Mr & Mrs Blanchard
That's right on Wednesday 22nd February 2017 almost one year to the day after we eloped on White Haven Beach we officially signed the papers and became Mr & Mrs Blanchard.
Surrounded by our family and many of our closest friends we gathered
in Palm Beach to have our official ceremony and a small reception
celebration at the Boat House. We stayed at the
stunning Barrenjoey Beach House right on the Pitt Water Peninsula in a amazing waterfront villa. Thanks to my awesome mum.
It had always been my dream since Jez proposed, to marry somewhere amazing with a beach, bright sunshine and pristine sand. The ultimate dream to surf all morning with friends and then have a quick change and walk to our wedding and that is exactly what we did.
Everyone gathered at the Beach House early and had the chance to meet one another and chat before the event. My bridesmaids Den and Bruno helped me changed and get ready in my dress and Best Men Tay Tay and Mark helped kit up Jez.
Everyone else gathered and enjoyed a few snacks and drinks as we got set and then as I arrived we started the celebrations with us for a quick toast, before starting the short walk along the beach to the Boat House.
As Jez and I walked ahead with Den helping hold up my dress. Bridesmaid (number three) :) Dave 'Scout' Wortley ran around like crazy capturing every moment as you can see from these incredible shots. Everyone else followed behind. It was a sight to behold and was perfect.
We arrived to the Boat House to a champagne greeting (and lemon lime and bitters for Jez). The Sydney Ensemble trio playing live music on the deck, a last minute surprise ridiculously awesome addition by Jez. Our dress code beach wedding with compulsory white shorts, white shirts (no ties) for the lads set the tone for the night. Classy, smart and relaxed. Comfortable and fun. It was perfect.
We met Rebecca celebrant and ran through the last minute details. Then my Dad took my hand and led me down the aisle. It was insane, so so perfect. My mum, Jez's dad and all our friends and family who had been able to make the journey to join us all looked on. Looking beautiful, beaming with massive smiles, celebrating and sharing the moment with us in this amazing place.
My Dad led me to the front and there was Jez. He looked stunning. No words can describe how incredible he looked. Dad shook his hand and handed me over and then Bec led the most amazing ceremony for us. Capturing everything special about our relationship, journey and life together so perfectly. The sun shone bright and everyone listened carefully as she read out.
Then the time came, in front of everyone in this amazing place in the beautiful bright sun with water lapping on the beach all around us, we read our vows and officially took our first kiss as Claire & Jez, Mr & Mrs Blanchard.
Everyone cheered and we both beamed with massive grins as we moved to the official signing table joined by our witnesses Matt & Dani Taylor and signed our official marriage certificate.
Then the celebrations really began with champagne flowing, loads of kisses and hugs, live music and a photo shoot on the beach as the sun began to set the whole sky came alight.
After the photos we moved back to the Boat House to celebrate.
Then we sat down for an amazing Boat House feast, but before we ate my Dad, Anna Bruno and Tay Tay each took it in turn to read a speech. Matt mc'd the night, opening the evening with a lovely intro and then my Dad smashed it. His speech was perfect. I couldn't thank him more for the amazing words or support, happiness and love. He made us all laugh, smile and cry it was perfect. Then Tay Tay and Anna nailed it. We all learnt alot about Jez (and me) that night. It was perfect. I know I keep saying it but it was perfect and I guess that what every wedding should be. A perfect celebration which you will never forget. That's what this night was for me.
After the speeches the food came out and we all chatted and enjoyed the food. In the background we had the amazing Willem Sherlock Roorda (Blue Mountains Jazz and Blues specialist musician) set the tone for the night.
Before we had finished eating, with Willem's music so good. Jez's Dad Terry and Den were already up and dancing leading a mid meal dance session at the end of the dinner table.
But it didn't last long as we still had desert and the cake to come. The cake.... So true to our style we didn't just have one cake. We had two very very special wedding cakes. The first Jez's mum homemade fruit cake. Jez's mum Maree sadly passed away two years ago and couldn't be with us to celebrate. Luckily Jez's brother Anton and wife Melissa made sure Maree's presence was felt. Making her special recipe fruit cake as our offical wedding cake. Surprising us both by decorating it with a beautiful flower and silhouettes of Me and Jez in action, me kayaking and Jez paragliding. Such a special part of the night. It looked so great.
Our second cake well this one was special but in a very different way. To celebrate our engagement our great friends Sooty & Lindz had made an epic chocolate cake. Unfortunately they couldn't be with us for the wedding but there cake inspiration could. Matt & Dani stepped up for the challenge and made a epic chocolate cake with a blue 'M n M's' waterfall with Kayak Joes (Blue for me, Red for Jez) kayaking off the top.
Jez had no idea what the wedding cakes would be and was in a state of shock and awe as he saw them both a truely special moment in the night.
Cake done it was time to dance. I switched to my dancing shoes, Willem turned the up the volume and everyone gathered round to watch. Now not many people know but Jez's mum was a professional Dancer and Jez, well Jez can Dance. Like Jez can really dance. So in front of everyone we took to the dance floor and with Willem playing 'Sweet Disposition' by Temper Trap' live off the deck we danced our 'first dance' together. With everyone watching, mostly in shock!
Then everyone joined us and we danced the night away and as the water continued to lap up against the beach and the stars shone on.
As the night came to an end we strolled back to the beach house along the beach.
Everyone was so happy it was such an amazing night. We did it our way and we loved every minute. We wouldn't have changed a thing about the night. One year ago we eloped which was absolutely perfect and then a year later with many of our closest friends and family we officially started our married life on a stunning beach in Australia. It was a truly perfect start to our married life.
