{Love birds} Love is.. Rachael & Mitchell

‘What is a soulmate? Well, it’s like a best friend, but more. It’s the one person in the world that knows you better than anyone else. It’s someone who makes you a better person, well, actually they don’t make you a better person… you do that yourself– because they inspire you. A soulmate is someone who you carry with you forever. It’s the one person who knew you, and accepted you, and believed in you before anyone else did or when no one else would. And no matter what happens.. you’ll always love them’. – Dawson’s Creek

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It is with the most heartfelt truth that I say I have never seen two people more in love than the beautiful Mr & Mrs Thurn. They are young, beautiful and genuinely the most beautiful of souls intertwined together forever. It was an absolute privilege to be invited to share this beautiful day with this fantastic couple.

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Love birds: Rachael Burgess, Conveyancer & Mitchell Thurn, Fitter/Welder

Ceremony: St Stanislaus College, Bathurst

Reception: Athol Gardens, Blayney

Theme: Elegant and timeless

The Dress: Strapless ivory Maggie Sottero A-line dress with corset back and Swarovksi crystals at the bust and throughout the dress and train

Groom & wedding party: Our bridesmaids wore floor length strapless dresses in navy chiffon and the groomsmen wore black three piece suits and a navy skinny ties. The groom had an ivory vest and tie.

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Hair: Cleanthi from Studio Renaissance

Makeup: Cindy Cook of Coukla’s Orange

Decorations: Each table had a fishbowl vase filled with pale pink and ivory roses sitting on a mirror disc and surrounded by tea-lights. Chandeliers from the ceiling and candelabra on the bridal table. Dry ice gave a cloud effect on the dance floor for the bridal waltz. We also used navy table runners and sashes on the chairs.

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Food:

Canapés- Nutty pistachio biscuits with slow roasted lamb and craisins & Duck in crisp wonton cups & Tomato and goats cheese and poppy seed bruschetta & Seared scallops with mango salsa on Chinese spoons

Entree – Beetroot and goats cheese stacks or rare beef salad with smoky tomato chilli relish

Mains – Duck breast marinated in red wine and orange jus or rack of lamb with tomato onion jam served on a bed of creamy potato mash and roast vegetable salad

Cake: Cakes by Nikki Burden. It was a delicious two double height tiers of caramel mud with white chocolate ganache.

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Drinks: Our guests enjoyed a selection of champagne, beer and wine

Photographer: Heidi Rookyard

Cars: Black Caprice stretch Limousine from Abbey Limousines

Rings: We made each others wedding rings with Larsen Jewellery. Mitchell designed the bride’s engagement ring with the assistance of Regency jewellers in Orange

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Stationary: Dreamday invitations

Music: Victoria Roth played classical tunes on the piano during the ceremony and Muzz Music Orange played at reception

Special moments: Rachael gave the photographer a love note to give to Mitchell just before the ceremony because when we dated in year 7 that’s basically all our relationship consisted of – love letters

Another incredibly special moment was when Mitchell organised dry ice on the dance floor which made it feel and look like we were on a cloud. This was nice because they wanted an outdoor dance floor but the weather didn’t permit. It was a moment no one will forget.

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Guests: 55

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Stockists:

Reception: Athol Gardens – 84 Newbridge Rd, Blayney – 02 6368 2639

DressMaggie Sottero

Hair: Studio Renaissance 223 George Street, Bathurst – 02 6331 5288

Make-upCouklas 166 March Street, Orange – 02 6362 1514

CakeCakes by Nikki

Stationary: Dreamday Invitations

Music: Muzz Music Orange – 0418 167 733

Photographer: Heidi Rookyard

Cars: Abbey Limousines

Rings: Larsen Jewellery.

{Love Birds} Leigh & Stuart and their happily ever after

“For you see, each day I love you more. Today more than yesterday and less than tomorrow. “ Rosemonde Gerard

There are some weddings that simply show true love. This wedding is one such example. A combination of impeccable taste, exquisite attention to detail and handmade touches make this honestly one of the most beautiful weddings I have seen. Leigh and Stuart show what love is and how simply beautiful a wedding can be. Happily ever after is not a term to be used lightly but sometimes it is just right. Here are Mr & Mrs McLean – Happily Ever After.

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The Love birds: Stuart McLean, 27 year old diesel mechanic & Leigh Stapleton, 29 year old Teacher

Ceremony: In Carcoar at the Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception. We wanted an intimate church with lots of character and beautiful light for our photographs.

