P I N K Y & M I K E

Clash isn't a word often associated with weddings, but in the case of this wedding by planners Knot and Pop, it's the word that rings most true in a great way! It was a clash of Indian and Western culture, modern and retro design and a beach theme in a countryside setting and it all worked brilliantly to create a playful celebration of life and love that was just was as bright and unique as the couple.

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F R O M T H E B R I D E . . .

The Meeting...

We first met over 12 years ago in Bristol, the attraction was instant and we were inseparable.

The Proposal...

A Christmas holiday to Noosa was planned and we were both so excited. Mike for the amazing longboard surfing and me because I love holidays! We had decided to go to the park for sunset with some bubbles. Mike was walking the wrong way to the park and I was getting a little annoyed as I didn't want to miss the sunset as the sky had been moody all day and it looked like some sun was trying to peek through. We walked over a river and there waiting was an ornate wooden gondola (one which I pointed to the day before and said was the most cheesiest of things!) Mike then confessed that instead of the park, he had arranged for us to ride the gondola for sunset. I didn't think anything of it and thought it must be my Christmas present. We popped open the champers, the clouds parted on command and there was the most spectacular sunset you could imagine! The rest is just for us...

Describe your wedding style...

The theme was Bollywood Beach!

The aim was to create a day that fused the cultures of India and the West, mixing bright colours with sea foam green for a beach-side feel. With hints of modernity, the theme was bedded in a rustic appeal, with small quips and quirks reflective of the out-going, fun and live life to the max couple that we are.

Bringing a bit of Australia and their sandy sun-shine state and state of mind back to the UK, the wedding felt like a pocket of tropical retro-cool - set surprisingly on a stunning English farm!

Mike and I knew exactly the colours we wanted. I had to have my favourite flamingo pink and coral. We love anything sea-foam green with gold setting it all off, and black as the accent colour.

Knot & Pop created an amazing wedding scene. The décor mixed fringe garlands with pom pom honeycomb and felt balls, flamingos, gold painted pineapples - a riotous mix of rustic meets fun modern details. Gorgeous tropical inspired flowers, including native Australian flowers, sat in painted and crush glitter jam jars for eye-popping, bright and bold displays.

Bespoke signage was made by Knot & Pop, including a backdrop for the DJ booth with Pinky's favourite song 'Pump Up The Jam' emblazoned onto palm tree wallpaper, with the bar named after Mike and Pinky, surrounded by a wall of hanging palm leaves.

A disco ball sat above a checkerboard dance-floor with paper and pom pom garlands criss-crossing the marquee ceiling with a dance floor prop box containing lots of flamingo confetti to really get the party started - bringing everyone together to celebrate the best of times and the most amazing of couples.

Ceremony and reception venue...

The legal ceremony took part on Narawalee Beach, Mollymook , Australia. We personalised our vows and had our family on Facetime to join us for a very touching ceremony.

We then had an Indian ceremony and reception in the UK at Sywell Grange in Northamptonshire. The venue was close to my family home and where I grew up. Beautiful countryside with endless fields and a very quintessential English feel. All we had to wish for was the weather, which delivered the most perfect summers day.

Pre-wedding fun...

We were definitely spoilt. We had 2 hen and 2 stag parties, one in Australia and one in England. The wedding festivities started 2 days prior to the wedding day. My dad had transformed our family home into an amazing party venue incorporating the gardens. This was the setting for my Mehendi (henna) party. Needless to say that all our close family and friends had the most amazing time dancing, feasting and being merry whilst getting painted with henna. The day before the wedding, the Vidhi, was celebrated with my family, involving Hindu blessings and rituals at home, preparing me for the wedding day. Mike had a family get together and a good old catch up before the big day.

The dress(es)...

Indian Dress: Aso Palav, India

Evening Dress: Rachel Gilbert, Paddington, Sydney

I felt like I was royalty and didn't want to take it off. The gold jewellery I wore all belonged to my mother. She had the exquisite pieces made back in the 1970's and had worn them for her wedding. It was a very special and emotional moment for us. My looks were inspired by Bollywood royalty for my Indian look, and Hollywood Royalty for my Evening look! Leena MakeUp made these amazing looks possible.

The Groom...

Indian suit: custom made sherwani from India

Evening suit: custom 1940's style suit from Anton's, Paddington Sydney

Flowers...

The florist was Amelia Cornish who Knot & Pop recommended. She mixed peonies with native Australian flowers such as the waratah. The flowers were Aussie inspired, as this is now our home. We wanted colour and texture and Knot & Pop's expert floral choices helped us with our vision. Amelia Cornish executed the flowers beautifully and provided the artistry that made everyone comment on how beautiful they were.

Reception decor...

The décor mixed fringe garlands with pom pom honeycomb and felt balls, flamingos, gold painted pineapples - a riotous mix of rustic meets fun modern details that Knot & Pop brought to life.

We have been lucky enough to visit many of the worlds most beautiful beaches together, many of them being in Australia. It therefore was natural to have tables named after the beaches we have loved spending time at. To link the table plan to the beach names, Knot & Pop created a beach scene - complete with massive sand filled custom made trays, umbrella cocktail sticks and gold glitter dipped tags (ala beach towels) with guest names and table name beautifully written in gold. It was a real talking point!

The wedding was a bright, colourful, fun, Indo-western cultural fusion. Non-conformist, non-traditional extravaganza, celebrating both our outlooks on life and love.

Wedding photography...

We had hands down the best wedding photographer there is. The images produced by Matt Parry totally blew us away. Six months down the line, they still bring tears to my eyes. The photos beautifully capture the emotions, the colour that was our wedding.

Memorable Moments...

Mike: So many to choose from... Seeing Pinky dressed like a queen in her traditional wedding dress for the first time from behind the Antharpat (cloth screen that covers the grooms face when the bride enters). She looked amazing!

Pinky: To pin point one memorable moment is very difficult. I can't believe how Mike had thrown himself into the depths of a culture he was so new to. It was touching! It was an emotionally charged day with family and friends who had travelled from far and wide! Would it be when we had a fly by (again and again) together with wing walkers when we made our grand entrance to the evening reception! Would it be the Fresh Pinks rap by my maids of honour Jo and Claire! Or our first dance as a married couple!

Honeymoon...

We had a 4 day mini-moon immediately after the wedding in St Ives, Cornwall. The weather remained amazing allowing us to enjoy the coastline. We indulged in lots of seafood, cream teas and pasties! Recently we had a 3 week holiday to Indonesia as our main honeymoon. We had an adventurous time making most of the coast and the terrain. Many fond memories to add to the most amazing year that was 2014!

The future...

We now live in Sydney, Australia where we plan to live happily healthily and actively, ever after.

Photography Matt Parry Event Planning and Design Knot and Pop Venue Sywell Grange Marquee Wing Events Flowers Amelia Cornish Indian Gown Aso Palay (India) Evening Gown SRachel Gilbert Hair and Makeup Leena Makeup Groom Custom made from Anton's Stationery Mike Knipe ([email protected]) Cake Made by family

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