to pick just one. Thankfuly for Sanja, she knew exactly what she wanted and sent through her beautiful wedding photo the second she got in touch. We created a medium wedding painting for her and her husband, delivered in our classic white frame and I’m incredibly grateful they both trusted me to bring it all to life!

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Adrienne Monteverde 24/7/23 Adrienne Monteverde 24/7/23

The Best Bestie Gift

When your best friend’s love language gifts, there’s no denying her wedding present is going to be pretty incredible…

Ebru and Muhammad
27th January 2022

maid of honour bridesmaid gift to the bride, melbourne victoria wedding photography , the best wedding gift , australian wedding artist, bridal photography, bride and groom portrait — Image: Halan Dalar

We know we don’t need to tell our incredible followers just how special it is when you find your soulmate - all of Adrienne’s beautiful pieces tell stories of love, safety, comfort and pure joy.

But there’s one thing that comes reeeally close to that feeling, and that’s when your best friend - your ride or die, sister from another mister, absolute bestie - finds the love of their lives and you get to bask in that beautiful happiness.

That’s exactly how we met our lovely client, Hannah, who contacted us wanting to commission her best friend, and bride, Ebru, a custom piece by Adrienne.

Hannah said she met Ebru in kindergarten and they had been inseparable ever since - now, some may say that’s the true love story! She met Ebru’s now husband, Muhammad, at Ebru’s house after they had been dating a little while, which is always a big step and she approved right away. Hannah said he was a proper gentleman - nice, respectful and told a few cracking jokes that made her laugh. But, most importantly, Hannah said she knew he was “the one” for her bestie from that very moment because she could see Muhammad was serious about the relationship and his love for her bestie was evident - and really, what else could you ask for?!

Hannah helped plan the proposal, saying it was so hard to keep the secret but so exciting to be part of it all. With the amount of love between them, Hannah could only describe their big day as happy and so magical. The stand-out moment for her was the look of Muhammad’s face when he arrived at Ebru’s house to pick her up - “priceless”!

While we work with a lot of Brides who get in touch to create something special for their grooms (or, let’s face it, as a “treat yo’self” piece!), and vice versa, it was amazing to work with Hannah to have a custom piece made for her best friend. Hannah said she thought one of Adrienne’s masterpieces would be the perfect gift because it’s such a “special keepsake…nothing could compare to the beautiful illustrations Adrienne creates!”

ustom wedding portrait by australian watercolour artist adrienne monteverde, bride and groom painting, illustration, first wedding anniversary gift ideas, gifts for the bride weddings trends, sydney artist maid of honor gift bridesmaid present — Custom Wedding Painting by Adrienne Monteverde

Custom Wedding Illustration by Adrienne Monteverde

Thinking about giving something priceless to mark an incredible day for a loved one?
We’re here to help! There are so many options ranging from completely surprising the couple to getting them involved in the creation of the piece itself.

A Note From The Artist:

I still remember the day Ebru’s best friend Hannah contacted me for this special commission, it was far before her friend’s wedding had taken place and she wanted a special gift to be able to gift on the wedding itself. This is a little less common, as typically I work off my couple’s wedding photos to create my paintings, so, with no reference images from the wedding itself, this one took a little more imagination on our part.
I have to say, this has always been one of my favourite pieces, the pose we chose to paint the couple in just feels so intimate and celebratory and shares so much joy. Sadly this gift took a little longer to receive that anticipated, as Ebru and Muhammad’s wedding was sadly postponed due to covid. But they were able to have their big day in the end and I’m so glad I could help bring Hannah’s vision to life for this very special gift to her bestfriend on her wedding day.

I work with a lot of clients that don’t have the ‘perfect image’ from their wedding day. They come to me to create something special to remember their day and create a moment they wish they had captured. Hannah’s order above is a good example of how you don’t need a lot of photos to create something special. That’s why I’m here, to help bring your vision to life!

-

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Adrienne Monteverde 17/7/23 Adrienne Monteverde 17/7/23

Baking and building love

When a handsome builder falls for a beautiful baker…Queue the love story of Tayla and Damon

Tayla & Damon Mazzarolo
30th April 2022

Our beautiful client, Tayla, met her now-husband, Damon, on the clock. She was a delivery driver for a local bakery and Damon was an apprentice builder. He was working on a new building right next to a site Tayla would deliver to every day and he just so happened to loiter out the front come the time Tayla was due there, just to say hello.

One thing led to another, and now they’re Mr and Mrs Mazzarolo! Our beautiful couple celebrated their traditional Catholic wedding on Saturday 30 April 2022, successfully navigating the crazy lockdowns of the preceding two years.

Image Credit: Sarah Dissegna Photography

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Tayla took one of her favourite photos from her big day, courtesy of the incredible Sarah Dissegna Photography, and hightailed it over to Adrienne for an Illustration. Our beautiful bride said

“The attention to detail that Adrienne puts into her artwork is absolutely stunning - there is no one else I would have trusted”.

Take a peek behind the scenes of their gorgeous day below!

How would you describe your wedding day?

It was everything I wanted it to be.

What was your inspiration or vision when planning your big day?

Timeless, neat and simple elegance.

Did you have any must-haves or non-negotiables?

A smooth, stress-free day, and an incredible band for everyone to dance to. Shout out to Blume Events!

What were your stand-out moments from your big day?

Saying “I do” and celebrating afterward with all our family and friends.

Were there any helpful apps or websites you used to help you research or plan for your big day?

Excel is the only thing you need.

Was there anything you planned into your big day that you recommend other couples consider for their own?

We lit a candle in memory of my brother during the ceremony. I would suggest including a memorial table to remember family you have lost with labels explaining who those people are to the couple.

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A Note From The Artist:

I was really humbled when Tayla got in touch for a custom artwork. Tayla and I had never personally met but it was through our brother’s and their personal stories that we came to know each other. Hearing so much about Tayla and her family made receiving her wedding photos so much more special. To see the happiness she had found with Damon was beautiful and I felt incredibly humbled that she had thought of me to create an artwork representing that.

In loving memory of Kyle Zandona, a loving brother, son, and friend.

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Adrienne Monteverde 10/7/23 Adrienne Monteverde 10/7/23

A wedding in Paris? Oui!

A luxury wedding in the heart of Paris! Is there anywhere more romantic? We chat with Susie about her dream destination wedding in France and get some advice for fellow Brides planning their big day overseas...

Susie & Elvis T
09. . 05 . 2019

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Not many of us can say we knew where we wanted to get married at nine years old - I, for one, was still trying to get my times tables down pat - but our beautiful client Susie had her eye firmly on the City of Love.

