Real Wedding – Bella & Brendan, Berry NSW
From the minute they first arrived at Jaspers Berry, Bella and Brendan felt it was the perfect setting to realise their elegant yet relaxed vision for their dream day. With the backdrop to their celebrations confirmed, they pulled together a tribe of talented vendors to ensure that on the day all they and their guests needed to do was kick back and enjoy the sensationally styled fun.
A simple colour palette of ivory and the softest blush popped against the lush greenery surrounding the venue, and classic crystal glassware added a Gatsby-esque focal point to the tables. The result was a signature style of fresh sophistication and modern romance which translated effortlessly between the gardens and the interior.
And of course, with music a huge focus for Brendan, there was no shortage of heat on the dance floor as the night cooled down!
We love that these two took a moment to steal away together to really soak up the love and excitement of the day. By their side to capture it all was their talented photographer, Kelly Tunney.
The meeting.
We met at the bar at the Crown Plaza in the Hunter Valley. Bella was visiting a wine festival with two of her girlfriends and Brendan was on a boy’s golf trip. We started chatting at the bar and eventually Brendan asked for Bella’s number.
This was just before the boys got kicked out of the bar for getting into a scrap with the locals over a pool table!
The ‘one’.
Our first Christmas together was really special and confirmed we had found the one!
The proposal.
Brendan proposed. He dropped to one knee in the vines after a lunch at Four Winds Vineyard just outside Canberra. Bella actually organised the lunch/chose where we were going so she didn’t suspect a thing.
We both love wineries, so it was a very special moment!
Planning process.
We got engaged in April 2019 so had just under one year to plan everything. We visited two venues prior to Jaspers, however as soon as we walked into Jaspers we knew it was the one.
We tried to be as organised as possible, so nothing was left to the last minute. This meant that we could actually just relax on the day knowing everything was taken care of. Brendan was in charge of the music and alcohol…and Bella looked after everything else.
The venue was really helpful as they provided us with a list of suppliers and looked after the flowers and food for us.
As we got married on a Friday, we wanted the celebration to last the whole weekend. On the Thursday night we hosted welcome drinks at The Garden in Berry. This was a great night as it allowed us to catch up with several people we wouldn’t have had time to see otherwise! We also organised a disco themed recovery party on the Saturday at the Berry Bowling Club.
Although this involved planning two extra events, it was definitely worth it so we could spend more quality time with everyone!
Style inspiration.
We really drew inspiration from the venue which lends itself a Gatsby style. We wanted it to be elegant but at the same time relaxed as the ceremony was outdoors in the garden.
The look.
Bella was very indecisive and found this process the hardest part! There are so many beautiful dresses and she wanted to feel her best self on her special day. She ended up dragging her mum around Sydney with her to try on several gowns before deciding on the one!
Brendan on the other hand knew exactly what he wanted and purchased the first jacket he tried on!
Favourite moments.
The speeches were definitely a massive highlight (shout out to Jess and Damon who absolutely nailed it).
We also snuck out of our reception for 10 minutes to have a moment together in the garden. This was really special and gave us the opportunity to stop and soak up the moment.
Meaning of marriage.
Marriage is really important for both of us as it’s a commitment we make to one another to enjoy the rest of our lives together and to care for each other no matter what.
Wedding soundtrack.
Aisle: Pachelbel Canon in D Major
Recessional: Signed Sealed Delivered by Stevie Wonder
Reception entry: Sing Hallelujah by Dr. Alban and C’mon N’Ride It (The Train) by Quad City DJ’s
First dance: Just One Look by Doris Troy
Funny stories or near disasters.
Not really! Surprisingly everything actually went quite smoothly.
Planning surprises.
The service at Jaspers was absolutely amazing. They made the process so easy for us and were there to answer any questions.
Words of wisdom.
You might pay a premium but finding good suppliers is essential. It will make your life so much easier and ensure everything runs smoothly on the day.
You also want to make sure that the two of you set aside some time to go and have a moment together. The day goes so quickly and you really want to take it in together!
New South Wales has the cream of the crop when it comes to wedding venues. We share with you some of our favourites as well as some top tips for getting married in this stunning state. Head here to read more.
BELLA & BRENDAN’S VENDORS
Ceremony and reception venue: Jaspers Berry
Celebrant: Mitch Bell
Photography: Kelly Tunney
Styling: Jules Van Mil
Florist and décor: Jaspers Berry
Hair: Blow Bar on Queen
Make-up: Hayley Wilson
The dress and veil: Muse by Berta
Shoes: Gucci
Rings: Dustin’s Jeweller
Bridesmaid’s dresses: Bec & Bridge
Groom’s suit and bow tie: Calibre
Groomsmen’s suits: Oxford
Favours: Wet pussy shots! (Bottles purchased from Etsy)
Cake / Cake topper: Jaspers Berry
Stationery / Signage: Etsy/Snap Printing
Entertainment: Duke and Clear Strings
Transport: Kennedy Buses
Honeymoon: Sri Lanka and the Maldives
