Caysey and Brad’s Blue Mountains wedding was a huge triumph. Held at Collits Inn, almost every detail was DIY – including the vintage 1960’s caravan bar, affectionately named ‘Fran the Caravan’.
“We basically spent from 7am Saturday morning to 7pm Sunday night every weekend for seven months working on the van… we got it finished a week before we got married!” says Caysey.
Luckily, the day itself was all smiles with guests enjoying plenty of drinks and dancing.
Tell us about how you met and the proposal?
We met many moons ago – seven years ago at a bar in Manly on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. We hit it off immediately and spoke daily since that point. Brad proposed at a woolshed in the Kanimbla Valley one weekend in July. In front of the fire place, Brad got down on both knees because he had been eating so many treats that day he thought his pants would split if he got down on the one!
What DIY projects did you take on for the wedding?
The biggest DIY project was a vintage 1960’s mini caravan bar we made – Fran the Caravan. We bought it a month after we got engaged (it was so old it was falling to pieces) and had seven months to pull it off. Initially Brad said it would be cheaper to just buy an old van and renovate it, rather than renting one, and it would just take a month to complete.
We basically spent from 7am Saturday morning to 7pm Sunday night every weekend for seven months working on the van with my dad. We got it finished a week before we got married! Let’s just say it was not a month project and it was not cheap and it was bloody stressful! But the van looked so incredible and everyone just loved it!
Almost everything else was DIY! The arbour was DIY and so special to put it together on the morning with the bridesmaids. The bridesmaid’s flowers were DIY and we put those together over champagne in the morning.
We DIY’ed the shit out of the barn! We went to my parents farm out near Mudgee the day before and cut down a trailer full of gum leaves and peppercorn leaves and had a big working bee at the venue the day before the wedding. We hung the greenery from the roof and across the tables. It was magic! My mum made lemon curd and quince paste as our favours from the fruit my dad grew at their farm.
What sort of vibe were going for on the day?
More than anything, Australiana. We love the part of the world we got married in. It’s close to our hearts, near where we got engaged and near my parent’s farm. We just wanted a big party and to avoid the typical stuffy structured wedding. We’re pretty sure we got there, as the groom and his mate’s shirts were covered in red wine by 11pm! We had drinks at our ceremony, we love a drink! Our guests loved it.
What advice would you give to other couples leading up to their big day?
Honestly, don’t sweat the small stuff! Brides really focus on all the small detail but to be honest, people just want to see you happy and watch the biggest day of your life with a drink in hand. It’s easy to get carried away on Etsy stores with things you don’t need!
What does marriage mean to you?
It means supporting each other through good and bad. Life is always going to throw its curveballs and when you commit to each other, you work as a team. It means always loving each other no matter what, laughing together, having somebody to talk to, sharing your happiest moments with and working together to build a life.
What was your favourite moment on your wedding day?
Seeing everyone at our ceremony, our two mini schnauzers by our side at our ceremony, family and friends. It really blew us away to know these people really made such a huge effort to come all that way. It was also very special to have Brad’s best mate and best man Simon hand over our rings that he made himself. Straight off the bench from Grew & Co.
Any funny stories that surrounded your wedding?
It’s so hard to pick but our guests were showing up commenting how we beat the weather, then we had the biggest dumping of torrential rain 10 minutes before the ceremony. It was hilarious watching everyone sprint to the barn. What can you do but laugh but also feel nervous! There was no back up plan for rain.
How did you find your venue and was the process difficult for you?
I was following WedShed on Instagram since they started. I saw a post of Collits Inn and just loved it. We went out to take a look the day after we got engaged as it was so close by. We spoke with Cheryl and Chris who were so lovely and fell in love with the venue immediately. We booked it a couple of days later! It was so effortless working with Collits Inn.
Ceremony song?
My Girl, The Temptations
First dance song?
We didn’t do a first dance, straight to the dance floor!
CREDITS: Photos The Robertsons // Videographer Keeper Films // Flowers and hairpiece The Little Flower Shop // Ceremony, reception and catering Collits Inn // Cake Cake Design by Kelly McGarry // Bridal gown Made With Love // Brides shoes Wittner // Accessories and bridesmaid gifts By Charlotte // Bridesmaid dresses Alice McCall and Seed // Groom and groomsmen suits Ben Sherman // Groomsmen gifts Country Road // Ties OTAA // Rings Grew & Co // Hair Euphoria Hair // Makeup Helen Samaryan // Celebrant Evelyn Calaunan.
