A wish to honour the 60th wedding anniversary of the bride's grandparents and celebrate the beautiful Australian landscape led telecommunications professionals Courtney and Andrew to create a two-stage wedding celebration set in the Victorian bush.
With the anniversary date falling on a Thursday, Courtney and Andrew arranged a private ceremony for close family and friends in a beautiful country church on the Victorian surf coast, followed by lunch at a local cafe within an olive grove. Just over a week later, the celebrations continued with a full reception at historic Boyd Baker House, where guests enjoyed cuisine by Ed Dixon food design and music provided by a jazz ensemble.
“We wanted our wedding to primarily be a fun celebration of our commitment to one another, so we concentrated on the basics: good food, good wine, great venue and good music,” Courtney said.
In keeping with the Australian theme, Courtney and her mother visited a local designer and asked if the latest collection contained any white dresses. After viewing a sketch and having her measurements taken, the bride ordered her dress – without ever seeing it or trying it on! A beautiful headpiece was then created using offcuts of the dress, a vintage veil and small resin roses. A stunning pair of Givenchy shoes completed the outfit.
In a sentimental touch, Courtney selected some of her grandmother’s favourite flowers for her bouquet, including daphne, gardenias, hyacinth and lisianthus. On the tables, sprigs of rosemary were combined with succulents and white peonies, while jars containing brightly coloured flowers hung from branches around the venue. Overhead, large white lanterns strung in rows bathed the bush in golden light at dusk.
The couple chose three delicious cakes – chocolate brownie, white chocolate and raspberry grand Marnier, and an orange syrup cake – and cut all three before sharing them with their guests. A retro photo booth provided entertainment throughout the evening, as guests took photos of themselves and wrote messages in a photo album.
The following morning, the newlyweds enjoyed a brunch with guests who had joined them in staying overnight at the house. “We spent time laughing about all the wonderful things that had happened – it was such a joy!” Courtney said.
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Gown: Willow | Photographer: Erin Slattery Photography | Ceremony Location: Christ Church | Reception Venue: Boyd Baker House | Reception Caterer: Ed Dixon Food Design | Reception Decorations: Katie Marx; Ed Dixon Food Design | Shoes: Givenchy | Hat: Louise McDonald | Necklace: Make Believe | Groom’s Attire: Calibre; Hugo Boss | Cake: Julie Gunthorpe
