Franny Gets Frocked: Wedding Ceremony

Dress: Anthea Crawford embroidered mesh, satin

Cardigan: Jacqui E lurex

Heels: Forever New suede, stacked wooden heel, silver buckle

Bag: Olga Berg via Myer vinyl with silver hardware

Hinged Bangle: Oxfam silver

Cuff: Gian Paolo Maria via Lannah Dunn handmade silver, Swarovski crystals, beads

Ring: Swarovski silver, crystals

As a stylist, finding outfits for people to wear on some of the biggest days of their lives is pretty much my ENTIRE job description, so when it came to deciding on attire that I deemed "special" enough to wear to my younger brother's wedding, I'll admit that the process was actually quite daunting. After much deliberation, I decided on a palette involving shades of purple (the bride's favourite) & pink, donning a stunning floral embroidered mesh, knee-length shift dress with cold shoulder detailing & satin straps from celebrated Australian label Anthea Crawford, sky high blush suede booties with silver buckles & natural wooden stacked heels (a nod to the rustic wedding theme/decor) from Forever New for that classic-with-a-twist aesthetic & carrying a boxy, blush vinyl hard-case handbag with a single strap & silver hardware from Olga Berg that I discovered at my local Myer store. When it came to jewellery, I chose 3 of my most exceptional pieces - a slim, Indian silver hinged bangle from Oxfam that I wore to my grade 12 formal back in 2001 as well as a beguiling silver cuff, handmade in Paris, dotted with beads & Swarovski crystals by Gian Paolo Maria from the Lannah Dunn boutique in Tattersall's Arcade that my parents gave me for my 30th birthday & a matching Swarovski silver & crystal ring that my brother gave me to mark the same occasion; two amazing pieces from divergent sources that were obviously meant to be together.

Scroll down to see the look in further detail as a flatlay & don't forget to take a peek at some of the beautifully-wrapped (if I do say so myself) presents for the bride & groom...

Owing to the tropical Queensland weather & an unexpected late-Autumn heatwave, the blush lurex cardigan from Jacqui E was rendered superfluous but I guess it doesn't hurt to be prepared.

Keep scrolling for some images of the three of us, dressed in our finery, posing together in Stamford Plaza's opulent foyer before heading to the Chapel...

Rayne is looking handsome in a black wool suit, blue silk/cotton shirt & woven silk tie from Dom Bagnato with black leather belt & boots from Australian design stalwart, R.M Williams.

Joanne is looking glamorous in a mauve floral jacquard empire-line midi dress with high/low hem & sheer black organza neckline with ribbon straps (added by me) from Anthea Crawford, beige leather Mary Jane heels with silver buckles from Jo Mercer, glittered beige handbag with silver chain strap from Forever New, silver & freshwater pearl earrings that my brother brought back for her from China a few years ago & an amazing Art Deco silver, marcasite & crystal flower brooch from Southside Antiques on Ipswich Road.

So without further ado,

I am elated to share moments from one of our family's most special days...

The venue, St Paul's Presbyterian Church, is a heritage-listed place of worship in Brisbane's Spring Hill, designed in the Gothic Revival style by Francis Drummond Greville Stanley with soaring steeple, belltower & spire rising 150 feet (46m) above the ground to dominate the city skyline & built between 1887 and 1889 by Thomas Rees. The Sabbath School Hall across the courtyard (the ideal reception venue in this case... see tomorrow's blog post) was designed & built by the same & predates the Church itself by a year. The Church is perhaps best known for its intricate, beautiful stained glass windows, one of which (a depiction of the Apostle Nathaniel) is particularly historically significant as it was created & unveiled by prominent Brisbane artist William Bustard in 1923.

A moment with the groom (after attaching his boutonniere) before the ceremony begins...

Best Man & Groomsmen looking handsome in their grey suits with purple accoutrements...

Louis waiting for his Bride...

The Bride about to walk down the aisle...

Processional: Highland Cathedral

Jennie looking resplendent in her stunning white dress with her father by her side...

Ready to Begin...

First Scripture Reading: Philippians 1:27 & 2:1-5

Light of the world, you stepped down into darkness

Open my eyes, let me see

Beauty that made this heart adore you

Hope of a life spent with you

Here I am to worship

Here I am to bow down

Here I am to say that you're my God

Second Scripture Reading

Pastor Derik entertains the congregation during the Gospel Message...

Exchanging of Vows

Exchanging of Rings

(after one dropped on the ground quite a few times...)

Signing of the Register

Mr & Mrs Louis Penny

Recessional: Scotland the Brave

Seriously the most wonderful moment of the entire day, a tangible capture of the love & joy between the newlyweds as they begin their new life together... to the strains of Walt Disney's Aladdin's You Ain't Never Had a Friend Like Me, no less!