Wine-dark dahlias, a dramatic gown and ocean views
There’s something about a coastal wedding at At The Heads. Perched on the Bellarine Peninsula with the ocean stretching out in every direction, the venue needs little embellishment, and for Angelique and Reilly, that was precisely the point. Their vision was intimate, romantic and relaxed, with thoughtful styling, natural materials and beautifully curated details designed to elevate the setting rather than compete with it.
The day began with a first look at The Bluff, where the dramatic coastal landscape provided a breathtaking backdrop as Reilly saw Angelique as his bride for the first time. She wore a stunning strapless Mariana Hardwick gown with a full skirt, before heading to a ceremony where delicate draping and an extraordinary floral installation by Florette framed the couple, while the sound of a live violinist added another layer to the atmosphere.
From there, the celebrations unfolded with all the hallmarks of a beautifully considered coastal wedding – a champagne tower, an oyster station and plenty of time to soak up the spectacular surrounds. As the afternoon slipped into golden hour, Lou Lou Memphis captured the newlyweds at the water’s edge, with the ocean, cliffs and soft summer light providing the kind of backdrop you simply can’t recreate.
Style vibe.
Our day was inspired by an organic coastal aesthetic. We focused on thoughtful styling, natural materials, and beautifully curated details. The overall atmosphere was intimate, romantic, and relaxed. It was important to us to enhance the natural beauty of the location rather than competing with it. We wanted our styling to elevate the venue while never taking away from the incredible views that surrounded us from every angle.
Planning process.
We found the planning process to be incredibly seamless, especially considering we had a relatively short lead time of approximately six months. From the beginning, we had a clear understanding of the feeling and elements we wanted to bring to life.
Coming from an interiors background, where I’m surrounded by beautiful, considered, and aesthetically curated spaces every day, I wanted our wedding to reflect that same sense of intention and detail. We envisioned a coastal-inspired summer celebration that felt light, airy, and romantic. We were incredibly fortunate to work with a collection of talented vendors who truly understood our vision and helped bring it to life in the most beautiful way. Their creativity, expertise, and attention to detail allowed us to transform our ideas into a celebration that was far beyond what we had ever imagined!
Finding the dream team.
Given the wedding was based in the Bellarine Peninsula, we really wanted to prioritise local vendors wherever possible, and our venue (At The Heads) was a great starting point with some wonderful recommendations.
In terms of inspiration, I found myself mainly turning to Instagram, which became the most helpful source for shaping the overall look and feel of the day. It allowed me to discover real weddings, styling ideas and, most importantly, vendors whose work really resonated with us.
While we did bring a few Melbourne-based vendors down for certain aspects, I actually found our florist, celebrant and photographer almost immediately and knew straight away that I wanted to work with them. From there, everything else naturally fell into place and we built the rest of the wedding around those key choices.
The ceremony.
What I loved most about our ceremony was how calm and genuine it all felt. We wanted it to be a true reflection of us as a couple, so we intentionally chose a shorter ceremony style – something that felt relaxed and understated rather than overly formal. Our floral display took our breath away – it was so amazing, the detail and the draping was absolutely beyond!
Our celebrant was incredible and had such a beautiful way of capturing our story and our journey together. She brought a sense of warmth and authenticity to the ceremony, weaving our memories and connection into something that felt deeply personal. It completely set the tone for the rest of the day as did having a live violinist play throughout the ceremony – it was the best decision we made it really elevated the entire atmosphere and gave everyone the feels.
The outfits.
I wore a stunning custom-made gown by Mariana Hardwick. I had initially shortlisted a few bridal couture houses I was considering, but I was consistently drawn to several gowns from Mariana Hardwick.
Going into my appointment, I had a clear vision in mind, especially given the coastal setting of our wedding. Interestingly, the dress I originally thought I would choose ended up being quite the opposite of what I ultimately fell in love with. In the lead up to my appointment, I had seen a gown from an earlier collection that had completely stayed with me – it was soft, beach-inspired, and absolutely breathtaking. I knew I had to try it. We intentionally saved it for the very last fitting, and the moment I stepped into it, I just knew. Everything about it felt like an extension of me and my personality, my style, and the feeling I wanted to embody on the day.
My supporting girls looked absolutely gorgeous on the day. There were no strict requirements for what they needed to wear, as I wanted them to have complete freedom and flexibility to choose outfits that inspired them and to arrive as guests, while still being part of all the beautiful celebratory moments throughout the day.