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Reception: Athol Gardens, Blayney. We looked at every venue in the district but when we walked in to Athol Gardens we both knew it was perfect for us. Stunning gardens and an outdoor terrace that suited our taste to a tee.

Theme: Just a mixture of our favourite things- black, white, beige with a touch of lace and a splash of electric blue

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The Dress: Ivory, strapless, silk gown with a ruched bodice and flowing skirt from Wendy Makin Couture Leigh says she tried on so many dresses and loved them all! She made a top 5 and chose this one mainly for the gorgeous silk fabric. She added a flower from another dress she loved. Leigh says ‘I wore electric blue shoes for my something blue, my grandmother’s pearls for my something old and wore my sister’s veil as something borrowed’.

Groom & wedding party attire: The bridesmaids wore dresses floor length chiffon dresses from Seduce in a soft dusty pink.

Groom & Groomsmen wore light grey suits with white shirts and white silk ties.

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Hair: Wavelength Bathurst

Makeup: Macquarie Skin & Day Spa

Decorations: Table centres- large 3 wick candles wrapped in black lace & ribbon

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Bonbonnieres – Little jars of Rhubarb jam (made by the bride) & White violas in beige ceramic pots with custom labels made by the bride

Food:

Canapés: Prawns with chilli & lime salt; Arancini balls with spinach and buffalo mozzarella; Duck in crisp wonton cups; Chilli feta and crispy pancetta crostini

Mains: Herb crusted rack of lamb on a bed of creamy potato mash with roast vegetable salad or Spanish chicken breast with quince sauce, green beans, potato gallette and baked butternut pumpkin

Dessert: Vanilla Pannacotta and slow roasted rhubarb with a vanilla tuile or Chocolate Hazelnut praline with chocolate sauce

Cake: One tier tall round carrot cake with layers of cream cheese, covered in butter cream icing and topped with fresh roses the same as the bouquets. The Bride says she made the cake herself (even though everyone thought she was crazy – but really she says she is just too picky to trust anyone else) and the cake topper and bouquets were by Florabundance.

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Drinks: Local Wines from Cumulus and Angullong and a selection of beers and spirits.

Photographer: Jennifer Stocks from Jennifer Stocks Photography– the most amazing photographer! Jen usually only photographs babies and families but we twisted her arm as an old friend to capture our day. We could be happier with our photos taken around beautiful Carcoar.

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Rings: The wedding bands are Quorra purchased at WJ Coote and Sons. Leigh has a white gold diamond wedder and a plain band either side of my engagement ring and Stuart chose a thick white gold plain band.

Stationary: All stationary was handmade by the bride including the invitations, service booklets, escort cards and table numbers. The stationary supplies were purchased at Fantasia in Bathurst.

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Music: The couple chose country music singer Kaylee Bell to perform at the church and she further entertained the guests in the garden at Athol afterwards during drinks and canapés.

Special moments: The bride says she started crying before she even pulled up at the church! Then she walked in and saw that half the church was crying including the groom & groomsmen! – She says as soon as she saw Stuart standing there she couldn’t help but smile.

Our beautiful guest book was a wedding gift from a very special friend. She drew a tree and our guests put their finger prints as the leaves and signed it. We have it hanging on the wall in our house as a reminder of our special day.

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Our amazing honeymoon in France and Italy was definitely a highlight too – an experience we will never forget. The most special thing for us was having our favourite people together to help us celebrate!

Guests: 100

Cost: Approximately $27,000.00reception

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Stockists:

Reception: Athol Gardens – 84 Newbridge Rd, Blayney – 02 6368 2639

Photographer: Jennifer Stocks Photography – 0401 004 373

Dress: Wendy Makin Couture – 07 3823 0111

Bridesmaid dress: Seduce

Hair: Wavelength Bathurst – 97 Keppel Street, Bathurst 02 6331 5086

Make upMacquarie Skin & Day Spa – Shop 2 / 169 Howick Street, Bathurst 02 6332 2062

Flowers/cake topper: Florabundance – 90B Bentinck St, Bathurst – 02 6332 1822

Rings: WJ Coote and Sons 69 William Street, Bathurst –  02 6331 3017

Stationary: Fantasia 2/91 Rankin St, Bathurst NSW 2795 – 02 6331 8688