We decided we would bring a little bit of Toscana to the gardens!
Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…
We are quintessentially the goofiest couple going around! I think a lot of our relationship is built on playfulness, fun and a deep-rooted love for laughing! We like to keep the relationship light-hearted and not take things too seriously. We are also a great team and balance each other out – we are yin and yang in a nutshell.
How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?
We met through some friends in a very loose, blind date-type situation! It was a friend of mine’s birthday, so we took the opportunity to organise a group hangout to try and take the edge off a solo meeting. Let’s just say it wasn’t love at first sight, but David’s enigmatic personality and reserved nature piqued my interest. He was very gentle and had a lovely energy. From David’s end, he would say that I was reserved and shy, which is very typical for me in any new social situation. But not enough to stop him from wanting to see me again for that second date! It was a whole month agage that he reached out – in typical David fashion. The rest is history, so they say!
Tell us about the vision you had for the mood and style of your wedding. (theme, key styling elements, florals, colour palettes, etc.).
David and I wanted a very relaxed, but elevated and chic wedding. My dream was to get married in Tuscany for as long as I can remember! However, due to logistical reasons with family, etc, we decided we would bring a little bit of Toscana to the gardens!
When we were researching venues and saw the Garden House, we knew it was the perfect prop for what we were looking for – a beautiful heritage home coupled with luscious landscaping. Plus, the space and privacy were another huge bonus, as it really felt like we were in the privacy of a family member’s home. We also really wanted to stay true to that outdoor wedding setup, so this was perfect! The romance of the fairy lights really cemented the feel!
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).
Again, going with the Tuscan theme, I wanted the colour palette to be soft but also impactful. The most important thing for me was the type of florals we were going to use, as they were a huge part of the vision I wanted to achieve – and adding fruit and vegetables to the mix was a lovely lean in to the Italian culture. Plus, I loved the idea of the shapes and structure that they offer. As an interior stylist, I think a lot of these elements and layers come naturally when trying to create a story and evoke some emotions. It was great working with the girls at Lucy Loves Charlie, as they really saw the vision and did a beautiful job with the execution. Our guests couldn’t stop talking about how they loved the different types of fruit and vegetables that were used in the bouquet and centrepieces – something they wouldn’t normally see at a wedding.
What did you enjoy most about the planning process, and do you have any tips for couples starting their wedding planning journey?
I’ll be honest, I found a lot of the planning process somewhat stressful! I did most of the planning myself, which I suppose in hindsight could’ve been made easier with a planner or event stylist! But I think that’s more to do with you wanting everything to be perfect and really drive home that vision you want to achieve. It was lovely to see everything come together in the end and all the hard work pay off! My tip to any couple planning their wedding journey is to have a clear vision and give yourself plenty of time to organise!!
Tell us about your vendors. Were there any standout suppliers you would like to make special mention of?
Two vendors in particular – Garden House: Everything was perfect, and the day was seamless. From overall execution to service. Fabulous and accommodating staff who took care of each and every guest there. It’s all of these things that contributed to a wonderful evening for everyone attending.
Jen Tighe, our beautiful photographer: Jen is the most wonderful, warm and caring person, with an exceptional eye for capturing heartfelt and fun moments. Our whole journey with Jen was nothing short of professional, organised and completely flawless. At our wedding, she weaved in and out like a little fairy to get the most amazing shots! You wouldn’t have even known she was there, which I think says a lot about a great photographer. However, her warm energy was very much present and felt on the day.
Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, and is there a story?
I wanted to wear something not typically traditional – I’m not one for OTT, rather subtle but still with a design flair. When I saw the Viola dress by Prea James, I knew that was the one.
First off, the fabric was incredible – floral Italian jacquard, which I couldn’t go past. And the style was very classic and flattering. I also loved that the sleeves were removable – which came off very swiftly once the ceremony was over! The silk scarf was a last minute decision as I wanted a different spin on the dress once I removed the sleeves.
David’s suit was MJ Bale – classic tuxedo style to match the groom’s classic, understated taste, complete with patent leather shoes and a crisp white shirt.
Tell us about your wedding and engagement rings.
My engagement ring was designed by the supremely talented Jordan Edwards of Seahorse Boutique. I had shown David the style of rings I liked and the type of stones I connected with. In the end, I was given the most incredible navy spinel ring with two beautiful kite-cut diamonds. My wedding ring is a geometric design with four square-cut diamonds.
David went for a classic white gold band!
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 venue, music, food and drinks! I feel like they’re the things that are most memorable to guests! You want to make sure everyone has a great time. Of course, photography is also very important, as it captures moments that you might not have seen or can recall on the day, but can reflect on for many years to come!
Was there a favourite moment (or two) that you will treasure always?
Our first “glance” at our photos. It was such a raw, innocent and loving moment. I was so nervous, but David was so calm and gentle, constantly keeping his hand on my back as a soft reminder of his support. It was such a beautiful moment that I’ll treasure always!
BRIDE Natalie GROOM David LOCATION Gardens House, Royal Botanical Gardens, Melbourne, @gardenshouseag PHOTOGRAPHER Jen Tighe Photo, @jentighephoto STYLIST & PLANNER By the bride FLORIST Lucy Loves Charlie, @lucylovescharlie.flowers CELEBRANT Teresa Fletherington ENTERTAINMENT Ceremony – Scarlet Christensen Barnes; DJ – Chris NG, @djchrisng HIRE Gardens House, @gardenshouseag CATERING Atlantic Group, @atlanticgroup CAKE Monarch Cakes, @monarchcakes STATIONERY Designed by the bride via Canva SIGNAGE Linen sign custom from Etsy RINGS Seahorse Bouqtiue, @seahorseboutique BRIDE’S DRESS Prea James, @preajames_bridal from Bluebell Bridal, @bluebellbridal BRIDE’S SHOES Badgely Mischka, @badgleymischkabride BRIDE’S ACCESSORIES Scarf – Silk World, @silkworldfabrics; Shell Clutch – Olgaberg, @olgabergofficial MAKEUP Phoebe Lee, @phoebelee.co HAIR Jo-Anne Moor of Jadique Hair, @jadiquehair BRIDE’S FRAGRANCE Heliotrope Gingembre by Fragonard, @fragonardparfumeurofficiel SUIT MJ Bale, @mjbale GROOM’S SHOES Julius Marlow, @juliusmarlow GROOM’S FRAGRANCE Ombré Leather – Tom Ford, @tomford
