Real wedding – Bridget & Matt, Wallington VIC
There was nothing shabby about the wedding of friends-come-lovers, Bridget and Matt. Playing host to this laid-back celebration, The Barn in Wallington epitomised rustic elegance and was adorned with sparkling chandeliers, paper lanterns and charismatic vintage furniture.
Opting for a DIY approach, the occasion was exquisitely styled by the Bride and and her family themselves! With the sun popping out just in time for the ceremony, Bridget and Matt’s day was captured perfectly by photographer Daniel Brannan.
IN BRIDGETS WORDS…
The meeting.
Matt and I met through mutual friends. We were friends long before we started dating. I had always thought of us as just mates, yet looking back that’s what formed a great beginning to our relationship.
The ‘one’.
After a year and a half of dating I travelled South America for five months with my sister, Tess and best friend, Skye. Matt was extremely supportive of this as it was something I was planning prior to our relationship. This time apart really cemented for both of us that our relationship was a forever one!
The proposal.
I always thought I’d be onto Matt. I am the planner of events so I knew any dinner or special occasion he planned would be out of character! He was one step ahead. Matt and Skye had organized the rings, with the help of his best friend Luke. We’d planned to head away for a few days in the January of 2014. Skye had given me a picnic basket for Christmas so I thought a picnic on the way would be in order. It was a standard day, nothing special and Matt was very calm, aside from the beer he practically sculled before getting down on one knee! It was a big surprise, so it was perfect.
The planning.
At first, both of us were unsure of what we wanted. We weren’t in a rush, which was a good and bad thing! Lots of thinking time, yet sometimes too much! We discussed all the possibilities for a wedding, such as eloping to a tropical place or having a small ceremony with our immediate family. Yet it wasn’t us. We wanted to share the celebration with our family and friends. After making this decision we started looking for something established yet still with the possibility to make it our own. The Barn was the first place we visited and we knew immediately it was what we wanted.
Style inspiration.
We wanted something fairly laid back, something fun. I love rustic, which The Barn certainly is.
The dress.
Ahh! Dress shopping overwhelmed me! I had never pictured myself in a wedding dress so I didn’t know where to begin. I am very lucky that my best friend’s sister, Chanelle, is a seamstress. She was my savior. We initially went shopping for dresses to find the style I liked and then she took ideas from parts of dresses and (somehow!) made my dress. It was perfect and so easy to wear, which was a big criteria of mine!
Favourite moments.
After the photos were taken Matt and I were waiting to head to the party and I just looked around and realized that everyone was here, everyone was smiling and everything had happened!
The meaning of marriage.
Marriage is about inviting someone to share your life. It is about love, trust and friendship. It is deciding that we are in this together, no matter what ups and downs life throws at us. Our wedding was an opportunity to make a formal promise and commitment to each other in front of the people we care about.
Wedding soundtrack.
Ceremony entrance Song: Higher Love by James Vincent McMorrow
Signing: Bella by Angus and Julia, Dreamin by Rachel Brady and This Years Love by David Gray
Ceremony exit: Days Like This by Van Morrison
Party entrance song: The Sound of Sunshine by Michael Franti
First dance: Signed, Sealed, Delivered by Stevie Wonder
Last dance: All Night Long by Lionel Ritchie
Funny stories (or near disasters).
The week before the wedding the weather was classic Melbourne, 35 degrees and dry on the Thursday and then the Friday was the wettest of the month, 19 degrees with 24mm of rain with crazy winds. We spent Friday debating if we’d get married inside or outside. We decided to rehearse for both and the outside rehearse was comical. One vision, which will always remain with me was my sister’s boyfriend, Moz and friend, Renee standing on the aisle runner as the wind kept flicking it up into our faces. We were all freezing cold and couldn’t hear a thing. It was equally hilarious and terrifying as the thought of getting married in winds like that wasn’t ideal! Luckily, the Saturday had some drizzle in the morning yet the sun popped through for the ceremony. It was fresh yet seemed perfect compared to the previous day!
Words of wisdom.
Do what makes you happy. Make a budget early on, be satisfied with the budget and work within in it.
