Real Wedding - Alex & Rob, Lexton VIC

August 9, 2023 In Blue, Classic, Colourful, Country, Luxe, Outdoor, Pastel, Real Weddings By Ivory Tribe

Real Wedding – Alex & Rob, Lexton VIC

When Alex and Rob arrived at Mt Mitchell Estate, they instantly knew it was the perfect venue to reflect their personal tastes and host their dreamy wedding celebrations.

Building on their initial concept of country chic, think luxe European summery days against endless green fields and historic old buildings, showcasing effortlessly elegant styling details, resulting in a vision of modern, fresh romance.

Stylist Weddings of Desire create a vision of soft pastels against softly smoked linens. With the floral talents of Flowerqueen, whispers of cornflower blue and hints of blush coalesce to perfection alongside buttery lemon candles and gently unfolding arrangements of pears, lemons and clementines.

Both Alex and Rob look simply stunning, he in timeless black, while she cuts a princess figure in a flowing gown by Milla Nova, modernised in the dynamic detailing of the off-shoulder bodice. Choosing to switch to the ultimate dance floor fit of a fabulously beaded sheath by Lanie Brookman and the perfect disco heels by Aquazurra, made for a night to remember against an endlessly pumping soundtrack by The Baker Boys Band.

Scroll on for every sweet detail of this romance-filled celebration, captured in exquisite perfection by Katie Harmsworth and Apertura.

The meeting.

Rob and I met by a very modern swipe to the right! Our first date was at Siglo bar, where I was greeted by a blue-eyed boy from a small country town called Barham. Upon getting to know each other, we discovered striking parallels in our lives. We shared many mutual friends, had similar interests and hobbies, and even lived on the same block for years throughout our 20s but somehow never crossed paths. Perhaps our eventual meeting was fate!

The one.

In 2017 Rob and I packed up our lives and moved to Vancouver, Canada. Being only 1.5 years into our relationship, this was very much make or break. However, it turned out to be an incredible adventure where we created treasured memories which we look back on with so much joy. It was throughout this time that I knew Rob was the one.

The proposal.

In February 2022, we decided to take a trip back to Canada. We planned to ski in Whistler for a week. It was a beautiful sunny day, so Rob and I decided to ski to the top of Whistler mountain. When we arrived, Rob suggested that we kick off the skis and hike to a secluded area to get a photo with uninterrupted views of the mountain ranges. In hindsight, Rob’s suggestion to ‘take a couples photo’ was a very unusual request.

We hiked to the top and eventually found ourselves a spot with the most incredible views. I asked Rob if I could have a drink of water that was in his backpack. As the nerves started to kick in, Rob reached for the water and dropped it; the water then fumbled from his hands and off the cliff of the mountain. Rob then swiftly got down on one knee in meters of snow and asked me to marry him. It was the most beautiful moment in such a special place for both of us. We sat there for hours, taking it all in and drinking champagne that Rob had snuck into his backpack from earlier in the day.

It was the most magical proposal.

Planning process.

We knew that we wanted a Summer country-style wedding. Our wedding stylist, Laura from Weddings of Desire, told us about Mt Mitchell Estate in Lexton. We organised a time to visit and instantly fell in love with the property. We arrived to find a pristine lake, a hedge with a secret passage, immaculate lawns and the best-smelling rose garden I have ever visited! It was an instant yes from us. Once we booked in the date, it was a relatively easy process from there on. Laura did a great job organising the styling for the day, which allowed me to focus on the other elements of the wedding. We engaged suppliers that we connected with and felt best suited our personalities which really paid off.

The lead-up to the wedding felt relatively seamless. All the major suppliers were booked well in advance, which allowed Rob and I time to focus on our vows and speeches. Rob and I took off to Lexton a few days before the wedding to ease into the big weekend, just the two of us.

Style inspiration.

Our style direction for our wedding day was country chic. I have always been inspired by European countryside weddings on old historic properties that ooze character and charm. We tried to mimic this theme throughout the styling of the day by incorporating summer florals, soft linen, butter yellow candles and hints of lemons and oranges throughout the tables. We also used hues of blue throughout the stationery and napkins to elevate that summer vibe.

Our wedding fell on a 33-degree day! A few days before the wedding, Laura suggested swapping our clear-span marquee to open-air marquee structures – I am so glad we did! The open-air structures really elevated the styling and made for a beautiful setting under the stars.

I drew inspiration from online platforms like wedding blogs, Instagram, and Pinterest. I created a folder on my phone where I saved all the images that caught my attention, serving as my go-to resource for reference. Ivory Tribe and the You & Me podcast were invaluable to me. They both featured a wide range of weddings and brides, offering not only beautiful inspiration but also valuable advice that guided me throughout the entire wedding planning journey.

