A MARRIAGE AS BEAUTIFUL A S Y O U R W E D D I N G D AY
AUS $15 / NZ $16 ISSUE #38 : 2017 ISSN 1834-3589
WHITEMAG.COM
Photography by Athena Grace
A LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Welcome to our Freedom Issue! When we started dreaming up this beauty, we couldn’t get away from the idea of being free and what this could look like in your marriage. The picture I had in my mind was one free of inhibitions, where you can throw your arms back and dance like no-one was watching—no fear or shame. But being free also takes standing your ground and fighting for what you know to be true. What has evolved between the beautiful imagery is some rather personal stories and I hope inspiration for you both on your journey. Let’s take a couple steps back though before we delve into the goodness. Take a moment to think about your life and the freedoms you have as an individual. For us here in Australia, we have incredible education and health care, we have freedom of speech, and the list goes on. Yet even with ALL of this, we can still feel completely bound. I recognised this feeling in myself late last year. There were so many times where I’d unknowingly let fear stop me in my tracks; for me, it was a fear of people. I found myself holding back because I was scared what others might say, think or do and it had me trapped. I’ve come to realise that true freedom is something within us that we must take hold of, draw a line in the sand and invite our heart and mind to step up to the plate. When I was operating out of fear, anger or insecurity, I wasn’t allowing others to really see my true self and I wasn’t being everything that I could be. I believe we all have an innate goodness in our depths, but somewhere along the way it gets lost in all this fear rubbish. To be able to give my best to Luke, I have to be my best. But in order to be my best, I have to let go of the things holding me back. I’ve had an image in my head illustrating this; it’s of a super cute dog on a leash that really wants the ball, but it’s just out of reach! It seems as though there is absolutely nothing the dog can do to reach that ball. She can pull and tug all she wants at the leash, but will never be able to get to the ball … unless she is released. The leash is like our fear and insecurities—it keeps us from reaching what we really want. I’m pretty sure I want more for my life than being stuck on a leash. I want to scream into the wind and dance like I don’t care who’s watching. I want to stand tall and be all of who I’m meant to be, not just for me, but for everyone around me. It will take time and hard work, and I will need support, but I need to face this fear, drop the false selfpreservation and expose myself to truly becoming one with my love. Who better to travel through life with than the one you’re most free with.
WHITE LOVES
denim love This funky denim jacket from Auguste the Label gives us the perfect hit of 90s nostalgia with its embroidered flowers and metallic studs. Snatch up this feminine-meets-grunge look at augustethelabel.com
timeless token over the moon Rue De Seine’s latest collection, Moonlight Magic, evokes memories of playing by the sea till dark— a notion well embroidered into these New Zealand gowns. Plunging necklines, fringe accessories and open backs form gowns that are well-matched to a lady who likes to be free. ruedeseine.com
Kerrie Hess’ new Bridal Prints serve as beautifully artistic and timeless bridal keepsakes. Win a stunning illustration at whitemag.com/win or see more of her work at kerriehess.com.au
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stay calm
daily dose Bespoke essential daily vitamins are BEAR’s specialty! The Australian brand uses native plant-based and high-quality laboratory-made ingredients to provide you with the extra boost you need in your day. bearjournal.com
Natio for Men’s Calming Aftershave Balm is suitable for all skin types, so everyone can say goodbye to painful razor burn. It’s non-greasy, and full of natural ingredients such as aloe vera and lemon. The balm soothes and moisturises, making stubborn stubble a thing of the past. natio.com.au
bag it This Cher Tote by Angela Roi will be your luxurious companion on your honeymoon strolls. Crueltyfree and sweatshop-free, there is no guilt standing between you and this beauty. Choose from bordeaux, black, light gray or créme at angelaroi.com
true colours This gorgeous assortment of eye shadows by Adorn Cosmetics is rich in long-lasting colour without the drawback of toxins, animal testing and nasties. Peruse their makeup at adorncosmetics.com.au
full support Bring boho to summer and prepare for maximum comfort, freedom and a feeling of pretty in Free People’s lace triangle bra. Wear while lounging, partying or online shopping. Head to freepeople.com to see more of their range of intimates, clothing, fitness gear and accessories.
