Real Wedding – Kristen & Joel, Newtown, VIC
Kristen and Joel didn’t need a huge amount of fanfare around their wedding day, rather they focused on keeping things simple and celebrating their love.
Married in an intimate ceremony, they were joined later by their guests who were wowed by Kristen’s incredible lace gown. Their styling consisted of splashes of white, concrete, timber and pops of colour in the floral displays. Handy man Joel also got involved and created beautiful furniture that brought a personal touch to their decor.
There to capture all the love was Tribe photography favourites Hails & Shine Photography.
IN KRISTEN’S WORDS…
The meeting.
Joel and I met four years ago. We had seen each other’s faces quite often at our local gym. I’m fairly certain I only went to the gym so often because I hoped I would run into him. One night we happened to be at the same bar and he asked if he could buy me a drink.
The one.
I’m originally from Baradine in NSW. I moved to Geelong for an apprenticeship. When I met Joel I was fairly careful with trying to take things slowly because I was never really sure if I would end up moving back to NSW or staying in Geelong. After about six months of dating, Joel bought a new house in Belmont. He asked me to move in with him and I couldn’t say ‘yes’ quick enough. The idea of having our own space together and moving forward was perfect. I didn’t know it before then, but as soon as it happened I couldn’t think of anywhere else I’d rather be then here with him.
The proposal.
We were celebrating our third year together with a trip to Hamilton Island in August 2015. We had a reservation at ‘Bommie’s’ at the Yacht Club for dinner one night. Our table was not quite ready when we got there, so we ordered a drink and sat on the balcony. There were fireworks which seemed to be coming from across the island. It was such a beautiful setting.
We were soon shown to our table and enjoyed some of the best food we have ever eaten. After our meals, just as we were leaving, Joel said to me “let’s go see if the fireworks are still going”. We headed back onto the balcony, where there was not a single person in sight. I walked straight to the edge of the balcony and was briefly disappointed that the fireworks were finished. When I turned around Joel was on one knee. I couldn’t speak, I even had him put the ring on the wrong finger! I’m glad I could eventually splutter “yes”. The staff brought us out some champagne and we sat on the balcony and enjoyed the moment.
The planning.
Our wedding style was very basic, I was inspired by anything on Instagram or Pinterest that looked easy to make. We decided on simple white, concrete and timber features. Joel is such a handy man and makes a lot of furniture with his business, so he was very keen to make the majority of things for our wedding himself such as bar tables, smaller white stools, timber dessert table, timber stumps, bench seats, a flower stand and a ceiling centerpiece. The week before the wedding saw a lot of our family members and friends helping out. We would not have accomplished much at all without everyone’s input.
Style inspiration.
Our location, Barwon Bank, was really what set the style and mood so we didn’t need to overdo it.
Joel and I were married in a private ceremony, so a cocktail reception with our guests followed. We didn’t want anyone to feel as if they had missed out so it was really important just to have great entertaining elements for our guests! We wanted everyone to be greeted on arrival with drinks, overjoyed by the incredible food and loving the atmosphere created by our musician. We had ample seating through a gorgeous sunroom and out on the grass which gave a very relaxed vibe with an incredible view of the vineyard and river. Shutterhub set up in a room inside the house and was an absolute hit! Mr B Coffee started around 8pm and people were lining up for the espresso martinis and doughnuts! We had a dessert bar made by Joel’s Aunty, Trish, who is queen of desserts (Daniel Son Cafe, Murrumbeena). We hoped everyone would roll out of there full of cakes and sweets.
The dress.
My dress was the very lacey and fitted ’Kate’ dress from Grace Loves Lace. I had been eyeing off their dresses for quite some time, so of course it was the first place I requested an appointment! Prior to the appointment I was showing my Mum their beautiful dresses online and she really loved their ‘Kate’ dress. When we arrived it was the first dress I tried on (in fact, it was the very first wedding dress I tried on, ever). She was superb. I knew immediately nothing would beat it. It was me, in a dress. My mum Carole clearly knows me much better then I know myself. She proved this quite a number of times during the week leading up to the wedding. She’s an incredibly patient, amazing woman.
Favourite moments.
We originally planned to meet our guests on their arrival (we had a private ceremony followed by a cocktail reception). However, we were having so much fun with our photographers, Matt and Hayley, from Hails and Shine that we were a tad late. Our guests were clearly eager to see us as majority of them were at the venue right on time! We missed greeting everyone, but upon walking through the door and seeing everyone so happy and cheering us turned out to be better then what we originally planned. It was a surreal moment entering a room with my husband in front of everyone for the first time.
Traditions.
One tradition I was adamant about was ‘something old something new something borrowed something blue’.
I bought Samantha Wills earrings and ear cuff as my something new, I wore my Grandmother’s vintage watch as my something old, my other Grandmother’s Blue Handkerchief as my something blue and I borrowed Vintage Pearl Ring from my Mother in Law.
The meaning of marriage.
Marriage for us is that impatient and excited feeling in your chest when you finally get to go home to one another. We hope we always feel that way. We also spend a lot of timing laughing with each other, we hope that lasts a lifetime.
Wedding soundtrack.
Joel and I didn’t have a first dance, we are very un-traditional.
Our Ceremony included three songs:
State of Grace by Taylor Swift (we are big Swifty Fans)
To Be With You by Mr Big
Come and Get Your Love by Redbone
Funny stories/ near disasters:
We organised jumbo balloons for the driveway of the venue. My favourite was the clear balloon with pink confetti inside. Joel and I were having a ‘serious’ portrait photo inside the library of the house when there was a sudden ‘BANG’ and pink confetti floated past the window and someone hollowed “oh s#*!”, which was quite funny.
We also attempted a DIY alter backdrop which consisted of paper cones and string which took days to make with everyone involved, but it didn’t make the cut! I’d like to say we’re laughing about it now, but we may need to give it a few more months.
Words of wisdom.
Communication is KEY! Make sure everyone involved knows exactly what you want.
KRISTEN & JOEL’S TRIBE
Location: Barwon Bank in Newtown. (Private property.)
Celebrant/Officiant: Daryll Webb
Photography: Hails and Shine Photography
Styling: Wedding styled by Joel and Kristen
Florist: Flower Bowl
Hair: Temple Hair
Make-up: Maked-Up With Mila
The Dress: The ‘Kate’ gown by Grace Loves Lace
Jewellery/Accessories: Samantha Wills earrings & ear cuff. Grandmother’s vintage watch, Grandmother’s blue handkerchief, vintage pearl ring from Mother in Law.
Shoes: Steve Madden
Rings: Amy Louise
Groom’s suit: MJ Bale
Groom’s shoes: Windsor Smith
Bow ties / ties: MJ Bale
Catering: 63 Degrees, Dessert Table by Daniel Son Cafe (family) and Mr B Coffee
Favours: Daniel Son Cafe
Cake / Cake topper: Joel’s Aunty Trish from Daniel Son Cafe
Stationery / Signage: Designed by Sophie Vine and watercolour art by Madeleine Rose Designs
Hire: Concrete tables made by The Concrete Co. and Bar Stools from Memphis Hire
Entertainment: Singer/DJ Callan Young and Shutterhub Photo Booths
Transport: Star Limo Services
Honeymoon: Trip to New Zealand
Other: Laser etched timber sign by Sketch & Etch Creative and Wedding Logo stickers by Insight Signs
