Plum and chartreuse, rain and rainbows
An autumn wedding in the heart of Melbourne, Hillary and David’s celebration at the Royal Botanic Gardens was filled with romance, personality and plenty of beautiful details.
From the deep plum and chartreuse colour palette to the rain-kissed gardens, every element reflected the couple’s love of the season and their desire to create a celebration that felt warm, relaxed and completely personal. Their ceremony at Picnic Point was intimate and heartfelt, before celebrations continued at The Terrace with plenty of food, dancing and moments that were unmistakably them.
Hillary looked incredible in her Karen Willis Holmes gown, while David made a stylish statement in a custom brown suit. And while the rain may not have been part of the plan, it created some truly magical moments — including the rainbows that appeared throughout their photographs.
Beautifully captured by Tess Follett, with The Terrace providing the perfect setting for their reception, this was a wedding that embraced the unexpected and celebrated everything that made Hillary and David’s day uniquely theirs.
The meeting.
Hillary: We met on a dating app close to nine years ago now, we chatted back and forth for a week or so before we decided to see each other. I’ll never forget the moment that I almost didn’t swipe right, as Dave’s profile photo was him using a power tool (what I now know to be very much him to a tee), so I wasn’t sure we’d have much in common. Looking back, there aren’t many words to describe how thankful I am that I did.
We made a date to have dinner at D.O.C on Lygon Street. I remember approaching the restaurant and I could see Dave waiting at the table outside. He looked up at me and I felt the connection instantly. A moment neither of us expected. We shared our love for the outdoors, camping, hiking and four-wheel driving across the country – things that I never thought I’d be able to do but everything that Dave has been able to give me. We were both passionate about our careers, we shared a love for going out, eating delicious food, drinking cocktails and exploring Melbourne to the fullest. Pretty much all of our dates and special memories were in the city, we love it to this day.
The one.
David: The connection was there from pretty early on, even from our first date there was no awkwardness and it was as if we had known each other for years. We had interests in common, and although our personalities are different, our values and opinions on every subject were similar, so we knew early on that we’d found our person. After we had first met, I knew I wanted to see her again immediately (we went on a hike the next morning), and in the following months we moved in. We started doing life together and haven’t looked back.
The proposal.
David: It all went down on a long weekend away with friends on the Mornington Peninsula, at Pt Leo Estate winery and sculpture park. Earlier that week, the ring was delayed in customs and ended up arriving two days after we had left for the peninsula. My sister Jennifer was able to collect it once it arrived, after some stern words and negotiations with the shipping company. Jennifer, her husband Ash and daughter Celine rushed it down to the peninsula on the morning of the proposal. Our friend Tanielia was able to lure Hillary away that morning to get a manicure, and once they left, Jennifer’s car slipped in behind them one minute later to drop off the ring. Within a few hours, the ring had made its way onto Hillary’s finger.
The proposal took place on a morning walk within the sculpture park, on a warm November day. The path through the park has unforgettable ocean views, and as we visited each sculpture, I managed to get a quiet moment away from the crowds and got down on one knee. Hillary turned around to see me kneeling unexpectedly and was immediately overwhelmed; she had no idea this was coming.
Planning process.
We got engaged three years prior to our wedding day, so we had several years of finding our perfect vendors. After many site visits, lunches, dinners and tours all over Victoria, we unexpectedly landed at the Royal Botanic Gardens. Given how much we loved the Victorian countryside and spent so many memories in these locations, we thought for sure that we would land at a winery or lodge to showcase our favourite locations to our loved ones.
Although the direction had changed, we found that we loved our venue for the exact same reasons. We adore what Melbourne has to offer, so were so excited to show everyone the gardens in Autumn. The gardens really set the tone of our vision and after only a few weeks, our dream vendors came together in a really short period of time. Tess (Follett) was our one and only option for photography, we didn’t want anyone else and were overjoyed to hear that she was available.
From there, we had a vision but were not sure how to execute it on the day, so we reached out to Elizabeth (Weddings by E) for our on-the-day coordination, so we knew we were in great hands. Everything from the florals to décor, napery and music started to come together, and we couldn’t have been more excited.
Style inspiration.
We really wanted to lean into the time of year, so naturally we leant towards a deep plum and chartreuse colour palette. The key words we kept coming back to were timeless, romantic, but with a sense of earthiness.
Overall, we just hoped our guests would have fun, let loose and celebrate with us. The vibe was really important, so that drove most, if not every, decision. Asking ourselves questions like – if it rains, is everyone undercover? Does everyone have a seat? Is there enough food and drink? Although overwhelming at times during the planning phase, this allowed the day to flow seamlessly so we could just soak in and enjoy every moment for ourselves.
We loved incorporating design elements and moments in the day that were “us” – things like our custom deck of cards as bonbonniere for our guests to take home, tiramisu as our wedding cake that we have at most celebrations, restaurant-style menus on the tables to show our love for eating out, and the whole room dancing to the Tarantella (traditional Italian dance, homage to the bride’s culture and heritage). Although the design was important for aesthetic, we soon realised it was the moments that made the day ours that we thought made the biggest impact.
The ceremony.
