I truly believe that one of the keys to enjoying your wedding day and preparation is hiring vendors who you trust to do their job. Here are our behind-the-scenes stars…

Bride’s dress: Cinderella Bridal

Groom’s attire: Suit Co.

Hair & makeup: La Bella Sposa

Headpiece: Borrowed from a friend

Bride’s earrings: Kasia Blue

Bride’s shoes: Zappo’s

Groom and groomsmen’s cufflinks: Various Etsy stores

Groomsmen’s attire: Suit Co.

Bridesmaids’ attire: Various

Fans: Pink Frosting (plus DIY ribbon embellishment)

Flowers: Alyssiums

Rings: Max Langley

Cars: Friend’s vintage Mercedes

Celebrant: Megan Bonython

Ceremony music: Adelaide University Choral Society plus DIY with iPod

Reception music: DIY with iPod

Ceremony venue: The Institute Room at The State Library of South Australia

Reception venue: The Mortlock Chamber at The State Library of South Australia

Day-of coordinator: Mary & Gabrielle Events

Decorations: Various (mostly from Etsy, Ebay, secondhand stores, DIY and Mary & Gabrielle Events)

Cake: Cake Stories (no longer operating)

Catering: Epicure

Dance lessons: Ceroc Modern Jive

Stationery: Akimbo

Photography: Luke Simon Photography (that’s Luke on the right having fun with his assistant in our photo booth)

I think that covers pretty much everything but do ask in the comments if I’ve missed anything.

We simply would not have had such an amazing day without the talent and hard work of our wonderful suppliers. Thank you!

All photography by Luke Simon Photography except stationery and photo booth photos.

After the ceremony, it was time for the official bridal party photos. We began in the stunning Circulating Library, which was the original library before the Mortlock Wing (where we had our reception) was later added. I would have actually loved to have our ceremony there but alas the room is way too small. It sure made for some atmospheric photos though.

And now in the larger but similarly beautiful Mortlock Chamber:

Our photographer Luke is such a dude. He was so friendly and funny that having our photos taken felt like hanging out with an old friend, which made us so relaxed he could capture some lovely genuine expressions.

One of my fave shots from the wedding – very formal, yes, but that staircase looks like it’s simply made for bridal party photos!

I just realised I haven’t introduced you to our wingmen and -women. From the left on the stairs is my dear school friend Jaime, my friend since the age of three Jo and my beautiful maid of honour Cherie,  then on our other side is Ryan’s brother and best man Dan, best mate Sam and my brother Liam. They were all brilliant and so helpful in the leadup to the day and were so fun to spend our wedding day with.

And finally, my favourite (and might I add, award-winning!) photo from our wedding.

Photography by Luke Simon Photography

I’ve been so busy creating new products that I haven’t shared with you some of the custom work I’ve done in recent months.

This groom proposed at a historic rotunda along the river and the couple chose the same location to exchange vows. I just love it when couples choose somewhere meaningful to marry.

These blind letterpressed (that means without ink) invitations are certainly a lot more traditional than my regular style but the client and I added a bunch of quirky elements to make it special. The invitations had swing tags for the additional information attached and the whole package was actually wrapped up inside a handkerchief and hand-delivered. The client did those finishing touches herself so unfortunately I don’t have any images, but doesn’t it sound wonderful?

We had the ceremony programs printed on a black lace hanky for something special. They make a great keepsake, don’t you think?

I’ve since developed a new collection inspired by this job, which I’ll reveal next week.

I woke up on Sunday, my first wedding anniversary, to find my husband not home. There were, however, written instructions from him to catch the bus into the city and get off at a certain stop, where I would find the first in a series of clues…

I didn’t even know he knew about paper being the first anniversary present but he’d made a set of origami hearts (even made from old book pages which were a feature of our wedding) with clues on the reverse to find the next location.

I was led all over town to various places that are meaningful to us, including the bar where we got together, our wedding night hotel, my uni campus (where there was this giant ‘a’ from my logo!!), all ending up with a picnic near our wedding venue…

…where there was another giant ‘a’ (this time in Helvetica because a few days earlier he’d asked me what typeface I couldn’t live without). He’d even brought the iPod dock to play the song I walked down the aisle to. Awwww!

As you can see, it was a perfect sunny day to enjoy a picnic of champagne, cheese and antipasto.

Our favourite photo from our wedding is of us sitting on this bench so I had to recreate it with the letter, which totally cracks me up.

Prior to all this, I was pretty smug thinking I’d thought of the best anniversary present.

Now, clearly I wasn’t going to be able to top the effort that The Man put in, but I hope you’ll agree this papercut art is absolutely divine. This gorgeous custom piece was hand cut by Kyleigh’s Papercuts (thanks Kyleigh, he loved it!) and features the lyrics from the first dance song from our wedding.

I was completely blown away by all the effort that The Man went to and it was definitely a day to remember.

What are your favourite ideas for a paper anniversary gift?

Wow, what a weekend! Akimbo exhibited at The Eclective, South Australia’s first alternative bridal fair.

I love being an online business because I can work without the hassle and overheads of owning a shop and I can service clients all over the world, but there really is nothing like meeting a bride face-to-face and getting to know her in person. That was hands down my favourite part of the event.