We went for the DIY option. Obviously The Barn is an established venue, yet we still had to bring in the catering, alcohol etc… I don’t regret this at all, yet a heads up, if you plan to go down this track be prepared to put in extra time.
BRIDGET & MATTS TRIBE
Venue: The Barn, 30 Hardings Road, Wallington, Vic,
Celebrant/Officiant: Zena Lythgo – After our first meeting I knew Zena was perfect for us. I imagine it isn’t an easy gig – yet Zena made it look effortless! She has a lovely manner and special way with people, not to mention is highly intelligent! She was particularly calm and reassuring in the windy practise the day before!!
Photography: Dan Brannan. I had sifted through many a photographers website, yet once I came across Dan’s, I knew we’d hit the mark. After meeting with him I was sold! Matt and I aren’t the best at posing for romantic photos and Dan didn’t expect it, he let us be ourselves and captured our personalities and relationship beautifully. He’s a cool guy too!
Videography: Tom Swinburn. I um’d and ah’d about getting a videographer, yet so glad I did. A friend of a friend had used both Dan and Tom at her wedding and after watching her video, I was sold. What a talent! I’m not sure how Tom did it yet his recap of the day is amazing.
Styling: We did it ourselves, with lots of inspiration from Google and Pinterest! When I say we I don’t mean Matt and I! It was my sisters, Tess and Stephanie along with my Mum, Dad, Aunty Judy and Moz who did all the searching online and $2 shops as well as spray painting and building!
Florist: Victoria Cleary from Gathering Florist. Victoria did our bouquets, the signing table and some of the other flowers in the Barn. My favourite was her design of the ceremony arch – love, love, love! A special shout out also to my bridesmaids and Aunty Judy who spent the Friday morning arranging most of the flowers inside the Barn, including the table arrangements and hanging flowers.
Hair: Sabrina Puleo, Sabrina is my hairdresser from home so I was so glad when she agreed to travel to do our hair for the day. She made sure we tried everything in the trial so we had the perfect style! Having her there made the morning run seamless.
Makeup: Seonna, Mascara Makeup Artistry. I stumbled across Seonna off a recommendation of another makeup artist. She was amazing, made us so calm and relaxed.
The Dress: Chanelle Giannino, Trista Designz. She is a gem! Chanelle epitomizes talent, professionalism and tactfulness! She made what could’ve been a stressful process so easy. She listened and was a delight to work with.
Veil / head wear: Chanelle Giannino, Trista Designz. Chanelle created my headpiece using pearls and blue opals from my Mum and late Aunty Ro and lace from my dress. This was my something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue!
Shoes: Georgies Bridal Shoes
Rings: One of Skye’s close friends, Michael made my engagement ring and our wedding rings. He also made personalized cufflinks for Matt and the groomsmen. So grateful.
Bridesmaids dresses: Chanelle Giannino, Trista Designz
Grooms suit: Daniel Hechter, Expedition Apparel
Grooms Shoes: Windsor Smith
Groomsmen suits: Daniel Hechter, Expedition Apparel
Bow ties / ties: Eton Ties, David Jones
Catering: Cameron at Steampocket Catering – We probably gave Cameron the most grief in the lead up to the wedding with my hundreds of questions! I wanted a cocktail style wedding yet was concerned about people going hungry. They definitely didn’t! Having previous experience at The Barn meant Cameron and his team knew exactly what they were doing.
Bianco Latte Gelato and Sorbet Cart. Who doesn’t love gelato and sorbet served from a vintage Sicilian gelato cart!
Favors: Campbell from Soupcan Stubby Holders
Cake / Cake topper: Marion from Whisk Cakes. Marion is from the Wallington area and was so easy to work with, very accommodating.
Stationery / Signage: Papermarc in Hawthorn, Victoria.
Hire: Memphis Hire for the round tables, chairs, bar stools and bar tables.
Entertainment: Michael Douglas, Geelong Entertainment and Shutter Hub Photo Booth.
Transport: Murrell Group for the Bridal Party and Christian’s Bus Company for the guests
Honeymoon: Mexico!
