Real Wedding – Holly & Jason, Fish Creek VIC
Conscious of their environmental footprint, Holly and Jason worked hard to create an incredible celebration of their love that they knew they could also be proud of.
Set among nature on the groom’s parent’s property, the decor was where possible, recycled, their delicious food vegan, and their florals sourced from around the community. Even a fortuitous, late-night op shop passing saw the discovery of Holly’s gorgeous wedding gown.
This delightful duo prioritised their planning, adored their moment exchanging vows and will never forget their dream day that they celebrated in their very own way. Captured by Tribe favourite Georgia Verrells, this celebration will get you back to nature and offer some sweet inspiration when it comes to planning your own.
The meeting.
We actually met when we were both backpacking in Paris. I had just checked into my hostel and bought a beer in the bar and there were no free tables. Looked around for the best looking guy in the bar to go sit with and spotted Jason. He let me eat all his wedges and we had our first kiss under the Eiffel tower while it was sparkling. It was pretty magical.
The ‘one’.
It wasn’t really one moment, I feel like early on in the piece we were inseparable and I couldn’t imagine it any other way.
The proposal.
He asked me when we went back to Paris five years later. Then we came home and found our amazing jeweler and she made us a custom piece with a Ceylon sapphire we had bought a few years earlier when we were travelling in Sri Lanka. When I finally got the ring we had both just finished work and were walking along the cliffs at Maroubra beach and Jason got down on one knee. It was very sweet and low key and us. he was still in his work boots.
The process.
It was pretty hectic trying to plan a country wedding from another state. Luckily Jason’s parents were super invested in the process and as well as letting us use their home for our venue, they also did a lot of ground work.
Style inspiration.
We wanted it to feel like a house party that two people happened to get married at. We both hate being the centre of attention so we wanted it to be relaxed and fun for all our guests.
We also wanted to have minimal environmental impact and be as eco-friendly as possible so we had kegs of beer instead of bottles/tins, all vegan food, no plastic, compostable confetti that my mum made from stuff she collected in her garden and her friends gardens.
My bouquet was entirely made from flowers from my mother in laws garden, my grandmother in laws garden and honestly feels like half the community made flower deliveries in the days leading up! Jason also made all the garden furniture (including the arbour, bench seats and tables) from wood off his parent’s property. Pretty much all the furniture and décor came from scouting op shops/facebook market place or the side of the road on hard rubbish day.
The dress.
I knew I wanted a vintage or second-hand wedding dress as I’m conscious of my environmental foot print. After buying a few vintage numbers off eBay that turned out to be 70’s polyester nightmares I had almost given up! Then Jason and I were out on a date and I walked past the Red Cross op shop in Newtown. I had had a few drinks it was magically still open late at night. A local bridal designer had recently gone out of business and I just happened to walk into the shop the day she had donated like 20 of her dresses (I bought two).
Favourite moments.
Saying our vows. It was also really nice to see all our friends and family who had never met before having fun together.
Meaning of marriage.
We are still rookies so I guess we will find out!
Wedding soundtrack.
Aisle: Into My Arms by Nick Cave
Funny stories (or near disasters).
It had rained torrentially the four Saturdays leading up to the wedding and every day for two weeks leading up to the day. The forecast said it was going to rain that day. We honestly had no backup plan. Two days out from the wedding I was considering getting some clear umbrellas couriered down from Melbourne for everyone. Then the forecast miraculously changed and it was almost perfect weather.
Planning surprises.
How much the community will come together to make things happen. The days leading up to the wedding I had people I’d never met driving up and dropping off buckets of flowers or offering to lend us tablecloths.
Words of wisdom.
A wedding doesn’t have to be a massive financial burden. We prioritised our budget to things that were most important to us (photography, vegan food) and the rest we did DIY.
Sustainability and weddings – we absolutely love an eco-conscious couple. Alex and Stefan planted trees in lieu of guest favours, see their special story here.
HOLLY & JASON’S TRIBE
Ceremony and reception: Private property, Fish Creek VIC.
Celebrant/Officiant: Wendy Rutjens
Photography: Georgia Verrells
Florist: Karen Law (groom’s mother)
Hair: Melissa Duran
Make-up: Melissa Maier
The dress: Red Cross Shop, Newtown
Shoes: Nelson Made
Rings: Sarah Gardner Jewellery
Bridesmaid’s dresses: Their own
Groomsmen’s suits: Country Road
Catering: Happy Camper Pizza
Bar: Bargo Events, Stone and Wood kegs, and vegan organic wine from Dan Murphys
Cake: Khamsa (bridesmaid)
Entertainment: Jeff and Muzz
Transport: Moons Bus Hire
Honeymoon: Tassie straight after, and Italy the following spring
