Real Wedding – Sam & Jack, Daylesford VIC

 

It might have been a chilly nine degrees outside, but Jack and Sam’s day was nothing but heartwarming.

Beautifully styled by the bride herself, the couple tied the knot at Lake House in Daylesford. The setting was elegant and relaxed and allowed the couple to soak up all the feels as they said their vows in an intimate ceremony full of love and laughter with The White Tree and Geordie Launder there to capture it all.

In Sam’s words…

The meeting.

We met six years ago at the local supermarket! I was working at the checkout whilst I was finishing my University degree, and Jack was a charming regular customer. He asked for my number, he cooked me dinner and the rest they say is history.

The one.

There was never an exact moment. We spent the first couple of years of our relationship working on our own priorities, I was completing my degree and beginning my career, and Jack went travelling and moved around for work. It was easy for us, after the first few years we just knew.

The proposal.

I had just arrived back from an overseas work trip (on my birthday). Jack took the day off work and had made lunch reservations at Lake House, in Daylesford. We had an incredible lunch and caught up, then Jack proposed on a small jetty in a quiet area on the lakeside. He caught me completely 100% by surprise! We had previously made plans for that evening to visit our home town Bendigo for a few days. It worked out so well as we could celebrate with our close friends and family over the coming weekend.

The planning.

Jack and I wanted an elegant but relaxed occasion. It was important to us that we had amazing food, wines, and entertainment. Of course, everything else seemed to be just as important (to me!). I could not wait to get into the planning and so I drew inspiration from ‘Real Wedding’ posts, where I was inspired by other brides who executed elegant but simple weddings. Initially we met with and spoke to various vendors; locked in our venue, band and photographers. Of course we love Lake House but didn’t originally plan our wedding there. We wanted a country wedding where guests could make a weekend of it, and we could make the most of the gorgeous surrounds.  It just so happened we ended up back where we began!

From there I spent the next almost 12 months reading every wedding blog possible and ticking off the items (I was slightly devastated as the list became smaller). The planning and styling was done by myself, and Catherine and Lauren from the Lake House events team were a huge help in making our plans achievable. Having so much inspiration available online now can make it difficult to decide on an overall theme, but they were incredibly patient as I took the time to decide on the styling for our day.

Style inspiration.

We wanted to have a cocktail style wedding to begin with, with canapes and drinks for our guests for a couple of hours before moving into the Terrace Room for entrees, mains and desserts. Lake House have two chef’s hats and one of the main reasons we chose the venue was on their amazing quality, so of course we wanted to soak that up! There were roaming canapes, then alternating entrees, mains and desserts. It was very important to us that there was ample time to spend on the D-Floor.

Lake House were great in ensuring that all meals were served early so that the dancing could start. It was the best of both worlds. We had a drinks list with local beers and wines that were provided throughout the evening to our guests.

The décor and styling for our ceremony was planned to be kept simple and minimal drawing focus to the venue and the Lake House scenery. Although we had to change our ceremony venue last minute due to an absolutely freezing cold Spring day, it worked out so intimate for everyone inside (warm and dry).  The reception was simply styled with large seasonal greenery arrangements and signage from Morgan at ‘Colour & Skulls’, the tables with seasonal florals and tealights and gorgeous ceiling fairy lights.

Instagram was great to follow the work of photographers, stylists and florists (and to be honest the day could have been a lot less stressful without it – but, as if). And, Pinterest, where do I start?!

The dress.

Sonia Cappellazzo, owner of Cappellazzo Couture, designed my dress (I’d love to say it was a collaboration but all I ended up doing with smiling, nodding and saying ‘Yes!’). When I first met Sonia I did not have a dress or particular style in mind, and after only a couple of moments I knew that I could trust her to create a dress I would fall in love with! And she did exactly that. Sonia knew what would best suit my frame and style, and we both wanted to create something pretty and fun, but sexy, as well as unique. I could not recommend the ladies at Cappellazzo Couture enough, the entire process was a lot of fun and I absolutely loved wearing my dress on the day. And that veil – my favourite part!

Favourite moment(s).

