Real wedding – Marli and Reece, Wensleydale VIC
Set within the lush rainforests of the Otways National Park, Marli and Reece created a celebration that was definitely one to remember.
Their theme was ‘perfectly imperfect’ and they lovingly hand crafted their decorations to share a day that focused only on their personalities and their love. Despite a little mishap with the rings, nothing could wipe the smiles from their faces and the talented Smitten Wedding Photography was there to capture every special moment.
IN MARLI’S WORDS…
The meeting.
We first met when I was 12 and Reece was 14 – our best friends happened to be brother and sister. We went to different schools but had mutual friends all through high school and had the odd pash every now and then. We didn’t start ‘going out’ until we had both finished high school.
The ‘one’.
I knew when Reece was browsing through the TV guide and said very seriously ‘YES! The Sound of Music is on, let’s watch it,’ that I’d found the perfect person for me. It is one of my all time favourite movies and any man that loves it like I do is a man I want to marry!
Reece told me he realised the Christmas before we got engaged after talking to his sister-in-law Pady. They talked about all the things he loved about me and then thought ‘I am never going to get any better than this, she is amazing.’ So he popped into Brett’s Artworks to get the ball rolling with the ring.
The proposal.
It was Good Friday and Reece had to work for a few hours in the morning. He pretended that his car had broken down near the country town of Meredith and asked me to go and collect him. At the location, he had set up a beautiful picnic under a cute little bridge with all my favourite things and ‘marry me’ was written in rose petals – everything was perfect. Unfortunately I am awful with directions and got lost for an hour and a half, when I finally found Reece I was pretty over it and wouldn’t get out of the car. He had to get down on one knee and pull the ring box out before I actually understood what was happening and that it wasn’t a joke! We then stayed in St Kilda for the night and enjoyed a beautiful dinner and celebrated with some close friends. It really was the most perfect day.
The planning process.
It was the best ever. We both loved the planning process. We were very lucky to have very similar ideas as to what we wanted for our wedding (essentially a big party for everyone) and gave ourselves about 18 months to plan and save up. So it was a very fun and relaxed process. Lots of productive Sunday’s building things and doing crafty stuff which was fun!
Style inspiration.
Our relationship! We wanted people to say ‘oh that’s very Marli and Reece’ and we wanted them to feel our love and see our personalities on the day. Our motto in the lead up was ‘perfectly imperfect’. We didn’t want to sweat the small stuff too much or stress ourselves out. It was really important to us that our guests felt comfortable, that there was plenty to do for the kids, and that there was plenty to eat and drink! We really wanted a venue where our guests could stay and make a weekend of it – close enough for convenience, but far enough away to feel like a holiday. Sokil was absolutely perfect. I loved waking up with everyone and having breakfast together reminiscing about the day before.
The dress.
My dress was incredible. I absolutely adore it. It’s a very relaxed, boho style by Rue De Seine and I found it at The Bridal Atelier in Melbourne. It was the first time I had been looking at dresses and the last one I tried on that day. I definitely had ‘the moment’ where you just know. I think it worked perfectly with our venue and vibe of the day.
Favourite moment/s.
Eeeeeek so hard to pick a favourite! Reece loved playing dress ups in the photo booth with my niece Chloe, his nephew Rhys and I. It was fun, silly and exactly how we imagined spending time on our day. We also both loved our first dance, it was a really special moment whispering in each others ears and laughing. When everyone joined us I remember feeling beautifully overwhelmed with all the love and it made me so happy seeing our guests enjoying themselves as much as we were.
Traditions.
We included a few little things, we are not very traditional but I had my something blue (Dolce and Gabbana ‘light blue’ perfume) gifted to me by my mum’s best friend Jenny. And I threw my bouquet which my friend Tegan caught at our reception.
Meaning of marriage.
Continuing the life we have built together over the past 8 years, starting a family and always having your best friend by your side.
Wedding soundtrack.
Aisle: My Girl – The temptations
Reception entry: Ain’t Nobody – Felix Jaehn
First dance: Dream Catch Me – Newton Faulkner (the same song that was playing in the background when we started going out in 2008).
Funny stories/near disasters.
We lost the rings!!! Our page boy Rhys was a bit nervous walking down the aisle and opened the ring box on his way down and both rings fell out into piles of leaves. He kept walking and when he reached Reece at the end of the aisle said ‘I only lost one ring’ with a smile. Luckily our guests had seen where the rings had fallen and collected them right away. I didn’t click as to what was going on until the rings had been found so it was very funny not stressful.
Words of wisdom.
Enjoy yourselves and the lead up! Remember why you are having the day and make a list of the things you think are most important to include. This helps you to not get too carried away with things that others want you to do, or what you feel you have to do.
Final words.
Have the best time! Getting engaged and married is one of the best experiences ever. Try and soak up every minute of the whole process!
MARLI AND REECE’S TRIBE
Ceremony and reception venue: Sokil Arts Eco Retreat in Wensleydale – picturesque and peaceful
Celebrant: Jo Betz – NO WORDS! Absolute treasure and would recommend to anyone!!
Photography: Smitten Photography – Jemma and Jemima are geniuses! Made us feel so relaxed and happy and our photos are unbelievable!
Styling: Ourselves
Florist: She’s A Wildflower – Alice is also a magician, she absolutely nailed our flowers and they really made our ceremony pop
Hair and Make Up: Hair – Cassandra de Bruin Make Up and Melinda from Studio Three – Had the best fun with these ladies getting ready and I felt so beautiful all day.
The Dress: ‘Eve’ by Rue De Seine from The Bridal Atelier with alterations by Karen from Pearls and Roses Bridal. Had the best experiences at both places – the ladies were all wonderful! Wish I could keep going back!
Head wear: Flowers by She’s A Wildflower
Jewellery/Accessories: Diamond earrings from my Nan.
Shoes: Spend-Less shoes
Rings: Brett’s Artworks
Bridesmaids dresses: Forever New
Groom and groomsmen outfits: Shirts and bow ties from Eddy Elias, pants from Target.
Grooms Shoes: Havaianas
Catering: Sokil, Geelong Wood Fired Pizzas and Bonappuccino
Favors: We made ‘hangover packs’ with a variety of different things
Cake / Cake topper: My beautiful Nan
Bar, archway and bench seats: Dress My Wedding – so wonderful to work with these guys, their stuff is amazing!!
Festoon lights and dancefloor – Surfcoast Party Hire
Stationery / Signage: Jess and Nikki from Artworx Geelong
Entertainment: Patty Bourke – such a legend
Transport: Greg Dodds
Honeymoon: India and Sri Lanka – Tim Sherman from Hello World Geelong was such a help in organising!
