Cristina and Mitch | The Basilica of St Patrick’s + East Fremantle Yacht Club

A long time ago, there was a rare night when a young Mitch, the life of the party decided that he didn’t want to go out. The boys called his phone but he didn’t pick up, they rang his doorbell but he didn’t answer. However his mum eventually did answer the door and let his friends in, and despite his protests that he was down to his last $20, they dragged him out of bed by his feet and told him he is coming out!

His wise friends took him to the old Harbourside in Fremantle, it’s like they knew how important it was to bring him along that night. This was where he first spotted Cristina from the other side of the dance floor. Mitch started doing his crazy dance moves, which I also got to see lots of at their reception :) As they captivated each other with their moves, Mitch edged closer to Cris until he was able to make his first move, he offered to buy her a drink with the last of his coins.

Just like they met, Mitch proposed on the dance floor at the Red & White Ball at the Parmelia Hilton on New Years Eve, surrounded by their friends, and hundreds of other people during the countdown at the end of 2012. Cris didn’t get to say yes until 2013 (and a microphone) had arrived!

After a fun pre-wedding engagement session about a year ago, we were extremely excited for their wedding. We started started the day at the boys, where Mitch couldn’t wait to get out the house to see his bride! Meanwhile, the girls got ready at the Esplanade Hotel, which was perfect and so close to the church. Their ceremony was held at The Basilica of St Patrick’s Fremantle, the family photos in the park conveniently across the road, followed by fun bridal party photos around Fremantle.

Their reception at East Fremantle Yacht Club, which offers great views overlooking the river, a sandy beach and lots of jetties. The reception room looked amazing, Stacey from Bean & Bunches did an amazing job on the flowers and decorations. And boy did we get to see Mitch’s excellent dance skills! It was a fab party followed by a relaxing honeymoon in KL and Langkawi.

Thank you Cris and Mitch for an beautiful day. And the trek up the giant hill, chasing birds, naked men in towels yelling, doing spins, and all of the crazy adventures we got up to. :)