After the entrees when Jack and I popped out with the photographers for some last light shots, it was perfect to have some alone time with him. It was a lot of fun with our team, I wish we could relive that!

Traditions.

It was important to the both of us that we didn’t see each other on our wedding day, and that I had my father walk me down the aisle and give me away. My sister and Mum gave me a special something blue, and my Nan gave a handkerchief made by her Grandmother as my something old and something borrowed (so special!). However, we did do the cutting of the cake as soon as we arrived at the reception, and as much as we tried to leave the wedding before our guests we didn’t! We were having too much fun that we were one of the last to leave.

The meaning of marriage.

Committing our love, support and friendship to one another, as we both strive towards our personal and professional goals.

Wedding soundtrack.

Ceremony Song: XO by John Mayer

Formal reception entrance: Easy Loving by Sigala

First dance: Thinking Out Loud by Ed Sheeran (played live by The White Tree)

Father & Daughter Dance: My Girl by The Temptations (played live by The White Tree)

Funny stories/near disasters.

This is neither funny nor a full disaster but we ended up going with Plan C for our wedding ceremony due to the weather in Daylesford which was a top of 9 degrees on the day! It was raining on and off, super windy and absolutely freezing but  we managed to change our plans last minute to ensure all our guests could be inside. Although it did not go to plan, it made for a lovely intimate ceremony, where everyone was involved.

Unfortunately, the weather impacted our time for photographs as at 5.30pm it was a whole 3 degrees, our entire bridal party froze after 10 minutes! We cut our time very short and headed back to the wedding to defrost. Jack and I still managed to get some gorgeous photos at dusk; the champagne had kicked in by then.

Planning surprises.

I did not realise how far in advance vendors require to be booked! I am so thankful that I began our hunt early as the good ones can go so quickly!

Words of wisdom.

Take the time to identify your true style and understand what that is. It is very easy to get caught up in the hype and excitement and think that you want someone else’s style because it worked well for them, but you will end up not feeling yourself or that your choices don’t truly reflect you as a couple. Go with your gut!

Last words.

Our videographer Geordie from Launder Films was an incredible vendor and we are so thankful that we came across him. Previously experienced in travel filming, he has now begun filming weddings. He produced exactly what we wanted; a film that showed exactly how the day was, a lot of fun! As soon as we met all he wanted was to ensure that we would be happy, his preparation was so thorough which made the day a breeze. We could not recommend Geordie enough!

 

 

 

Take a peek at Imogen and John’s dreamy Daylesford wedding day.

 

JACK AND SAM’S TRIBE

Ceremony venue / location: Lake House, Daylesford.

Reception venue / location: Lake House, Daylesford.

Celebrant/Officiant: Damon Hughes. Damon was very professional and a lot of fun to work with, the entire process was enjoyable, and he made our ceremony relaxed and special for everyone in the room.

Photography: The White Tree.

Videography: Geordie Launder.

Styling: Bride & Lake House.

Florist: In house florist, Lake House.

Hair and Make Up: Kristie Hedington.

The Dress: Cappellazzo Couture.

Veil / head wear: Cappellazzo Couture.

Jewellery/Accessories: Engagement ring from Charles Rose  and diamond earrings from Paul Bram.

Shoes: Sophia Webster.

Rings: Charles Rose. The staff at Charles Rose in Bourke St and Geelong were so wonderful and patient with us, and their diamonds are truly of a magnificent quality.

Bridesmaids dresses: Acler.

Grooms suit: V&J Menswear.

Grooms Shoes: Groom: Aquila.

Groomsmen: Florsheim.

Groomsmen suits: V&J Menswear.

Bow ties / ties: Grooms tie by Benjamin Barker and Groomsmen’s ties by Myer

Catering: Lake House. They were just incredible; the food, wine and service,  it was all amazing)

Cake / Cake topper: Fresh local florals

Stationery / Signage: Morgan Jamieson of Colour & Skulls.

Entertainment: The White Tree.

Transport: Privately owned by some of our family.

Honeymoon: Bali! We are staying at Warwick Ibah Hotel and Uluwatu.