I was also able to put faces to the names of some brilliant local vendors and find out about their businesses. There are so many talented people in the Adelaide wedding industry and everyone was so supportive and friendly. It’s precisely why I wanted to start The Wedding Ring and I’m now itching to get back into organising that.

It’s been a hectic few months preparing everything and I couldn’t have done it alone. Thanks to my friend Mary and sister-in-law Callie for being helpful and encouraging sounding boards for my display ideas; my Dad for agreeing to play hatchback tetris to transport my gear; and Emma at White & Wander for the kick-arse furniture. Special thanks to my husband Ryan for being there for the whole weekend, bringing me coffee and for learning so much about my products and services that he could help customers on his own!

Of course, it wouldn’t have been possible without the event organisers, my fellow vendors and above all, everyone who came along.

I had a great response and lots of interest in my work so you should be seeing a bunch of new invitations for some of the sweet couples I met.

Images by me, except for the last two by my brother-in-law Dan Parsons (thanks Dan!). You can find more photos here.

Way back when, I shared with you the then new Regency greeting cards. This cheeky engagement card was my favourite of the lot, so when I recently added wedding invitations to the collection, I couldn’t help but making this into an engagement party invitation.

Find out more here.

I have an exciting announcement for you today!

I’ve recently been lucky enough to participate in a few collaborations with some super talented vendors here in Radelaide. Everyone has been so friendly and encouraging of my work and I’ve likewise been delighted to discover more about their businesses. I wanted a way to do more of the same without having to wait for the next time opportunity rocked up on my doorstep.

With that in mind, I started The Wedding Ring, a community of Adelaide event professionals who will meet monthly for social drinks at one of the city’s gorgeous venues. It’s not just for local established wedding businesses, if you’re an aspiring wedding pro or are visiting from interstate we’d love to meet you!

There are no membership fees, entry fees or icky networking pressure, it’s a welcoming atmosphere with a focus on sharing for the benefit of individuals and the industry as a whole. To be kept informed of when the first meet up will be, hop over to the Facebook page or follow us on Twitter. If you’re a venue owner/manager in the metro area, email to find out more about becoming a host.

Boy do I have a treat for you today!

As I allued to on Monday, I was recently approached by Mary & Gabrielle Events to create some stationery for a wedding inspiration shoot by White Wall Photography for The Lane.

Enjoy the glorious dreamy photos…

I was going to let the photos do all the talking, but I just have to interject at this point. I mean, it’s a freakin’ fireplace. In the woods.

Isn’t that last shot hysterical?

You can find the original post here on The Lane.

Photography: White Wall | Styling: Mary and Gabrielle | Hair and Makeup: Kristy Erdelyi | Props: White and Wander | Flowers: Lotus Flowers | Stationery: Akimbo | Lighting: Lush Lighting |Food: Two Brothers | Cake: Heidelberg | Sweets: Pastille Petite

P.S. Did I mention the fireplace?!

I was recently asked to contribute the stationery for an incredible collaboration (as you may already know if you follow Akimbo on Facebook or Twitter). I’ll discuss that in all its amazing detail on Wednesday, but for now I’m thrilled to reveal the stationery.

I have seriously never been so excited about a new product. Paper schmaper, this baby is printed on wood, people.

I’ve been dying to do both a veneer invitation and an illustrated map, and this collection’s got the delicious double-whammy.

The inspiration board and brief I was given for this project reminded me of the dreamy yet playful forest scenes in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. With that in mind, I have named the collection Oberon, after Shakespeare’s famous king of the fairies. (Wouldn’t my year 10 drama teacher be proud?)

Check back in later in the week to see the full photo shoot that this was produced for, as well as a matching DIY project.

Until then, you can find details of the stationery products here.

Thanks to the always generous Sally at Poppies Flowers for providing the props and flowers.

The biannual Bowerbird Bazaar handmade market was held on Mother’s Day weekend here in Adelaide.

(Yes, I know Mother’s Day was some time ago so apologies for the ridiculous lateness of this recap but I couldn’t fit it in earlier due to Birthday Month, sorry!)

As usual, it was packed with all the jewellery, prints, ceramics and decor you can handle from some of the country’s most creative indie businesses.

The letterpress goodness from Bespoke Press was the highlight of the day for me. I love their vintage-inspired designs and their gorgeous stall display.

I’ve been a big fan of Messagemark’s organic desgins and retro colour palette for some time so it was great to have the opportunity to meet Kyrie Kohlhagen, the lovely lady behind it.

Whimsical handpainted porcelain by Linogirl.

More beautiful ceramics from Maria Chatzinikolaki…

…and Stephanie James-Manttan.

Perennial favourites Rebound Books.

I’ve had the pleasure to have met the multi-talented Ali Rodda several times through mutual friends. I knew she was working on a new jewellery line so I was excited to finally see it. The result? Indigo Fawn, a collection of paper-cut style designs laser cut from acrylic.

(The cuties at the top right may or may not have found their way home with me.)

Printspace always have the coolest designs. I mean, how would you resist Mr Fox there?

Gorgeous peacock-like leather headbands by South for the Summer.

I love Tinker’s unusual colour choices on their funky screenprinted prints, fabric and teatowels.

Did any of you go? What was your favourite stall?