When she was in Year Four, Susie was tasked with choosing a city from around the world and putting together a presentation for her class. She chose Paris, marking the start of a very special relationship with the French capital - and who can blame her! The global centre of art, fashion, food and culture, Paris boasts a history and several incredible landmarks to widen any young girl’s eyes to what a big, gorgeous world it is out there. The love for Paris deepened when Susie visited the city as a teenager, officially dubbing the city her “favourite place in the world”.

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Susie met her now-husband, Elvis, through mutual friends, and their relationship grew steadily. She said Elvis “just appeared, was around more regularly at outings…and now I can’t imagine life without him!”. Knowing Paris held a special place in Susie’s heart, Elvis proposed there while holidaying together - so it only made sense the couple tie the knot there too!

So, Susie and Elvis decided to say “I do” in spectacular fashion at Hotel Le Marois - a day Susie describes as “magical”. While there were some nerves and the day certainly did fly for the lovebirds, Susie said they had so much fun.

Thinking of a destination wedding? Read our chat with Susie below, who gives some great tips and tricks when planning a wedding overseas.
PS the magic of her big day is easily seen in the pics below!

What were some of the harder parts of wedding planning?

Planning a destination wedding has its challenges because you’re dealing with different time zones, potential language barriers or even changing venues last minute. We had a location in mind but we knew from the start that we wanted to work with a planner, Billy, who was experienced but was also aligned to our vision for the day.

Billy and his team were fantastic with staying on top of everything, it felt like our friend was looking after things from the other side of the world. It turned out, the location we wanted was closed for renovations the year we wanted to get married, but the location Billy had in mind for us really blew us away!

It was also hard not having all your favourite people with you on your special day, my siblings were back at home looking after the family business but this meant mum and dad could finally take a break, go on a holiday and see our relatives who lived in Paris.

What would your top tips be for people planning a destination wedding?

Do your research and ask lots of questions. It might also be worth engaging a destination planner, especially when working with competing time zones - we were lucky that our planner, Billy, was always available and always had a “Plan B”.

What made you choose your venue, Hotel Le Marois?

The venue took our breath away, from the intricate interior and how each room was decorated - it really was the perfect place.
We were initially looking at a chateau outside of Paris, but with most guests already traveling from afar, Paris was a good idea!

What was your inspiration or vision when planning your big day?

The venue was so beautiful that it didn’t feel like it needed too much, so soft, romantic hues and a gold touch were what we had in mind.

What was the structure of your wedding day?

Our schedule was quite traditional; the bride and groom getting ready separately and then we met to capture our first look before visiting a few sites around Paris for more photos. Then it was en route to the venue for the ceremony, cocktails, reception, and after-party. Europeans celebrate well into the early morning unlike back at home so the party shoes were on!

What were your stand-out moments from the day?

The day went by so fast, but a few stand-out moments were getting ready in our penthouse apartment with my best friends, our first look inside Palais Royal and cocktail hour (we felt much more relaxed then!).

What did your European honeymoon look like after the big day?

It was magical. Elvis has always been a Formula One fan so we were lucky the wedding was perfectly timed with the Monaco Grand Prix. In between that, we got to honeymoon in the Amalfi Coast, Cote d'Azur and the Greek islands. We also got to spend parts of the honeymoon with our friends and family across Europe during the summer.

And about her experience with Adrienne, Susie said…

“Adrienne is so talented and amazing, I don’t think I’ve come
across anyone who offers this type of custom artwork so it’s
been so much fun working with her on it.”

Our photographer, Kristine, was amazing, capturing some of our most intimate moments — I wanted to turn the wedding photo into a custom painting because we were planning to return to Europe in 2020 but the pandemic hit - so this was our way of bringing Paris back to us on our anniversary. We also completed the celebration by recreating our dishes from our favourite restaurants!

A Note From The Artist:

When Susie stumbled into my inbox, I was instantly in awe! It’s clear to see that Susie and her husband planned such an incredible wedding for themselves. Down to every detail, from the bridal accessories all the way through to the hotel they chose for the night, they were clearly a couple with stunning taste, that loved a little luxury, in all the best ways! So, needless to say, it was a beautiful compliment that Susie wanted to commemorate this incredible day with not one - but two! - of my custom artworks. As Susie mentioned above, she wanted to bring back the emotions and memories of her beautiful day in Paris, and it was my pleasure to be able to recreate that for them.

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Adrienne Monteverde 3/7/23 Adrienne Monteverde 3/7/23

An Intimate Melbourne Wedding

She swiped right! It’s a modern love story that found Laura and Brad in the middle of Melbourne city, sharing their vows, during a global pandemic.

Laura & Brad Phillips

We’re beginning with this beautiful image of newlyweds Laura and Brad Phillips. How did this beautiful couple come to have this intimate and special moment together?

She swiped right!
Laura and her husband actually met online - something she says was a bit controversial back in the day, but now is so normal. They enjoyed five wonderful years of dating and beginning to build their lives together before Brad popped the question in their Melbourne home with their golden retriever, Maverick, by his side - a moment our beautiful bride said was very sweet and quite a surprise!

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Laura and Brad had originally booked to get married in Noosa by the beach, but were unable to go ahead with those plans due to the ongoing lockdowns in Melbourne - thanks COVID, old buddy. They decided not to press pause on their wedding plans and, instead, booked the registry office in Melbourne, followed by a beautiful session with their photographer and an intimate lunch with their nearest and dearest.

When reflecting on their big day, our bride said it was relaxed and full of love, just the way the happy couple wanted. Walking through the Fitzroy Gardens with their photographer was a highlight for Laura, who said the incredible weather helped to create some beautiful photos.

So beautiful, in fact, that Laura and Brad wanted to honour it in another way and have another keepsake for themselves. They stumbled across Adrienne’s work on Instagram and knew instantly they wanted to have her create something special - which, I think we can all agree, she definitely did! Laura said the photo they chose for their illustration was intimate and really reflected how they felt on the day.

Reflecting on her custom By Adrienne Monteverde artwork, Laura said she and Brad love it because it’s such a special reminder of their day.

Image: Custom Wedding Painting by Adrienne Monteverde

We couldn’t let Laura go without asking her for some words of wisdom because, if there’s anything a bride who navigated COVID-19 is good at, it’s dishing some quality advice. Laura’s pearl of wisdom was to -

“Stay strong in what you and your partner want for your big day, don’t be swayed by what others may want because your special day is about you two.”

