Christine and Xav’s wedding at Barunah Plains – a rustic VIC wedding venue that sleeps 65 people – reminded us that in today’s wedding world, there are no rules.

They ditched traditions that didn’t feel very ‘them’ (namely cutting the cake and a first dance) and instead incorporated a first look and a homemade dessert buffet. They also greeted each of their guests as they arrived pool side for drinks, which bride Christine explains, “helped us feel we’d acknowledged everyone and saved us time doing this later in the night.”

Captured by Justine Missen, you can see more of this celebration at one of our favourite rustic VIC wedding venues below.

Christine and Xav, congrats on getting married. First, could you tell us about how you met, any funny first date stories and a bit about the proposal?

We met through friends at a pub in Melbourne. Xav surprised me by proposing at my family farm, he’d prepared a picnic with my favourite things in the hay shed.

In a few sentences, how would you describe your wedding day? Was there a particular vibe or theme you went for?

Our day went without any (major) issues! The weather was perfect, allowing us to use the gorgeous outdoor areas at Barunah Plains – including the homestead lawn for our ceremony, pool area for post ceremony drinks and wool shed for the reception.

We made a lot of our own furniture and captured the elegant, rustic, country vibe of the venue. We got the formalities over early so we could have more time to enjoy the party!

What’s the best piece of advice you took on when planning your wedding?

Our on the day coordinator recommended getting photos done pre ceremony and we’d highly recommend it! That’s your immediate family, bridal party and couple photos (but definitely also recommend couple sunset photos). It helped ease our nerves before the ceremony and allowed us to have a celebratory drink with our guests before the reception.

Now that you’re married, what’s the best piece of advice you can give other couples?

We greeted all our guests as they entered the pool side drinks, which helped us feel we’d acknowledged everyone and saved us time doing this later in the night.

As the bride I wasn’t sure if I wanted to make a speech, but I’m really glad I did! So if you’re sitting in the fence about it – I’d recommend doing it!

Did you scrap any wedding traditions?

We didn’t do a cake cutting or first dance, these things just weren’t ‘us’.

Finish this sentence. The best (or most unique) thing we did at our wedding was…

Dessert buffet – our aunties, cousins and close friends all made a dessert.

CREDITS: Photos Justine Missen // Video Life in Light Films // Ceremony and reception Barunah Plains // Flowers Alex Atkins // Catering Daily Food Co // Stationery Greetings Island // Bridal gown One Day Bridal // Brides shoes Bared  // Accessories A.B.Ellie // Bridesmaid gifts Peggy & Twig // Groom and groomsmen suits Bell & Barnett // Brides ring Cushla Whiting // Hair and makeup Blush Bar // Music One More Song // Celebrant Tiffany Moss // One the day coordinator Jessica Alderton.