Sara & Ben celebrated their love story by tying the knot in a unique and personalised wedding at the Mornington Botanical Rose Garden, paying homage to Fijian heritage while tying the styling together with a darkly romantic twist. Sara was our very first bride to wear our new flutter sleeve option, on our Midnight Aurora gown, and we are totally obsessed with her gorgeous
Photography Credit: Snaps by Song
When did you know Ben was the ONE?
When we kissed on a beach pier during sunset.
Tell us how Ben proposed - We love a good ring story!
The night of the big Victorian lockdown my partner rushed us up to Aurthors seat in the Mornington Peninsula.
He drove to every lookout stop and made me get out.
He stood awkwardly at each stop for a few minutes until we reached the top lookout.
He got down on one knee and popped the question!
Strangers started to do burnouts as we kissed!
When you first started wedding planning, what where 3 of the most important things to you both about your wedding day?
Remembering our passed loved ones
Capturing the moment
The dress
Where did you choose to get married?
Mornington Botanical Rose Garden
What vendors did you use for your wedding?
Babydoll Artistry- HMUA
Snaps By Song- Photographer
Desert Moon Bridal- Dress
Caketime.melb- Wedding Cake
Truly Beautiful Weddings- Artificial Flowers
Special Events Hire- Ceremony Setup
How did you pick your venue?
I lived locally, used to walk through the gardens.
What vendors did you spend the most time researching and trying to decide on?
Wedding Dress Vendors
Did you find it difficult to bring your wedding under budget? If you feel comfortable please share your budget with us.
No, Budget was 15k, we did spend 17k
Do you have any advice for other couples planning a wedding on a lower budget?
Facebook Marketplace is your best friend!
We found all of our vendors on marketplace!
When you look back on your day, what is your most favourite memory?
Marrying the love of my life with our baby boy watching.
Party all night or did you sneak off with your loved one early in the night?
We partied until 10:30pm.
We then had a vintage car pick us up and drop us off at our private AirBNB.
What is something unique you did in your ceremony?
Had traditional Fijian dress around our necks. (I have fijian/rotuman heritage.)
How did you pick your bridal party?
I chose people that helped me the most.
I chose people that give the same as I give.
How did you choose the colour and styling of your bridesmaid dresses?
Dusty pink is my favourite colour! I had bridesmaids from petite to plus. I chose the infinity wrap dresses to accommodate for all beautiful bodies.
Did you get any inspo from Pintrest, insta and Tik Tok?
Yes, Pintrest gave me the idea for my bridesmaids/men to wear white converse.
How did you include your partner in the planning? Did they contribute to the nitty gritty stuff or leave the details up to you?
My partner and I did 50/50!
I chose options, Ben would get the final say put of the choices!
In three words describe your special day to us!
Beautifully Dark Romantic
Did any vendors go above and beyond to make your day perfect? Give them a shout out here!
My hair and makeup artist!
Babydoll Artistry.
Oakley was absolutely incredible!
I highly recommend her!
Looking back, how would you describe the atmosphere of your wedding day?
Intimate & Romantic
How did you find Desert Moon?
What brought you to our website first? Price? Style? Sizing range?
Style and Price
Did you love your gown?
How did it make you feel wearing Tumbleweed?
I FKING LOVED IT!
I felt understood by the company!
I felt like a real bride with a gothic twist.
I felt magical!
Did you have THE moment trying on your gown for the first time?
I did!
I cried everytime I opened the box.
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your dress?
The way the glitter fabric shines.... enough said!
Did you include any special traditions or unique ideas into your day?
My cousin from Fiji attended with traditional neck wear Tefui.
My cousin put the Tefui around mine ans my husbands necks before the ceremony started.
We both wore black and had black details throughout the wedding.
Share a photo of your fav DIY from the wedding and tell us below how you made it happen!
I made a welcome sign for under $40.
All materials were from Kmart.
I traced a font from work onto drawing paper, placed the paper under the clear frame screen and began to paint the wording.
I filled the frame with hay and finished it off with artificial flowers.
I did need to change the date on the sign due to mum brain so I simply crossed out the numbering with a red paint marker and corrected it for humour.
Finally - If you had the chance to give one piece of advice to a fellow bride what would it be?
You don't need to do a three hour photoshoot!
Keep it to 45 minutes and capture the energy of your reception instead. We did this and it was incredible.
Thank you for sharing your day with us Sara & Ben, and for choosing our Midnight Aurora gown for your big day Xx
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