miracle worker Perfect your complexion with Chantecaille’s perfecting powder. Suitable for all skin types, this miracle powder takes all the fuss out of application with its self-dispensing brush that ensures the correct amount of translucent powder is released. mecca.com.au
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all heart
ring true Break free from tradition and propose to your gal with a ring that is as unique as she is. This stunning pink sapphire by Grew & Co is delicate, romantic, and oozes love. See more at grewandco.com.au
Combat the overwhelming reality of planning a wedding with “The Heart of the Bride”. This guided journal by The Bare Bride will help you centre yourself again to focus on what’s really important. It contains over 60 pages of creative writing prompts, powerful quotes, and more! To win a copy, head to whitemag.com/win or see more at thebarebride.com 13
white loves
THIS IS US “YOU HAVE FULL, UNHINDERED PERMISSION TO CRAFT A WEDDING DAY THAT FILLS YOUR SOUL WITH REFRESHING WAVES OF FREEDOM.” Words: Sharon Luecke–The Bare Bride | Photography: Jordan Voth Styling: Casey “Quigley” Carlson–Officially Quigley (bride) | Groom: Alex Goode | Dress: Lovely Bride | Shoes: Chinese Laundry | Hat: The Wise Hatter Earrings: Mad Maven | Flowers: Melissa Tinajero—Moelleux Events
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awn was breaking over the mountains, the ocean was gently greeting the shore next to our modest
camp site, and my husband was strategically adding logs to fuel the fire that would fuel the coffee that would fuel our bones. We sat there that sweet morning, surrounded by trees and coastal Maine views, sipping our brews slowly and accepting the gift that Mother Earth offers to ‘just be’. And in that moment, I remember my heart whispering three words—“This is us.” Throughout our lifetimes, we all experience moments that feel inexplicably true to who we are. These moments could be filled with magical levels of serendipitous bliss or even imperfect simplicities that make you feel right at home. But what makes all of these once-in-a-while experiences so special is the sense of freedom that they bring. In that place, at that time, with those people, you are free. And that, my friend, is exactly how you should feel when you arrive at your wedding. Unfortunately, the dreamy, uninhibited wedding day of freedom is not a story that we hear often. Tales of predominantly wedding day stress, anxiety and disappointment echo in the world around us.
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THIS IS US
FREE SPIRIT “TRUST GIVES FREEDOM TO CREATE GREAT THINGS TOGETHER.” Photography: Susannah Blatchford Photography | Styling: Samantha Gerard— Wild Hearts | Florals: Sweetpea Weddings | Hair + Makeup: Stacey Banfield Gown: Claire Pettibone–Paperswan Bride | Model: Ashleigh—Portfolio Models Table Linen + Ribbons: Feathers & Stone | Stationery: Custom Crafted Calligraphy | Props: Balencia Lane | Cake: Rebecca Jane Sugar Art Styling Assistant: Georgia Greig
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ourney with us through the rolling hills of New Zealand. This bride is nestled amidst the lush plains, relishing in
the freedom of a wedding celebrated in the wild outdoors. She has freed her heart and mind, lavishing in a simple, feminine table setting draped with fine linens and adorned with rustic candles and rich florals.
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free spirit
PERFECT PAPER DELICATE STATIONERY THAT’S SIMPLE, EDGY OR SOFTLY SWEET. CREATIVE DIRECTION CARLA BURRELL PHOTOGRAPHY THE ROBERTSONS PHOTOGRAPHY therobertsonsphotography.com LINEN PLUMTART @plumtartdesigns
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1. PEBBLE PLACE CARD SCRIBETYPE (ETSY) etsy.com/au/shop/ScribeType 2. RSVP CARD WHITE INK DESIGN CO whiteinkdesignco.com.au 3. INVITATION SUITE LINES AND SQUARES linesandsquares.com 4. FLOWER CONFETTI EVERLAND FAVOURS everlandfavours.com 5. INVITATION BELLA FIGURA bellafigura.com 6. ENVELOPE WITH SEAL LINES AND SQUARES linesandsquares.com 7. INVITATION OFF ON MY BICYCLE offonmybicycle.com.au 8. INVITATION WHITE INK DESIGN CO whiteinkdesignco.com.au 9. MARSHMALLOWS BLACK PANTRY blackpantry.com.au 10. SILK RIBBON SONGBIRD SILK songbirdsilk.com.au 11. WOODEN PLACE CARD PALM & PINE PARTY CO. palmandpine.com.au
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minted.com 10. MARBLE MOSAIC PLACE CARD SCRIBETYPE (ETSY) etsy.com/au/shop/ScribeType 11. INVITATION MINTED minted.com perfect paper
TO E ACH THEIR OWN
“I WANTED THE TRADITIONAL ARCHITECTURE FOR MY WEDDING, BUT I DIDN’T WANT THE INVISIBLE CEILING THAT HAD BEEN PRESSURED UPON ME.” Words: Emma Plant | Photography: We Are Origami Photography Styling + Direction: Curated by Maiden | Hair + Makeup: Margaret Albia Florals: Weni Penny | Stationery: Teresaling Calligraphy and Design Jewellery: Au Revoir Les Filles | Models: Reman Jawar, Brandy Pose, Rachel Reid, Emma Cunningham | Location: Le Petit Studio Blanc
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twisted the ring on my finger a few times. I twisted it around so the raw stone that was encased in the ring
faced away from me. It looked like I had a plain gold band on my finger. It looked much like I was already married. Hmmm. I wondered if other people thought that I was? I squeezed my hand into a fist. Ouch. I felt the point of the diamond press into my palm. How many times was this going to happen, this ring twisting around, causing me a prick of pain? It felt so heavy and so constricting—was that normal? It also felt like I had a story wrapped around my finger, like words were whispered about my love into a gold thread, spun into a perfectly, perfect ring symbol. Engaged for twenty-four hours. “Click”. The petrol pump clicked, signalling my tank was full. I walked into the service station to pay for my fuel. The 20 steps to the door felt like 1,000. Was my inner ear balance off? I felt like the weight of this ring had me veering to the left. I looked down. ‘Whoops don’t look down’, I self-consciously thought. ‘People will know you are an amateur. Don’t make a fuss, be cool girl …’ My brain rambled.
