Crowne Plaza at Melbourne Oceanfront Wedding | Erin + Nick

For Erin and Nick, who's favorite things to do together are hunting for seaglass on the beach, exploring antique shops, and visiting Irish pubs, choosing the theme of their wedding was a no-brainer. They both have Irish backgrounds and are heavily rooted in Irish culture, not to mention that Nick proposed to Erin IN IRELAND, so there were Irish traditions scattered throughout the wedding day.

Erin and the girls played Cards Against Humanity and drank champagne while getting their hair and makeup done on the 8th floor of the Crowne Plaza Melbourne Oceanfront...

Before putting on her dress, Erin stepped away for a moment to open a letter and gift from Nick, which was so heartfelt that it brought her to tears. His gift to her was a canvas print of the beautiful place where he proposed!

Erin's mom helped her put on her jewelry, as well as helping her into her dress and cathedral veil (eek!!)

Seriously, this veil is GORGEOUS.

Meanwhile, Nick and his guys got ready and sipped on cocktails on the 6th floor of the hotel...

Erin had three "first looks," one with her step-father, one with her biological father, and one with her bridesmaids. They were all so sweet and full of love!

Look at these two! Aren't they so adorable?!?! And, obviously I'm going to say it again, LOOK AT THAT DANG VEIL.

Erin and her girls went to the hotel bar and ordered a round of shots before the ceremony. This girl officially wins the "World's Coolest Bride" award.

The two had a short, heartfelt ceremony surrounded by their family and friends just feet away from the beautiful Melbourne Beach, with equal parts laughs and happy tears.

After the ceremony, I was able to whisk them away to the beach for some portraits just before sunset.

Shortly after, the guests were moved into the reception area for dinner and festivities...

Nick is a rugby player, so they made sure to commemorate that with the cake topper. These spectacular desserts were provided by Ferrara's Bakery.

After their grand entrance, they started the night with their first dance as Mr. and Mrs. Shea...

Then both of Erin's dads, as well as her maid and matron of honor and Nicks best man made some hilarious and affectionate speeches.

Followed by some of the sweetest Father/Daughter and Mother/Son dances I've ever had the pleasure of capturing. They made it very hard for me to photograph these dances because I kept tearing up!

The cake cutting followed the dances. This was, by far, the most hilarious cake cutting I've ever seen! These two really went for it!

Once the dance floor opened up, it was completely full until the very end of the night.

They even did the limbo! The wedding coordinator, Brittney Hemela from Motorcycles & Dresses took part in the limbo (shes the one in the yellow), and she totally deserved that break! She rocked that whole day!

I'll end this on a happy note. I'm so very thankful to have worked with such an incredible, down-to-earth, loving couple like Erin and Nick. I can only hope I photograph weddings with people as awesome as them and their friend and family!

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