We all know that orange is the new black, but today's real wedding is proof that orange is also a fantastic choice for a wedding colour scheme! This unexpected punch of colour added vibrancy to Stacey and Nick's Old Parliament House celebration, where stylish details and stunning blooms blended with good food and wine, and the beauty of an Australian venue. Settle in for this one, it’s a stunner of a day, captured wonderfully by James from Who Shot the Photographer.
Bride Stacey is originally from Bulahdelah New South Wales, Australia, and groom Nick is from Canberra, where the couple both currently live. The couple met through Nick’s best friend Chelsea, who was was living with Stacey at the time.
The proposal happened while the couple were on the top of Mount Ainslie, Stacey's favourite place in Canberra – just as it started to snow! Stacey remembers fondly, "It was very special as it was the day before my Mum’s 50th birthday, and we were able to share the news with my family and friends, when we were all together the next day."
The couple chose Old Parliament House in Canberra for their wedding venue. Stacey explains, "Old Parliament House has been our dream wedding venue since I moved to Canberra. We just loved that it’s still in its original condition and has so much significance to the way Australia is now. It’s a wedding venue that stands out, one that everyone will be talking about forever."
Stacey walked down the aisle to Mumma’s song by Carrie Underwood.
The couple's ceremony took place in the Senate Courtyard, which was decorated with bright blooms and a lush ceremony arch.
It was important to Stacey to have an Irish tradition involved in the ceremony, being that she was marrying into an Irish family. "We did a traditional Celtic hand-fasting with Irish lace all the way from Cobh in County Cork, thanks to Nick’s Aunty", Stacey tells us.
Islands in the Stream by Dolly Parton and Kenny Rodgers played as the couple walked down the aisle as husband and wife.
Stacey's beautiful tulle and lace detail gown is by Spanish bridal designer Rosa Clará. Her something old, and something borrowed was her Mum’s 25-year-old veil which paired beautifully with her modern, and romantic gown.
The vibrant orange bridesmaids' dresses are from Australian label Showpo. We love the pretty floral pattern!
Nick's grey suit was a custom creation. To complete his wedding-day look, he added custom cufflinks featuring his favourite F1 driver, James Hunt.
Describing the look and feel of the day, the couple tell us it was, "fun and relaxed." They add, "it was also quite emotional, but beautiful and completely us at the same time."
Old Parliament House provided Stacey and Nick with lots of amazing spots for their portraits.
Orange napkins tied with string and wooden escort cards added a pop of colour to the simple and modern tablescapes.
The newlyweds' wedding favours were fancy pre-made cocktails in glass bottles. "We had 5 different flavours and these where made by 3foxes down in Melbourne."
The couple's creative wedding cake was made by Beth, a friend of Nick's Mum. It comprised three different flavoured layers, with each layer having lemon curd in the middle and a buttercream icing… YUM!
After the portraits, the couple and their guests headed to the House of Reps Courtyard for their reception.
Stacey and Nick made their dance floor debut to I do by Morgan Evans.
Due to the various Covid-19 restrictions and international travel ban, many of the couple's loved ones had to attend virtually through a live stream, or send on their best wishes to the couple via video. They tell us, "Nick’s sister and brother-in-law also put together an incredible video message for us, from all the family that couldn’t make due to Covid. We had messages from Ireland, London, and New Zealand and even from those in Australia who were stuck in lockdown. It was so beautiful and special and something that we can look back and continue to watch forever."
The couple were due to head off on honeymoon to Brazil for the Brazilian Formula 1 Grand Prix, however, Covid put a halt to their plans. Instead, they spent a week in Wollongong in New South Wales. They tell us, "We stayed by the beach, in walking distance of everything we needed and it was great. It was the perfect week away, but we do plan on having a international honeymoon as soon as we can!"
To other couples planning a wedding in a pandemic, Stacey and Nick have some words of advice to pass on. "Just take it as it comes," they say. "Do what you want and don’t listen to those around you. No one is going to remember the food or the weather, but they will remember the fun they had and the people they meant. Nothing will ever go to plan!"
A big congratulations to you both, Stacey and Nick! Thank you for sharing your story with us. Thanks also to James from Who Shot the Photographer for sharing today’s beautiful celebration.