A Note From The Artist:

Creating Laura and Brad’s custom piece was simply a joy! The image Laura chose was perfect as it focused on an intimate moment between her and her husband while also featuring all those special bridal details we love the most - like her stunning low back gown, which gave us a soft focal point for the artwork. The gown itself was a beaded number by Jane Hill so I was also able to incorporate some finer detailing to portray the beautiful texture of the embellished fabric. Not to mention I loved that we had the chance to showcase both her engagement and wedding rings against that incredible statement earring. All these small details contributed to a really beautiful snapshot of this moment shared between the bride and groom.

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Adrienne Monteverde 26/6/23 Adrienne Monteverde 26/6/23

Momentary Runaway Bride

A wardrobe malfunction that had our Bride Holly missing her queue down the aisle…

Holly & Michael Hancock
3rd March 2022

When our beautiful bride Holly was about to take her first step towards her hubby-to-be Michael, her veil had other plans - it somehow got stuck in a nearby bush and she missed her queue to walk down the aisle! The guests spent a few minutes nervously assuming she had become a real-life runaway bride as the music continued to play and Holly was a no-show. When she was finally untangled and the doors swung open, everyone breathed a sigh of relief…and they got the party started!

australian bride and groom , hunter valley enzo venue , real wedding story nsw, by adrienne monteverde, custom wedding painting, wedding gift, wedding anniversary present , gifts for the bride, australia wedding blog, wedding artist and illustrator — Image Credit: White Lane Studio

Get to know our lovely Bride Holly as she
gives us a peek behind the scenes of her big day.

How did you and Michael meet?

We met at work. We had a crush on each other for a while and we happened to be in the lunchroom at the same time quite a lot (he made sure he came in whenever I was in there)...then I finally added him on Facebook and the rest is history.

How did Michael propose?

He told me we were going on a work cruise but we were meeting everyone at the Botanic Gardens first. When we arrived there was a beautiful professional picnic set up in the middle of the Botanic Gardens which he said was for our anniversary. 45 mins later, after we enjoyed champagne and nibbles. he popped the question after giving me an ‘anniversary present’ which was a box of Favourites with the ring inside.

Where did you start your wedding planning journey?
We researched wedding venues before anything else and planned everything around that.

What was your vision when planning your big day?
We wanted a big party with not too many formalities.

Did you have any must-haves or non-negotiables?
Champagne pre ceremony, flip flops provided at the reception, and a live band from start to finish.

How many wedding dresses did you try before you found ‘the one’?

About 8

Looking back on the day, was there anything you wish you did or didn’t do?

I wish I took the pressure off it being a ‘perfect day’. I was very anxious leading up to the day and the morning of and I wasn’t able to relax properly until the reception!

What advice would you give to couples currently planning their big day?

Get the speeches done as early as possible so the people doing the speeches can relax and enjoy themselves the rest of the night.

Who was a stand-out vendor?

Our florist/stylist - Peonies Boutique Weddings

What made you decide to turn your wedding photos into a custom painting by Adrienne?

I was gifted a voucher from my best friend to get a custom painting.
Adrienne was wonderful to work with. She was very communicative, efficient, and just so talented. I could not be happier to have this piece in our home forever.

Where do you keep your illustration?

In our living room. I love looking at it every day - it reminds me of our wonderful day. Every time someone new comes over to our house, they comment on how beautiful it is.

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A Note From The Artist:

Hearing Holly’s ceremony story didn’t shock me one bit, as the most memorable feature that makes it easy for me to recall her artwork, was the stunning long veil she wore. When I received Holly & Michael’s wedding photos, I knew instantly we had to create a landscape artwork for the couple, Holly’s long veil and beautifully detailed train were such a statement that I was not going to miss making sure this was a feature of the piece.

Landscape wedding paintings are a less common option for my couples, they are incredibly stunning but I only recommend landscape when we are working with a long train or veil that typically does not fit into a portrait-style painting, so in Holly’s case, it was the perfect fit!

-

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Adrienne Monteverde 3/6/23 Adrienne Monteverde 3/6/23

My Big Fat Greek Wedding (Sydney edition)

Our first real wedding feature is that of Rosie & Lindsay, a beautiful couple with a love story straight from the movies…

Rosie and Lindsay Morgan
3rd June 2022

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and that’s definitely what we believe at By Adrienne Monteverde. Afterall, that’s exactly what her work as an artist is based on - taking a beautiful moment in her client’s life and transforming it into a watercolour masterpiece.

But what’s more special is the story behind the piece - behind every artwork is a collection of moments, big and small, which brought our subjects here.

So, we introduce you to our new series, ‘Behind the Piece’, where we take a look into the incredible stories of the clients that come through Adrienne’s studio.

Bride and groom wedding portrait photography by Margan Photography, real australian wedding blog, newlyweds, wedding photography, wedding stories, greek wedding tips, wedding portrait, wedding painting, custom wedding anniversary gift painting — Image Credit: Margan Photography

We’re beginning with this beautiful image of newlyweds Rosie and Lindsay. Their love story is one straight from the movies - My Big Fat Greek Wedding, to be exact.

If you’ve seen that classic (and, of course you have…because, who hasn’t?!), you’ll know it’s about a Greek-American woman falling in love with a non-Greek man and the fun and games they have integrating into each other’s lives.

Cue Rosie! Our lovely Greek-Australian Bride, who lived with her protective father and four older (and also very protective) brothers at the time she met Linsday who, as Rosie puts it, was very much not used to a traditional European family. She said she saved his sanity by meeting him outside the house and the rest was history. Within 12 months Lindsay had moved in with Rosie and her family and joined the Greek fun! They worked and studied, finished their degrees while planning their wedding, bought a house of their own, found out they were expecting their beautiful daughter, Ana, and got hitched - the most amazing whirlwind we’ve ever heard, that’s for sure!

We loved chatting to Rosie and hearing all about her
wedding planning journey and the wedding itself.
Check it all out below!

Where did you start your wedding planning journey?

I personally started writing my vows in 2018, a few months into dating. But plans technically began in November 2020 when Lindsay proposed. We found our wedding venue, Sergeants Mess, and plans began to fall into place.

I was never too picky with vendors, I had a basic vision of what I wanted but our vendors took control and brought everything to life. I chose vendors that I felt comfortable with and that were easy to talk to - our florist, Sue, was one of the first and she calmed a lot of the nerves that I was feeling about the wedding in general.

It wasn’t until late 2021 that we found our celebrant Alex, she was the missing piece of the puzzle and when we first spoke I could finally envision Lindsay and I standing on the water with our perfect third wheel.

Supportive vendors truly make a world of difference when you have zero experience in wedding planning. It was such a daunting experience and although you have no idea where to start, there are thousands of options to choose from.

