Real Weddings: Catherine + Dylan

Catherine and Dylan, a bride and groom in a tender embrace on their wedding day

Catherine & Dylan’s Autumnal and Ethereal Wedding

Catherine and Dylan, a bride and groom in a tender embrace on their wedding day

Catherine and Dylan’s wedding was a celebration woven with threads of autumnal elegance and old-world charm, reminiscent of the opulent era depicted in The Great Gatsby, all set within the rustic embrace of a beautiful country bookshop. A stylish and heartfelt affair that featured in Polka Dot Wedding! Their love story unfolded against the picturesque backdrop of Bendooley Estate, a venue steeped in rustic allure, where every corner whispered tales of romance and enchantment.

The ceremony was a harmonious blend of rustic charm and timeless elegance, with the couple’s love for literature and champagne evident in every detail. From the intimate exchange of vows to the joyous celebration that followed, every moment was infused with the couple’s unique personality and style.

Bride laughing as she walks down the aisle in the rain and a bridesmaid is holding out an umbrella for her

Following the ceremony, guests were invited to partake in a cocktail hour nestled within the cellar door. As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden glow over the estate, the festivities moved inside The Book Barn, where guests were greeted by a sight that evoked the grandeur of a bygone era. Tables adorned with lush floral arrangements by Emma Blake Floral beckoned guests to take their seats, their dark, creamy tones adding a touch of mystery to the enchanting ambiance. Above, ceiling installations dripped with wild yet classic touches, casting a dreamlike spell over the scene.
For Catherine, her gown was a reflection of her desire for versatility and elegance. She chose a stunning fit and flare dress from Karen Willis Holmes, its v-neck silhouette exuding timeless grace. For the ceremony, she added a Chantilly long-sleeved lace top, lending an air of ethereal romance. As the evening unfolded into a joyous celebration, she swapped it for a glittery belt, infusing her ensemble with a touch of fun and glamour.

a bride and her bridesmaids walking down the road away from the camera. Everyone is dressed in white, walking along a red-dirt road. All but one is turned away from the camera

No celebration would be complete without a decadent confection, and Catherine and Dylan’s wedding was no exception. The Cake Arcade crafted a masterpiece adorned with fondant figures of the bride, groom, and their beloved fur-baby, Bertie, a sweet tribute to their cherished companion.
Amidst the festivities, Catherine took a moment to express her gratitude to her mother, presenting her with a beautiful keepsake box as a token of appreciation for her unwavering support and love. It was a heartfelt gesture that spoke volumes of the love and bond shared between mother and daughter. We were so honoured to be a part of the love shared today.

An absolutely beautiful wedding, where Catherine and Dylan’s love story unfolded like the pages of a cherished novel, each chapter brimming with beauty, grace, and the promise of happily ever after.

Couple: Catherine + Dylan
Venue: Bendooley Estate
Photographer: All Grown Up Weddings
Video: With Heart
Gown: Karen Willis Holmes
Flowers: Emma Blake Floral
Cake: Cake Arcade

Keepsake Boxes: Why they’re so special and important!

bridal party exchanging keepsake gift hampers on the morning of a wedding

The Importance of Keepsake Boxes

Keepsake boxes have been used for centuries to store cherished items and mementos. From ancient times to the present day, people have recognized the importance of holding onto memories and treasured possessions. In this post, we’ll explore the history of keepsake boxes and the importance of keepsake boxes for saving mementos!

A bride and her mother exchanging a keepsake gift hamper on her wedding day

The history of keepsake boxes can be traced back to ancient civilizations, where small containers made of wood, stone, and precious metals were used to store valuable objects. These containers were often decorated with intricate designs and symbols that held special meaning for the owner. In medieval Europe, keepsake boxes were used to hold love letters and other personal items and were often given as gifts to loved ones.

Bridesmaid's gathering together to present a gift to their Bride to Be

In the Victorian era, the popularity of keepsake boxes reached its peak. Queen Victoria herself kept her most treasured mementos in keepsake boxes. These included her wedding items like a slice of her cake (which is still around today!), letters from loved ones wishing well and her wedding stationary. The queen also kept baby keepsake boxes, keeping safe the tiniest, but most important memories of her little ones, including those that passed away.

A silvered box with a glass top containing a piece of cake from Queen Victoria’s wedding party.Credit...Fred R. Conrad for The New York Times
A silvered box with a glass top containing a piece of cake from Queen Victoria’s wedding party. Credit: Fred R. Conrad for The New York Times

Ladies at the time, saw the practise of treasuring keepsakes as a sign of nobility and copied Queen Victoria to appear sophisticated. It soon caught on, however, that keepsake boxes were simply a beautiful and important way to save memories. These boxes were often made of wood or metal and were decorated with ornate designs and sentimental messages. They were used to hold a wide variety of mementos, from locks of hair to jewellery to letters and photographs.

