Real Wedding – Lauren & Kieran, Fairhaven VIC
An oceanside wedding flushed with fresh pastel hues, harmonious styling and the priority to keep the vibe high all night long – Lauren and Kieran’s dream day celebration is nothing short of a sweetly wonderful endorphin hit.
After establishing a budget and identifying their must-haves, this darling duo built a team of true talent around them to realise their vision. Stylist and florist Elderberry worked magic with a soft, cohesive look to enhance the ocean vista, while Jean Bremner and All Souls Weddings captured the emotion with dynamic artistry.
Kicking off with an effortlessly vibrant ceremony by Kahani Celebrant, with the soundtrack flowing to perfection by Demi of Cal Young Music, the feels were upbeat and unforgettable from dawn to dusk and beyond.
Scroll on for every understated yet emotion-infused element.
The meeting.
Our story began in 2015. During Lauren’s final year of university, she joined the RMIT volleyball team to play in the University Games on the Gold Coast. Kieran was attending Uni Games one last time, and we initially crossed paths in the airport. After Uni Games, Kieran made a series of thoughtful efforts to keep the connection alive, organising group catch-ups at pubs and bars near Lauren’s house. These gatherings were the beginning of our blossoming relationship.
The one.
Lauren: I remember that at my 21st birthday dinner with all my girlfriends and family, I invited Kieran, but I did not expect him to come because he hardly knew anyone. He turned up all dressed up in a shirt and suit pants, and I watched him fit seamlessly into my life.
Kieran: Less than six months into our relationship, Lauren went away on a month-long trip to Europe. I missed her so much. She made me feel valued and not forgotten; we had really good communication. I knew then I could trust and rely upon her in even those trying circumstances. As soon as she came back, I knew it was love.
The proposal.
It was on October 4, 2022, during a holiday to Noosa. We went on a walk to a secluded beach, accessible only by foot; I was unaware that Kieran had the ring hidden in his back pocket. As we arrived, I eagerly urged him to go for a swim, sensing his reluctance but not understanding why. After finally persuading him to join me in the water, he nervously kept a watchful eye on our bags, mindful of the precious ring he had to suddenly hide inside. Upon returning to the shore, we climbed up to a lookout, where Kieran asked me to walk ahead. As I took in the breathtaking view, I turned around to find him on one knee, ring in hand, which explained his earlier anxiety. Though he was visibly nervous, I distinctly heard the crucial question: “Will you marry me?” Without hesitation, my answer was a heartfelt “yes.”
Planning process.
As a couple, we tackled one of the toughest tasks first — establishing a budget. With only the advice from friends who kept reminding us, “Weddings are expensive,” we didn’t quite know what to expect. Next, we mapped out a timeline to ensure everything was booked well in advance. From there, we prioritised our spending based on what mattered most to us. For example, I wanted a stunning location for getting ready and capturing beautiful first-look photos, so I focused on finding a fantastic Airbnb, along with a top-notch photographer and videographer. Kieran, on the other hand, was all about setting the right vibe with great music, making sure the wedding would be a fun and memorable celebration.
Organising the major suppliers requires a lot of time and research; keep that in mind when creating your timeline! We were fortunate to book an exceptional team, including our celebrant, DJ, videographer, and photographer. They truly were the best in their field and played a crucial role in making our day special. When it came to the finer details, I wasn’t as confident, so I relied heavily on the expertise of a talented stylist and florist. Their guidance was invaluable, and their work helped bring our vision to life beautifully.
Style inspiration.
The inspiration behind the style of our wedding was deeply rooted in my love for vibrant yet harmonious aesthetics and the natural beauty of our beachside venue. We chose colourful pastel florals to infuse the day with colour, complemented by pink bridesmaids’ dresses, reflecting my personal favourite colour and adding a touch of elegance. I personally do not have an eye for style and cohesiveness, but the expert guidance of Elderberry Events helped us seamlessly integrate our vision with the stunning beach backdrop. With the ocean as our canvas, we were fortunate to need minimal additional decoration, allowing the natural scenery to shine through while our chosen elements enhanced the already breathtaking setting.
I had curated numerous Pinterest boards, which proved to be incredibly helpful during the planning process. My florist and stylist were enthusiastic about the idea, asking me to share my boards so they could work their magic based on my inspirations. Besides Pinterest, I followed various Instagram pages dedicated to wedding inspiration, which offered a constant stream of fresh ideas and trends. Additionally, I drew inspiration from real weddings I had attended and recommendations from the other suppliers we had booked. I also found Melbourne wedding Facebook groups to be a fantastic resource for suggestions and advice. These diverse sources collectively shaped the vision for our wedding, ensuring that every detail came together beautifully.
