After eleven long, beautiful years of dating, this week’s White Lily bride Andrea finally got to say yes to the love of her life, Chris, during their Balinese Tropical NSW wedding. After being proposed to in Bali on their holidays in 2018, it only seemed fitting to continue the theme and seek inspiration from one of their favourite memories. Luscious palm leaves, fun pops of colour, and bohemian antique decor made the couple’s special day unforgettable.
The Proposal
“My husband Chris proposed in a beautiful resort called Ayana in Bali on the last night of our holiday in September 2018. We stayed in a beautiful Villa and had sunset cocktails followed by a cliffside seafood dinner. After dinner, we went back to the villa to drink champagne and he proposed when it was just us two, it was perfect and I was completely taken by surprise.”
Wedding Style and Standout Suppliers
With help from florist Victoria Fitzgibbon, Fins Plantation House was turned into a tropical paradise. Carefully selected antique Indian timber and a mix of beautiful floristry turned Andrea and Chris’ vision into the most charming and fun wedding day. Their colourful theme instantly caught our eye and brightened our day. Tasteful bohemian decor and luscious palm leaves were the perfect combination for every lover of the Balinese style: “Hands down the florist blew me away, she completely aligned with my tropical vision and over-delivered 110%. - I was in awe of her creativity. 3 weeks before the wedding Brisbane went into yet another lockdown, putting my 3rd attempt to get married in jeopardy. The flowers had cutting deadlines due to being imported and Victoria did everything she could to present the two options at the latest possible timeframes. I knew she had a lot going on as well from all the 2020 catch-up weddings and she naturally would've been under pressure herself but her approach and unwavering support during that very stressful time were incredible.”
Due to Covid, this week’s White Lily couple had to change their vendors countless times. However, all of her changes ended up being a blessing in disguise. Not only was Andrea blown away by her florist, she was also beyond happy with her MUA, Bexi Make Up Artist, and Hairstylist, Rachael Harris: “Bexi the makeup artist and Rachael were both great. They were both completely non-precious about feedback and that was really comforting as a bride when you've got 'one shot' to get it right. These two women were amazing and had the perfect energy. Highly recommend!!!”
The Dress
ERANDI by Spanish designer Pronovias is one of those dresses that catch your attention left, right, and center. With beautiful beaded details, a minimalist crepe skirt, and a breathtaking lace train, it was no surprise that Andrea fell in love with the sh/collections/pronoviasow-stopping fit and flair gown. On top of Erandi’s gorgeous looks, Andrea also loved how light and comfortable her dream wedding gown felt when she first tried it on.
What made your White Lily experience special for you?
“The staff were friendly, there was champagne and the showroom is absolutely gorgeous. The whole experience was brilliant and I would encourage any bride who appreciates quality designs and value to go there.”
Andrea’s Favourite Memories
With covid restrictions taking a toll on the couple’s wedding planning process, Andrea and Chris both couldn’t have been more grateful to be able to dance and celebrate with their nearest and dearest: “…It was a combination of joy, relief, and satisfaction. We incorporated a Peruvian tradition 'The Crazy Hour' which included a few elements of surprise entertainment and that was a lot of fun for us and our guests.” With that being said, Andrea also advises to not lose sight of what the day is really about: celebrating love. She also advises to be at peace with the fact that things will go wrong: “We sometimes romance the day rolling out perfectly in our minds but we never really make allowance for 'everyday incidentals’ - like rain affecting sunset photos and cocktails or your celebrant’s Kindle battery dying towards the end of the ceremony for example which happened to me. Thankfully I was in the right headspace and my celebrant made a heroic recovery and these unexpected details didn’t bother me at all.” Moral of the story: prepare for your day to be perfectly imperfect and don’t stress about little hiccups.
“For any new couples planning a wedding in these vulnerable and unpredictable covid times, the only thing you can do is roll on with all your plans until such time as the restrictions dictate otherwise. You'll know in your heart when it's time to make the tough decisions. Do your best to not let the lack of control take over your sanity it will all be worth it in the end.”
We’re Married Now
“After 11 years of being together, it still feels unnatural going from calling my 'Partner' to 'Husband' but it's a pretty great reminder that you have a new and comforting dimension in your relationship.”
Complete the sentence: Being married means lifelong commitment.