Real Wedding – Marnie & Adam, Merricks North VIC
Marnie and Adam’s wedding at Jackalope Winery was a masterclass in sophistication artfully blended with romance. Drawing inspiration from the venue’s ultra chic contemporary architecture and stunning vineyard views, the day gave relaxed, elegant ambiance, captured to perfection by superstar photographer Tess Follett and videographer, Sea of Love Film.
The sleek, minimalistic decor paired beautifully with lush, romantic floral arrangements of pinks and reds, bringing warmth and charm to the celebration. We love that the backdrop to their I Do’s was the same place Adam asked Marnie to marry him – in a stunningly understated, full-circle moment.
Adam and his groomsmen looked dapper in matching MJ Bale tuxedos, each accented with classic bow ties. Marnie’s off-the-shoulder Italian silk dress by Mariana Hardwick was pure luxury and effortless grace.
Marnie and Adam’s wedding was a perfect reflection of their love; warm, radiant and full of great times, all to the masterful soundtrack of The White Tree – and we suspect you’ll love it as much as we do.
The meeting.
We met in 2012 when my best friend Kristina introduced us, just a few days after Adam had turned 18. I was in Year 12 at school and Adam was doing his plumbing apprenticeship. From that initial meeting, we kept crossing paths at 18th birthday parties, night clubs, and often intentionally continued to hang out and spend lots of time together.
The ‘one’.
Marnie: I’ve loved Adam since I was 18 and always hoped we would end up together. We were on and off for a long time, but after moving back to Melbourne from London at 26, during a global pandemic, we reconnected and fell in love, knowing deep down we were meant to be. For me, it was a defining moment when we bought a golden retriever puppy and we became puppy parents together. That’s when I knew he was the one.
Adam: When Marnie moved to London, I realised that I couldn’t live my life without her! I missed her so much it was gut-wrenching, and I will never, ever live through that again. Now, we will be together forever.
The proposal.
What a day! I had no idea that the 9th of December was going to be the day Adam proposed. Adam planned a surprise weekend away at Jackalope before Christmas. I had told myself it was going to be over New Year’s Eve on our trip to Bali so I wasn’t expecting it.
I woke up that Friday morning and got dressed for school. I’m a primary school teacher.
The night before, we were dozing off to sleep, I said to Adam, “I wish we could go to Jackalope”. We had been to Jackalope right before Christmas two years ago and had the most special time, even getting one night for free as a Christmas deal. We enjoyed massages, dinner at Doot Doot Doot, and a swim in the pool. It was the best, so I was hoping we could go again for Christmas in 2022.
That morning, I dressed in my gym gear because we were having a Prep planning day for the following year, and I wasn’t going to be teaching the kids that day.
My workmates asked what we had planned for the weekend, and I said Adam had planned for us to go to Itchy Ni in St Kilda. I was really looking forward to it.
At the end of the school day, I headed towards my car to drive home and noticed Adam had called me twice, which wasn’t usual. I worried something was wrong. I called him back as I was walking across the schoolyard, and he answered and said, “I can see you”.
I was in disbelief as I saw him walking towards me at the school gate. I could tell from his face he was so nervous, and I was confused about why he was at my school. He took my laptop bag off me and said, “Come on, we are going”.
I had so many questions for him in the car: “Where are we going?” “Can I go home and shower?” “Where is Goldie?” “Is this it? Can I call my sister?” “Can I call Kristina?”
Adam played love songs in the car and didn’t give anything away. He had to pull over twice for me as the nervous tummy had set in.
We eventually arrived at Jackalope, and the realisation that this was it set in. I have never felt anything like this before. This was the biggest moment of our lives, and the adrenaline was out of this world. We made it up to our room, and my bags were already there because Kristina had driven them up earlier that day.
Adam told me to get changed and get ready. By this point, I was so nervous that the idea of putting makeup on and getting dressed seemed impossible.
To calm my nerves, Adam suggested a walk and some champagne by the lake. So, we strolled down and sat on the bench by the water. This felt like the perfect spot and moment, and he got down on one knee and proposed to me. Adam was very emotional and relieved, and we celebrated with a bottle of champagne and got a little tipsy.
Afterwards, we called our loved ones and fell into the love bubble for the rest of the weekend. We had massages, played games by the lake, ordered room service and I took lots of photos of the ring.
