Why we do the things we do

As you follow our wedding planning journey, you may find our plans a little 'different' from what you routinely see with weddings.

One main way is in our attempt for a simple, low-waste wedding. This helps our environment, and also helps us avoid our celebration becoming a profit making exercise for the multi-billion dollar wedding industry. By avoiding unnecessary purchases, we also reduce the risk of buying items produced in a sweatshop, or other forced-labour conditions.

We try (with varying levels of success) to live these principles in our everyday lives, and believe that our wedding can reflect these values. So this is why you'll receive digital invitations, why you won't see 7 bridesmaids with identical dresses (never to be worn again) and why much of the stuff on our gift registry is mostly practical assistance rather than expensive tangible gifts.

I (Chris) have always been one to question tradition, and the idea of doing things 'because it's always been done this way'. Especially as we try to action our above values, it's been interesting to discover the basis of many long-standing wedding traditions. Whilst some may seem sweet, others are just plain weird, culturally outdated, and most are unnecessary.

It may surprise you (as it did me) that groomsmen are a remnant of the days of marriage by capture, where a man called his friends to assist in lifting or kidnapping the bride, or to protect the bride from would-be kidnappers. Talk about absurd (in today's society)!!

And did you know that the custom of bridal bouquets originates from ancient times, where women carried aromatic bunches of garlic, herbs and spices to ward off evil spirits?

And that wedding cakes were apparently thrown at the bride, not eaten??? (mmm now I feel like cake....)

[See more on wedding traditions.]

While many traditions are no longer culturally relevant, some are still fun and symbolic so you'll likely see a few of them at our wedding (still pondering the cake-throwing... what do you think???). And let's face it, 8 weeks is not a long time to completely re-invent the wheel.

We look forward to celebrating with you in our meaningful way, that respects God's creation (people and planet).

Three things will last forever--faith, hope, and love--and the greatest of these is love.

[Related post - Some things may be different]

Where to stay?

If you're coming from out of town and looking for somewhere to stay, here are some suggestions.

We love AirBnB where you can rent anything from a bed to entire homes for great prices. airbnb.com.au

Alternately, we suggest staying in Toowong, close to the wedding venue, city, & all amenities.

In Toowong there are a number of hotels within walking distance of the shopping centre and public transport (including buses and trains every few minutes to Indooroopilly Uniting Church where our wedding will be held- travel time 5-7 minutes). It's also very close (3 trains stations, 2 ferry stops) to the city/southbank area, if you have time to explore Brisbane during your stay (we hope you do).

My recommended Toowong hotel is www.toowonginn.com.au which is across the road from the shopping centre, train station, and around the corner from my house ;)

Other nearby hotel options:

www.toowongcentral.com.au

www.jephsonhotel.com.au

www.toowongvillas.com.au

Still in Toowong but a little further away from the main area is this great value hotel www.bensoncourt.com.au

We hope you enjoy planning your Brisbane long weekend holiday and please let us know if you have any accommodation/planning questions :)