Cristina and Mitch embrace on the marina jetty beneath a pink twilight sky at East Fremantle Yacht Club
Small hands in a white dress hold a navy save the date card showing Cristina and Mitch on the beach at dusk Bright morning sun on a grand white two-storey home with palm tree and manicured lawns before the wedding
Close-up of Mitch's fingers fastening a cufflink on his crisp white dress shirt in soft morning light
Mitch and his groomsmen laugh in the lounge room, white shirts open with black ties still hanging undone
Two groomsmen in white shirts play table tennis across a timber table in the warm-lit games room
Groomsmen portraits side by side, black ties and white shirts, in front of a mural of an old man's face
Two grinning groomsmen, one with a beer bottle, posed before the painted mural portrait at home
Moody window-lit frames of a groomsman buttoning his grey waistcoat in a dim dressing room
Mitch smiles in his grey waistcoat and tie, soft lamp light warming the room as he waits
Groomsmen stand shoulder to shoulder in the shade, jackets slung over shoulders and ties in place
Mitch grins as he holds hands with a toy skeleton in the leafy garden for a playful portrait
Laughter as a groomsman steadies the skeleton while Mitch clasps its hand among the greenery
The four men in charcoal suits chat beneath sprawling gum branches on a bright park morning
Groomsmen strike a playful synchronised strut across the park lawn under a big eucalypt
Cristina in a blue floral robe, hair curled, smiles by the hotel window before dressing
Diptych of the flower girl with pink hair flower and her posy of pale rosebuds
Flower girl in white sits on the bed with two bridesmaids in matching floral robes
Deep pink lotus buttonholes with beaded bracelet beside Cristina's gown and blue robe
Makeup artist applies finishing touches to Cristina's lip in soft window light
Cristina glances down in lamplight, then smiles beside her strapless lace gown by the window
Close-up of a pastel rose and ranunculus wrist corsage trailing soft blue ribbon
Cristina and her bridesmaids beam together in matching dark floral robes, arms around each other
Cristina lounges across the hotel bed in her blue robe, warm lamp glow behind her
Two relaxed portraits of Cristina by the bedside lamp, robe on and curls set
Cristina smiles over her shoulder from the bedpost, lamplight glowing on her blue robe
Cristina beams between two flower girls in white on the bed in the warm bedroom
Two little flower girls pull silly faces, one clutching her posy of pink roses
Diptych of Cristina admiring her hanging gown, then looking down in soft lamp glow
Bridesmaids in blush pink lace up Cristina's gown as she laughs in the bedroom
Close-up of Cristina's corset lacing, then her full lace-edged train by the window
Cristina laughs as her bridesmaids clasp her bracelet in the bedroom
Two bridesmaids in blush gowns grin as they watch Cristina get ready
Cristina checks her reflection in the mirror, dress train pooling on the carpet
A bridesmaid lifts Cristina's billowing veil as they laugh together
Veiled Cristina spritzes perfume onto a posy in the amber lamplit bedroom
Diptych of Cristina misting perfume, then a bridesmaid settling her veil
Intimate close-up of Cristina's downcast lashes against warm window bokeh
Soft-lit portrait of Cristina in her strapless gown, curls over one shoulder
Cristina smiles by the chair, then bows her head beneath the sheer veil
Cristina and her father step through the hotel's glass doors toward the waiting limousine
White stretch limousine with bridal ribbon parked under the Esplanade Hotel portico
Cristina beams as her father kisses her cheek in the back of the limousine
Wide view of St Patrick's Basilica nave, timber vaults glowing above seated guests
Cristina waves teary-eyed from the limousine window as she arrives
Cristina holds her father's hands and laughs beside the open limousine door
Father escorts Cristina past the bluestone wall toward the basilica doors
Mitch waits at the altar with his groomsmen in grey suits and white boutonnieres
Black and white diptych: the delighted flower girl, then Cristina beaming in the aisle
Bridesmaid in blush walks the basilica aisle past ribbon-tied pews
Black-and-white pairing of Cristina smiling with her bouquet and her aisle walk through St Patrick's
Cristina arrives on her father's arm, pink bouquet in hand, framed by warm light at the basilica doorway
Guests turn to watch Cristina and her father walk the aisle beneath carved gothic arches at St Patrick's
Cristina beams up at Mitch as blush-toned bridesmaids look on during the ceremony at St Patrick's
Cristina and Mitch stand with the priest at the altar as bridesmaids watch, soft reflections below
Two mothers lean together to light the tall ceremonial candle beside the basilica's bold sanctuary mural
A little girl rests against her father's shoulder, thumb in mouth, amid the hush of the basilica congregation
Wide view of Cristina and Mitch at the sanctuary before the priest and a colourful painted reredos
The best man passes the wedding rings to Mitch as groomsmen watch in the basilica's warm golden light
Mitch grins as Cristina slides the ring onto his finger, candlelight and greenery soft behind them
First kiss at the basilica altar, Mitch dipping toward Cristina against a glowing ochre wall
Diptych of Cristina laughing hand-in-hand with Mitch, then their kiss beside the sanctuary candles
The priest raises his hand in blessing, small and still against the vast golden wall of St Patrick's
Black-and-white portrait of a flower girl between her grandparents, quiet and tender in the pews
Cristina signs the marriage register at the altar with Mitch and the priest leaning close in candlelit warmth
Cristina smooths her gown beside Mitch on the altar steps, both casting playful downward glances
Diptych of the recessional, Cristina and Mitch walking the red aisle then exiting arm in arm
Cristina and Mitch emerge from St Patrick's grand stone facade beside a waiting white stretch limousine
Cristina laughs mid-greeting outside the basilica while guests mill in soft afternoon light
A groomsman covers his face laughing as a bridesmaid in powder-blue cackles outside the stone church
Crowd of wedding guests on a sunlit lawn waving above Cristina and Mitch's beaming family group
Cristina and Mitch pose with friends in the park, her pink bouquet bright against soft green bokeh
Close-up of Cristina's pastel rose bouquet beside a bridesmaid's blush posy, ribbons trailing
Cristina and Mitch flank their smiling parents on the lawn in low golden-hour light
A groomsman tosses a giggling toddler skyward in dappled park shade, two-frame sequence
Bridal pair: Cristina's pink bouquet close-up beside a veil-lit portrait of the couple smiling face to face
Mitch offers Cristina his bouquet as she whirls past the grinning groomsmen by the stone church
Groomsmen in navy suits line up laughing as Cristina bustles past with her bouquet outside St Patrick's
Cristina strides across the lawn lifting her gown, blush bridesmaids and flower girl sweeping behind
A groom's hand opens a pale timber ring box inscribed with a heart and 'i do' in moody blue light
Groomsmen ham it up on the lawn, clutching bouquets and feigning shock as Mitch holds out his ring hand
Four groomsmen in charcoal suits clutch pink posies to their chests beneath the trees, deadpan and amused
Diptych of Cristina and Mitch posing by a pale wall, then touching foreheads under golden autumn leaves
Cristina kisses Mitch against a sleek silver paneled wall, veil falling behind her gown
Low-angle view of Cristina and Mitch strolling hand in hand beneath a deep blue city sky

