Real Wedding – Michelle & Justin, Warrandyte VIC
Inspired by the warm tones and russet hues of autumn, Michelle and Justin created a garden party celebration that felt like a relaxed, intimate escape from everyday reality, underpinned with an effortlessly enduring romance.
With muted sunlight filtering through the golden-toned leaves, celebrant extraordinaire Marry Me Tee set the tone with a heartfelt, upbeat ceremony, giving all the genuine feels, elevated further with a soundtrack by the exquisite Paper Hearts.
We love Michelle’s bridesmaids in elegantly mismatched fits of warm, rich tones. Combined with florals in tangerines, vermillion and sage greens, and the fresh rustic elegance of The Farm Yarra Valley, the overall effect is whimsical modern romance with an elevated twist.
Scroll on to enjoy every gorgeously glowing image by lens legend Sarah Godenzi.
The meeting.
We first crossed paths in high school, where a glance across the schoolyard sparked the beginning of a special connection.
The one.
It wasn’t a single moment but more of a gradual feeling over time that we had something really special.
The proposal.
During a holiday in Singapore, Justin orchestrated a perfect moment. Against a picturesque backdrop in a quiet corner of Gardens by the Bay, he cleverly disguised his proposal by asking someone to take a photo. As Michelle smiled for the camera, Justin took her by surprise when he suddenly dropped to one knee and asked her to join him on their lifelong journey together.
Planning process.
Planning was a rollercoaster of excitement and some late nights. We made sure to lock in our main vendors early, which was a big relief. As the day got closer, the last two months were a whirlwind, but our venue and vendors were amazing—they really had our backs. A few days before the wedding, we finally felt that weight lift off our shoulders. Everything was set, and we were just ready to soak in the moment and have a blast.
Style inspiration.
Inspired by the warmth and colours of autumn, we aimed for a rustic elegance that fit perfectly with the stunning backdrop of our venue and the natural beauty of the season. We chose earthy tones and seasonal, native florals to create an atmosphere that complemented the farm’s picturesque setting.
Our dress code was garden party, because we wanted everyone to feel relaxed and enjoy themselves. During cocktail hour, we set up lawn games to keep the fun going. Inside, we had long tables with lots of candles, creating a cosy, intimate vibe—we wanted it to feel like a dinner party with all our closest friends and family.
We spent some time building an inspiration board and used this to share our vision with our chosen vendors. We found most of our vendors through recommendations from our venue, family and friends.
The ceremony.
Our ceremony took place in front of the picturesque barn beside the riverbank, with the autumn sun filtering through vibrant leaves—it was absolutely perfect. Our celebrant, Tee, captured our story beautifully, blending heartfelt moments with lots of laughter and a few tears.
The outfits.
Michelle found her perfect dress after trying on just a few. She chose a simple and elegant gown paired with a pearl veil. Knowing there’d be dancing all night, she changed into a second dress during the reception. Justin’s search for the right suit took a bit longer, but he eventually found a perfect burgundy suit that perfectly complemented the rustic setting and autumn atmosphere.
Favourite moments.
Our day was incredible, so it’s hard to pick out just one favourite moment.
One highlight was our private time in the golden-lit paddock behind the venue during golden hour. Practising our first dance while playful cows joined us made it truly unforgettable.
Getting ready together in the morning at a beautiful property in Warrandyte State Park was another cherished memory. We shared this time with our closest friends, which set a relaxed and perfect tone for our day.
For Justin, seeing Michelle walk down the aisle was a moment he’ll always treasure. Similarly, Michelle seeing Justin at the end of the aisle, surrounded by all our loved ones, was a perfect snapshot of happiness.
Meaning of marriage.
Marriage represents our love and commitment to one another and marks the beginning of our next chapter together.
Wedding soundtrack.
Aisle: Bloom by Paper Kites (performed by acoustic artist Josh)
Signing: Bella by Angus & Julia Stone (performed by acoustic artist Josh)
Recessional: Rock It by Little Red (performed by acoustic artist Josh)
Reception entry: Howlin’ For You by The Black Keys
First dance songs: We had a mash-up of two songs; we started with a slow dance and transitioned into a surprise salsa dance. Song 1. An acoustic cover of Home by Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, song 2. Murder on the Dancefloor by Sophie Ellis-Bextor.
Funny stories (or near disasters).
Fortunately, there were no major mishaps, but with all the excitement, Justin forgot to pack enough underwear before we left for our Warrandyte stay. His last-minute run to Woolies for some fresh pairs on the morning of the wedding added a funny twist to our memories of that day.
Planning surprises.
The intricacies of managing small details caught us off guard. Each decision, from seating arrangements to wedding favours, demanded attention and care but, in hindsight, contributed to the richness of our day.
Words of wisdom.
Embrace the journey of planning together, focusing on what truly matters: celebrating your love surrounded by all of your favourite people. Don’t sweat the small stuff—your wedding day will be perfect because it’s uniquely yours.
Pulling together your wedding day soundtrack? Here are some of our favourite aisle songs, as chosen by our celebrants. Pop on Spotify, pour yourself a glass of something delicious, and enjoy envisioning your own ceremony moment!
MICHELLE & JUSTIN’S VENDORS
Ceremony & reception venue: The Farm Yarra Valley. When we first visited The Farm, we knew it was the right fit for us. It had a laidback feel and was nestled in such a stunning location; it captured everything we wanted. Plus, their food and wine were amazing—essentials for us! Nicole and Lisa were fantastic; they supported us every step of the way, making the big day even more special.
Celebrant: Marry Me Tee. Tee was highly recommended to us by a friend and was a pleasure to work with. She made the entire process from planning to the ceremony itself a relaxed and enjoyable experience.
Photography: Sarah Godenzi. Working with Sarah was amazing. Her photography skills are unmatched, and she captured our day perfectly. She also brought such a warm, calm vibe and was a huge help with planning our wedding day timeline.
Videography: These Wild Eyes. Ben is an incredible videographer. He filmed our wedding in 16mm, and the final videos exceeded our expectations. Sarah recommended him to us, and the two of them together were the dream team. We are so grateful we had them there on the big day.
Florist: Floral Accent
Hair: Cat Hughes
Make-up: Christina Newham Makeup
The dresses: 1st dress & veil – Twelve South Bridal. 2nd dress – Revolve.
Favours: We DIY’d some jars filled with personalised candies from The Red Balloon Candy Artisans.
Cake / Cake topper: Delicious Cake by the The Farm Yarra Valley. Cake topper from Etsy with a polaroid photo of us taken on the morning of the wedding.
Stationery / Signage: DIY with Etsy and marketplace finds and help from Michelle’s sister with cricut fonts.
Entertainment: We Are Paper Hearts – we were lucky to have the talented acoustic soloist Josh and DJ Scott.
Transport: The Kombi Haus
Honeymoon: A quiet getaway in Wye River followed later by an adventure holiday in Europe.
