Take gorgeous 'vintage pretty' aesthetics, a breathtaking Sydney backdrop, and the bride's fifteen-year bridal industry experience, and an exceptional wedding day is assured.
When Lisa met David over cocktails one languid summer Sunday, it was the start of a journey that led first to his lakeside proposal in Italy last year, and then to this sensitively orchestrated wedding.
The couple planned a small, intimate wedding. "We also decided to forego some traditions and just do what...suited our day," says Lisa. Some personal customs prevailed however. "We enjoyed a champagne breakfast for my sister's wedding and this has become our intimate family tradition." The couple's unruffled approach allowed Lisa to have her brother Mark as a ‘bridesman' and her married sister as the ‘flower-girl'!
Lisa, who established her couture bridal label ‘Lisa Gowing' in 1997, had the rare luxury of envisaging her gown, then designing and creating it herself. The dazzling result was flowing silk faille with rose-and-leaf motif French lace and slender shoestring straps. "It suited me, my personality and our wedding perfectly!" says Lisa. A mantilla-style veil framed the bride's radiant face.
Lisa's sister Kylie and the mother of the bride also wore Lisa Gowing designs - Kylie, soft silk georgette with a tie around the waist, and Lisa's mum, champagne Italian silk, and the men kept it simply elegant in black suits and white shirts of their own.
Lisa and David pictured an open-air ceremony and chose McKell Park, whose gardens descend to the waterfront. "We were blessed with a beautiful sunny day," says Lisa, who walked down the aisle to ‘Unforgettable', her groom's choice.
Fort Denison, with an unrivalled view of the glittering harbour, seemed the obvious reception venue, displaying Sydney in all its splendour to their guests. Consistent with the family's artistic input, Lisa's brother Mark designed the white-on-white invitations. "They were incredibly elegant and subtle," says Lisa. The wording was deliberately cryptic, and at 5 o'clock Lisa and David's MC, close friend Alex, announced the transport had arrived at the wharf to whisk guests away to the mystery reception venue. The ‘Tintola', a catamaran, set out across the harbour towards Fort Denison's island, excited guests on board with champagne in hand. "It was such fun watching our guests make their way down to the wharf in anticipation of the evening that followed," says Lisa.
After photos, the bridal party followed in a water taxi, during which time the guests had enjoyed the sunset. When Lisa arrived and reached the bridal table she discovered that her dad had playfully changed her place card to say ‘Lisa Bird' instead of ‘Gowing', and added "Big mistake!" Lisa had to laugh.
Speeches were "short, sweet and heartfelt". A touching moment was when David's father read a self-penned poem for the newly married couple. The groom's family were all close to tears. It was "very lovely," recalls the bride.
Not subscribing to superstitions, Lisa and David had spent the night before the wedding at home together. After the sun set and the moon rose the following night, as the couple were farewelled as Mr and Mrs Bird, Lisa felt that the day had been unparalleled by any other. "My wedding day was magic!" she says. "Everything you could want and more."