We came home to a house full of family and friends and celebrated with everyone, it was so lovely hearing about all the effort Adam had gone to, to pull this weekend off.
Planning process.
To begin the planning process, we wanted to tick off the big-ticket items first. Wedding venue, guest list and wedding dress. We went back and forth about the wedding venue and visited only one other wedding venue before we circled back to Jackalope. It felt special being able to get married at the same venue we got engaged at and everyone we spoke to encouraged us to lock in Jackalope. We both wanted to get married at a winery and it made it even more special that our friends and family could stay with us the night of the wedding.
Once we locked in a date and venue, we could organise the photographer, videographer, florist, entertainment, and other details. I had loved Tess, the photographer, ever since my sister used her for her wedding in 2014. Tess’s photos are so romantic and natural; there was no one else we wanted.
Tess was incredibly helpful, recommending her brother Nathan as a videographer for the day, and Aleks Mac, the DJ from One More Song. I trusted Tess’s opinion and wanted the decision-making process to be as stress-free and easy as possible. I also chose the florist my sister had used, Pomp and Splendour, and I am so glad we did. Pomp and Splendour are incredible at what they do!
The next planning step was handling the finer details, which is not my strong suit. Thankfully, I have a very talented friend, Alli Kelly, who helped me every step of the way. She designed our wedding website, menus, seating chart, welcome sign, napkin embroidery, decal, and foam pool letters. I honestly couldn’t have done it without her; she was amazing and incredibly thorough.
Style inspiration.
The inspiration behind the style of our wedding came from Jackalope, the sophisticated and unique winery where we got married. We wanted our wedding to feel romantic and reflect the elegant yet relaxed atmosphere of the venue. The modern architecture and stunning vineyard views provided a perfect backdrop for our special day.
We aimed for a blend of contemporary chic and natural beauty, incorporating elements like sleek, minimalistic decor paired with lush, romantic floral arrangements. Pomp and Splendour’s flowers really brought the warmth and charm we envisioned, enhancing the overall romantic feel. The venue’s unique aesthetic guided our choices, creating a cohesive and memorable experience for us and our guests.
The ceremony.
Our ceremony took place overlooking the beautiful breathtaking vineyards and serene lake at Jackalope. Adam and I got engaged down by the lake, so it meant the world to us that it was a part of the backdrop of our wedding ceremony.
Surrounded by our closest friends and siblings, who stood by our sides as part of the bridal party, made the ceremony incredibly special.
Adding to the magic, our beautiful golden retriever, Goldie, walked down the aisle escorted by my eldest brother, followed by our adorable niece and nephews dressed in tuxedos and a white dress, joyously throwing petals.
Four of my gorgeous bridesmaids walked down the aisle before me and my best friend was pregnant at the time, and she got a huge round of applause as she walked down the aisle.
Walking down the aisle with my Dad was a moment I will cherish forever. He means the world to me, so sharing that special moment with him meant everything.
Walking down the aisle was surreal. We chose Everywhere by Fleetwood Mac, a perfect fit for us – “I want to be everywhere with you”. Seeing Adam for the first time was so exciting and comforting. As soon as I could, I grabbed him and gave him a huge hug and kiss.
We both had very special people to us missing on the day: My beautiful mum, Sue, and Adam’s younger brother, Jake. Their absence was deeply felt, but I believe we both felt their presence close to us throughout the day.
The look.
Adam and his groom’s party donned tuxedos from MJ Bale, all matching with bow ties. They looked incredibly handsome. They made a day of it, trying on suits together and creating cherished memories leading up to the wedding.
Finding my wedding dress turned out to be easier than I had imagined. I took my bridesmaids with me for wedding dress shopping, and after trying on various options, we ended up at Mariana Hardwick, our final stop for the day. While I had enjoyed the experience so far, I hadn’t found ‘the one’ – until the last dress. It was the last one I tried on that day, and I could tell from my bridesmaids’ reaction and my sister’s expression that it was indeed the perfect choice.
I absolutely adored the off-the-shoulder style of my dress, and the Italian silk fabric felt incredibly luxurious. The slit down the side of my leg added a touch of sexiness, and the way the dress hugged my bodice was just perfect. Going through the process of having a dress custom-made to fit my body was truly special, especially attending fittings in the lead-up to the wedding with my bridesmaids and Adam’s mum.
