Morgan Ayling proposed to his high school sweetheart, Katie McAllan, at the very same picnic spot where there relationship began years earlier, and the couple spent 16 months planning their dream Hunter Valley wedding.

Every element was personalised, including the wedding party’s outfits. The groomsmen individualised their matching suits with different ties, shoes and hand-made buttonholes, the bridesmaids’ selected their own flattering dress styles, while Katie helped to design her own satin gown with a pleated tulle overlay and crocheted lace flowers.

A relaxed garden party after the ceremony provided the perfect opportunity to mingle with guests, and a smaller, more intimate winery reception was held in the evening. As a stylist with leading Sydney event company, Decorative Events, Katie created many DIY details to personalise their celebrations, including stationery, hessian table runners, flower arrangements, bunting and even the wedding cake. “The best weddings I have been to have always had something a little quirky that reflected the couple and their journey together.”

“My handy-man dad helped make a rustic wooden table top which we placed on two old trestles. We had lollies in pretty jars, macarons on cake stands, hand made cake pops and rock candy which my friends shipped out from the States. We tried to maintain a continuous theme of pinks, creams and browns for the lolly table; it looked so pretty,” Katie said. Stamped brown paper lolly bags secured with a peg and a doily were placed at each guest’s table setting and made a delightful take-home gift. A sparkler send off at the end of the night was the ultimate finale. 

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Gown, veil and headpiece: Kel Leigh Couture | Photographer: Pobke Photography | Ceremony location: Pepper Tree Park, The Vintage Golf Course | Reception Venue and caterer: Margan’s Family Wines | Reception Decorations, flowers and floral decorations: Bride, Katie Ayling – wedding stylist at Decorative Events | Engagement and wedding rings: Wallace Bishop Jewellery | Groom’s and groomsmen’s button hole: handmade by bride | Flowers and floral decorations: Bouquets: Valley Fresh Flowers | Stationery: Bride and friend, Leesa Mealing | Hair: Bellus for brides | Make-Up: Melli cosmetics | Cake: Made by bride’s aunt. Decorated with buttons from All Buttons | Gift Registry: Myer | First Night: Chateau Élan | Honeymoon: Ayara Hilltops Resort, Thailand