The ceremony.
The ceremony was undeniably one of my favourite parts of the day, a moment of pure magic. It began with a delightful surprise from Kieran’s dad, who arranged a pink Pontiac convertible for my entrance. Initially, I hesitated at the idea of needing a car, but once I saw the vibrant, vintage vehicle, I was thrilled. Arriving in style and witnessing the joy and laughter of my closest friends and family set a perfect tone. The ceremony itself, which I had been most nervous about, turned out to be incredibly moving. Our amazing celebrant, Kahani, beautifully recounted our story and hearing our personalised vows made the moment incredibly special. The setting was equally stunning, with our venue’s decking overlooking the water, creating a breathtaking backdrop. The colourful florals contrasted beautifully with the serene scenery, making everything look picture-perfect.
The outfits.
Planning the outfits for our wedding turned out to be one of the most challenging aspects. With both Kieran and I having large bridal parties—six on each side—the logistics were complex. I envisioned having all the bridesmaids in the same colour but allowed them to choose their own styles to flatter their individual body shapes and personal preferences. The difficulty was compounded by the fact that three of my bridesmaids were living in London at the time. To manage this, I had to find an online store that could ship both to the UK and Australia, which led us to Azazie. Their extensive range of styles, international shipping, and free returns made the process much smoother.
For the groomsmen, the decision was simpler. Kieran, who loves vibrant and standout suits as a wedding guest, opted for classic black for his own wedding, hoping that the timeless look would add a touch of elegance to the day.
For my outfit, I decided on a skirt and top combination that felt both elegant and effortless. Meskhi, known for its stunning bridal collection, provided exactly what I was looking for. I was pleasantly surprised by the combination of cost and quality, finding a beautiful ensemble that fit the laid-back atmosphere of our celebration while still being striking and sophisticated. The result was a look that felt both stylish and perfectly suited to the beach setting.
Favourite moments.
As mentioned above, the ceremony was one of my favourite parts of the day. Alongside getting ready at the Pole House with all my bridesmaids which was such a fun morning with my nearest and dearest.
Meaning of marriage.
It’s a commitment to journey through life together, supporting and uplifting one another through all of its ups and downs. Many people have said why are you having a wedding in this current climate? It was so expensive, but I can openly say it was one of the best days of my life celebrating our love with all our closest friends and family and it has made our relationship stronger.
Wedding soundtrack.
Aisle: Bridesmaids – Dreams (Piano version) by The Chillest. Bride – If I Ain’t Got You by Alicia Keys
Signing: Exactly How You Are by Ball Park Music and Can’t Get Enough Of Your Love, Baby by Barry White
Recessional: Every 1’s A Winner by Hot Chocolate
Reception entry: All I Do Is Win by DJ Kahled
First dance: Come On Eileen by Dexys Midnight Runners
Funny stories (or near disasters).
A near disaster unfolded with my wedding dress, adding a dramatic twist to the planning process. After visiting several bridal stores, I had fallen in love with a stunning long-sleeve, head-to-toe lace gown and ordered it eight months in advance. However, a month before the wedding, I received a distressing call from the bridal store: my dress had arrived, but they had forgotten to make the necessary alterations, leaving it far too large. The store offered to fast-track another dress, cover the cost of alterations, or provide a full refund. Disheartened by the situation and the store’s mishandling, I chose the refund. With time running out, I frantically searched for a new dress, and a colleague recommended exploring online bridal collections like Meshki. There, I discovered a beautiful skirt and top combination that not only fit almost perfectly but also matched the beach wedding vibe we were aiming for. In hindsight, the dress debacle turned out to be a blessing in disguise, leading me to a look that felt even more aligned with our special day.
Planning surprises.
The attention to detail required was the most surprising part. Being a guest at a wedding, it just looks so seamless. Once all the main components were booked there was still a lot more to do, it seemed like there were endless extra decisions that needed to be made to make sure the day was as fun and entertaining for guests as it could be.
Words of wisdom.
When planning your wedding, prioritise where you want to allocate your budget to ensure the most important elements shine. Trust your suppliers—they are seasoned professionals who bring invaluable expertise to the table, so their advice can be a real game-changer. Remember that your guests are truly honoured to be part of your special day and are unlikely to notice any minor hiccups. Focus on the joy of the process and enjoy the journey; much of the planning is fun and should get you excited for your big day. By staying grounded and appreciating the experience, you’ll make the entire process more rewarding and memorable.
