Monday, April 2, 2012

So there was this little wedding in Bowral

So let's get the dress out of the way first, shall we? My dress, not the bride's.

Here is Simplicity 2447 in action.

Simplicity 2247

I spent the two hours in the car driving to Bowral on Saturday morning  in the back seat sewing down those skirt seams. And I'm glad I did - the skirt sat beautifully in the end. Much better than when I'd tried it on the night before after pressing it.

Simplicity 2247

And that was the risk with this dress - the fabric. While it was so very beautiful to wear and to sew, it also refused to press flat and was also quite thick.

But I love this dress very much. I didn't include a zip on the back, as the stretch in the fabric meant I could slip it over my head with little trouble. I was so comfortable all day - we had to do a lot of walking around the estate on cobble stone paths and stone steps, and I couldn't imagine having done that in a long dress. Heaven knows how the bride and bridesmaids managed that feat - the mind boggles.

I'd love to make this dress again in a spotty taffeta, a little longer than the pattern specifies (this version finishes on the knee) and wear a tulle petticoat underneath. Rock and Roll, dude. Perhaps for the next niecewedding, or nephewwedding.

Scott and I

But enough about me - let's get back to that wedding, shall we?

Because people - BEST. WEDDING. EVER. ((other than my own and (edited to add) my brother's last year)).

A wedding on my husband's side of the family is always going to be a massive family reunion, because with nine kids living in different parts of Australia, the reunions don't happen very often.

Humbert famil

Three were missing from this photo - one was the father of the bride and the other two couldn't make it.

Rebecca and Max

My niece is one of the most beautiful people you could ever meet. I've known her since she was 10 and she has always been so charismatic, bubbly and welcoming. On her wedding day she was no different. Also, she got my name right on the place cards. Love that girl so much.

Scott, Rebecca and the celebrant

Also, her frock was AMAZING. More than AMAZING. She looked amazing in it. Most beautiful bride.

Canapes on the lawn

I'm glad I dressed up and made the effort. I wasn't out of place at all as that aunty from Canberra who wears cotton frocks to grown up weddings in the country.


I totally kinneared this lady's dress. The fabric is amazing.

I totally kinneared this lady's dress with the lacy doily fabric. It was just so beautiful. Every time she walked by I couldn't help but stare.

Joy and Barry

Most of the family got to sit together. We don't tend to shut up when we get together which is a good thing in my book. The couple in this photo are my sister in law and her partner, all the way from Perth. We are hoping to see them on their turf very soon.

Scott and I

Ooh! Imelda sleeve! I really might need to work on drafting sleeves - lets make it my next mission.

The night rocked on.

From outside

From outside

The food was beautiful and the speeches very moving. The bride and groom were so happy it was lovely to see. There was cake, there was dancing and there were very sore feet. Even 84 year old Grandpa got in on the action.

Rebecca and Grandpa

Quite possibly my favourite photo of the day.

26 comments:

  1. What a perfect day - the happiness just shines through in your photos. Can't wait to see (bits of) my family again next weekend.

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  2. Oh I loved reading this post! What a fabulous day - your dress looked perfect, exactly right for the occasion. And isn't Grandpa handsome?! x

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    1. He most certainly is! And he's quite the card.

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  3. You win happiest post of the week. Lotsa love in that post.

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  4. Wow! She is absolutely stunning. Her dress is gorgeous too. I love wedding photos. Everyone always looks so amazingly happy at weddings.

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  5. Beautiful, all of it. Your dress looked fabulous, and the necklace was perfect.

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  6. Gorgeous post! LOVED seeing you and the hubby- I feel like I know him after all the tweets haha. Is he the youngest in the family? Gorgeous niece, she obviously put a lot of effort into it, esp to get names right! And to look so blissfully happy, you're right, she's stunning! Did you pin the doiley-dress-woman down and ask her for details? Haha. Oh- hot dress!

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    1. Yep - he's the youngest. The oldest is 15 years older than him, and the next youngest in that photo is probably 8 years older.

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    2. I've just been reliably informed (by the woman who gave birth to them all) that the eldest is 16 years older than the youngest, and the second youngest in that photo is 7 years older than my husband.

      That's quite some child rearing!

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  7. Well don't you both make a very well dressed handsome couple! Perfectly appropriate for the wedding! And I take back what I thought about the necklaces, I think the one you chose is perfect too!

    And the bride - beautiful! Glad you had a wonderful time.

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    1. In the end twitter decided on the necklace on Saturday afternoon when I took a photo of both on. I think the best one was chosen too - it was elegant which was what I was after. I now need to make the perfect dress for the other flowery necklace!

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  8. Oh my god, it all worked out beautifully! Your dress looks awesome and fits so well. I can imagine it was really comfie, whilst being stylish. Clever you. You're right, the bride's dress is amazing - such a vision! She's a beautiful girl, too, isn't she? I love the last photo, too. What a day. I'm so happy for you. You must make another version of this dress as you describe - it would be so much fun. And I can't believe there was another doily print there!

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    1. I know! I can't stop looking at the photo of the doily print - currently admiring that little pleat at the hip where the bodice meets. Exquisite! Love seeing little details like that.

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  9. Gosh what a beautiful wedding (and totally posh)! The brides dress is exquisite.
    BTW I'm quite partial to the Imelda sleeve!

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  10. Your dress is stunning - well done on the sewing, even down to the last minute 'stitch-in-the-car' moment!!! Lovely memories...

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  11. Looks like a wonderful day & into the night! I loved your dress and I checked out the crowd scenes and yours was the nicest (though the doily dress was pretty special). It kinda looked like she was kinnearing you while you were kinnearing her.

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  12. Michelle, it all looks amazing! The beautiful bride, the beautiful you, your beautiful dress, the venue, the crowd, everything! You can feel the happiness radiating from this blog post. And you and the mister are such a gorgeous couple! Congrats again on your excellent dressmaking skills too.

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  13. I think you look lovely your dress is perfect and the sleeves aren't too Imelda-ish at all. I can definitely see another version in your future!! Beautiful wedding and lovely photos.

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  14. Your dress is lovely, and the Bride looks sensational.

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  15. Your dress looks fantastic Michelle - the colour really shows well in these pics and the whole outfit looks fabulous.
    The bride is STUNNING! She looks amazing and I adore her dress.

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  16. Your dress looks fantastic Michelle! In fact, the whole day looks lovely, everyone looks so happy and relaxed.

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  17. Hi Michelle,

    I love your new dress - looks fab on you. The pictures from the wedding are lovely too - your niece is stunning!

    So sorry I haven't been in touch lately ... our little muggins arrived a bit early and has kept us on our toes. Do give me a buzz though if you're in the neighbourhood (have I missed your Melbourne visit??) - I'd love to catch up if at all possible ...

    xx J

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  18. Wow wow wow! Your dress turned out beautifully, M. And the bride looks amazing, LOVE her dress. Looks like a fabulous time was had by all. So glad it turned out so well. Xx

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  19. beautemous, everything! the dress is a stunner, it fits you perfectly and i see plenty of cocktail dresses :)

    your imelda remark cracked me up.

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  20. Your dress turned out gorgeous - not that there was ever a doubt! You look fantastic. One day I aspire to make my own dress that fits that well.

    It looks like such a wonderful day.

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