Thank you to everyone who came and shared this wonderful evening with us. The full collection of amazing photos from the night can be found here. Thank you so much Dave 'Scout' Wortley and Ben Sanford for the amazing photos.
https://www.facebook.com/claire.ohara.77/media_set?set=a.10154611646244317.514334316&type=3
It had always been my dream since Jez proposed, to marry somewhere amazing with a beach, bright sunshine and pristine sand. The ultimate dream to surf all morning with friends and then have a quick change and walk to our wedding and that is exactly what we did.
Everyone gathered at the Beach House early and had the chance to meet one another and chat before the event. My bridesmaids Den and Bruno helped me changed and get ready in my dress and Best Men Tay Tay and Mark helped kit up Jez.
Everyone else gathered and enjoyed a few snacks and drinks as we got set and then as I arrived we started the celebrations with us for a quick toast, before starting the short walk along the beach to the Boat House.
As Jez and I walked ahead with Den helping hold up my dress. Bridesmaid (number three) :) Dave 'Scout' Wortley ran around like crazy capturing every moment as you can see from these incredible shots. Everyone else followed behind. It was a sight to behold and was perfect.
We arrived to the Boat House to a champagne greeting (and lemon lime and bitters for Jez). The Sydney Ensemble trio playing live music on the deck, a last minute surprise ridiculously awesome addition by Jez. Our dress code beach wedding with compulsory white shorts, white shirts (no ties) for the lads set the tone for the night. Classy, smart and relaxed. Comfortable and fun. It was perfect.
We met Rebecca celebrant and ran through the last minute details. Then my Dad took my hand and led me down the aisle. It was insane, so so perfect. My mum, Jez's dad and all our friends and family who had been able to make the journey to join us all looked on. Looking beautiful, beaming with massive smiles, celebrating and sharing the moment with us in this amazing place.
My Dad led me to the front and there was Jez. He looked stunning. No words can describe how incredible he looked. Dad shook his hand and handed me over and then Bec led the most amazing ceremony for us. Capturing everything special about our relationship, journey and life together so perfectly. The sun shone bright and everyone listened carefully as she read out.
Then the time came, in front of everyone in this amazing place in the beautiful bright sun with water lapping on the beach all around us, we read our vows and officially took our first kiss as Claire & Jez, Mr & Mrs Blanchard.
Everyone cheered and we both beamed with massive grins as we moved to the official signing table joined by our witnesses Matt & Dani Taylor and signed our official marriage certificate.
Then the celebrations really began with champagne flowing, loads of kisses and hugs, live music and a photo shoot on the beach as the sun began to set the whole sky came alight.
After the photos we moved back to the Boat House to celebrate.
Then we sat down for an amazing Boat House feast, but before we ate my Dad, Anna Bruno and Tay Tay each took it in turn to read a speech. Matt mc'd the night, opening the evening with a lovely intro and then my Dad smashed it. His speech was perfect. I couldn't thank him more for the amazing words or support, happiness and love. He made us all laugh, smile and cry it was perfect. Then Tay Tay and Anna nailed it. We all learnt alot about Jez (and me) that night. It was perfect. I know I keep saying it but it was perfect and I guess that what every wedding should be. A perfect celebration which you will never forget. That's what this night was for me.
After the speeches the food came out and we all chatted and enjoyed the food. In the background we had the amazing Willem Sherlock Roorda (Blue Mountains Jazz and Blues specialist musician) set the tone for the night.
Before we had finished eating, with Willem's music so good. Jez's Dad Terry and Den were already up and dancing leading a mid meal dance session at the end of the dinner table.
But it didn't last long as we still had desert and the cake to come. The cake.... So true to our style we didn't just have one cake. We had two very very special wedding cakes. The first Jez's mum homemade fruit cake. Jez's mum Maree sadly passed away two years ago and couldn't be with us to celebrate. Luckily Jez's brother Anton and wife Melissa made sure Maree's presence was felt. Making her special recipe fruit cake as our offical wedding cake. Surprising us both by decorating it with a beautiful flower and silhouettes of Me and Jez in action, me kayaking and Jez paragliding. Such a special part of the night. It looked so great.
Our second cake well this one was special but in a very different way. To celebrate our engagement our great friends Sooty & Lindz had made an epic chocolate cake. Unfortunately they couldn't be with us for the wedding but there cake inspiration could. Matt & Dani stepped up for the challenge and made a epic chocolate cake with a blue 'M n M's' waterfall with Kayak Joes (Blue for me, Red for Jez) kayaking off the top.
Jez had no idea what the wedding cakes would be and was in a state of shock and awe as he saw them both a truely special moment in the night.
Cake done it was time to dance. I switched to my dancing shoes, Willem turned the up the volume and everyone gathered round to watch. Now not many people know but Jez's mum was a professional Dancer and Jez, well Jez can Dance. Like Jez can really dance. So in front of everyone we took to the dance floor and with Willem playing 'Sweet Disposition' by Temper Trap' live off the deck we danced our 'first dance' together. With everyone watching, mostly in shock!
Then everyone joined us and we danced the night away and as the water continued to lap up against the beach and the stars shone on.
As the night came to an end we strolled back to the beach house along the beach.
Everyone was so happy it was such an amazing night. We did it our way and we loved every minute. We wouldn't have changed a thing about the night. One year ago we eloped which was absolutely perfect and then a year later with many of our closest friends and family we officially started our married life on a stunning beach in Australia. It was a truly perfect start to our married life.
Thank you to everyone who came and shared this wonderful evening with us. The full collection of amazing photos from the night can be found here. Thank you so much Dave 'Scout' Wortley and Ben Sanford for the amazing photos.
https://www.facebook.com/claire.ohara.77/media_set?set=a.10154611646244317.514334316&type=3
posted by claireo at
3:34 AM
<< Home