We shared a mood board ahead of the wedding to guide our guests on the overall aesthetic, which was formal with a touch of Italian elegance. Everyone interpreted this so beautifully in their own way, and it resulted in a naturally cohesive mix of tones.
Reilly wore a beautifully Italian-fabric tuxedo suit from Calibre. They were exceptional to work with, taking care of every detail and customising the pieces to perfection, including bow ties and all finishing touches to ensure everything felt elevated. We also styled his three brothers in coordinated ensembles. Each look featured a relaxed coastal palette, including a creamy beige linen jacket paired with black trousers, a bow tie, and a soft turquoise pocket square with subtle blue hues.
Favourite moment.
There were so many beautiful moments throughout the day that felt like little snapshots in time, each one so special in its own way. We chose to do a first look at The Bluff in Barwon Heads before the ceremony so we could capture those beautiful, intimate moments together, but also have a chance to pause, take everything in, and share a quiet moment of calm and togetherness before celebrating with everyone else.
We also loved our post-ceremony cocktail hour and canapés. Standing together with our guests, enjoying a beautiful champagne tower with our live violinist playing, and overlooking the ocean on a stunning 38-degree summer’s day felt truly breathtaking. It was such a magical moment where everything came together – the atmosphere, the setting, the people, and all of the details we had dreamed of creating.
Our first dance was SO much fun and ended up being one of our favourite moments of the entire day. In the lead-up to the wedding, we took dance lessons together, which I highly recommend. Not only did it help us feel more confident on the dance floor, but it also gave us some really special time together before the wedding. We loved every minute of it and honestly wish we could do it all over again.
The final one was sneaking away for a quick sunset shoot back at the Bluff to capture the last moments of daylight. We were both riding such a high from the day, taking it all in together while watching the sun dip below the horizon. Those memories are some of our most treasured from the entire celebration and will live rent-free in our minds.
Wedding soundtrack.
I walked down the aisle to our violinist performing Video Games by Lana Del Rey.
Our first dance was equally special, with our vocalist performing If I Ain’t Got You by Alicia Keys live.
The reception entrance completely shifted the energy, with us walking into Feel So Close by Calvin Harris.
For our cake cutting, we chose I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch) by The Four Tops.
To finish the night, we had our sparkler exit to Can’t Take My Eyes Off You by Frankie Valli.
Funny stories (or near disasters).
We were so caught up in the moment that we almost forgot how important it was to cut the cake. By the time we arrived at the table, we were completely empty-handed. So, our biggest piece of advice is: don’t forget your glass of champagne! It was such a fast-moving part of the celebration that we were fully in the moment, but it definitely made for a funny little memory in hindsight.
Regrets.
No regrets – everything was absolutely perfect. The only thing I would consider, particularly for a coastal wedding, is hair maintenance throughout the day. Coastal winds can change things very quickly, and it would have been wonderful to have a stylist on hand for touch-ups and a reset. It’s a small detail, but one that would make a big difference in feeling polished and put together from start to finish.
Words of wisdom.
My biggest tip for couples getting married is to truly remember that the day belongs to both of you. Surrounded by your closest people. It is ultimately a celebration of your love, your story, and everything that defines your life together.
Try not to become too consumed by every small detail needing to be perfect. Stay flexible where you can, and trust that everything will fall into place exactly as it is meant to. So much of what feels important in the lead-up fades once the day begins, and what remains is the feeling of it all.
The day goes by incredibly quickly something I didn’t fully understand until experiencing it myself. It is truly one of the most extraordinary days of your life, and one you will carry with you forever, so allowing yourself to be present and in the moment is everything. We felt so relaxed on the day, and it made the entire experience even more special.
Angelique & Reilly’s Vendors
Ceremony and reception venue: At The Heads, Barwon Heads
Celebrant: Lisa Brown
Photography: Lou Lou Memphis
Videography: These Wild Eyes
Content creator: Lou Lou Memphis
Styling: At The Heads & Florette
Florist: Florette
Hair and makeup: Maddi Nicolls | Dear Boa
The dress and veil: Mariana Hardwick
Shoes: Jimmy Choo
Rings: All Diamonds
Suits and accessories: Calibre
Catering and bar: At The Heads
Cake: Torte by Mirjana
Stationery / Signage: Danger & Moon
Entertainment: J Wills DJ & Evangeline Victoria Violinist
Décor: Table Art & Florette