Cristina poses alone against a sun-dappled limestone wall, strapless gown and veil catching the light
Mitch wraps Cristina in his arms before the golden stone wall, leaf shadows rippling across them
Cristina smiles past the camera beside Mitch beneath a weathered blue timber door
Wide shot of Cristina and Mitch before an arched blue doorway in a sunbaked ochre facade
Cristina leans on the blue arched door under a bold sky as guests watch from the street below
Cristina and Mitch embrace beneath a canopy of golden leaves by a brick archway
Diptych of a forehead-touch kiss under autumn leaves and Cristina laughing at the blue door with her mum
Two-frame set of Cristina by the blue door alone and with Mitch beneath the arched fanlight
Cristina tugs Mitch's hand playfully before the vast blue doors, both laughing in the amber light
Full bridal party of eight poses before the blue arched door, blush gowns and soft evening sun
Bridal party pairs lean along the ochre wall either side of Cristina and Mitch at the blue door
Bridal party lines up against a black-and-white geometric mural, Cristina and Mitch holding hands centre
White stretch limousine with a ribbon on its bonnet waits on a quiet city street in afternoon light
Diptych of Cristina and Mitch backlit in sun flare, then silhouetted hand in hand beneath an orange dusk
Mitch chases white cockatoos across a golden oval at sunset as Cristina follows, laughing, in her gown
Cristina grins up at Mitch, tugging his lapel in golden backlit sun before the Fremantle celebrations
Mitch stands with a hand in his pocket as Cristina leans on his shoulder under dramatic dusk clouds
Cristina and Mitch kiss low in the frame beneath a vast swirling dusk sky after their Basilica ceremony
Four groomsmen in grey suits and white buttonholes straighten their jackets beneath a moody evening sky
Bridesmaids in blush dresses adjust Cristina's gown on the lawn as a Bernese mountain dog sniffs the train
Cristina and three bridesmaids lift their skirts and laugh as wind whips them across the oval at sunset
Bridal party in pink gowns and grey suits lines the grass beneath a deep blue cloudy twilight sky
The full bridal party walks arm in arm across the green, Cristina lifting her dress mid-stride at dusk
Cristina and Mitch cross a quiet suburban road hand in hand beneath a glowing streetlight at twilight
Cristina hauls her lace gown along a darkening path past a wire fence, Mitch smiling at her side

