"We didn't want a cookie cutter wedding", said bride Nicole. The instructions were clear and the team at BoxGrove - a DIY wedding venue in Bathurst - were happy to oblige. 

Collaborating with Nicole on planning, styling and florals, BoxGrove made sure this celebration felt personal at every level. "Hands down would get married here in a heartbeat again", said Nicole, clearly pleased with how their day played out. 

It was timeless, romantic and full of surprises including a "beer boy" who walked down the aisle throwing confetti and handing out beers to guests. "It was a complete surprise to Alex".

Captured by Hello Sweetheart, check out their entire day (including some other genius non-traditions) below.

How did you and Alex meet? We met back in 2017 whilst volunteering in India. Alex says he noticed I was really kind and helpful as he was looking for directions to buy an Indian sim card. I noticed (which I laugh about all the time) his fashionable attire. He had really long socks with small boats all over them but he seemed full of life. 

The proposal... Yes it was a surprise. Alex proposed in Margaret River, WA, Leeuwin Estate Winery. We had a few wine tastings (or liquid courage as Alex refers to it) and then went for a walk around the vineyard. Alex asked if I wanted to get a photo within the vines so I stood there while he took photos. But after some time he told me something was missing. I thought he meant himself and was looking for a place to prop the phone for a self timed photo but when I turned around Alex was on his knee and popped the question. 

The venue... We were looking for a venue that had it all! Beautiful scenery, accomodation, friendly staff that we got along with on a personal level and could trust with planning and decorating, a decor package and a place that would let us make it "our own". We didn't want a "cookie cutter" wedding.

The vibe... This changed many times! But we were aiming for something that was classic, timeless and romantic using earthy colours and obviously green (we are Mrs and Mrs Green after all!).

Traditions (adopted, adapted or ditched): We tried to embrace the wedding traditions we liked - like father daughter dance, father giving the bride away, something old (there were pictures of my grandparents on my bouquet), something new (was the dress), something borrowed (I wore my late grandparents wedding bands). Things we changed or did new:

• Instead of something blue I had something green - I wore green wedding shoes suitable for a Mrs Green.
• In our ceremony we had "A last Hug" with our mothers before we exchanged our vows. We felt dads get all the recognition in weddings but it's our mums that really shaped us and we wanted to recognise them.
• Nicole's vows - I shared quotes from all the anniversary letters that I had written over the years we had been together.
• During the ceremony the bridesmaids and groomsmen stood on the opposite side to the bride/groom. That way when I looked passed Alex I saw my girls standing up there with me!
• Instead of a champagne tower we had a "moscato tower".
• Custom crossword for quests to complete before the reception.
• We had a "beer boy" instead of a flower girl/page boy who threw confetti and handed out beers to our guests! It was a complete surprise to Alex.
• Instead of a guestbook we used the Off The Hook audio guestbook.
• Alex and I also argue about who loves who more. As a surprise to each other I had "I love you more" embroidered into the bottom of my veil and Alex had "love you most" embroidered into the inside pocket of his suit.

The outfit/s: My dress was from Karen Willis Holmes as it was important to me to have an Australian designer. It was called "Audrey" and it was actually the dress I had dreamed about since the day I got engaged, there was no other option in my eyes. I was going for something timeless and whimsical with a hint of my personality. So a blush coloured dress, covered in polka dots and dramatic sleeves was the one for me. I felt beautiful and myself which was the most important thing.

Alex's suit was from InStitchu. It was a traditional black tuxedo with black satin pin stripe down the leg and lapel to fit the Hollywood/timeless vibe. It was custom made and fitted like a glove. 

Hit (or near) miss: The cake almost didn't make it to Bathurst!
The cake was made in Penrith and I never bothered to ask the dimensions as I assumed two tiers meant small.

When I got there on the day it was absolutely huge and something I could not carry on my lap. So long story short, I had to call three different people we had hoped hadn't left for Bathurst to come and pick me and the cake up so it would fit in the boot of the car.

I'll always remember... The ceremony by far! Hearing the beautiful words our celebrant wrote for us but also hearing the vows we had written each other for the first time was so heartwarming. 

Standout vendors: Venue - BoxGrove. Hands down would get married here in a heartbeat again. 

Photographer/videographer - Hello Sweetheart and Tim Recht. If you're looking for someone fun, chill and a good time, they are your people.

Catering - Bev's Catering. We are both still dreaming of the food. We wanted something with a hint of Indian flavours to reflect where we met and she absolutely delivered. 

Celebrant - Kirralee Burke. 

Soundtrack: Ceremony: "Uptown Funk", by Mark Ronson for our beer boy, "Wherever You Will Go", by Charlene Soraia for the bridesmaids and "Can't Help Falling in Love", by Haley Reinhart for the aisle song.
Recessional: "This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)", by Natalie Cole. For the first dance we had a mash up of three different songs - first song was "Until I Found You", by Stephan Sanchez into "You Can Call Me Al", by Paul Simon and then J Lo's "Let's Get Loud" to get the party started.

Words of wedding wisdom: Find vendors you really gel with on a personal level and rely on them! They known what they are doing. Also measure the cake and ask how it needs to be transported.

Budget: Around $40,000 was our budget, which was expected.

The future: As cliche as it is, we're looking forward to just spending time together! Doing the usual day-to-day things, going on small weekends away or larger overseas holidays, renovating our house or just planning for the future.

CREDITS: Photos Hello Sweetheart and Tim Recht // Venue BoxGrove // Celebrant Kirralee Burke // Florist Blooms by Kayla // Catering Bev's Catering // Cake Mrs C's Cupcakes // Bridal gown and veil Karen Willis Holmes // Bride's shoes ASOS // Accessories Amelie George // Bridesmaid dresses Tania Olsen // Robes ASOS // Suits Institchu // Ties OTAA // Rings Gattea Jewellers // Hair Marlow Hair // Makeup Airlie & Co // Audio guest book Off The Hook.