Real Wedding – Jane & Simon, Wye River VIC

A stunning marquee celebration in the charming coastal town of Wye River on the incredible Surf Coast, was the perfect setting for Jane and Simon to say their I-do’s.

In front of their nearest and dearest, they celebrated in their typical laid-back fashion, soaking in the coastal atmosphere and enjoying an outdoor affair.

Bride Jane was a vision in a gown she lovingly made herself, and despite the finishing touches being made the morning of the wedding – it couldn’t have been more perfect!

Captured by talented shutterbug Dan Brannan, Jane and Simon’s seaside soiree is a beauty.

In Jane and Simon’s words…

The meeting.

We met through mutual friends. Sie grew up with some friends that I went to university with. We knew each other for a number of years and when Sie moved back to Melbourne we became closer.

The one.

We clicked really well right from the beginning. We have a very similar approach to life; both growing up with four siblings might have something to do with it. We both find happiness in similar things.

The proposal.

It was on a weekend back on Sie’s family farm. It was a sunny, winter’s day and we went on a picnic up on the hill looking over the valley. He proposed with a rusty old washer and had snuck a bottle of champagne into the basket.

Style inspiration.

We’re both fairly laid back so it was always going to be a relaxed affair with a focus on friends and family. We love the outdoors and wanted to make a weekend of it so we actually got to spend time with our guests. We looked at quite a few venues and then fell in love with Wye River after a weekend camping on the beach. We both grew up in small country towns, so it suited us really well. It was really important that the food and wine was high quality and The General Store were wonderful. They really understood what we were after and we so helpful.

The dress.

The benefit of making your own is that you can try a few options. After a couple of test runs I know what I wanted, so mum and I purchased the material and off I went. The final button was sewn on the morning of, but that’s not really out of character.

Favourite moments.

In between the ceremony and reception we had cocktails served by the Tom Collins Caravan Bar. The guests relaxed and chatted on the lawn while the jazz band played. The weather gods were very kind to us – we had a beautiful warm evening.

The meaning of marriage.

It’s the opportunity to make a formal commitment to each other and express our love for one another in front of family and friends. It is not the beginning of something new; it is the continued development of a loving and supportive relationship.

Wedding soundtrack.  

Aisle: Blackbird by The Beatles

Signing song: Vincent (Starry Starry Night) by Don McLean

First Dance: Iko Iko by The Dixie Cups

Funny stories/ near disasters.

S: There were actually some fairly serious road closures on The Great Ocean Road in the lead up to the wedding. Three weeks prior we were planning to travel down for hair and make up trails and to also show Jane’s parents the venue. There had been extreme rainfall, which led to landslides, and Wye River was actually closed off on both sides and couldn’t be accessed. Eventually one side opened and then luckily the Sunday prior to the wedding the Lorne side opened (we had a number of guests that had booked in Lorne). We breathed a huge sigh of relief. The day after the wedding we had relaxed,  recovering in the pub watching the waves roll in and it rained all day. At about 4pm the roads were closed again but luckily most of our guests had already started to make the journey home. Certainly a close call!

JANE & SIMON’S TRIBE

Ceremony venue / location: The ceremony was held in the park beside the Wye River General Store

Reception venue / location: A marquee was also placed in the park

Celebrant/Officiant: Zena Lythgo

Photography: Dan Brannan

Florist: My best friends bought flowers from the market and made up the bouquet and table flowers. We used some old wooden ladders and green foliage from my family farm to hang from the ceiling.

Hair and Make Up: Hair by Catherine MacGregor and Make Up by Sharon Crafter

The Dress: I made the dress myself on my grandmother’s old singer machine

Veil / head wear: The head piece was my mothers from her wedding

Rings: Karla Way

Catering: The Wye River General Store

Drinks: Tom Collins Caravan Bar

Cake / Cake topper: Croquembouche made by Apollo Bay Bakery

Hire: Occasions Event Hire

Entertainment: Dixie Dukes, a three piece roving Jazz band

Transport: Sie’s father’s MG

Honeymoon: Africa, starting with Mt Kilimanjaro in Tanzania