Keir + Keisha by Jess Oakenfull

It was a laid-back, homey feeling, a cottage backing almost directly onto a national park.

Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…

We’re Adelaideians, born and bred. Keisha is a government worker, an Aries, just the tiniest bit chaotic, and just the largest bit empathetic (often to her own detriment). Keir is a copywriter, graphic designer, and the self-proclaimed king of organisation (also known as a neat freak).

In all honesty, we’re two sides of the same coin. There are a myriad of small differences that set us apart from one another, but our values, morals, and interests are so deeply intertwined that we bonded from the moment we met. This also means we balance out each other’s, for lack of a better word, eccentricities. It’s the right foundation for a deep, rich, loving marriage.

In our day-to-day lives, we live with our beloved four-year-old cat Mochi in Adelaide’s western suburbs, nice and close to the beach. Together, we love connecting with nature through hiking, exploring culture through travel and food, and having a little boogie in the kitchen when no one’s looking.

How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?  

The official story is that we met in 2019 at a mutual friend’s birthday dinner. Keisha thought Keir was charming, funny, and slightly mysterious (though she finds this endlessly funny now). Not interacting with her too much or giving too much of himself away, being coy and spending more time talking to his friends.

This was, of course, a ruse. Keir had severe social anxiety and was so completely and utterly captivated by Keisha that he couldn’t talk to her properly. Often excusing himself from the table as soon as she tried to chat.

Luckily, the next day he worked up the courage to add her on Instagram, taking a tasteful slide into her DMs. We went on our first date a couple of weeks later, and the rest, as they say, was history.   However, the real and unofficial story was that we actually matched on Tinder two years prior, sent a few messages back and forth, it went nowhere, and that was that. It just goes to show that sometimes IRL is still better.

What styling and visual elements worked best for you? (could be things, the florals, particular hire products or your marquee, etc., something the stylist created or simply just the scenic beauty of your location or the existing design of your venue).

We decided very early on in the process that we would elope. We’re both quite introverted people, so the idea of that many eyes being fixated on us as we exchanged words of love, affirmation, and affection made us both feel like passing out. Our celebrant informed us it’s not a legal marriage if we both pass out.

This naturally meant the wedding would be stripped back. So while we didn’t have as many decisions to contend with, we knew the choices we did make would need to be perfect. Or our definition of perfect, at least.

The location of the venue was critical. We knew it would be in Tasmania (where Keir first realised he wanted to marry Keisha), we knew it would be a natural setting, and we knew it would have to feel relaxed and cosy.

It took a lot of searching, but we finally landed on Fern Mount Field in Tyenna. It was a laid-back, homey feeling, a cottage backing almost directly onto a national park. This rich, foresty area really set the tone for the rest of the wedding. The cottage itself was designed with reclaimed materials in mind, and that helped create the energy for how we were going to look on the day.

What did you enjoy most about the planning process, and do you have any tips for couples starting their wedding planning journey?

For us, the best part was honing in on what makes our relationship, as well as who we are as individuals, unique, and then visually bringing that to life. It made the day so much more meaningful to know that every choice was truly reflective of our shared values and experiences.

In terms of tips, just try to block out the external noise. Focus on what you want. There can be a lot of pressure (whether that’s people’s expectations or being hyper-fixated on social media trends) to feel like you’re planning your wedding in a way that appeases everyone. But the older we got and the more weddings we went to, the more we realised it’s not a one-size-fits-all event. It’s quite literally a celebration of your love, so it should be reflective of that.

And sure, that might still mean planning the breathtaking, 300-person, Tuscan-inspired wedding. But it might also mean just going down to the registry office and then having dinner with your parents. Or getting your bridal party to dress up like elves for your Lord of the Rings-themed wedding. It’s entirely up to you – that’s the beauty of it.

Tell us about your vendors. Were there any standout suppliers you would like to make special mention of?

Oh wow, where to start with the vendors! They all delivered on the day, and we cannot thank them enough. We made an effort to choose all local businesses that aligned with our values, but also with whom we just resonated as people.

First and foremost, our photographer, Jess Oakenfull, was an absolute gem. From the first time we spoke, she felt like an old friend. She completely understood what we were after, and on the day, did a flawless job of not only capturing the right emotions, but also directing us in a way where we didn’t look awkward in the photos (a tough challenge, but she somehow did it).

Our celebrant, Alex Mollard, was incredible at guiding us, making us feel calm, and bringing a refined, tranquil energy to the ceremony. As well as patiently waiting, we both continually cried during the ceremony.