For our first dance, I wore a Michael Lo Sordo dress. Knowing I wouldn’t be able to dance in my ceremony dress due to its length, I wanted a long white dress that still adhered to the black-tie theme but allowed for easy movement during the party. Despite struggling to find something I liked for a while, a few weeks before the wedding, I stumbled upon the Michael Lo Sordo dress and instantly knew it would be perfect.
Favourite moments.
Our favourite moment of the day was when we both embraced each other at the beginning of the ceremony, right after I had walked down the aisle. We shared a huge kiss and cuddle, which helped dissipate our nerves. We also made sure to steal a moment just the two of us after our sunset photos by the pool. It was important to us to take some time away from the wedding to soak up the emotions and feelings from the day together.
Additionally, we were thrilled that we decided to have our first dance. We will never forget the feeling of dancing in front of our loved ones to one of our favourite songs. After attending several dance classes together, it was incredibly rewarding. We have amazing photos from that moment and feel proud of ourselves for doing something so out of our comfort zone.
Meaning of marriage.
To us, marriage represents the ultimate commitment of our love for one another. It means to love one another unconditionally and forever. To share all of life’s moments together, big, and small. It’s about growing together, learning from each other, and building a life filled with special memories.
Wedding soundtrack.
Aisle: Beyond by Leon Bridges and Everywhere by Fleetwood Mac
Reception entry: Inner Smile by Craig Pruess and Bally Sagoo
First dance: Treat you better by Rufus
Funny stories or near disasters.
The night before the wedding, our fantastic acoustic singer had to cancel because he was sick and couldn’t use his voice. We had seen him at my brother’s wedding, and we were completely blown away by his style and voice. His last-minute cancellation was upsetting, and I was worried no one else would be able to fill his shoes.
Fortunately, Garth was amazing, and on the day, no one would have even known about the last-minute change.
Planning surprises.
One aspect of planning our wedding that took us by surprise was the sheer amount of detail involved in coordinating everything. From selecting vendors to finalising table seating and designing the finer elements of the day, we were amazed by the level of attention required.
Words of wisdom.
Our advice for couples planning a wedding is to remember that the day is about celebrating your love and commitment to each other. Stay focused on what truly matters and don’t get too caught up in the small details. Take time to enjoy the planning process together and cherish the moments leading up to your big day. It will undoubtedly be one of the best days of your lives.
We’re here to help with all things wedding planning related so when it comes to sitting down and working on your seating arrangements, we have the best tips for you right here.
MARNIE & ADAM’S VENDORS
Ceremony & Reception venue: Jackalope – Jackalope held a special place in our hearts, being where we got engaged the year before. The staff there were amazing, going above and beyond to help us with every detail. No request was too much trouble, and they made sure everything was just right for us.
The venue itself was stunning, and it was amazing to have our wedding in such a picturesque location. From the beautiful ceremony on the terrace to the relaxed cocktail hour by the pool, and then the fun reception in Doot Doot Doot, every part of the day was special.
Being surrounded by the beauty of Jackalope made our wedding day even more magical, and we’re so grateful for the wonderful memories we made there.
Celebrant: Nick Powell – Nick Powell, my brother-in-law, was always going to be our celebrant. He had previously officiated for my brother and his wife, Mia, and it was amazing to see someone so close to the couple share their love story. Nick has known me since I was 12 years old and has come to know Adam and me well as a couple. He made the day incredibly special, with everyone laughing, crying, and feeling all the love.
Nick was extremely organised, meeting with Adam and I multiple times in the lead-up to the wedding. He even organised a rehearsal the day before at Jackalope with the entire bridal party and the MC. The ceremony perfectly captured our love story, and we couldn’t have asked for a better celebrant. Nick is a natural, and his warmth and charisma make you feel you are in truly capable hands.
I will forever be grateful that we were so lucky to have someone so close to our hearts fulfil such an important role on our wedding day.
Photography: Tess Follett – Choosing Tess as our photographer was a no-brainer since she had already captured my sister’s wedding in 2014. Seeing her amazing work at Beth’s wedding made it an easy decision for us. Tess exceeded all our expectations. She was everything we hoped for and more, capturing every moment beautifully. Her attention to detail, creativity, and ability to make everyone feel comfortable resulted in stunning photos that we will cherish forever. We have the most beautiful sunset photos by the pool, thanks to Tess’s perfect timing and eye for the perfect shot. We are so grateful for Tess and her incredible work.