Bride and groom wedding portrait photography Margan Photography, real australian wedding blog, newlyweds, wedding photography, wedding stories, greek wedding tips, wedding portrait, wedding painting, custom wedding anniversary gift painting jean fox — Image Credit: Margan Photography

How would you describe your wedding day?

The Lead Up
I didn’t know what to expect for the actual day as the month leading up to the wedding was such an intense experience. Silence falls when you book all of your vendors 2 years before the day and then they all appear in your inbox a few weeks out and your stress goes through the roof!

Luckily, our wedding day was absolutely perfect.

I stayed with my bridesmaids in Mosman the night before (Cremorne Point Manor) and Lindsay stayed with his groomsman. We watched My Big Fat Greek Wedding (something I always thought I would do) and I finished writing our wedding speech.

The Morning Of

The morning was seamless, our bridal hair/make up arrived early and did a fantastic job. I had arranged for a grazing box to come to the room so we could eat throughout the morning (three of us were pregnant so this was a must).

Our photographers and videographers came on time and were just perfect, they knew what shots they needed and worked their magic.

We drove to the venue early and Lindsay and I did a first look as the sun set shortly after our ceremony. It was amazing to have that stress-free time prior to guests arriving where we could walk around together and get some amazing photos to remember the day.

The Ceremony

The ceremony was perfect, I had my dad walk me down the aisle followed by my four brothers, something I always dreamt of and didn’t actually expect to happen. One of my brothers lives in Spain and flew in the night before the wedding and flew out the next morning as he was expecting his first child at the same time, something I will always be so thankful for. Those few minutes before we all walked down the aisle were the most special of the day.

Our ceremony and reception were so amazing, I remember thinking to myself “this has actually been the best day of my life!”, which I thought people just said as a throw away comment but there is something so special having a get together with only the people you love and getting to celebrate such an amazing time in your lives.

Were there any cultural wedding traditions you incorporated into your day?

As with any Pappas wedding, my brother Daniel led the wedding party into an evening of Greek dancing and Ouzo shots. I still have guests telling me how much fun they had on the night as it is something they had never experienced!

What was your inspiration or vision when planning your big day? Did you have any must haves or non negotiables?

My only real vision was to have water around which we ticked off with the venue very early on.

In terms of must haves, I wanted it to be very family orientated which we had relayed to our photographers/videographers.

We couldn’t facilitate a child free wedding but we did have our nieces and nephews for the ceremony and dinner which was very important to us.

I wanted my brothers to be involved in the ceremony and also to give the father of the bride speech together as my dad is not one for public speaking which they happily did for me.

What were your stand-out moments from the day?

Getting ready with my bridesmaids and having my brother and niece Stevie come by so I could get her ready in her big ball gown. She looked like such a beautiful princess.

Wearing my Aunt’s veil which my own mum wore on her wedding day. My mum passed when I was 13, so although she wasn’t able to be there in person it was so amazing having that piece with me on the day. My sister in law and bridesmaid Abby had a charm made for my bouquet so I was able to have her close by.

The first look and photos with Lindsay, our vows and first dance.

The amazing speeches.

The father/daughter dance.

The Greek dancing.

Finding out my maid of honour was pregnant the morning of the wedding!

Was there anything you planned into your big day that you recommend other couples consider for their own?

I think the first look was a really special addition to the day, it didn’t take away from the aisle reveal either. It’s nice to get some nerves out of the way, laugh and talk about your mornings and just prepare for the fun chaos that is about to fly by.

It also means you don’t need fancy cars because no one will see you arrive if you do it at the same location, save some money!

And on her experience with Adrienne, Rosie said…

I found Adrienne’s Instagram prior to getting engaged and I knew that it was something I wanted to do when the time came and I told Lindsay about it over and over again! I was in awe that these were real people captured so perfectly and knew that I needed to see us in that light one day.

I didn’t have to think too hard about our photo choice - this picture reminds me of the peaceful time of the day when it was just the two of us. The added bonus was that my dress, flowers and veil were perfectly placed!

”Adrienne was an absolute dream to work with, from sliding into her DMs years ago to ask some little questions to finally arranging the actual commission, there were no hurdles at all. The whole process was so simple and easy to navigate. It is something that makes me smile every single day and I can’t wait for the day that we can tell our daughter that is actually a prettier version of her mum and dad on the wall.

A Note From The Artist:

Rosie contacted me just 2 weeks after her wedding, the wedding feels were still incredibly high and she was so excited to create a custom piece. Her wedding photos weren’t ready just yet, so we placed her on pre-order for later in the year and awaited her professional photos.

As soon as Rosie submitted her favourite photos it was very easy to choose which one I felt would work best for the painting. We went with the beautiful side profile shot that allowed us to incorporate her wedding bouquet front and center. I always recommend side-profile shots to all of my clients - this is because my illustration style is more stylised and focuses on the beautiful detailing of the couple’s outfits rather than a portrait style painting that focuses on the couple’s faces. I also find side profile shots give a much more candid and natural feeling, as it usually shows the couple sharing an intimate moment, which makes the paintings feel so much more personal which we love.

-

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Adrienne Monteverde 21/5/23 Adrienne Monteverde 21/5/23

Is this Real?!

Our Bride Sam, recalls the exact moment on her big day, when it all finally felt real…

Samantha & Matthew Wilson
16 . 09 . 2022

When remembering their big days, many brides recall not feeling like it was THE day until something hit them in a special moment. For some brides, that moment is putting on their wedding gown; for other brides, it’s having their father shed a tear en route to their ceremony.

For our beautiful bride Samantha, that moment came when she saw her hubby-to-be, Matt, at the end of the aisle. She recalled feeling very casual and relaxed all morning and said she was waiting for the “oh em gee, this is real” feeling to hit her. Walking straight towards the love of her life to promise forever was her first stand-out moment of the day - her “this is real” moment!

by navarra sydney wedding, australian luxury weddings, australia wedding photographer meka, custom painting illustration first anniversary gift for wife Elysian Bridal Brides in love bridal gown modern wedding ideas event bridal planner australian w — Image Credit: Meka Weddings

Her second was sitting at the bridal table at their reception, taking a moment to scan the room and being so thrilled that, with all the ups and downs of planning and the setbacks COVID-19 could have served, the happy couple were with all their family and friends, watching them all have a fantastic time and celebrate their love.