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to each their own
RMK MAGIC $189.95 rmkshoes.com
BHLDN LARAZEE $255 bhldn.com
HARRIET WILDE PEONY £200 harrietwilde.com
RACHEL SIMPSON GABRIELLA £249 rachelsimpsonshoes.co.uk
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if the shoe fits
SHE IS LIBERT Y GAZING INTO THE FUTURE WITH LIGHT IN HER EYES.
CREATIVE DIRECTION CARLA BURRELL COORDINATION + PHOTOGRAPHY ATHENA GRACE athenagrace.co HAIR + MAKEUP MG HAIR + MAKEUP mghairandmakeup.com FLORALS MIMOSA FLORAL mimosafloral.com MODEL MADDIE GREER berouged.com
DRESS SAVANNAH MILLER savannahmiller.com HEADPIECE + BRACELET A.B. ELLIE abellie.com
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she is liberty
THIS PAGE DRESS DAALARNA COUTURE facebook.com/DaalarnaCouture OPPOSITE PAGE DRESS ANNA CAMPBELL annacampbell.com.au EARRINGS A.B. ELLIE abellie.com
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she is liberty
LISA + JAMIE A U S T R A L I A
“I LOVE YOU BECAUSE YOU TAUGHT ME HOW TO LOVE AGAIN.” PHOTOGR AP HY Jose p h W illis
SEE THE FULL WEDDING ONLINE
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lisa + jamie
LISA + TOM A U S T R A L I A
“YOU HAVE ENCOURAGED ME TO DO THINGS BEYOND MY WILDEST DREAMS.” PHOTOGR AP HY Elk & W illow
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lauren + steven
ATHENA + CAMRON U S A
“WITH EACH SUNRISE, YOU ARE THE TENDER, SWEET VOICE THAT WHISPERS LIBERATING TRUTHS OVER ME THAT SETTLE IN MY HEART.” PHOTOGR AP HY B e nj Ha isc h
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athena + camron
CASEY + ALEX U S A
“THERE’S SOMETHING PRETTY MAGICAL ABOUT FINDING SOMEONE WHO KNOWS YOU EVEN BETTER THAN YOU KNOW YOURSELF.” PHOTOGR AP HY Jord a n Voth
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CASEY + ALEX
SHAREE + NIK A U S T R A L I A
“WE WERE INSPIRED TO CREATE A DAY THAT WAS INTIMATE AND EXPERIENTIAL.”
PHOTOGR AP HY Ale x Ca rlyle
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SHAREE + NIK
K AY L A + BRYCE U S A
“IN YOUR COMPANY, I FIND LOVE THAT I HAVE NEVER FELT IN MY LIFE.”
PHOTOGR AP HY I nd ia Ea rl
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magali + gabe
JESS + MIKE A U S T R A L I A
“I LOVE YOU WITH ALL THAT I AM. AND I WILL CHOOSE YOU EVERY DAY, FROM NOW UNTIL FOREVER.” PHOTOGR AP HY Ame lia Fulla rton
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jess + M ike
L O V E ’S IN V I TAT ION
“THE FREEDOM TO BE AND TO BECOME AND TO SHARE YOURSELF WITH ANOTHER HUMAN BEING IS THE TRUEST DEFINITION OF LOVE I KNOW.” Words: Liz Milani | Photography: Bianca Virtue
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wiped down the bench, put a few breakfast items away, made our bed, and left for work. Like I did most days.
