Kathy & Ant’s Botanical Brisbane Wedding

Words by Hannah Pronesti
June 27, 2015

“A celebration of love and a commitment to love the other unconditionally for the rest of your days.” That’s what marriage is according to Kathy, and it’s a sentiment that means so much more considering this warrior of a woman is living with terminal cancer. 10 months into her relationship with Ant, Kathy had a recurrence of metastatic melanoma, requiring radiation treatment, an arm reconstruction and multiple operations. After finishing treatment, Kathy was given the news that the cancer had spread and she was now considered Stage IV terminal.

It’s the kind of thing that can make or break a couple, and for this incredible pair, it only made them stronger. “Through all this, Ant stood by my side. He was the rock that everybody wishes for in life.” Kathy shares, “We became even closer through the trials we faced and he knew how to make me laugh through it all.”

Creating a day that was truly them was Kathy and Ant’s goal, and the vibrant snaps taken by photography duo Trent & Jessie well and truly confirm that it was a case of mission accomplished. The pair fell so in love with their invitations by September Creative that they decided to incorporate the botanical theme throughout their wedding.

With music in both their blood, Fortitude Valley’s Black Bear Lodge was perfectly in tune with Kathy and Ant’s tastes. Being one of Ant’s old haunts during his days in a punk band, the bar held many a memory of wild days gone by, and its edgy vibe made for a unique ceremony venue. In keeping with the day’s theme, The Transcontinental Hotel’s exposed bricks and timber provided a raw and rustic backdrop for the reception and Kate Dawes Flower Design made sure the space was festooned with enough blooms to rival any flower market.

Though many brides have their dresses custom designed, every once in a while we come across a bride and a dress that were truly made for each other. Kathy, in her George Wu Couture creation was one of them. With a garden of lace flowers blossoming up the bodice, over her shoulders and down her arms, this bride was every bit the botanical beauty. Paired with a Bride La Boheme headpiece, the design integrated almost-invisible mesh sleeves that perfectly accentuated Kathy’s ivory skin, while concealing the scars from her surgery. “He builds the dress design as he goes by, intricately placing lace where he sees,” Kathy explains “it’s like watching an artist painting a picture when you are with George!”

Ant, with his comb-back do, was one dapper dude in a sharp Politix suit, crisp white shirt and skinny tie, however, one member of the wedding party gave the groom a run for his money in the style stakes. Yes, we’re talking about Winston the French Bulldog, who ambled down the aisle in a mini black tux courtesy of Posh Pets. Can we keep him?!

Perhaps the sweetest part of Kathy and Ant’s story is the fact that nothing could stop these two from making things official. Most importantly, they did it on their own terms and not because of any external forces, “What I love the most is that Ant didn’t ask me to marry him because he thought it was the right thing to do,” Kathy says “or because he thought it might be a dream that I wanted or he wanted. Ant asked me to marry him when the timing was right, for both of us.”

These newlyweds are too busy enjoying married life to let anything get them down, and a revolutionary treatment has given them fresh hope, “I’ve been granted a lottery ticket by being given compassionate access to a break-through drug treatment that has seen continuous reduction in my tumours.” Kathy says “Although we have always known that this treatment is not a cure, we live each day with positivity and love.”

A love like theirs puts everything else into perspective and when stripped back, the things that are usually a priority in a wedding suddenly seem like minor details. Kathy and Ant’s story is worth remembering if you are planning your own wedding – don’t sweat the small stuff, because when you’ve got each other, what more could you really want?

