Hunter Valley Wedding from Love Liz Photography
It goes without saying that Australia is a gorgeous place. A gorgeous place to visit and a beyond gorgeous place to tie the knot. But beyond all the prettiness, I swear the people that call that place home, or decide to get married down under, all just happen to be as cool as they come. Their weddings all seem to be overflowing with personality, and this wedding snapped up by Love Liz Photography is the most perfect example. It's infused with all the things I adore about Australia weddings - and you can see it all right here.
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This wedding was produced entirely by the bride and groom with help from family and friends. The focus for the couple was good food, great wine and perfect company. The ceremony was held on the bride's family property on a sun lit afternoon on September 8, 2012. Styled by the bride, key colours were dusty blue, tan and gold with a focus on natural linens, rattan, sisal, white paper lanterns and cut crystal. The design suite (invitations, programs, table numbers, beverage labels, thank you postcards) took inspiration from the cricket score board at the Wandin Valley Estate, and chalkboards were used for signage, which directed guests between venues in the country.
Guests were offered lemon- and mint-infused water on arrival, as well as champagne and homemade organic wine and canapés after the couple tied the knot. The ceremony itself was full of laughter and joy with friends and family involved — the couple wrote their own vows and the bride walked down the aisle to her two brothers playing acoustic guitar. The family's border collie and horses all took part in the bridal party photos! The reception at Wandin Valley Estate featured cocktails followed by a sit-down dinner and dancing, held in a charming cricket pavilion for 125 guests. Family and friends stayed on-site, which meant for a relaxing and private weekend. The long, winding driveway into the estate at dusk was lit by hundreds of luminaries, and the venue set with long tables, white table cloths and natural linen chair covers. Tassel garlands from Confetti System in blues, neutrals and metallics adorned the open dance floor, and hundreds of fairy lights lined the pavilion, along with more white paper lanterns in the trees. Cut crystal vases were filled with Chantilly roses, Dutch Vendela roses, purple anemones, white freesia, white sweet peas and lavender. Tables were filled with candles in hemp lined hurricanes, soapstone votives, natural linen napkins (made by the bride's mother), gold placecards and the bride's father's wild reserve 2009 Shiraz.
The following day, a recovery cricket match and brunch took pace at back at Wandin Valley Estate. The Sunday event was styled with vintage touches — gorgeous bunting was hung around the pitch and trees, rugs laid out on the grass and a kids play area (made by the groom's mother) with silver pom poms, crayons and toys. A DIY Bloody Mary and a Pimms station were set up, and moustaches were handed out for guests to wear while paying cricket. The champagne flowed once again, and another day of sunshine, great music, food and a full cricket match made for the perfect ending to the best weekend of our lives. Guests left with homemade limoncello and a bunch of flowers each from the wedding floral arrangements.
Wedding Photography: Love Liz Photography / Ceremony: The Bride's Family Vineyard in Lambs Valley, New South Wales / Reception: Wandin Valley Estate in Lovedale, New South Wales / Event Design: The Bride / Event Planning: The Bride & Groom / Bouquets: Yeng Tan Floral Designer / Reception Flowers: Arranged by the Bride, Her Mother, Aunts + Bridesmaids / Wedding Cinematography: Pippy Pomeranz / Wedding Cake: DIY by the Bride's Mother / Gluten Free Orange Cake: DIY by the Groom's Mother / Wedding Invitations: Cam Baird of Sensory Creative / Event Rentals: The Hire End, Lilly and Bramwell + Paramount Event Hire / Tassel Garlands: Confetti System / Wedding Dress: Lisa Ho / Bride's Fur Stole: Borrowed from Her Sister-in-Law / Bride's Earrings: Borrowed from Her Mother / Hair + Makeup: Claire Thomson of Company 1 / Bridesmaids' Dresses: Designed + Made by the Bridesmaids / Bridesmaids' Headpieces: Tamila Purvis of ManiaMania