Summer breeze
Philippa Riches and Joseph Cameron married at St Thomas’ Church, Omarama, on Friday, January 18, 2013
Our love story Joe and I met through a mutual friend – he introduced us in the same pub that Joe’s mother and father first met. In 2012 we travelled to Italy together. After an idyllic day walking the coastline, we stopped for a picnic of fish and chips with a bottle of local red. Joe suggested we venture up a walking track to watch the sunset, and as the sun disappeared, he got down on one knee. Scene setters Following our church ceremony, we returned to a marquee set up on Joe’s family farm for our vintage-themed reception. Using accents of mint green, we decorated white banquet tables with lace table runners, silver candleabras, old green books and vintage photo frames filled with family wedding photos. My dream dress I found my dress while living in Melbourne. Made of silk, it featured a French lace overlay, wide straps and an elegant V-neck. Instead of wearing ‘something blue’ my mum embroidered our wedding date in navy onto the inside of my dress, and paired it with the silver friendship ring my father had gifted her 40 years prior. I finished my look with a floral bracelet featuring pearls and diamantés to complement my pearl drop earrings. A sumptuous feast Our 100 guests enjoyed a three-course, sit down menu which featured dishes such as house smoked duck breast, seared beef fillet and apple and walnut salad. Lemon tartlets, chocolate mousse and macaroons accompanied Joe’s grandmother’s three-tier cake for dessert. The cake’s top tier was a traditional fruit cake – we are saving it for the christening of our first child. Something special We allocated a room in which guests could store their gifts – as a point of interest, we decorated the room with my grandmother’s, mother’s and mother-in-law’s wedding dresses. For our guests Vintage jars filled with assorted green and white lollies covered our floral cloth-covered lolly table. Instead of place names, we left white paper bags stamped with guests’ names at each setting and invited everyone to fill their bags with sweet treats. Sweet child of mine We invited children to the ceremony, with friends’ teenagers offering to baby sit them during dinner and speeches. Beds were available so the children could either go to sleep after their dinner of lasagne and chicken nibbles, or join in dancing. My advice for brides to be As you walk down the aisle, try to make the moment last. Take the time to look at everyone’s faces and enjoy that they’re all there to celebrate with you.