Claire & Hamish
Images Susannah Blatchford Photography
Claire will never forget hugging Hamish after making it to the end of the aisle. ‘It was such a relief to see him!’
She walked down the aisle to Damien Jurado’s hauntingly beautiful song, ‘All For You’.
There were plenty of personal touches throughout the day, with Hamish having chosen the reception menu put together by Mona Vale – ‘It was delicious!’ Claire’s mother provided the wedding cake and it was served for dessert, along with a cheese spread, coffee and whisky.
‘Everyone raved about the great menu and the food.’
Special family memories were woven into the song choices made by the couple. For the leave ceremony, Claire chose ‘Air à Danser’ by the Penguin Café Orchestra because of fond memories of dancing around her grandparents’ kitchen to this melody. Hamish chose Jim Reeves’ ‘I Love You Because’ as his family and grandfather always sang it to his grandmother.
The couple originally met online, before meeting up at a dog park to walk their dogs together. It would be the first of many such walks as love grew between the two. Before long Hamish asked Claire to marry him.
‘He proposed in the backyard – he had hidden the ring in the vegetable garden we had built that summer.’
Claire thought she had a clear idea of the dress she wanted to wear on her wedding day, but didn’t end up choosing the style she had in mind. Instead, she tried out many different styles before eventually selecting a dress that her friends and family had helped her to choose.
The classic style was perfect for this gorgeous autumn bride.
Mona Vale’s magnificent autumn colours set the theme for Hamish and Claire’s beautiful wedding, with both their ceremony and reception held at Mona Vale Homestead.
Their photos, taken at the homestead and around the gardens, capture the golden glow that makes this venue so special in autumn. The unique combination of heritage architecture, mature trees, sweeping lawns, and features such as a gorgeous lily pond is simply magical.
Charming autumn-coloured flowers and foliage were selected to be in sync with the seasonal romance of the surroundings.
Claire and Hamish wrote their vows with the help of their celebrant, Dawn Allen, and to ensure the ceremony would include all their family and close friends. ‘Dawn was amazing and very helpful,’ Claire says. ‘It was important to make it an inclusive ceremony where lots of people close to us took part.’
Q&A
What’s your advice for others planning their wedding?
Just go with the flow. It all goes very quickly so just take time to enjoy it all. Listen to those you are working with in the industry – they really know their stuff.
Where did you go on your honeymoon?
Samoa – we stayed at Coconuts Beach Club and it was amazing!
What did you get up to with your hens?
Lunch at West Melton Estate with friends and family, followed by an afternoon spent making custom lipsticks at the Lip Lounge and then drinks and games at my parents’ house before going out on the town.
