Hold onto your hats boys and girls, because this relaxed, rustic wedding held at Tocal Homestead has everything we love rolled into one – romantic lighting, loads of greenery and a beautiful bridechilla named Jess.
Captured by the clever lens-lady Lina from Wild at Heart, the wedding featured gorgeous styling by one of our fave teams The Wedding Designer.
The proposal made us happy too (mainly because it involved a castle and a box of juice). That’s romance 101 right there, people.
Tell us about how you met and the proposal.
We met online, through a dating website. I didn’t have a profile picture up at the time when Jim and I started talking. We talked on and off for a little while, then there was a gap and he started up a convo again. To me, the fact that he was talking to me without knowing or caring what I looked like, meant he was a nice, genuine guy.
He proposed in Cinque Terre in Italy. It was at sunset, at the top of a castle. It was just the two of us. I had a feeling it was going to happen that night and asked if I should wear something nice, to which Jim said it didn’t matter and clearly it didn’t as he was wearing a singlet, boardies and thongs!
We headed up to the spot, being all classy with some vodka and box of juice, and settled in to watch Mother Nature put on a show. When he got down on one knee and held out the ring, he began to cry and so did I, and then through tears and laughter told him he hadn’t actually asked me to marry him yet! It was funny and emotional and I loved that it was just the two of us.
What DIY projects did you do accomplish for the wedding?
I did the lettering for our welcome sign, and I also hand lettered and embossed all of the place cards.
What sort of vibe did you want to create for your wedding?
We just wanted to totally showcase the beauty of our venue, Tocal, so we kept things really simple. We hung some festoon lights and put some greenery and flowers down the length of the table and that was pretty much it! Jim and I are both really laid back people and we wanted our wedding to feel the same. We had so many guests comment that it was such a fun, chilled out wedding and a handful even said it was the best wedding they’d ever been to!
What advice would you give to other couples leading up to their big day?
Try and set aside time each week to do the planning together to prevent a big to-do list popping up right before the big day, as no one wants that stress. Also, get the seating plan done and out of the way early on, as we found that to be the most stressful!
Just remember that it’s a day for you and your partner to celebrate your love with your friends and family, and at the end of the day the small things like what colour tablecloth or what you had for an entree really don’t matter and won’t be remembered in years to come.
What does marriage mean to you?
Marriage to me, is getting to spend the rest of your life with your best friend. In my case, my better half. Having someone by your side that encourages you and supports you through the good and the bad. Marriage is being secure in each other’s love, trusting each other and growing together, and learning to let the little things go because your love for your partner means more than your ego, and being ‘right’.
Ceremony song?
XO – John Mayer.
First dance song?
Tennessee Whiskey – Chris Stapleton.
CREDITS Photos Wild at Heart // Flowers Kathy Moulton Floral Designs // Ceremony and reception Tocal Homestead // Catering and cake Sprout Catering // Styling The Wedding Designer // Bridal gown Cosmobella // Brides shoes Paradox London // Bridesmaid dresses ASOS // Groom and groomsmen suits, ties and shoes Roger David // Rings Simon Curwood Jewellers // Jewellery Samantha Wills // Stationery Under The Sun // Hair Blanc Hair Warners Bay // Makeup Loren Murnane Makeup // Music Howie and Alex // Celebrant Wed by Kez.