Buuuut, let’s rewind, shall we? A glorious wedding day always starts with meeting “the one” and, for Samantha and Matt, that happened at The Ivy in Sydney, way back in November 2014. She says they hit it off right from the very beginning and, because Matt actually went to school with her older sister, there was a nice sense of familiarity there already. When it came to their first date, Samantha’s sister reassured her Matt was an A-grade guy by saying if she could handpick any of the boys from her grade for her little sister, it would be him. Well, it looks like big sisters know a thing or two, with the two lovebirds getting engaged seven years later and tying the knot in September 2022.

When planning their wedding day, Samantha’s vision was classic and elegant and she stuck to the mantra “less is more”. Luckily for Samantha, Curzon Hall was the perfect fit for her classic, vintage, romantic vibe and fulfilled her one key must-have for the night - good food, and lots of it! She said food was so important to them because, coming from Italian and Spanish backgrounds, food was so embedded in their culture. The newlyweds wanted their guests to “go home with full bellies…and Curzon Hall delivered, it was hands-down the best wedding food I’ve ever had”.

While Samantha says all the vendors they worked with to bring their day to life were incredible, there was one special highlight - entertainment group, The Black Ties. Samantha said it was a goal of theirs to have guests walk away after their event with the lasting memories of something they hadn’t seen or experienced before. So, she surprised guests (even her sister, who was her maid of honour!) with magicians and mentalists, who sprinkled a little magic at all guest tables and performed an interactive show. Samantha said the entertainment became the topic of conversation for the whole night and helped guests, as well as Samantha and Matt, remember their day as magic.

Some snippets from our Bride Samantha, -

Who was your favourite vendor to work with?
The Black Ties (entertainment)
How would you describe your wedding day?
Calm, magical.
How many wedding dresses did you try before you found ‘the one’?
Five - I loved the top half of the first dress and the bottom half of the third dress, so Brides In Love offered to custom-make the dress based on my references.
Did you incorporate any cultural wedding traditions into your day?
Our traditional church wedding and Italian and Spanish music played at the reception
Did you deal with any disasters on the day?
I had oil from the car engine leak on the driveway and stain my dress before even leaving home. I was calm about it all and asked my parents to take a pin out of each floral bouquet and pin a pleat to cover it up closer to the church!

Our bride and groom chose to have their very own custom illustration created after Samantha said she had been following Adrienne on Instagram for years, just waiting for her opportunity - “I have seen my friends with her artworks hanging in their homes and have always been mesmerised”.

Samantha selected a few of her favourite wedding photos and sent them across to Adrienne, allowing her to take the lead when deciding what would look best in the illustration - “I trusted her guidance and expertise [to] capture my vision”. And while the illustration itself is pure magic, thanks to its stunning subjects, Samantha’s review is our very own “oh em gee” moment -

“Adrienne made the entire process feel so seamless. I am blown away by her attention to detail and how beautifully she captured this in art. Something truly unique that I knew I could never find anywhere else, and I wouldn’t want to!”

A Note From The Artist:

Samantha reached out in 2021 during her wedding planning process after discovering my work via Wedded Wonderland. She was eager to pre-book her artwork for her wedding in late 2022. But, as we had a bit of time until her big day arrived, we signed her up to our ‘Wedding Registry’ service, so we could get in touch with her when it was the best time to place an order.

Once it was finally time to work on Samantha and Matt’s order in 2023, they provided so many incredible options that it was impossible to choose just one. However, Samantha communicated she wanted to the ensure the length and volume of her beautiful gown by elysianbridal was a feature of the piece. This direction made choosing the final reference image easier and I have to say this quickly became one of my favourite commissions of the year!

A tip for my artists reading this - don’t be afraid to remove or alter aspects of a reference photo to ensure you are creating the best final product possible (with approval from the couple of course). For example, in the original wedding photo the Bride has her left hand placed on the groom’s shoulder, an element that did not make it’s way into the final artwork. Whilst this was a compromise as it meant not featuring the bride’s engagement ring, the hand felt like a distraction and interfered with the flow between the bride and groom’s gaze.
Don’t be afraid to chat to your clients about these modifications and trust your gut as an artist!

-

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Adrienne Monteverde 17/5/23 Adrienne Monteverde 17/5/23

Third time's a charm

When a global pandemic pivots your dream destination wedding plans…

Morgan & Mohamed Hakam
19th February 2022

When our beautiful client, Morgan, touched down in Boracay in the sunny Philippines for a holiday with her hubby, Moh, she said she was “desperate to relax and enjoy happy hour cocktails”. After any flight, who can blame her?!

But Moh had other plans, convincing her to enjoy a sunset walk with him. It was on that walk he proposed to Morgan, a moment she said was incredibly special because they were able to enjoy the emotion and take it all in just the two of them while on holiday for a few weeks.

However, their love story began many years before this moment. Morgan said at the start it took them some time to officially get together after meeting at the gym Moh worked at but, once they did, everything fell into place so easily and it all just “felt right”.

Sydney NSW Australia Bush bank Weddings Morgan and Mohamed Hakam - By Adrienne Monteverde Real Wedding Blog - Wearing Alyssa Kristin Love Marie Bridal Ted Baker and Grace and Stone Collections wedding bouquet — Image Credit: Katelyn Slyer

Morgan and Moh were yet another couple who navigated wedding planning amongst the COVID-19 craziness. They originally booked a destination wedding overseas but, sadly, had to let go of that plan when they realised the borders weren’t going to open in time. They then locked in the beautiful Bush Bank Weddings in the South Coast before getting hit with another lockdown in 2021 and having to postpone again! Third time proved to be the charm for these lovebirds, and they tied the knot on Saturday 19 February 2022.

Morgan remembers her big day being “very relaxed and so much fun”. The couple wanted to keep the festivities as simple as possible so they removed a lot of the more ‘traditional’ elements from their day. Their ceremony was very personal and was followed by canapes, cocktails and lawn games for their guests. Morgan said it was a priority to her and Moh to spend as much time as possible with their guests, so they only ducked away for a few photos here and there.

So, what brought Morgan and Adrienne together?
Morgan actually met Adrienne when they were in high school and said she “always admired her talents”. When Adrienne branched out on her own with her signature custom wedding illustrations, Morgan said she fell in love and knew she wanted to commission one of her own, when she got married herself one day. The two ladies reconnected after Morgan ran into Adrienne at the One Fine Day Wedding Fair and got in touch to book her piece straight away.

Morgan and Moh keep their artwork hanging in their hallway, which Morgan says serves as “such a beautiful reminder” of their big day.

Read a bit more about this lovely couple and their beautiful day below!

Were there any apps or websites you found helpful when researching or planning for your big day?

