Holly and Brad’s whimsical vintage wedding takes place in an incredible cathedral-like forest glen. Their colourful celebration features bold splashes of stunning florals, infectious smiles, creative centrepieces and sage advice for a relaxed celebration.
Proposal Story
“Brad’s proposal was so sweet and romantic. We have a favourite park we go to for a picnic on our special date days and when we arrived, he headed straight towards a picnic rug with a basket already set out. I stopped and called him back yelling, ‘That’s not ours! What are you doing?!’ He kept telling me to follow him and I heard music playing, it was ‘Kiss Me’, by Sixpence None The Richer.
It all clicked in my head when he started walking towards me. He dropped to one knee and pulled out the ring that I had shown him about two months earlier. I started bawling and I don’t think I even said a proper ‘yes!’.”
Planning Experience
“We had a thirteen month engagement, so the first six months of that was so fun. I loved finding my dress, designing invitations and booking vendors. But then I had almost everything done and I had to wait another seven months, and that was hard! I am a perfectionist, so for me to trust other people with putting everything together was stressful. And most difficult? Definitely the guest list and seating plans, hands down!”
Most Important
“I am an organised person, so having a well-structured day was important for my peace of mind. We had a timed plan and gave people jobs on the day so we knew exactly what was happening and didn’t have to stress.”
Sentimental Ride
“Brad’s dad has an old Vanguard that he fixed up for our wedding. It was always Brad’s dream for his wife to turn up in his dad’s car… it’s beautiful and it matched our theme so well.”
Ceremony Styling
“Our styling was very simplistic. The ceremony location was already naturally stunning, so we had the archway covered in flowers and then just petals lining the aisle.”
Finding The Dress
“I found my dress online while looking through a list of different designers at a bridal store. Coincidentally, the designer’s store was only half an hour away from my best friend’s place, who I had booked a holiday to go and see! I made an appointment to try on the dress and when I put it on I just knew. It was perfect.”
Flower Menu
Billy buttons, poppies, lavender, delphinium, Geraldton wax, aster, hypericum berries, tulips, misty statice and a mix of native foliage.
Favourite Moments
“It’s so hard to pick because the whole day was a blast. Walking down the aisle to Brad with my dad was so special, it felt like it was just us in the whole world.
My bridesmaids had a song and dance planned for me during the speeches at the reception. They sang ‘Love Is An Open Door’ from the movie, ‘Frozen’ which is one of my all-time favourites. It was so funny I cried.”
Reception Styling
“I hired vintage teapots and crystal vases, which were set on vintage crocheted doilies. The teapots and vases were filled with the same colourful flowers as were in our bouquets. A lovely feature was the beautiful floral runner which ran the length of the bridal table.”
Sweet Bonbonniere Idea
“We made homemade toffee apples – it was really quite hard and I have to thank my mother-in-law for slaving over hot toffee for hours to make the perfect batch!”
Best Advice
1. Have a plan, but be flexible.
2. Keep things in perspective – it’s easy to get carried away with the little details or give up when something doesn’t go right.
3. Take advice from people who have done it before. You might think that your parent’s wedding day advice is dated, but it’s all true.
Location: NSW | Photography: Bless Photography | Ceremony & Reception Venue: Bilpin Resort | Celebrant: Reverend Greg Peisley | Gown: Elizabeth de Varga from Brides of Beecroft | Hair: Studio 206 | Makeup: Ron Day Vu Makeup | Suit: Wolf Kanat (Jacket) & Ben Sherman (Chinos) | Flowers: Willow Flowers by Design | Cake: Ten/6 | Photo Booth: Cool Sounds Hire | Stationery: Sail and Swan