The Terrace was our initial pick for the venue (where we held our reception), however, we knew that we wanted our ceremony to be located in the gardens themselves, so our guests could explore both the lawns and city views. The walk from Bridge Gate to Picnic Point is so picturesque and really set the scene for the day. As guests made their way to Picnic Point, we wanted to create an instant feeling as if they were being welcomed into our home. A sense of hospitality and warmth was important to us, and so like any host, we had drinks on arrival, music and beautiful décor and florals. We spent a lot of time and effort on this singular moment and couldn’t be happier with the result.
The ceremony itself was personal, sentimental but not overly serious and felt like we could be vulnerable with our nearest and dearest, which was incredibly special. Our celebrant Kate Adkins was such a beautiful addition to the day and created the flow and light-heartedness we dreamed of for our ceremony. The weather wasn’t ideal, but she persisted through the rain, adapted the timing of the ceremony so we didn’t get too caught up in the wet and executed the whole afternoon to perfection.
We loved that we could include our closest family members in this part of the day. Jennifer (groom’s sister) recited a poem for us, Ash (groom’s brother-in-law) and their daughter Celine delivered the rings and we had both of our youngest siblings, Stephanie (groom’s sister) and Joshua (bride’s brother), witness our marriage certificate, which was the perfect opportunity to express our love for them.
The photos after the ceremony were something we never anticipated. Most of the family shots have rainbows in the sky behind us, and the gardens were truly remarkable in the overcast but sunny landscape. The rain prior offered the perfect backdrop, and these were one of our favourite shots of the day – Tess is unbelievably talented and is such a shining light throughout the whole day. We adored having her with us capturing every moment.
The outfits.
Hillary: We searched far and wide for the dress, as I was unsure what I wanted in the beginning. I’m pretty sure I went to every boutique in Melbourne in the end. However, Dilara at Karen Willis Holmes picked the Emma dress from the back storeroom that wasn’t even on the racks for me to try. From the minute I put her on, I knew it was something special. It was so complimentary to my body type, as the draped effect through the front was the romantic element I envisaged with a modern neckline and long train. Equal parts dramatic, timeless and current. Sam was so attentive in all the fittings and made the whole experience feel like I was in a room full of my best friends. I paired the gown with By Charlotte jewellery, Bared Footwear bridal heels and the most stunning Nakedvice handbag that I will wear forever. It was the most beautiful I have ever felt.
David: I knew I wanted a custom suit; the dress code was black tie; but the traditional black tuxedo didn’t feel like me. With the vision of the wedding leaning into autumn tones, I gravitated towards the brown fabric; and after we saw a few brown suits on the Brownlow red carpet by YSG Tailors, it was a no-brainer. They didn’t take the process too seriously; they encouraged me to have fun with the process while also being classic but fashion-forward. Travis and Robert were really great to deal with, and so welcoming. My favourite detail was the gardens-inspired lining of the suit jacket, which married perfectly with the location. I paired the suit with a custom shirt, bow tie and pocket square by YSG Tailors, Julius Marlow dress shoes and custom cuff links from Linden Cook that Hillary gifted me the morning of the wedding – it had her fingerprint imprinted on one and our dog Willow’s paw print on the other.
Favourite moment.
David: I think it was after the ceremony for me. In the days leading up to the wedding day, and even a few hours into the day after our first look, the weight of it all hadn’t quite sunk in. However, it felt very real all of a sudden whilst waiting for Hillary at the end of the aisle.
Once we got through the formalities, I was able to relax and take in our surroundings. After most of the guests moved towards cocktail hour, and the formal photos were done, Hillary and I got a few moments together just the two of us, which were very special. The rainbow, the sunset, the lake, it was unforgettable.
Hillary: Similar to Dave, walking down the aisle as husband and wife was really surreal. There is so much anticipation leading up to the day, so actually living the moment rather than dreaming or thinking about it was a mixture of excitement, relief, overwhelm and an influx of love. Having all your loved ones cheer and congratulate us down the aisle was really special.
Meaning of marriage.
For us, it is true partnership and having each other by our sides for the rest of our lives. Although being together for so long, we wanted to make this commitment and promise to ourselves and each other, to prioritise, adore and support one another forever. It signifies a new chapter for us, and we are so excited to see what is in store for us as husband and wife!
Wedding soundtrack.
Processional/Aisle – Make You Feel My Love, Adele
Recessional – Sweet Disposition, The Temper Trap
Reception Entry – One More Time, Daft Punk
First Dance – Heaven, Bryan Adams, where we then opened the dancefloor into Heaven the remix by DJ Sammy (it was epic).
Funny stories (or near disasters).
Nothing crazy, the weather wasn’t ideal as my dress was soaked with rain and mud by the time I got to the ceremony as we had the first look and photos prior – but the moments during the first look were my favourite and were captured incredibly by Tess, so truly no regrets.
Planning surprises.
No matter how prepared in advance we were in the planning process, the details won’t come together until the last few weeks prior to the date, so embrace the chaos and firefighting and trust your vendors – supplier selection is so important, use those that match your energy and that you love and you can’t go wrong.
Words of wisdom.