We didn’t have a lot of florals on the day, but Keisha’s bouquet was put together by Edna Studio. They put together a wonderfully beautiful bouquet from her chaotic brief, consisting of seasonal and local flowers, with intricate organic forms.

Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, and is there a story?

For Keisha, environmental sustainability formed a large part of her ethos and decision-making around her outfit. The aim was to source natural fibres, second-hand vintage or, if brand new, things that could be repurposed to wear again.

She was also really drawn to items that held stories or had lived previous lives prior to entering hers. This helped her settle on a silk dress that would suit an outdoor setting and unpredictable Tasmanian weather, but could also be re-worn on multiple occasions.

Her favourite piece was the veil she made with her mum. Drawing inspiration from Juliet Cap veils (she’s absolutely mesmerised by their ethereal silhouette), she spent months researching the different types of antique lace, which were mostly sourced from Etsy and eBay.

The process involved tea-dying all the lace trim and silk tulle, hand sewing each bead, as well as countless nights convincing herself not to scrap the whole project. The final product was a labour of love, and even though she lacked sewing experience, it was a really lovely opportunity to bond and spend quality time with her mum in the lead up to the big day.

Keir just really didn’t want to wear a tie.

Tell us about your wedding and engagement rings.

Both the engagement ring and wedding rings were custom-made by J & C Manufacturing Jewellers, a jeweller that’s just walking distance from our old house. It’s a very unassuming shopfront, but once you step in, you’re greeted with nothing but the friendliest and hardest-working staff members you’ll ever meet.

For the engagement ring, Keir settled on a gold east-west marquise ring (from a short list of possible shapes Keisha gave to him 12 months prior). The idea behind choosing this shape was to give Keisha a ring that, while different, unusual, and not as commonly seen, would still maintain a classic and timeless look as she continued to wear it throughout the years.

This is now joined by Keisha’s wedding band. She wanted it to contrast against the classic style of engagement ring, so its silhouette is much more organic and fluid, with the ring itself being chunkier and bolder. It’s a distillation of her personal style.

In Keir’s own design practice, he prefers simple minimalist forms, so the answer seemed glaringly obvious: a sterling silver half-round ring. It’s sophisticated and will never go out of style.

What were one or two elements that were most important to you both that you were happy to spend a little more on? (food, photography, florals, the venue, your outfits?).

Definitely photography and location.

If you’re eloping, we simply cannot understate the importance of capturing the day properly to share with friends and family who aren’t present. We wanted a photography style that aligned with our vision (candid, documentary-style shots) and a photographer who made us feel comfortable in this intimate atmosphere. Jess really did tick every box of the brief. Plus, how can you put a price on someone actually making you look good in photos?

Making the journey from Adelaide to Tasmania was also well worth the expense – it’s one of our favourite places on the planet. It was a natural setting that represents our relationship, significant parts of our story, and one of the places we feel the most at peace.

The great part about choosing to elope is that it opens up the budget to pull back on the parts of a traditional wedding that don’t resonate with you, while allowing you to go all in on what truly excites you. So get a great photographer, make it a destination wedding, and just have a fun-filled day.

Was there a favourite moment (or two) that you will treasure always?

There are two that will really stick in our minds for years to come. The first was taking photos outside during the non-stop rain. As many couples do, we were hoping for a sunny wedding. We weren’t so lucky. But the soft pitter-patter of waterdrops actually made the day feel more unique, quiet, and intimate. Without leaning too far into hyperbole, it really did feel like it was just us out there in nature. Not to mention it made the photos feel really distinct. Rain looks great on camera!

Our second favourite moment from the day was undoubtedly sharing a meal with our family around the table after the ceremony. There was something innately grounding about the experience of sharing food with loved ones, and the contrast of doing something so formal followed by something so casual helped put the day into perspective.

Having family with us in Tasmania, to support and help with setting up, made every aspect feel richer. We were surrounded by unconditional love and people who know us best (for better or worse).

What does being married mean to you, and are there any special rituals you have that you would like to share?

Ultimately, whether you do or don’t get married is such a personal choice. One isn’t necessarily better than the other; it just depends on the individual. What marriage means is so specific from person to person.

But, if we had to find the words, for us, undertaking the ceremony was about celebrating our relationship. Making a proclamation of our love and commitment to each other. So, marriage itself naturally is an extension of that – promising to navigate life as a team, to stay curious, and to continuously learn how to understand each other better.

There are no special rituals. It’s just taking the time to make one another feel cared for, heard, and loved. If you get that right, you should be in for a long and happy marriage.