Who knew that such habits could cause such problems in my then young marriage? When I arrived home that evening, I found the bed re-made and the kitchen items ‘re-put’ back to their ‘proper place’. So I did what every mature married woman does: put all said things back in their ‘proper’ proper place and told (yelled at) my husband to please stick with my proper places for all the things. When two lives come together, no matter how beautiful the ceremony or wonderful the honeymoon, some things can’t help but crash into each other as they become one. Things like how to make the bed, what sport to watch, which family you spend Christmas with, values, politics, religion, ethics and ideals. We all have a proper place for these in our lives, but we may not agree on which things belong and how they fit together. Such is the privilege of individuality. And frustration of it. Unity rarely lives up to its assumed potential. Our dreams of union are filled with romance and peace and agreement, universal answers to complex questions accompanied with knowing smiles: this is why we’re together! We assume
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love ' s invitation
FREE TO BE CHALLENGE CULTURE + EMBRACE NEW ASPECTS OF YOUR RELATIONSHIP. Photography: Tish Carlson—Matt & Tish Photography
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elcome to the next instalment of white’s social experiments, where we’ve thrown away the notion
of ‘being tied down’ in marriage, and discovered the true freedom that comes with committing your life to a dedicated partner; free to share your deepest longings, your most secret insecurities, your truest self. See how our couples fared this issue with finding freedom in the day-to-day.
TAKE UP THE CHALLENGE • O rganise a double-date: Grab your closest married friends and head out somewhere fun (without the kids, if you have them). Try a new restaurant you’ve been meaning to go to. • Gather some family or friends and host a dinner. Can be as low-key as a BBQ at the park. ave a night off: Plan one night for you and • H your partner to go out separately. Time for a girls’/guys’ night out! Meet up with some of your dearest and best and do something fun. • E njoy a hobby: This one, we’ll give you a bit of freedom with. You can either pursue a hobby on your own, or as a couple—but it should be something that you love doing. • Spend some time chatting about your dreams and goals as a couple and as individuals.
BREE + CHAD Although we believe we are one in marriage, we are
ourselves. I would hate to be thought of by Chad as a ‘ball
still each a whole person, not a half. We have our own
and chain’. Neither of us is perfect, and I have had my fair
thoughts and ambitions and processes of growing. We are
share of insecurities over the years which has resulted in
still individuals and we need the freedom to be ourselves.
‘ball and chain-ish’ behaviour, but I never want to dictate
Freedom and confidence in spending time apart allows
who Chad is or stifle his dreams or override his decisions.
us the desire and joy in being together. Freedom in our
Because we trust each other, we have the freedom to be the
marriage looks like a common standard or understanding
same person when we’re together and when we’re apart.
for what marriage is in Jesus. It looks like trust and mutual
We have the ability to be fully ourselves together. We can be
respect for one another, open and frequent communication,
our silliest, grossest, least put-together selves in each other’s
consideration for one another, putting the other before
presence, and still feel loved.
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free to be
STILL THE ONE I LOVE
DONA + SEU: A DIAMOND ANNIVERSARY Photography + Cinematography: São Paulo Fotografia | Location: Chácara Terra Prometida | Decorations: Sérgio Peralta | Florals: Gra Barriviera Hair + Makeup: Cor e Alma | Dress: RCampos Atelier | Groom’s Outfit: Villa Roma | Celebrant: Fernanda Caetano–Pais Em Paz
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or Dona Rosa and Seu Russo, 2017 marks 60 years together as a married couple. The pair wed in a
quaint ceremony in Brazil, attended only by family. But with no photos of their wedding day, Dona and Seu decided to recreate those precious memories from six decades ago in honour of their Diamond Anniversary. Dona tells of their incredible journey as a couple below. How did you meet? We were around 10 or 12 years old when he moved to the farm and we met each other. After a few years, when we were around 15 or 16, we went on a trip with some friends and he all of a sudden kissed me—I got really mad. When he turned 18, he joined the army and we separated for a while. How did your partner propose? It was not easy for us because my father would not accept our relationship. Once, we were together at a party, and at around 4pm my father showed up and got really angry because I was with him. That is when he said that if we wanted to stay together, we had to get married. Therefore, with no proposal, we were engaged, and three months later we got married. Do you remember your wedding day? It was a simple but very beautiful party with our families. That was on July 30 1957, with no pictures—only memories in our minds. My sister-inlaw had made my dress for me, and Seu was wearing a very beautiful black suit and white shirt … my endless love.
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still the one I love