I used Instagram and Pinterest a lot in my planning! I also joined the WedShed Facebook group which I highly recommended for all future brides! It’s such a beautiful community with lots of great insights and support from other brides.

How many wedding dresses did you try before you found ‘the one’?

I actually bought the first one I tried on! I had a pretty clear idea of what I wanted and I didn’t want to be overwhelmed with too much choice. I only went to the one store and tried on two others just to be sure, but I knew as soon as I put it on that it was “the one”.

Did anything unexpected happen on your big day?

We had the tiniest little bit of rain but our day was truly perfect. If anything did go wrong our family and friends did an excellent job of hiding it from us!

Who was your stand-out vendor?

All of our vendors were amazing but we were so grateful to have found our gorgeous celebrant Marie Maait (@marriedbymarie). She made our ceremony so personal and fun and we loved getting to know her in the lead up to our big day. It felt like we were getting married by a friend who we had known for years which made our day that much more special.

What were some of the harder parts of wedding planning?

Planning our wedding during COVID was definitely tricky! We were very grateful that it all worked out in the end, but shifting plans and trying to prepare for the unknown was hard to navigate at the time.

What were the more enjoyable parts?

There were lots of enjoyable parts too, I loved the planning process and working with vendors to bring our dream day to life.

What advice would you give to other couples currently planning their wedding?

I know that it’s a lot easier said than done but try to remember that this is YOUR day. We can get so easily influenced by others that we forget what’s truly important to us and our partner, so try and put yourselves first when it comes to decision making.

Also try not to stress about the little things, I got so caught up in small details that I didn’t even notice on the day - so chances are that our guests didn’t notice either! Enjoy the planning process and remember that wedding planning should be a special and fun experience, not a stressful one.

Custom wedding watercolour painting by adrienne monteverde bride and groom portrait illustration wedding anniversary gift for her — Custom Wedding Painting by Adrienne Monteverde

“Adrienne is a truly beautiful and kind person who is
incredible to work with. She is so easy to communicate with
and I love that she stayed in touch during the creative process.”

A Note From The Artist:

Creating this piece for Morgan was the result of a beautiful coincidence. As mentioned above, we actually knew each other when we were teenagers - then fast forward over 10 years, and during a wedding event held in Sydney, who did I bump into - our very excited Bride-to-be, Morgan! There is something incredibly special about creating these sentimental paintings for people I have known personally in my life, and Morgan was no exception. If there is anything I wholeheartedly believe, it is that the world has a funny way of guiding us to exactly where we are meant to be and introducing us to the people who are meant to be a part of our stories. I’m so thankful I was able to reunite with Morgan, and what better way than over our mutual love for art, and her beautiful love story.

Wedding Vendors:

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Adrienne Monteverde 14/5/23 Adrienne Monteverde 14/5/23

Inspired by Her

A Mothers Day special, dedicated to the women behind our Brides.

This week we celebrate our queens. Our mums; the incredibly strong matriarchs of our families who often hold it all together. Whether they’re the women who birthed us; the women who helped raise us; the women we laugh with when times are great or turn to when times are tough; or the women who step in when needed.

In one way or another, we’ve all been encouraged by these women. Inspired by them; protected by them; and loved fiercely by them.

We asked some of our beautiful clients about the best pieces of advice their mums and mother figures gave them in the lead-up to their weddings and how they honoured their mums on their big day. We hope these pearls of wisdom from these mamas help you in your journey to “I do” and beyond…

“What piece of advice did your Mother give you that proved important to you in the lead-up to your wedding?”

Emma

For me, it wasn’t little pieces of advice that really stuck with me. It’s what Mum was, and still is to me, every single day of my life. What she gave me each day in **time,** ***friendship, love, and wisdom*** in the lead-up to my wedding was invaluable. I vividly remember looking over at her glassy-eyed, smiling face, after we were pronounced husband and wife, knowing she could feel that overwhelming sense of happiness, love, and relief that I was feeling. It just makes those moments so much richer, because you know they’re shared with someone who only wants that for you too. I can only hope for the same bond with my own children. If I give them what she gave me, I think I’ll be on the right track!

How did you honour or celebrate
your Mum on your big day?

Mum walked me down the aisle with my dad, which was important for me. Earlier that morning, on the way to the ceremony, we stopped by my Nonna’s nursing home so she could see me in my dress. She was another incredibly special mother figure in my life, another woman who gave me the world. We embraced and couldn’t stop crying.
*Bride: Emma Mittiga @_fleurduvent*

Dianuh

*“Years from now, you won't remember what type of linens you had, what shoes you wore, or even where you got married. You will think back on this day and* ***remember the beautiful moments*** *you were fully present for. You've already planned out all the little details, so on the day, let all that go and allow yourself to just enjoy it all!”*
How did you honour or celebrate
your Mum on your big day?
It's a Korean tradition to honour your parents during the ceremony. This typically happens just before exchanging your vows, which I think is so sweet because you are honouring the family you grew up with just before forming a new one with your soon-to-be spouse! During this time, the bride and groom will approach each set of parents and give them a little bow and hug. It's a tear-jerking moment because that's the last hug you'll be giving the parents as a single person! We also give a bouquet of flowers to the mothers (and mother figures) in our lives. For us, that was both of our mums and grandmas.
*Bride: Dianuh (Aritst) @dianuhaerin*

Morgan

From the very beginning, my mum told me she would be involved in the wedding planning as much or as little as I wanted. I really appreciated that she was always there when I needed her but also gave me and my maid of honour space to make decisions on our own. **She kept reminding us that this was our day**, which was really important to me.

How did you honour or celebrate your
Mum on your big day?
My mum and dad walked me down the aisle which was really important to me as I wanted them both to be a part of that moment. Mum was also just as much a part of my bridal party as my bridesmaids and I spent the morning getting ready with her by my side which was really special.
*Image Credit:* Katelyn Slyer Photos

Christina

*“Go with the flow and find happiness wherever you are.”*

When COVID-19 hit, my husband and I decided to put our big fat Greek and Italian wedding plans on hold and pivot to organizing what we now call our “little wedding” - a civil ceremony in my parent’s backyard with just 20 people.
At first, the pivot was incredibly hard for me emotionally, because it was so different to the 300-person wedding we had been planning for months. However, my mum was amazing at reassuring me the day would be perfect, and **she worked so hard to make the leadup and the day itself, magical**. She reminded me how lucky I was to be marrying my soulmate and to cherish the day for what it was.
When we finally turned our attention to our “big wedding”, it was another bumpy ride, having to postpone two more times, but Mum was **incredible at supporting me through the ups and downs** and reminding us that we deserved our big day exactly as we had planned it - and that it would happen sooner or later!

