After a romantic proposal five years to the day (and hour!) that they first went out, Kahli and Shaun planned their gorgeous winter barn wedding. A magnificent ceremony backdrop full of rustic charm, blossom-filled reception and bridesmaids in mismatched, elegant black are just a few of the highlights from their stylish wedding!
The Planning Experience
“I really enjoyed the creative part and found that choosing the right suppliers made all the difference to both the planning process and the wedding day.”
Bridal Party Styling
“My friends all have great taste, so I asked them to choose something they felt great in. Their dresses were all black and included laces, silks and gold and I loved that they all looked different. Our florist did an amazing job with the flowers which brought it all together.”
Finding The Dress
“I started in bridal shops and ended up in fabric stores! It was a little bit stressful because I didn’t really know what I was going to end up with at first but Anne, my dressmaker, did an amazing job. My dress has its own story with lace and silks from all different places.” Flowers included Bridal Lace roses, Hellebores, peach Parrot Tulips and Blushing Bride.
The Ceremony
“We chose the beautiful old barn at Zonzo Estate for our ceremony which was just perfect in winter. We covered an arbour in ivy for guests to walk though, with white rose petals scattered down the aisle. Large vases of apricot blossom and wine barrels completed the setting, with linen curtains creating a backdrop to the Yarra Valley. We had a late ceremony and no break between the ceremony and reception (there were 14 children at our wedding). This all worked well, as it was at the same location.”
The Playlist
“I walked down the aisle to “The Wedding Song” by Angus and Julia Stone. It was extra special for us as Shaun’s niece, who was only 12 years old at the time, did a solo version of this song whilst playing the guitar, which was incredible! There were lots of old favourites played, from Van Morrison, “Crazy Love” to John Farnham, “Two Strong Hearts” which got everyone up dancing. At one point the whole reception was on the dance floor!”
Reception Styling
“We made the apricot blossom the main feature of our reception and scattered vases of it everywhere. We DIY’d the linen table cloths and thank-you cards. Most important was the music and food! Music sets the mood for the entire event and if you want to keep people happy, serve loads of great food (and wine)!”
Best Advice
1. Choose the right team. By this I mean trial everything first: taste your menu, ask to see your florist’s work, see your band live, get a hair and makeup trial and ask to see your photographer’s portfolio. They have one of the most important jobs of capturing the memories you will cherish forever. This way you can relax knowing you’re not in for any surprises.
2. Don’t sweat the small stuff. My best friend who had recently got married gave me this advice early on and it was the best advice ever! In the end it doesn’t matter if your speeches go overtime. If you have the basics right you will have the most amazing day – and a relaxed bride is a happy bride!
3. Take it all in. The day goes so quickly so try to take a step back and enjoy every moment with your closest people because it’s honestly one of the best days of your life!
Location: VIC | Photography: Lost In Love Photography | Ceremony & Reception: Zonzo Estate, Yarra Valley | Celebrant: Margaret Collier | Dress: Private Dressmaker | Makeup: Makeup by Natalie Lizza | Hair: Mahalia for Hair | Entertainment: Baker Boys Band