Our Winner
"Winning was fantastic! Like everyone, we could always do with another holiday! And the cash is just wonderful. I promised our friends that if I won we would have a big party!" commented Sarah.
I came across True Bride and the competition when I was searching on the Internet for bridal related sites. I was very excited about the competition, as you spend so long organising your wedding, (in our case 12 months), and then it is all over in a day. The competition was a way of allowing me to be a bride for that little bit longer.
Our family and friends were excited to see our photo and story on line and my mum was particularly stoked. It was also great to see the other entrants. It was nice to see 'real' brides for a change, rather than the fairytale brides depicted in many of the magazines.
Winning was fantastic! Like everyone, we could always do with another holiday! And the cash is just wonderful. I promised our friends that if I won we would have a big party! We will use the rest of the money to finish some of the renovations around our home.
The Romance
We met when I was just 18 at my first job, but it took Sam eighteen months before he finally asked me out. We never looked back and then dated for the next six years!
In February 2000, Sam swept me away to the Barossa Valley, where he got down on one knee and produced a beautiful solitaire diamond ring to ask for my hand in marriage. What a romantic!
The Planning
We decided we would get married the following year and had a little less than twelve months to organise and plan our Wedding. We both loved the country and the beach, which we wanted to tie into the day, so we decided on a simple, casual, summer wedding.
The first thing I bought for my outfit was my shoes. Coming from Adelaide, I was in Melbourne shopping when I found them and just had to have them. Then I had to get the rest of my outfit organised. I wanted cream beaded silk. Simple yet Sparkly! I had ordered the material from Melbourne, and it took three months for it to arrive from India, where it was all hand beaded. But once it arrived, it was worth the wait. My dress was beautiful - a dream!
Sam and I both had two attendants. Jane and Sally wore Aqua dresses, identical to mine (without the train). We all carried Frangipanis, which we also had scattered in our hair. Chris and Grant wore black Italian suits, matching Sam's.
Our Wedding Day
Once we had selected the Reception Venue, and the Church everything else seemed to fall into place. We got married in a small country church, down the road from my parent's property and had the reception at the Cruising Yacht Club at North Haven, for our 100 guests. The venue overlooks a beautiful Marina. Most of the Guests headed straight there from the Church, where they had drinks on the lawn, before heading into the reception for dinner.
We had two group photos with our guests, one at the Church and another at the Reception. This way we can look back and can see everyone who was there.
On the Day the weather was beautiful, and the sun was shining. Not everything went exactly to plan, but nothing was spoilt. To us everything was Perfect! Most couples say their day flew, but ours seems to just float along and by the time our car arrived to take us away I was ready to leave.
I would love to do it all again, but wouldn't change a thing.
A few days after the wedding we headed to Mauritius for a two-week honeymoon. We arrived there on Valentines Day!
Bride of the Year 2001 - Wedding Suppliers
Sarah & Sam want to say a special thanks to a number of wedding suppliers that helped to make their day that extra special: -
Gowns & Dresses: Nelson Couture
4 Catherine Street, College Park South Australia 5069
Phone:08 83377134
Reception Venues: Cruising Yacht Club of SA
Lady Gowrie Drive, North Haven South Australia 5018
Phone:08 82484222
Photography: Film Processors
75 North East Road, Collinswood South Australia 5081
Phone:08 8269 5644
Florists: Prospect Florists
224 Main North Road, Prospect South Australia 5082
Phone:08 83444718 |