If it’s what you love then that’s awesome and so great for the back pocket, but don’t feel like you need to DIY everything. Often, less is more and outsourcing with trusted experts did so much in reducing our stress levels. The right suppliers can be so helpful in meeting budget and time restraints, so do your research, ask the right questions and it will save you so much in the long run.
It really is one of the best days of your life, don’t compromise on the parts that mean the most to you.
David and Hillary’s Vendors
Ceremony location: Picnic Point in the Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne – hosted by Curtis Stone Events
Reception venue: The Terrace
Celebrant/Officiant: Kate Adkins – Kate was a pleasure to deal with instantly from the moment we started corresponding. We knew her energy, and warmth were exactly what we wanted in a celebrant, as it was important that we felt aligned with whoever we had chosen so it was more an extension of our personalities rather than an addition. Kate was fabulous in every way, enduring the weather with us and adapted the script so well to not compromise the flow or structure of the ceremony. It was beautiful.
Photography: Tess Follett – Tess was such a bright light, vibrant and contagious energy from the outset. Her work speaks for itself, but then you meet her and she truly exceeds all expectations. Being by our sides all day, giving us so much confidence and bringing so much happiness to every moment, was a part of the day we didn’t know we needed but were so thankful to her for that. The second we saw our sneak peeks (in not even 24 hours by the way!) we knew we were in for a treat. The emotion of the day came flooding back and we squealed with excitement. The images and moments captured were everything, there are truly no words to describe how much we cherish these images.
Content Creator: Bridal BTS – We could not recommend Bek and Tess more! Bek was so kind, responsive and easy to deal with throughout the whole process. The final results speak for themselves, Tess is so talented and creative – we are constantly watching our clips over and over, and the footage captured throughout the day convey the energy and feeling of each moment which is beyond special to us.
Styling & Coordination: Weddings by E – Elizabeth and Caitlin were superb in ensuring that the flow of the day and the runsheet was executed beautifully. We were worry free thanks to Weddings by E as they captured every detail, answered all our annoying questions and were most of all kind and understanding in all the stressful planning phases. Caitlin was so amazing at calming my nerves before walking down the aisle, energy is everything and we can’t thank them enough.
Florist: Saltflower – Zara and Tamasin felt like our best friends by the end of this journey, we couldn’t have been more grateful to have them with us throughout the process. The florals were really important to us (well, maybe just me the bride) but we felt that the florals add so much to any celebration, especially a wedding, so we wanted a creative, whimsical but still classic and romantic take on the florals that we’ve never seen before. Saltflower achieved this with ease and were exactly what we dreamed of. We couldn’t have imagined a better outcome. They are both beyond talented at their craft and were so helpful right up to the day before when we needed emergency baskets for the umbrellas when the weather forecast was looking grim. Adore Saltflower, couldn’t recommend them enough.
Hair: Talia Jade Hair – Talia is amazing at what she does; there is a reason she specialises in wedding hairstyling. She knows exactly what needs to be achieved for a long-lasting style, that does not waiver in the elements. The rain was on and off all day but my hair did not frizz or flatten at all, she did an incredible job.
Make-up: Faces by Jana – I’ve known Jana for some time, and adore her so much. She did an amazing job and couldn’t recommend her enough for any special occasion, particularly a wedding and all wedding events. My makeup did not move, in all the rain, happy tears and sweat on the dancefloor it looked immaculate by the end of the night. She is a beautiful energy to have in the room when getting ready in the morning when nerves are high, she is just a joy.
Bride’s dress and veil: Karen Willis Holmes
Veil / headwear – if applicable: Karen Willis Holmes https://karenwillisholmes.com/
Shoes: Bared Footwear
Groom’s Suit: YSG Tailors
Cake: Tiramisu from La Manna
Stationery / Signage: Rebel Reflect – We reached out to JoJo on pretty short notice for all our on-the-day stationery, but despite the tight timeline she was so helpful and responsive with all our design changes and last minute decisions. We are grateful for her understanding and were obsessed with the outcome. The swans for place settings were to die for. Can’t thank her enough.
Entertainment: Josh from Paper Hearts – Josh was our musician for the ceremony and is such a talented performer. His cool, calm energy is so unique and when we saw his sample videos we knew that he was the perfect mix of romantic and down-to-earth. Couldn’t recommend him enough, we wish we had more time with him as the day flew by so fast.
DJ: DJ Joey Lightbulb – There are not enough words to describe Mikey, he is high energy, high vibe, high on life and now one of our favourite people on the planet. His ability to read the room, keep the energy up and serve serious tunes is unreal. His interaction with our guests was also so fun to watch. He is so amazing at his craft and we would recommend him to anyone that wants a party.
Napkins & Tableclothes: Table Art Event Hire
Décor/Hire: Friday Hire – Georgia was such a pleasure to deal with. We had multiple revisions of the quote and changes throughout the whole planning process, but Georgia was so accommodating and helpful. The specific requirements of the gardens and the bump-in and bump-out timeline was not an issue and they worked with our coordinators seamlessly. The hire items are immaculate quality and bring so much sophistication to the day. We also loved that we could hire everything we needed from one vendor, they source a variety of décor which is so convenient.
