Two years ago, I put on a pretty white dress and walked down a garden aisle in front of all I hold near and dear to marry Mr M. Nawww…

It was our perfect day.

Here are some pretty pictures, and four things which made the day perfect for us.

 

1. One place, all day.

Mr M and I fell in love with the first wedding venue we looked at after we got engaged: Branell Homestead in the Lockyer Valley, Queensland.

Our first criteria was vital – our wedding venue had to be close to where my parents live, and easily accessible for my father who is in a wheelchair.

Our second criteria was to find a place we felt at home, even though it was 2000km from our real home in South Australia. Branell was perfect – complete with charming B&B-style accommodation, a gorgeous lawn set amongst rolling hills for the ceremony, and a reception venue which didn’t look or feel like a reception venue. We booked it from Friday to Monday and got hitched, celebrated, partied and recovered at the one place.

Throw in a couple of cows (who were vocal during our ceremony but completely charmed our photographer) and it was the ideal relaxed but classy venue for these two country kids.

2. Wedding stylist.

Facilitator. Fairy godmother. Call him/her what you want, but get one.  Planning a Queensland wedding from regional South Australia was enough of a challenge without the stress of setting up the venue the day before and adding the final touches on our wedding morning.

I found Tessa from Polkadot Events when I was looking for furniture hire. Tessa not only provided a one-stop shop for chairs, lounges, lights and Giant Jenga (of course) – she also worked her styling magic on our reception venue. Our gorgeous bridal party, friends and family still helped with the set up and clean up, but Tessa’s oversight ensured everything was lookin’ pretty and in the right place.

3. Our style.

Mr M didn’t want to wear a suit. I didn’t want to wear a veil.

We didn’t want a first dance or a wedding cake. (We weren’t even going to have speeches but caved in at a friend’s prompting and are so glad we did!) We wanted most of our photos taken before the ceremony so we could enjoy every minute with our friends who had travelled from so far to be there.

We wanted a relaxed atmosphere where our family and friends could meet and mingle. We wanted laughter, dancing, Pimm’s on the lawn. We wanted Giant Jenga. Mr M wanted lamb chops. I wanted flowers and fairy lights.

We had it all. It was perfect.

4. The people.

Beautiful people, you know who you are.

You tied my sash, poured my champagne rum, handed me tissues, ironed Mr M’s shirt, helped behind the scenes, went fishing off the jetty, stopped the cattle from escaping, walked and wheeled me down the aisle, said kind words, make us cry, made us laugh. Let’s do it all over again!

The only thing we would change? A little bit of time travel so we knew some of the wonderful people we now know, back then too.

Love, Mr and Mrs M xx

Style notes:

Photography: Toni Snell. Hair and make-up: Rebecca Calvert. Flowers and styling: Tessa Grovesner, Polkadot Events. Venue: Branell Homestead. Catering: Plainland Hotel.

Bridal gown: Anna Campbell Bridal from Babushka Ballerina Brisbane. Bride’s shoes: David Tutera heels (ceremony) and Witchery sandals (reception). Bride’s accessories: Anna Campbell Bridal hairpiece, vintage sapphire ring and bracelet. Bridesmaids’ dresses: Ted Baker floral maxi dresses. Bridesmaids’ shoes: Witchery wedges. Bridesmaids’ accessories: Tree of Life earrings. Dressing gowns: Pretty Plum Sugar from BHLDN.

Groom and groomsmen: Shirts, pants, belts and boots, all R.M. Williams.