I have a serious soft spot Leah & Craig's wedding. It's a day after my own heart.
Their celebration was one where they made the important things count and let their personalities and passions really shine through – my favourite kind of wedding!
And it was captured by the wonderful Michelle Gardella Photography in her signature emotive, atmospheric, just plain cool, style.
A backyard bash, where their families, friends, and neighbours all chipped in to make it really special, Leah & Craig's day was romantic, fun, and relaxed.
With a botanical, earthy feel (the couple popped into the neighbours' greenhouse for snaps!), air plants, moss and foliage hair accessories, sat beautifully with protea bridesmaid bouquets and ranunculus centrepieces.
The decor had an artisan feel, with aged wooden boxes, butcher-style linens and kraft paper, while Polaroid escort cards, tattoo favours, and a home-made wedding cake added a sweet, personal feel.
And at the centre of it all, the gorgeous Leah & Craig, who didn't leave eachothers' sides, all day long…
Wedding Day Snapshot
Our Wedding Day
We got married at my parents house. Eight months earlier, Craig took me on an impromptu, casual walk on the beach.
He proposed on the jetty, he in sweatpants, me in a too-big jacket of my dad's, my parents giant dog in tow. Low-key, no fuss, just us, and perfect.
The wedding ceremony was in the neighbors' yard that looks over that same jetty. The reception took place in my parents backyard.
Our neighbors played the cocktail hour music, my sister-in-law made our cake, we knocked on another neighbors door mid-wedding to take photos in their greenhouse.
Everyone opened their arms and hearts to us to help create our magical day.
Personal Touches
Our passions include travel, photography/film, music, design, our friends and family, and each other.
These passions came through and were what made the wedding us.
Our placecards were Polaroids, our reading was from Osa Johnsons “I Married Adventure.”
On Sundays in our home you can often find Craig playing jazz records and dancing with me around the kitchen – our first dance was to “Sunday Kind Of Love”. Music lyrics also made their way into our tattoo favors, featuring our hometown – “spread love, it's the Brooklyn way.”
All eight of our nieces and nephews were there – running around barefoot on the beach and busting moves with us on the dance floor.
My great uncle officiated the ceremony and added and wonderful touch by announcing us as “partners” for life.
Favourite Memories
To be surrounded by everyone who matters to you in the world, and at the same time feel like you are the only two people on the planet is a truly surreal experience.
We spent the entire wedding side by side, hand in hand, doing what we love to do – dancing, laughing, being with friends and family, and sharing our love with them and with each other.
The day rocked. Really. Couldn't have been more perfect. We think back on it often and smile.
What a special celebration. I just love back garden weddings, and the idea of the neighbours helping out too, just sounds so fun. I'm kind of obsessed with Leah's air plant bouquet too – so unique!
Thanks so much to Michelle Gardella Photography, and of course the awesome Leah and Craig for sharing their wedding with us.
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