I wanted it to be classic, timeless and have a garden soiree vibe.
Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…
Rychelle – I’m a wedding stylist and florist, so it was always a given that I would be creating something magical on the big wedding day.
Shaun – the financial advisor – knew he would never have any say when the big day came.
How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?
We met on Tinder in 2014. Rychelle—I don’t recall swiping right for Shaun, but as soon as we started talking, he asked for my number and to take me out the next day. I was taken back by how humble and a gentleman he was, and he was a lot better looking than his profile images.
Shaun – I don’t recall swiping – I think one of my mates took my phone and started the conversation with Rychelle, but the rest is history, as everyone says. On our first date, she warned me about the wedding thing she had done – I should have run then.
When did you first realise that this was someone you’d like to spend the rest of your life with?
Rychelle – after the first kiss. I’d never met anyone who genially was so interested in me and cared for me like Shaun did. He will tell you he can’t remember, but let’s say from the first date also, haha.
Was there a proposal? Tell us a little about it…
Look, this is where no one should be surprised… working in weddings, I book out sometimes 24 months in advance – so Shaun and I had decided on a date already for the wedding, and he allowed me to book the venue before he proposed so I could block it out for work. I gave a deadline that I wanted a 1-year engagement. It was 4 weeks before the 1-year date was coming around, and I had 2 weekends off, so I was hoping… however we had a seaplane ride that was postponed for my 30th, so we booked that in – Shaun is not a public person so I knew it wouldn’t happen there even though everyone expected it. As we were driving home, he said he was busting to go to the toilet (typical) and ran upstairs while I walked up slowly, feeling unwell from the seaplane ride, to walk inside to a trail of petals leading out to our balcony where all my décor from my warehouse he had stolen and a sign saying will you marry me. It was a big surprise.
Tell us about the vision you had for the mood or style of your wedding.
I wanted it to be classic, timeless and have a garden soiree vibe. I’ve done so many weddings and seen trends come and go, trying to stick with what would be everlasting. Shaun had a say (after all) and said no white ( I died a little), so I used white as the base for seating and linen, and then we layered with classic antique crystal glassware and silver cutlery. Florals: we did soft pastels in lemons, lilacs, ivory and green foliage to complement Shaun’s suit ( he wanted to wear an emerald green), and I chose to wear a custom lilac gown- and we paired our bridal party in lemons and greens.
What was one element you were happy to splurge on?
The venue and music were my non-negotiables. I wanted a venue I hadn’t worked at before, so it felt new and special and not like work. As we couldn’t travel, I wanted to find that European vibe here in Sydney. And the music—I have worked with Holly and Will from TSL on so many weddings—they bring the energy, and I wanted it to be a day-long party.
Did anything happen on your wedding day that you laugh about in hindsight (even if it was stressful at the time)?
The marquee—not what any bride wants—but the weather wasn’t on our side. It took away from the overall aesthetic of the venue, as I stupidly didn’t request just the top and no sides, but my photographer captured it so perfectly that you don’t even notice it.
Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, is there a story?
So, the day after Shaun proposed, we found out I was actually 8 weeks pregnant. And would have a 5-month-old baby at the wedding. So my dear friend Ingrid got the call and took all my measurements that week, and we designed the dress. After I had the baby, I went back, and as we had it all in place, we just had to check my body hadn’t changed too much and started making it. She and her team were incredible and made the dress in 2 months. As Shaun requested colour – I went with a soft lilac underlay for a little something different.
LOCATION Palladio Arcadia, @palladioarcadia PHOTOGRAPHER Jack Henry, @jackhenryphoto CONTENT CREATOR Hannah – Hermedia Socials, @hermediasocials STYLIST Rychelle Parton – Lovestoned, @lovestonedstyling ON-THE-DAY STYLIST Brooke – Paloma Events, @paloma.eventco ON-THE-DAY COORDINATOR Hire A Bridesmaid, @hireabridesmaid_ FLORIST Vision by Lovestoned, @lovestonedstyling, carried out by my team of freelance florists; Ceremony arbour/bridal party – Samantha Andon – Fleur My Darling, @fleur_my_darling; Reception table florals – Matthew Golding – By Magnolia, @by.mag.nolia CELEBRANT Alex Loanely – The Vow Ceremonies, @thevow_ceremonies ENTERTAINMENT Top Shelf Live, @topshelflive HIRE Lovestoned, @lovestonedstyling; Simply Seated, @simply.seated; Your Event Tribe, @youreventtribe; Candeful & Co., @candeful_and_co MARQUE Better Event Hire, @beh_southern_highlands CATERING Paddock to Plate, @paddocktoplatecateringco CAKE Pasticceria Caruso, @pasticceria_caruso STATIONERY & SIGNAGE Christina Stamos, @christinastamosdesigns; Sprinky Studio, @sprinkystudio BRIDE’S RING Opal Minded, @opal.minded BRIDAL DRESS Ingridolic, @ingridolicbridal BRIDE’S ACCESSORIES Earrings – Christie Nicolaides, @christienicolaides MAKEUP Jaimee May, @makeupbyjaimeemay HAIR Carter Co Salon, @cartercosalon BRIDE’S FRAGRANCE Mediterranean – Aerin, @aerin SUIT Hockerty, @hockerty_official FLOWER GIRL’S DRESS Arabella & Rose, @arabellaandrose BRIDESMAIDS DRESSES V Champman, @vchapmanstudio; Alamour The Label, @alamourthelabel GROOMSMEN SUIT Hockerty, @hockerty_official