The ceremony.

We always knew that we wanted our ceremony to be outdoors, relaxed and one that best represented us as a couple.

Our ceremony was located under an old oak tree that looked out onto sprawling paddocks. Being a 33-degree day, the oak tree provided shade and felt like our own little oasis. Both my Mum and Dad walked me down the aisle, which was a special moment to share with both of them. We also incorporated our beloved dogs Otis and Wally, who stood with the groomsman with their ‘Best Boy’ bow ties on. Our celebrant, Tee, did a stellar job conducting the ceremony, making us laugh and cry – striking all the right balance of emotions.

The outfits.

I started by visiting a few different wedding dress stores to gauge different styles, colours, and textures in the hope of eventually working out what best suited me and what I felt most comfortable in. I tried on a range of dresses, from plain satin, simple long sleeve, lace – you name it!

After visiting a few stores, I eventually found myself at Designer Bridal House after seeing a dress online that I loved from overseas, which they stocked. I went in and instantly knew it was the dress for me! It was a dress that I felt comfortable in and one that I knew I wouldn’t look back on in years to come with regret.

My reception dress was my favourite! I engaged a local dressmaker, Lainie Brookman, to custom-make it from a photo that I had seen online. After a few appointments, the design of the dress evolved into a flitted, long sleeve, backless dress with a sheer neckline made from beaded and embraided tulle. The dress was complemented with some Aquazzura pumps that had a crystal embellished disco ball as the heel – the shoes certainly gave me an extra spring in my step and kept me going on the dancefloor until the early hours of the morning!

Favourite moment.

I have two: seeing Rob for the first time that day at the end of the aisle and on the dance floor! Our d-floor was set under the stars with glittering festoon lights that draped from above. Being a warm balmy night, we really did make the most of the outdoor reception. Our band, The Baker Boys, were incredible and got everyone up and moving. It was such a fun night dancing with all my nearest and dearest, and seeing everyone’s faces beam so much happiness was very special.

Meaning of marriage.

To us, marriage is a mutual promise between two people to share their lives with each other. Someone you can love, adventure with, laugh with, and go through all of life’s good and hard times and always know they’ll love and support you, as you’ll do the same for them.

Wedding soundtrack.

Aisle: Simply the Best by Billianne

Signing: You Make My Dreams Come True by Hall & Oats

Recessional: I Feel Good by James Brown

Reception entry: Land of 1000 Dances by Wilson Pickett

First dance: Walking on Sunshine by Katrina & The Waves

Funny stories (or near disasters).

A grass fire had broken out in one of the towns that many of our guests had to pass through to get to the venue. The fire worsened, and as a result, they had to close one of the main roads and divert traffic, adding a big delay in the journey! This resulted in a few guests and suppliers running late. We also ran out of ice (whoops!) One piece of advice for brides who are planning an outdoor summer wedding is to order triple the amount of ice than what you think! We ended up clearing out the local pub’s cool room!

Planning surprises.

Being an outdoor wedding, we had to arrange suppliers for everything from furniture to cutlery, toilets and generators. Rob and I learnt a lot about generators, diesel and ‘KVA’ (a term that I had not heard of before planning a wedding!)

Words of wisdom.

Enjoy the process, and make sure that you create a day that is authentic to you and your partner. My best advice in the lead-up is to make sure that you book all your suppliers well in advance, whilst my best advice for the day is to take a moment with just you and your partner to soak it all in. Grab a glass of champagne and look back at all your nearest and dearest who are there celebrating the love between you both.

There’s something about an al fresco wedding, the romance of embracing the great outdoors with gorgeous surrounds, while feasting and dancing with your guests into the night under the stars. But, while outdoor weddings are sensational, they’re not quite as simple as their indoor counterparts, with many moving parts and things to consider when it comes to an open-air affair. Take a look at our top tips when planning an outdoor wedding.

ALEX AND ROB’S SUPPLIERS

Ceremony and reception venue: Mt Mitchell Estate, Lexon

Celebrant: Tee Twiname

Photography: Katie Harmsworth

Videography: Sasha from Apertura Wedding Films

Styling: Laura Harvey from Weddings of Desire

Florist: Flowerqueen

Hair and makeup: Tonic Hair & Make Up

The dresses: Milla Nova from Designer Bridal House and custom-made reception dress by Lainie Brookman Couture

Veil: Designer Bridal House

Shoes: Loeffler Randall and Aquazzura

Rings: Jessica Namdar Jewelry