Real Wedding – Emma & Tim, Milawa VIC
From the time they met, to the moment Tim ditched his skis mid-run to ask Emma to be his wife, these two lovers have shared a zest for outdoor adventure. So, naturally (pun intended!) they chose to set their celebrations in the classiest country surrounds.
Their approach to wedding planning was to set aside an afternoon a weekend to open a bottle of wine, and together work their way through their list, trusting each other and focusing on making the process relaxed and fun.
Simple, stylish and stunning was the result. Hues of burnt amber and soft powder blue set a striking tone for the bridal party, accented with crisp vanilla. The impact against the ash birch forest which surrounds the ceremony is stunningly otherworldly.
Tim chose a gorgeously tailored taupe linen suit by Remy Ghougassian, and Emma wow-ed in her gown of chic, minimalist perfection by Mariana Hardwick. Their moves on the dance floor, to tunes by legends Baker Boys Band, were a picture of contemporary class.
Capturing the beaming smiles, beauty and bliss of the day was tribe fave Georgie James Photography.
The meeting.
We met through mutual friends in our early 20’s, and have had such a fun adventure since.
The ‘one’.
I think we fell in love over time rather than being head over heels from day one. Having many hobbies in common has certainly brought us together over time; travelling, skiing, fishing and love for the outdoors. It turns out our hobbies also reflect those of my parents, delivering on the cliché of marrying someone like your dad… not the plan!
The proposal.
In 2014 we moved to California together for four years and experienced so many new things.
One weekend in February 2018, Tim and I took a weekend away to Squaw Valley at Lake Tahoe for a ski. Halfway through the day, Tim took off his skis mid-ski run, overlooking Lake Tahoe, and took a knee. It was a complete surprise!
I cried the whole way down the rest of the run, and he hadn’t skied so well the whole day.
Planning process.
We both wanted to be involved in the planning for our wedding but didn’t want it to take over our lives. We set aside an afternoon each weekend, opened a bottle of wine and worked through a ‘to-do’ list, where we divided responsibilities and trusted each other in making decisions.
Making it a joint activity made planning more enjoyable, and we were both excited about the details of the day.
Style inspiration.
Our priority was around our guests having a great experience. We also wanted to ensure that we embraced our country surroundings; therefore, we agreed on ‘country cocktail’, a blend of comfortable and dressy, which suited us perfectly for the mid-summer heat!
The look.
Emma: I’d never looked at wedding dresses in my life, let alone had anything in mind. I visited a few boutiques, but Mariana Hardwick stood out from the rest. I chose the Emerson dress as it had a high neck but low back and slim fit, it was perfect for the summer weather whilst still feeling extremely special for the day.
Tim: I can go into a store in search of a handful of new work shirts and come out with four out of five being blue, so one thing I knew was that I didn’t want a blue wedding suit!
I wanted something special but simple, something that was fitting for a North East Victoria summer in late December; that is where linen came to play. A tailor-made REMY (by Remy Ghougassian) beige suit with a crisp tailored shirt and suede RM Williams boots was ideal, and exactly what would work with the elements and style we were going with.
Favourite moments.
We were very relaxed going into the day, partly due to having welcome drinks the night before, allowing us to catch up with many friends and family before the wedding.
Everything came together so amazingly, if there was something that didn’t go to plan we wouldn’t have known, as we loved it all. Although we would like to think we were relaxed throughout the day, The dance floor was the time we really let loose and were able to take it all in!
Meaning of marriage.
Spending every day with my life-adventure friend, being able to continue to laugh every day together.
Wedding soundtrack.
Aisle: Throw Your Arms Around Me by Hunters and Collectors
First dance: Easy by Jason Aldean
Planning surprises.
It’s actually hard to plan around people, even when they’re your best friends. Things happen, like people pulling out from coming at the last minute (like the day before), and you just have to roll with it because nothing can get to you on YOUR big day!
Words of wisdom.
Enjoy the planning, don’t let it stress you. Compromise.
Plan and divide and conquer, so you both have input.
You are planning the best party you’ll ever have, so enjoy every minute of it!
Want to create a proper party vibe, but unsure of where to start? Our friends at Hey Jack talked us through their top tips for selecting entertainment that fits your style and fills your dance floor! Turn up the tunes and have a browse here.
EMMA & TIM’S VENDORS
Ceremony venue: Gumsted House (Private residence/ Air BnB Getaway)
Reception venue: Brown Brothers Winery
Celebrant: Jane Harvey
Photography: Georgie James Photography
Videography: Tom Wilkinson, Real Nice Films
Styling: Forethought by Samantha
Florist: Wren Florista
Hair: Louka Hair
Make-up: Glow Bright
The dress and veil: Mariana Hardwick
Shoes: Nude Footwear
Rings: Cushla Whiting (bride) Manly Bands (groom)
Bridesmaid’s dresses: Shona Joy
Groom: Remy Ghougassian and RM Williams Boots
Groomsmen’s suits: Country Road
Catering and bar: Brown Brothers Winery
Cake: Milawa Cheese Factory (cheesecake)
Entertainment: Baker Boys Band
Transport: Fallons Bus Lines
Décor: Forethought by Samantha, Wren Florista
Honeymoon: Tasmania