“While we were in Hobart for another girlfriend’s wedding, Damon arranged a short getaway for us to Freycinet and Wineglass Bay,” says Natalie. “We went sailing, and when we disembarked I turned around on the beach to see Damon down on one knee, then he asked me to marry him. It was the most special and romantic day.”

The couple opted for a yearlong engagement in order to fine-tune all the details of the big day. “While initially I thought this was going to be way too long, I am so glad we had this time to enjoy the lead up to the wedding,” says Natalie. “I loved all the planning; I spent hours trawling through magazines, Pintrest and online to find inspiration.” 

“After choosing the venue I went on the hunt for a florist as I wanted most of the styling to be driven from the floral arrangements. When I met Kate Hill I knew I had found ‘The One’. She totally understood my vision. “We had the most incredible floral wall installation, which Kate and I came up with. It was also a grand statement in the entrance when guests arrived.” To complement the bride’s gown – a long sleeved, backless gown with French lace, overlaid with beading and tulle tuffets – she carried a bouquet of ivory garden roses, white hydrangea, white lisianthu, with green jasmin foliage and white freesias. 

“The bridesmaid’s bouquets were amazing as well,” says Natalie. “We had so many comments on them. They were designed with blue hydrangeas, soft pink garden roses, soft peach cottage roses, and pops of mid-pink blooms, mixed green foliage and white freesias.”

Sentimental touches were scattered throughout the wedding décor with wedding photos displayed in the entrance of the couple’s parents, grandparents and great grandparents. “I also wore my Dad’s Mother’s wedding band and my Mum wore her Mother’s wedding band to remember those that had passed,” says Natalie.

For more inspirational wedding stories, visit Real Weddings and find your perfect Melbourne wedding venues!

Gown: Jane Hill | Photographer: Amanda Fordyce | Reception venue & caterer: Carousel Albert Park, Food & Desire | Stylist decorations & flowers: Kate Hill Flowers | Cake: Cornelius Cheese | Groom & groomsmen’s outfits: Daniel Hechter | Bridesmaids’ outfits: Keepsake the Label | Bridal accessories: earrings Hardy Brothers | Transport: Triple R Luxury Car Hire | Makeup: Kate Fletcher