Bridesmaids in gold dresses, gifting a wooden keepsake gift box to a bride on her wedding day

Today, keepsake boxes come in all shapes and sizes, and can be made of a variety of materials, from wood and metal to fabric and plastic. They can be used to store anything from baby teeth to wedding mementos to treasured family heirlooms. Our keepsake gift boxes are made from wood sourced from plantations with a strong focus on sustainability. Some of our products are even made from recycled wood, to reduce our footprint on the planet. They’re also made by hand here, in Australia, in the hills of Byron Bay. So there’s no transport or machinery pollution – just keepsake boxes made with love from the very first step! They’re sturdy, so they’ll last for years to come and keep your most fragile keepsakes safe. We have gift boxes in a range of sizes too, so you can find the perfect keepsake box for your occasion.

But what is the importance of keepsake boxes?

The importance of keepsake boxes for keeping mementos safe cannot be overstated. These items are a tangible connection to the past, and can help us remember special moments, people, and events in our lives. They can provide comfort and solace during difficult times, and can serve as a source of inspiration and motivation during times of change.

Bride gifting her bridesmaids in pink cotton bridal robes, their keepsake gift hampers on her wedding day

Furthermore, keepsake boxes and mementos can be passed down through the generations, providing a sense of continuity and connection to our family history. They can help us understand our place in the world, and provide a link to our ancestors and the past.

bride to be gifting her maid of honour a keepsake gift hamper at her bridal shower

Keepsake boxes and mementos have a long and rich history, and are an important way to hold onto memories and treasures that are meaningful to us. By cherishing these items and passing them down to future generations, we can create a sense of continuity and connection that will last for years to come.

Browse our selection of Keepsake boxes, or design your own Custom Keepsake Box in our Gift Emporium!

Inspo: Flower Crown Hen’s Party

keepsake gift boxes including bridesmaid proposal box and bride to be hamper being exchange between bridal party

The perfect Hen’s Party: Flower Crown Making, High Tea and a Bride to Be surprise!

bride to be with her bridesmaids smiling and wearing flower crowns

We had the honour of organising this gorgeous styled shoot in Brisbane to create some hen’s party inspo, with some amazing wedding vendor friends. But for this shoot we took on the role of Maid of Honour and got busy planning the perfect Hen’s party! After much brainstorming and planning, we decided on a fun and festive day that included flower crown making, a beautiful hight tea and of course, exchanging keepsake gift hampers between the Bride to Be and her bridesmaids.

hens party attendees cheering and enjoying high tea

We started the day surrounded with fresh blooms selected by Zoe from Bumble and Bloom. She selected a variety of fresh flowers and greenery, as well as all the supplies we would need to create our own flower crowns. The Bridesmaids and Bride to Be had so much fun getting creative and crafty (and to be honest, we jumped in too!). Zoe led the workshop in a relaxed and fun manner and we all ended up with beautiful and unique flower crowns that we wore with pride for the rest of the day.

Next, the girls were spoiled with a fancy high tea with sweets created by Macarons By Monika. Dainty and delicous treats including macarons and cake pops were enjoyed by all! Delicious high tea platters were also enjoyed with scones, clotted cream and a selection of pastries all arranged by Platter to Plate. During a Hen’s party, this provides the perfect way to relax and catch up with each other while indulging in some delicious treats. Now, it wouldn’t be a Hen’s Party without a bit of cheeky fun. The girls had John, their own personal cocktail waiter for the day to serve the drinks and sweets during the afternoon too.

After the high tea, it was time to surprise the Bride to Be. The Bridesmaids were gifting a Bride to Be hamper from The Bridal Box Co. filled with goodies including a custom sash, “Mrs” mug, chocolates and champagne. The Bride to Be felt the love and was excited to recieve her gifts. After today her keepsake gift box becomes a treasure chest for her to store all her favourite memories and mementos from her wedding planning journey. But the celebrations didn’t stop there, the Bride to Be had arranged beautiful keepsake hampers for her besties too! A Bridesmaid Box and Maid of Honour hamper were exchanged with her bride tribe.

Overall, it was a fantastic day filled with laughter, love and plenty of fun! We had the pleasure of enjoying an amazing mock Hen’s party and working with some of our favourite local wedding vendors to create amazing Hen’s Party inspo!

Photography :: Poppy and Sage Photography :: @poppyandsagephotography
Venue :: Bella Brows :: @bellabrowsaus
Florist & Flower Crown workshop :: Bumble and Bloom :: @bumblebloom
Event hire & styling :: Click Picnic :: @clickpicnic
Hair :: Heather :: @heathercuttshair
Makeup :: Semone :: @makeupbysem
PJs :: Ivory Haus :: @ivory.haus
Sweets :: Macarons by Monika :: @macarons_by_monika
Platters :: Platter to Plate :: @plattertoplate
Accessories :: Raw Cotton :: @rawcottoncollection
Stationery :: Studio B :: @studiobcouture
Gown :: When Freddie Met Lilly :: @whenfreddiemetlilly
Models :: @demi_groot @johnreblackie @katherineetaylorr @morgan.j.mac