Real Life Wedding
| Couple | Luke & Jen Croker |  |
|---|---|---|
| Date of Wedding | 7th October 2006 | |
| Number of guests | 450 at church and afternoon tea, 150 at reception |
|
| Approximate Cost | $20,000.00 | |
| Ceremony Venue | St Judes Church, Holder ACT | |
| Reception Venue | Aspen Island (Marquee) | |
| Photo Locations | National Museum | |
How we met We worked together - we were friends for a few years before we got together.
The proposal Luke took me to Nelson Bay for the weekend - it was all a suprise and 
we stayed in a gorgeous boutique cottage with a huge spa which had ocean views. He got me up early in the morning to walk along the beach just after sunrise - he got down on one knee and said all the right things - then produced the ring which he had designed himself!
Summary of the big day The wedding day was awesome, we didn't want it to finish. Everyone had a really good time and we wanted to make sure that everyone was included so we had thought of things like a magician who is a friend of ours, walking around to the tables and performing magic tricks to anyone who might look a bit lost or lonely. We had so many friends that helped out behind the scenes - oragnising an afternoon tea for 450 people, setting up the marquee before the wedding and drivers, chefs, flower deliverers etc etc etc... It was amazing, so happy and to be surrounded by such wonderful family and friends was incredible! We didn't have to worry about a thing all day.
Fondest Memory Standing up the front of the church and grinning at each other. I also loved Luke's speech.
Funniest Moment We had a friend of ours who is a dance teacher choreograph and teach us the bridal waltz, which was a medley of songs and dances - we had fox trot, samba, ramba, tango and waltz in there - it included a bit of acting towards the end which had everyone in stiches - it was so much fun!
Worst Moment There really wasn't anything wrong with the day - I suppose the worst thing was that we had 4 people not turn up to the reception (3 had very good excuses)
Money Saving Ideas Do as much as you can yourself and employ your friends to do everything! They love 
to be involved and it cuts down on costs! Also, if you are going to have a marquee make sure you don't need a floor in the whole thing - if they suddenly spring one on you, it costs upwards of $2000!!!
Bride's/Groom's advice Enjoy the day - savour every moment and don't stress about anything because it's over so fast!
What we would do differently We would have saved up more money so we could have had fireworks off the island after speeches.
The Big Day
| Rings | Diamond Ring Designs, Gungahlin |
|---|---|
| Bridal Gown | Nouveau Riche, Queanbeyan |
| Bridesmaid Dresses | A dress shop in the Canberra Centre which is no longer there |
| Hair | Ora, Woden |
| Make-up | Australian Make-up Academy |
| Suits | Lords Formal Hire |
| Transport | Friend's cars |
| Invites/Bomboniere | I made the invites, and we had potted plants as bomboniere with children's pictures of 'love' wrapped around them. |
| Flowers | Southlands Florist, Mawson |
| Cake | Family Friend |
| Music | Family Friends - bands, and DJ with hired gear |
| Photography | Pamela Miller Photographer |
| Videography | Family Member |
| Bridal Registry | Travellex |
| Honeymoon | Groom Arranged on his own |
Feedback
Ceremony Beautiful, we had a priest that was a family friend of Luke's. He let us bend the rules a lot and really personalise our service, sadly he passed away this year.
Reception Venue Awesome! It was a whole lot of extra hassle, but completely different, fun and beautiful!
Photography Locations Perfect - you can get architectural shots as well as garden and lake shots out the back.
Rings Beautiful
Bridal Gown I LOVE IT!!!
Bridesmaids' Dresses They were perfect - short, different colours and chosen by the girls (all so they could wear them again)
Hair Perfect
Make-up Perfect
Suits Lords Formal Wear was a pain in our backsides, so I would suggest going somewhere else....
Transport Awesome
Invites/Bomboniere Very cool and so much fun to put together
Cake We had cupcakes that had baileys in them - yum! They were great.
Flowers Couldn't fault them - cheap, professional and helpful.
Music Again - friends, so awesome!
Photography Excellent - so professional, lovely and adaptable - we were very pleased with what will be our memories of the day for future years.
Videography Good
Bridal Registry We weren't happy with the commission they took, but it was a good service and helped to pay for our honeymoon and our world trip.
Honeymoon We weren't happy with the commission they took, but it was a good service and helped to pay for our honeymoon and our world trip...
