Courtney & Melvin
Courtney and Melvin celebrated their love with a stunning wedding at the picturesque Aravina Winery in the Southwest. Although the day was slightly overcast, the surroundings remained breathtaking, and the reception setup under a decked out marquee by Hire in Style was simply stunning. Inside the marquee, LaMytle’s flowers brought elegance and charm to the already beautiful setting. Blush pink and delicate white roses dressed the tables, and a spectacular hanging arrangement showcased these blooms, adding a magical touch to the space.
The wedding gallery below by wedding photography and video team Holli & Ash captured so many beautiful moments, providing the couple with memories to cherish forever. Among the pre-ceremony highlights were Melvin sharing a whisky with his closest friends and Courtney’s father, Kevin, turning around for a first look at his beautiful daughter in her stunning dress designed by Hobnob Bridal.
It’s clear to see how much love surrounds this couple from their friends and family.
The ceremony was held beneath the beautiful Aravina Arbour, offering a stunning view, and was officiated by the lovely Nikki from Love Empire. The ceremony was made even more memorable with live acoustic music provided by the talented singer, songwriter and producer Tom aka ASKYA. His soulful sounds created an intimate atmosphere, perfectly complementing the beauty of the setting and adding a personal touch to the experience.
Bridal shots were taken on-site, and with such a beautiful venue at Aravina, there was really no need to go elsewhere.
Guests enjoyed drinks and canapés before I, as the MC for the evening, checked in with the bridal party to ensure that they were ready for their grand entrance. They were eager to get the party started, and I helped pump them up, quickly going over the entrance order to confirm everything was in place.
Once all the guests were seated, I covered some brief housekeeping, before introducing the bridal party who made their entrance to the upbeat and fun party starter “Forever” by Chris Brown. The bride and groom then kicked off the celebration by pouring a champagne tower for their guests - a tradition I always love to see.
After a delicious dinner it was time for the speeches. The speeches were filled with love and laughter, with each speaker being introduced by a playful snippet as they approached the mic. Some of the standout guest speakers included Melvin’s brother lip-syncing to Celine Dion’s dramatic "It’s All Coming Back to Me," and Melvin’s Godfather, James, high-fiving everyone getting them into party mode with "It’s Raining Men" by The Weather Girls.
As the evening went on, the music shifted to upbeat tunes during dessert. Following this Kevin was up for the father-daughter dance to Bryan Adams’ "Back to You." This was a touching moment, as Courtney and her dad celebrated their special bond and their love for the song.
Courtney and Melvin then shared their first dance as husband and wife to Vance Joy’s "I’m with You". As they swayed along to the beautiful lyrics, wrapped in each other’s arms they were completely immersed in their love for one another. Around the songs halfway mark Courtney and Melvin signalled for their guests to join. The dance floor was instantly filled with nothing but good vibes. At one point, I lost sight of Courtney through the crowd, only to see her return in an adorable mini dress, ready to dance the night away.
A standout moment of the night was when everyone joined in singing and dancing to one of Melvin and his brothers' favourite song, CCR’s ‘Have You Ever Seen the Rain’. Young and old joined in, passionately singing the lyrics at the top of their lungs. I love witnessing things like this come together organically, and I must admit, CCR is one of my guilty pleasures.
The final song of the night, Coldplay’s "A Sky Full of Stars," saw Courtney and Melvin hoisted onto shoulders as their guests cheered them on - a perfect ending to an unforgettable celebration.
I couldn’t be happier for these two and how beautifully their wedding day unfolded.
Courtney & Melvin, I’m truly honoured to have been part of your beautiful wedding celebrations. Seeing the love you share was incredibly special, and I’m even more excited for you to start the next chapter in your journey together. As you prepare to welcome your newest little love to your family, I know that you will only continue to grow stronger. This little one is so lucky to have you both as parents, surrounded by the warmth and happiness that you bring to everyone around you.
I can’t wait to see your love story continue.
xoxo Katie