How did you honour or celebrate
your Mum on your big day?
My mum helped dress me on both of my wedding days,
and those quiet moments before the craziness started were so special. Seeing the look on her face when I had both bridal moments is something I will never forget -
pride, awe and pure love.
Image Credit: Mark Jay Photography
Bride: Christina @lamisceladesigns

Samantha

*“Do whatever you and Matt want to do and whatever makes you happy.”*
When you plan a wedding there are so many voices that can cloud your own judgment and vision of your wedding day, down to who should be invited and which family should sit together and apart on the seating chart. When those moments became more overwhelming than others, my mum would simply say, **“do whatever you want** and the others can work it out for themselves, **it’s your day”** and it was a much-needed reminder.

How did you honour or celebrate
your Mum on your big day?
I celebrated my mum’s mum, who is someone I never got the chance to meet as she passed away when my mum was very young. I had her photo around my bridal bouquet and intentionally turned my bouquet so it would face the camera
*Image Credit:* Meka Weddings

Anisha

I was lucky enough to be raised by my mother and Nani (maternal grandmother) and both hold such special places in my life. Sadly my Nani passed away the year before my wedding so to have her with me throughout the day, I wore a pin on my saree of her. She was such a calm person and having a piece of her with me reminded me to be calm as well.
My mum is such an organised and logical person, in the madness of re-planning a wedding multiple times during covid, she told me that however the wedding day was meant to be will be, and at the end of the day my husband and I would be married and that’s all that really mattered. And she was right (surprise surprise), our wedding day was more than we could have hoped for, and after so many cancellations, we’re married and happy- which is all that really matters!

How did you honour or celebrate your Mum,
or mother figure on your big day?
On my wedding day, I was lucky enough to wear heirloom jewellery from remarkable people in my life- the most special piece being my maang tikka (headpiece) which was originally worn by my Nani (maternal grandmother) 60+ years before I did. It was then worn by my aunt, my mum for their weddings and then myself. Last year my sister also wore the same maang tikka for her wedding too! I also wore a pin on my saree on my beautiful Nani to have her with me throughout the day

Stephanie

*We asked: What piece of advice did your mother give you that proved important to you?*
Mum was just very **supportive** throughout the whole planning process and **made sure I kept calm** when covid made things stressful. She really wanted to make sure that we were making decisions that made us happy at the end of the day and weren’t doing things to make other people happy.

How did you honour or celebrate
your Mum on your big day?
We wanted to make sure both of our Mums were included and honoured on our wedding day. We had our Mums sign our marriage certificate as witnesses. I had both Mum and Dad walk me down the aisle, and Josh had a mother/son dance at our reception.
*Image Credit: Sonja Cenic Weddings*

Anne-marie

*“Prioritise what matters most to you and your husband.”*
She reminded me that it’s easy to get caught up in trying to please everyone, but **ultimately, the day is about us and our commitment to each other**. This advice helped me stay focused on what was truly important, what I really wanted the day to be like, and not get distracted by others’ opinions or expectations. It allowed me to make decisions that reflected our values and personalities, which made our wedding day even more special and memorable.
How did you honour or celebrate
your Mum on your big day?
I wanted to honour my mother in a special way that truly reflected our relationship and the love and support she has given me throughout my life.
Getting her to walk down the aisle with my father and I was a given, but I wanted to take it a step further. So, I asked my mother to present me with my husband’s wedding ring during the ceremony. Seeing her walk towards me with the ring in her hand was a moment I will always cherish. My mother is a remarkable woman, and I am so blessed to have her in my life. Honouring her on my wedding day was a way for me to show her how much she means to me and how much I appreciate everything she has done for me.
*Image Credit: Something Wild Weddings*

Ally

From the very beginning, during the uncertainty of international border closures (due to Covid19), Mum was always **positive and supportive** of our dream wedding.

Reassuring me that someday it will come true. She would never pose her opinion or wants onto how we planned our wedding day, instead, she always reminded us to do what we wanted and what would make us happy, as it’s our day.

How did you honour or celebrate
your Mum on your big day?
Whilst there was no specific way I honoured my mum, we did share a very special moment when she helped me put my dress on, the morning of my wedding. We stood there facing the mirror completely present in the moment.

Also during our reception speeches, everyone had such moving and meaningful words to thank and show appreciation for my mum and her dedication to raising me into the person I am today.

Sarah Clements Photography — Katherine

She didn’t give me specific advice per se, but Mum has always wanted me **to be with someone who I can be myself with**. In fact, my maid of honour captured it perfectly with a quote she shared in her speech…

*“Loving someone means you help them fall more in love with themselves, not more in love you” (Jay Shetty).*

That is truly what my mum has always wanted for me.

How did you honour or celebrate
your Mum on your big day?
I wore my grandmother’s wedding ring as my
‘something old and borrowed’. Unfortunately, I never had
the opportunity to meet her but I knew that would
mean a lot to my mum. So much so, she teared up at
the kitchen table the night I asked her if I could wear it.
My husband and I also asked both of our mums to be witnesses on our marriage certificate. We love the
traditions involved with weddings but one thing they miss
is highlighting the integral role our mums play in bringing
us to this point. It was really important to both of us
to have them included in the formalities of the day.
*Image Credit: Sarah Clements Photography*

Amy

“When you have an idea, plant a seed, and let him do the rest of the work.”
How did you honour or celebrate
your Mum on your big day?
My mum walked me down the aisle alongside my dad,
and my grandmother was our ring bearer.
There were many tears when this was announced as everyone knows how special my Gran is to me. Every time Gran was mentioned in the ceremony or the speeches, the crowd either cheered or cried because it was so special.
Photo Credit: The Paper Fox

Sarah

In the lead-up to my wedding, my mother
instilled in me to just always be myself.

How did you honour or celebrate
your Mum on your big day?
My mother walked me down the aisle. For me it was definitely an honour that I had such an amazing role model and best friend to hand me over to the man of my dreams.
Photo Credit: T-One Image

A big thank you to all of our beautiful Brides who kindly shared their stories with us, and sending so much love to all the incredible Mothers and motherly figures out there. They deserve every bit of credit for the endless support and love they continue to show, through all big and small moments of our lives.

If you would like to know when our next blog posts go live, be sure to sign-up for updates below.

Behind The Piece

A Note From The Artist:

A Note From The Artist:

A Note From The Artist:

A Note From The Artist:

A Note From The Artist:

A Note From The Artist:

Thinking about giving something priceless to mark an incredible day for a loved one? We’re here to help! There are so many options ranging from completely surprising the couple to getting them involved in the creation of the piece itself.