Cristina and Mitch embrace on a marina jetty framed by dark pylons against a pink and violet sunset
Night falls over the yacht club marina, moored boats silhouetted as harbour lights shimmer on the water
Mitch holds Cristina close on a darkened foreshore, city and marina lights glinting across the river
Mitch sweeps Cristina off her feet on the sand, flash flaring against the deep blue evening sky
Bride and groom hold hands facing each other on the river beach as moored yachts glow behind them
A tiered cupcake tower crowned with a small cake rises above the softly blurred reception tables
Rustic crate centrepieces hold pink and cream blooms beside wine and a chalkboard table number five
A white birdcage strung with pink beads displays hanging cards spelling CARDS among fabric roses
Pastel posies in twine-wrapped jars sit in wooden crates beside glowing candles on the bridal table
A crisp white table setting with teacups, wine glasses and pink favour boxes awaits guests at the club
Handwritten bride and groom favour boxes tied with ribbon sit on the table in soft candlelit focus
Cristina beams in her strapless gown clutching pastel roses as Mitch grins and raises her hand behind
Newlyweds walk hand in hand into the timber-lined reception room while guests rise clapping
Paper lips, moustaches and glasses on sticks wait in a bunch for photobooth antics at the reception
A plated salmon fillet with rice and greens gleams under soft light amid wine glasses and blurred blooms
Groomsmen in grey vests clap and laugh beside Cristina at the candlelit bridal table during speeches
A young flower girl in a white dress with a rose headband gazes wide-eyed across the reception room
A groomsman in a dark suit delivers his speech into a microphone before glowing, blurred guests
Cristina giggles while Mitch covers his mouth laughing behind crate arrangements at the bridal table
A lace-detailed cake topped with blooms and a LOVE bunting sits atop a stand of pastel cupcakes
Split frame of the bunting-topped cake tower and Cristina and Mitch laughing as they cut its top tier
Cristina steadies the cupcake tower's top cake as Mitch wraps an arm around her at the reception
Cristina and Mitch share their first dance on the timber floor as seated guests watch under fairy lights
Mitch twirls Cristina, her gown flaring, as guests and a guitarist look on in the yacht club hall
The newlyweds dance close while an older couple spins nearby under a flare of disco light
Cristina clings to Mitch's shoulders mid-dance as guests, including an older couple, swirl nearby
A guest in a coral dress kicks up her heel dancing while friends cheer around the lit dance floor
A woman in coral dances low with a bald guest as the room claps, Cristina laughing behind them
Two guests swing a laughing older woman between them on the dance floor under party lights
Two little girls in white and blush dresses hold hands and giggle on the dance floor at night
An older guest dances wide-legged with arms flung out as Cristina laughs and the crowd claps
A little girl in a white frock with a flower clip twirls arms raised on the crowded dance floor
Women clutch balloons mid-game on the dance floor while friends cheer beside fairy-lit tables
Cristina grips her bouquet as two guests leap and dance behind her on the packed floor
Cristina tosses her bouquet skyward while guests leap, arms outstretched, to catch it
A guest in a cream dress hugs Cristina beaming, clutching the just-caught pink and cream bouquet
Three men kneel on the dance floor tying coloured balloons to their ankles for a party game
Two men crouch warily over balloons on the dance floor as guests film the standoff
A groomsman kneels before seated Cristina, reaching for the garter as guests watch the tradition
The groomsman waves the lace garter aloft while Cristina laughs, hands raised, beside him
Groom carries a champagne-holding woman in white lace on his shoulders at the yacht club reception
Wedding guests do breakdancing floor moves on the dance floor while a cheering crowd watches
Groomsman in white shirt and grey trousers breakdances mid-move for laughing guests at the reception
Bride in strapless lace gown dances beside a cartwheeling groomsman under disco lights at East Fremantle
Guest in white shirt crouches playfully on the timber dance floor amid dancing legs and warm bar light
Groom in unbuttoned white shirt reaches for a wine glass offered on the crowded dance floor
Bride and groom share a deep dip beside couples swaying near fairy-lit tables at the yacht club
Groom spins his laughing bride until her lace veil swirls out across the disco-lit dance floor
Princess-cut diamond ring and engraved wedding band stacked in cool blue close-up light
Bride hugs a beaming older woman in coral while another guest laughs beside them at the reception
Bride and groom kiss beneath a tunnel of guests waving sparklers outside the yacht club at night
Newlyweds kiss ringed by guests lifting sparkling sparklers overhead into the night air
Featuring:
Ceremony venue: The Basilica of St Patrick’s Fremantle
Reception venue: East Fremantle Yacht Club
Hair Stylist: Amelia Blunt
Makeup Artist: Daniella Piscopo
Flowers: Stacey at Beans & Bunches
Wedding cake: Amanda at Cutie’s Cupcakes
Priest: Father Andrew Chen
DJ: Tod Woodward
Cars: Bellagio Limousines
Brides dress: The Gown Gallery
Table decorations: Bean & Bunches
Chair covers: Whirligig Designs

This wedding, in context

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