 

Industrial Transcontinental Hotel Wedding | Photography by Trent and Jessie

Industrial Transcontinental Hotel Wedding | Photography by Trent and Jessie

Industrial Transcontinental Hotel Wedding | Photography by Trent and Jessie

Industrial Transcontinental Hotel Wedding | Photography by Trent and Jessie

Lola Marc Jacobs | Photography by Trent and Jessie

Black Bear Lodge Wedding | Photography by Trent and Jessie

Black Bear Lodge Wedding | Photography by Trent and Jessie

Black Bear Lodge Wedding | Photography by Trent and Jessie

Black Bear Lodge Wedding | Photography by Trent and Jessie

Black Bear Lodge Wedding | Photography by Trent and Jessie

George Wu Couture | Photography by Trent and Jessie

George Wu Couture | Photography by Trent and Jessie

George Wu Couture | Photography by Trent and Jessie

George Wu Couture | Photography by Trent and Jessie

Black Bear Lodge Wedding | Photography by Trent and Jessie

Black Bear Lodge Wedding | Photography by Trent and Jessie

Black Bear Lodge Wedding | Photography by Trent and Jessie

Black Bear Lodge Wedding | Photography by Trent and Jessie

Black Bear Lodge Wedding | Photography by Trent and Jessie

Black Bear Lodge Wedding | Photography by Trent and Jessie

Black Bear Lodge Wedding | Photography by Trent and Jessie

Industrial Transcontinental Hotel Wedding | Photography by Trent and Jessie

Industrial Transcontinental Hotel Wedding | Photography by Trent and Jessie

Industrial Transcontinental Hotel Wedding | Photography by Trent and Jessie

Industrial Transcontinental Hotel Wedding | Photography by Trent and Jessie

Industrial Transcontinental Hotel Wedding | Photography by Trent and Jessie

Industrial Transcontinental Hotel Wedding | Photography by Trent and Jessie

Industrial Transcontinental Hotel Wedding | Photography by Trent and Jessie

Industrial Transcontinental Hotel Wedding | Photography by Trent and Jessie

Industrial Transcontinental Hotel Wedding | Photography by Trent and Jessie

Industrial Transcontinental Hotel Wedding | Photography by Trent and Jessie

Industrial Transcontinental Hotel Wedding | Photography by Trent and Jessie

Industrial Transcontinental Hotel Wedding | Photography by Trent and Jessie

Industrial Transcontinental Hotel Wedding | Photography by Trent and Jessie

Industrial Transcontinental Hotel Wedding | Photography by Trent and Jessie

Industrial Transcontinental Hotel Wedding | Photography by Trent and Jessie

Industrial Transcontinental Hotel Wedding | Photography by Trent and Jessie

Industrial Transcontinental Hotel Wedding | Photography by Trent and Jessie

Industrial Transcontinental Hotel Wedding | Photography by Trent and Jessie

Industrial Transcontinental Hotel Wedding | Photography by Trent and Jessie

Industrial Transcontinental Hotel Wedding | Photography by Trent and Jessie

Industrial Transcontinental Hotel Wedding | Photography by Trent and Jessie

Industrial Transcontinental Hotel Wedding | Photography by Trent and Jessie

Industrial Transcontinental Hotel Wedding | Photography by Trent and Jessie

Industrial Transcontinental Hotel Wedding | Photography by Trent and Jessie

Industrial Transcontinental Hotel Wedding | Photography by Trent and Jessie

 


 

Photography: Trent & Jessie | Bride’s dress: George Wu Couture | Bride’s shoes: Kurt Geiger | Bridesmaids dresses: Fabled and True | Groom’s suit: Politix, The Iconic | Groom’s shoes: The Iconic | Rings: Xennox Diamonds | Accessories: Bride La Boheme, Samantha Wills | Pooch Accessories: Posh Pets | Hair & Makeup: The Beauty Case | Ceremony venue: Black Bear Lodge | Celebrant: Benjamin Breitenstein| Reception venue: The Transcontinental Hotel | Flowers & Styling: Kate Dawes Flower Design | Catering: The Transcontinental Hotel, Buchi Kombucha | Cakes: Gillian Bell Cakes | Entertainment: Jye Whiteman Anglea Bastin | Stationery/invitations: September Creative | Transport: Golden Gate Limousines

 

Credits


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Ozphotovideo Studio 6 years ago

Absolute stunning dress, the detailing on the top is spectacular. Beautiful photography!

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