Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love, what is unique about you and your relationship…
Jarrod and I have been together since we were teenagers. He was my Debutante ball date and thirteen years later became my husband.
We have never done anything conventional. Jarrod brought a 100 acres farm when he was 18yrs old and we had our children years before we were married!!I always knew I would marry Jarrod and after years, countless hints from family and very strategically placed photo of my dream ring. He proposed!
It was Jarrod’s blue eyes and beard that first got me, his confidence to walk straight up to me, a stranger at a bus stop and introduce himself in front of my friends. He was unlike any boy I had met and after weeks of shy waves at the bus stop, he got myself an invite from a friend to my party. To ensure we stayed in contact he left his schoolbooks. A date followed to exchange the lost books. Knowing Jarrod like I do now, this meeting was extremely out of character. Jarrod is not shy but he isn’t one to make a fuss or is quite reserved. The opposite to me!!!
Since we were young, we have dreamed of moving to the country and starting a farm. It took some convincing however a few years ago we made the move to Flowerdale. A small country town with nothing more than a general store, pub and primary school. We have built our house together doing everything we can ourselves with our two small children. Flowerdale is our home. When planning our wedding I knew I wanted it in Flowerdale!
Tell us about your special day, was there a specific theme or style? Tell us a little about the setting, the styling and some of your favourite details…
There was no theme or style to the wedding, just a relaxed day celebrated by family and close friends. Formalities were kept to a minimal, styling was simple and elegant, and friends were encouraged to stay the night and party the night away. We do not have a large bridal party just his brother as Best man, my sister as maid of honour, our daughter was the flower girl and our son the page boy.
One of our favourite details about our wedding was the location; Flowerdale Estate. I have worked at Flowerdale Estate for years, I can honestly say I love my job and the people I work with. We are a remarkably close team and work weddings very regularly together; I have the most amazing bosses who make working here a dream. They have also welcomed my family with open arms. Having developed such close relationships here, falling in love with the estate and knowing the team, this made our day even more special and intimate. Jarrod had never been to wedding at the Estate and unlike me did not know what to expect so seeing him in awe of the whole day so beautiful for me watch. We could never thank them enough for all the effort they went to for us!
Tell us about your main outfits:
We did not really know what the other was picking however they both ended up being very classic and elegant. We both wanted it to feel like a Wedding while still being relaxed and true to us.
Jarrod picked a very classical tailored three-piece black suit and looked every bit the Groom! His brother took him shopping and his suit got the tick of approval from our daughter.
My dress was the first one I picked up. Having seen hundreds of dresses working weddings I knew what I wanted. The pockets and buttons won me over, I wanted to be able to twirl and dance the night away! My daughter and mother in law were helping me try on dresses, my little girl fell in love with the dress her reaction is a memory I will cherish and I hope to one day pass my dress onto her.
Our children’s outfits were especially important. Our son Cooper wore a matching suit to his father and was the most handsome little page boy-who does not love a little boy in a tux or twinning outfits!! There was no bridezilla on the day just a pagezilla he refused to carry the rings, wear shoes or let go of his bribery chips for photos, he looked adorable while leaving the reception early with four guests cookies!!
Our daughter was our unofficial wedding planner along with her Nannie (mother in law). She helped with every decision and unlike my quick pick dress she hunted for months for her dress with the perfect accessories! From the hair, flower crown to coloured petals she took her role as flowergirl very seriously.
What were some of the most memorable/unique moments from the day?
Best memory for a lifetime; Having our children at our Wedding. As a family we planned the whole day together, it was to celebrate us four with our closet family and friends and was the most magical experience of our life.
My daughter choregraphed a dance with her uncle as their bridal entrance and I just love watching the video. Kaylee is very much like me she danced into that Pavilion and didn’t stop until midnight, we both love to dance!!
The beautiful ladies at Flowerdale Estate knew I did not have bridesmaids so as a surprise they all wore matching white butterfly dresses and became my unofficial bridesmaids! Being so close to my boss and all the ladies this was beautiful. We all ended up on the dancefloor dancing the night away and had the best night together!!
Any advice for other couples planning to spend the rest of their lives together?
We are simply best friends that decided to make a life together. We do not take life to seriously and we laugh a lot, mostly at ourselves. We talk even when we do not want to, and we never forget that feeling of falling in love. After 13years we do not have much advice for couples planning to spend the rest of their lives together, just go with it!
When planning a Wedding, my only advice is to find ‘your people’. Connect with each of your vendors, form a relationship. Vendors are the key to a successful wedding!
Venue: Flowerdale Estate | Photographer: One Spoon Two Spoon | Celebrant: Kitty Kulman | Entertainment: Josh Woods | Flora: Flower Head Events | Bride’s Dress: Stella York from Essense Designs | Groom & Bestman Suits: Bell & Barnett | Makeup: Sian Dingley | Hair: Elyse | Maid of Honour Attire: Forever New
