Wedding day advice from JMFS' Laine
This is a special one for us. Laine is part of our tight-knit flower family and her wedding day was exceptionally beautiful. We couldn't wait until she was back in the studio so we could quiz her about all the fun details!
Her love story began where many millennial relationships flourish - online. While Matt likes to remind everyone that she was the one to reach out on Facebook after meeting a few times through mutual friends, he's quick to follow up this gentle mocking with a sincere admission that he's forever glad she did. A couple of years and gorgeous kids later, they're married and so in love. Laine fills us in below!
All about their wedding day
I am heartbroken that you only ever get to do this once! Having children is life-changing and the best day on a very deep, soul connection level, but in terms of the happiest and most fun experience of my life - our wedding has trumped all else!
We were lucky enough to hold the ceremony and reception on a private property in Glen William, which is at the foot of a pretty river and nestled amongst endless acres of lush green countryside. The theme for the day was Romance X Bohemian Fields X Party - we just wanted it to be enjoyable for everyone and a real celebration of us as a couple.
Inside The barn had big, moody drapes hanging from the ceiling and there were a few tables and chairs scattered about. The styling was minimal but beautiful - sheer runners, French linen cloths, pink and nude taper candles placed in abstract cut stone pavers, single white roses in crystal bottles, and delicate flower arrangements in rust and blush tones. Personalised cookies and doughnuts, all-you-can-eat-pizza, and grazing stations kept our guests happy and their stomachs very, very full, and the photo booth and dancefloor were great entertainment.
Outside It was a field of bamboo lounges, white cushions, mirror gold bar tables, and a Hamptons-inspired drinks station. There was also a 'Let's Celebrate' neon sign and festoon lighting all around us. We had a live soloist serenade our guests at sunset too, which was just before the bridal party arrived.
All about those intimate moments
The weather on the day was perfect, as was just about everything in our dreamy outdoor set-up. The soloist sang 'All My Life' as we made our way down the aisle and stood under an arbour decorated with baby's breath and cascading orchids and roses. Matt was quick to tear up seeing our kids lead the procession, and then again when I entered. Halfway through the ceremony, our celebrant's mic stopped working so we had to rely on just our voices to share our vows. We'd both poured our hearts in these and the technical glitch made this moment so much more special and personal in a way. Our loved ones tossed confetti petals as we set off as Mr & Mrs Reid. This is when the nerves finally subsided and joy well and truly set in.
At our reception, Matt and I both made speeches. He had a deep desire to express gratitude for my presence in his life, and I was dying to tell our guests how much I adore Matt as well. He is such a funny person but most don't get to see his sweet side. I loved being able to share that with everyone. The formalities concluded around 9pm and then it turned into the best party ever!
All about what she's taken away from the experience
A lot of work is put into making a relationship strong, and we were just so proud and happy to be celebrating our love. We are both fairly social people and so to have every single person we love in one room was truly the most memorable part of the whole day. If you ever want to experience what it feels like to have your heart just about burst at the seams, then throw a wedding!
Housed in a room on the property that people couldn't see into but we could see out of, my bridal party and I got to watch everyone turn up and gather around the ceremony. This made me feel so nervous and I didn't see such an intense feeling coming - I never get nervous! I was so glad to have my Dad on hand to calm me down with jokes. Seeing Matt for the first time at the end of the aisle made me feel a thousand times more at ease. As soon as the ceremony concluded, I had the biggest smile on my face. I still do!
I do events for a living, so I was totally in my element doing all the planning and getting everything organised. You can be assured that I had every little detail of my DIY wedding covered! Like most events though, some things went wrong. But we just rolled with it. Our guests were none the wiser that anything was meant to have worked out differently, and we just accepted the little mishaps for what they were - no big deal. I think we tend to get very hung up on creating picture-perfect weddings nowadays, especially so we can have impressive socials. My experience, however, has taught me not to sweat the small stuff. Weddings are about the couple and being in the company of your nearest and dearest. We just wanted every single person there to know how much we love them and that we were honoured that they came and spent the night with us! Making memories is what's most important - no one is going to remember how you folded your napkin.
Photography: Muse Photography