Love Lauren and Kieran’s impeccably relaxed vibes? Follow their lead and surround yourself with an A+ vendor team, all findable via the hand-picked stellar line up on our directory.
LAUREN & KIERAN’S VENDORS
Melbourne Brides and Wedshed Facebook Groups were very useful for recommendations and reviews.
Ceremony & reception venue: Fairhaven Surf Life Saving Club. It’s challenging to find the right words for this incredible venue. The views were simply breathtaking, and it was a joy to take a moment to fully appreciate them. The venue manager and their team were exceptionally accommodating throughout the entire wedding planning process, which was a huge bonus. However, the real standout was the chef—our guests showered us with compliments about the food, and the praise we received was truly astounding.
Celebrant: Kahani Celebrant. Kahani was one of the first suppliers we booked, and from our very first conversation, it was clear that she was a true expert in her field. Her infectious energy and willingness to recommend other excellent suppliers made her invaluable. The way she crafted and delivered our story during the ceremony was simply beautiful. I had guests approaching me to congratulate us on our marriage, many of them also saying, “Your celebrant was brilliant—easily the best we’ve ever seen.”
Photography: Jean Bremner. Jean was nothing short of phenomenal on our big day. From the moment we first spoke with her, it was clear she was a true artisan in the world of photography. She managed our large bridal party with ease, finding incredible photo spots that we would have never noticed. What seemed like an ordinary patch of bush or beach was transformed into something extraordinary through her expert eye and talent. Jean’s calm, precise demeanour was a steadying force on a day that can easily spiral out of control, making us feel confident and at ease throughout.
Videography: All Soul Weddings. We tossed up for a while whether we would have videography for the wedding, as I’m sure a lot of couples do. But when we stumbled upon All Soul Wedding’s Instagram, we were blown away. I’ve never been so invested in someone else’s wedding, and we just knew we wanted Aiden to capture our day as he captivated us in the weddings he had shot. He fitted seamlessly into our wedding, at times not even realising he was what he was capturing but he managed to get it all and package it into a video that majorly enhanced our experience and memory of the day
Styling, florist, hire & decor: Elderberry Events. Our initial consultation with Elderberry Events was just supposed to be about decor hire, but that’s when I discovered they also handled florals. Talla, our rep, took the time to walk me through various options and offered some fantastic suggestions. I leaned heavily on her expertise, and it absolutely paid off. By handling both the florals and event hire through one company, they streamlined the entire process and provided cohesive recommendations, ensuring everything looked stunning together.
Hair: Studio2 Hair and Makeup. Renee from Studio2 Hair and Makeup was an absolute powerhouse. Despite having a relatively large bridal party—eight girls in total—she managed everything with incredible efficiency, all while being incredibly accommodating to everyone’s individual requests.
Make-up: Tonic Agency. Given the size of our bridal party, I enlisted the help of two amazing artists from Tonic Agency—Eleanna and Lauren. They were both incredible, taking the time to listen to everyone’s requests and making sure each person felt like their best self. They didn’t just stop at creating beautiful looks; they also provided touch-ups throughout the day, ensuring we all stayed glowing from start to finish.
The dress: Meskhi
Veil / headwear: Borrowed from my bridesmaid!
Shoes: Wildfire – The Iconic
Rings: K and B Diamond Setters
Bridesmaid’s dresses: Azazie
Suits & bow ties / ties: Daniel Hechter – Expedition Apparel
Catering: Great Ocean Catering
Bar: Fairhaven Surf Life Saving Club
Favours: Homemade Limoncello
Cake / Cake topper: Sweet Peach. I’m not usually big on desserts, and I rarely eat cake at weddings, but that all changed when I tried the cake at a friend’s wedding—it was so incredible that I knew I had to have it at my own. Mia, the owner of Sweet Peach, runs her cake business out of Bendigo, and our wedding cake made the three-hour journey to the surf coast. Not only was it beautifully decorated, but it also tasted like an absolute dream. I’d recommend Sweet Peach to anyone and everyone—it’s that good!
Entertainment: Music By Demi (Cal Young Music). Cal and Demi couldn’t have been a better choice for our wedding. They really helped us out with a last-minute cancellation and made what could have been an incredibly stressful situation so easy. Demi was a highlight of the night, bringing the energy and good vibes throughout. She filled the floor the whole night and had the whole party singing and dancing along all evening.
Transport: Surf Coast Transfers
Honeymoon: Tuscany