A Note From The Artist:

-

“The attention to detail that Adrienne puts into her artwork is absolutely stunning - there is no one else I would have trusted”.

A Note From The Artist:

“Adrienne is so talented and amazing, I don’t think I’ve come across anyone who offers this type of custom artwork so it’s been so much fun working with her on it.”

A Note From The Artist:

We’re beginning with this beautiful image of newlyweds Laura and Brad Phillips. How did this beautiful couple come to have this intimate and special moment together?

“Stay strong in what you and your partner want for your big day, don’t be swayed by what others may want because your special day is about you two.”

A Note From The Artist:

Get to know our lovely Bride Holly as she gives us a peek behind the scenes of her big day.

A Note From The Artist:

-

We loved chatting to Rosie and hearing all about her wedding planning journey and the wedding itself.Check it all out below!

A Note From The Artist:

-

“Adrienne made the entire process feel so seamless. I am blown away by her attention to detail and how beautifully she captured this in art. Something truly unique that I knew I could never find anywhere else, and I wouldn’t want to!”

A Note From The Artist:

-

“Adrienne is a truly beautiful and kind person who is incredible to work with. She is so easy to communicate with and I love that she stayed in touch during the creative process.”

A Note From The Artist:

“What piece of advice did your Mother give you that proved important to you in the lead-up to your wedding?”

Emma

Bride: Emma Mittiga @_fleurduvent

Dianuh

How did you honour or celebrate your Mum on your big day?

Bride: Dianuh (Aritst) @dianuhaerin

Morgan

How did you honour or celebrate your Mum on your big day?

My mum and dad walked me down the aisle which was really important to me as I wanted them both to be a part of that moment. Mum was also just as much a part of my bridal party as my bridesmaids and I spent the morning getting ready with her by my side which was really special.

Image Credit: Katelyn Slyer Photos

Christina

“Go with the flow and find happiness wherever you are.” When COVID-19 hit, my husband and I decided to put our big fat Greek and Italian wedding plans on hold and pivot to organizing what we now call our “little wedding” - a civil ceremony in my parent’s backyard with just 20 people.

How did you honour or celebrate your Mum on your big day?

My mum helped dress me on both of my wedding days, and those quiet moments before the craziness started were so special. Seeing the look on her face when I had both bridal moments is something I will never forget - pride, awe and pure love.

Image Credit: Mark Jay PhotographyBride: Christina @lamisceladesigns

Samantha

“Do whatever you and Matt want to do and whatever makes you happy.”

How did you honour or celebrate your Mum on your big day?

I celebrated my mum’s mum, who is someone I never got the chance to meet as she passed away when my mum was very young. I had her photo around my bridal bouquet and intentionally turned my bouquet so it would face the camera

Image Credit: Meka Weddings

Anisha

How did you honour or celebrate your Mum, or mother figure on your big day?

Stephanie

We asked: What piece of advice did your mother give you that proved important to you?

Mum was just very supportive throughout the whole planning process and made sure I kept calm when covid made things stressful. She really wanted to make sure that we were making decisions that made us happy at the end of the day and weren’t doing things to make other people happy.

How did you honour or celebrate your Mum on your big day?

We wanted to make sure both of our Mums were included and honoured on our wedding day. We had our Mums sign our marriage certificate as witnesses. I had both Mum and Dad walk me down the aisle, and Josh had a mother/son dance at our reception.

Image Credit: Sonja Cenic Weddings

Anne-marie

“Prioritise what matters most to you and your husband.”

How did you honour or celebrate your Mum on your big day?

Image Credit: Something Wild Weddings

Ally

How did you honour or celebrate your Mum on your big day?

Katherine

That is truly what my mum has always wanted for me.

How did you honour or celebrate your Mum on your big day?

I wore my grandmother’s wedding ring as my ‘something old and borrowed’. Unfortunately, I never had the opportunity to meet her but I knew that would mean a lot to my mum. So much so, she teared up at the kitchen table the night I asked her if I could wear it.

Image Credit: Sarah Clements Photography

Amy

“When you have an idea, plant a seed, and let him do the rest of the work.”

How did you honour or celebrate your Mum on your big day?

Photo Credit: The Paper Fox

Sarah

In the lead-up to my wedding, my mother instilled in me to just always be myself.

How did you honour or celebrate your Mum on your big day?

My mother walked me down the aisle. For me it was definitely an honour that I had such an amazing role model and best friend to hand me over to the man of my dreams.

Photo Credit: T-One Image

Thinking about giving something priceless to mark an incredible day for a loved one?
We’re here to help! There are so many options ranging from completely surprising the couple to getting them involved in the creation of the piece itself.

“Adrienne is so talented and amazing, I don’t think I’ve come
across anyone who offers this type of custom artwork so it’s
been so much fun working with her on it.”

Get to know our lovely Bride Holly as she
gives us a peek behind the scenes of her big day.

We loved chatting to Rosie and hearing all about her
wedding planning journey and the wedding itself.
Check it all out below!

“Adrienne is a truly beautiful and kind person who is
incredible to work with. She is so easy to communicate with
and I love that she stayed in touch during the creative process.”

How did you honour or celebrate
your Mum on your big day?

How did you honour or celebrate your
Mum on your big day?

“Go with the flow and find happiness wherever you are.”

When COVID-19 hit, my husband and I decided to put our big fat Greek and Italian wedding plans on hold and pivot to organizing what we now call our “little wedding” - a civil ceremony in my parent’s backyard with just 20 people.

How did you honour or celebrate
your Mum on your big day?

My mum helped dress me on both of my wedding days,
and those quiet moments before the craziness started were so special. Seeing the look on her face when I had both bridal moments is something I will never forget -
pride, awe and pure love.

Image Credit: Mark Jay Photography
Bride: Christina @lamisceladesigns

How did you honour or celebrate
your Mum on your big day?

How did you honour or celebrate your Mum,
or mother figure on your big day?

How did you honour or celebrate
your Mum on your big day?

How did you honour or celebrate
your Mum on your big day?

How did you honour or celebrate
your Mum on your big day?

How did you honour or celebrate
your Mum on your big day?

I wore my grandmother’s wedding ring as my
‘something old and borrowed’. Unfortunately, I never had
the opportunity to meet her but I knew that would
mean a lot to my mum. So much so, she teared up at
the kitchen table the night I asked her if I could wear it.

How did you honour or celebrate
your Mum on your big day?

In the lead-up to my wedding, my mother
instilled in me to just always be myself.

How did you honour or celebrate
your Mum on your big day?