Videography: Nathan Follett – Tess had recommended Nathan to us, and we loved the idea of a sister and brother duo. Family is so important to Adam and I, so it made total sense to have Nathan and Tess work together on the day. Nathan was so lovely to talk to in the lead-up to our wedding, and he really understood what we were hoping to capture. His easygoing nature and attention to detail perfectly complimented Tess’s incredible photography. Together, they made our wedding day even more special, seamlessly capturing every moment and turning it into memories we will cherish forever.
Styling: Alli Kelly – Alli is a dear friend and was an incredible support throughout the entire wedding planning process. She helped us every step of the way as we navigated the look and feel of our wedding, and we are so grateful for her support and amazing eye for design and style. On the day of the wedding, Alli was there to oversee everything and ensure our vision came to fruition perfectly.
She designed our welcome sign, wedding menus, name places, designed our embroidered wedding napkins, and all the decals, installing everything herself. Alli also organised the floating pool letters that read “I want to be everywhere with you” and designed our table seating chart. Nothing we asked for was ever too much; she consistently went above and beyond. Words cannot express our gratitude for her dedication and hard work.
Florist: Pomp and Splendour – Asha and Petra from Pomp and Splendour made our wedding day so special with their beautiful floral arrangements. They really listened to our ideas and turned them into something even better than we imagined. The flowers were stunning and added such a unique touch to the day. Asha and Petra’s creativity and attention to detail were amazing, and they made the whole process easy and enjoyable. We’re so grateful for their hard work and couldn’t recommend Pomp and Splendour more for anyone wanting gorgeous flowers and great service for their wedding.
Hair: Rhianna Scott from Woman Kind – Rhianna from Woman Kind is amazing, and I wouldn’t have trusted anyone else with my hair on my wedding day. She really understood what I wanted and made it happen perfectly, even adding extensions to my hair that looked completely natural. She also did all my bridesmaids’ hair, and everyone looked stunning. Her calm and friendly vibe made the whole morning so much more fun and relaxing. Thanks to her attention to detail, my hair looked perfect and stayed that way all day long. I’m so grateful for her fantastic work and highly recommend her to anyone needing a great hairdresser for their big day.
Make-up: Olivia Rudich – Olivia is not only an incredibly talented makeup artist but also a very close friend of mine. She knows my face so well that there was no one else I would have trusted for my wedding day. During our makeup trial, she absolutely nailed the look, and on the big day, she did an amazing job getting me and my bridesmaids ready. Having Liv there instantly put my nerves at ease and brought so much fun and joy to the morning. Her skills, attention to detail, and calming presence made everything perfect. Olivia even came back to the room just before I walked down the aisle to do touch-ups and help me put on my veil. It was such an incredibly special moment. I am deeply grateful for her incredible work and her friendship.
The dress: Mariana Hardwick – My wedding dress experience at Mariana Hardwick was nothing short of amazing. From the moment I walked into their boutique, the team was incredibly accommodating and attentive. They took the time to understand my vision and worked tirelessly to bring it to life. They made numerous alterations to ensure the dress was perfect, showing incredible attention to detail and dedication to excellence. Their expertise and skill were evident in every stitch and seam, and the final result was more beautiful than I ever imagined. The entire process was smooth and enjoyable, and they made me feel so special and confident every step of the way.
On my wedding day, I felt radiant in my dream dress, all thanks to the wonderful team at Mariana Hardwick. I’m deeply grateful for their hard work, patience, and incredible craftsmanship.
Second dress: Michael Lo Sordo
Shoes: Jimmy Choo
Rings: Diamond Guys
Bridesmaid’s dresses: Natalia Rolt, Nookie, Alex Perry and Bump
Suits & Bow ties: MJ Bale
Entertainment: DJ – One More song: Aleks Mac – Aleks Mac was an incredible DJ who got the dance floor going and kept the energy high all night. Her music selection was spot on, and she perfectly read the crowd, playing all the right songs to keep everyone dancing. Her talent and enthusiasm created an unforgettable atmosphere at our wedding. Thanks to Aleks, the reception was an absolute blast, and everyone had an amazing time. We couldn’t have asked for a better DJ to make our night so special and fun.
Saxophone – Justin Kenny Hall – Outstanding Saxophone player! He really made the dance floor take off and the guest absolutely loved dancing around him.
Acoustic Player- Garth from White Tree
Transport: City Hire Cars
Hire: Ceremony Chairs, Reception Chairs:
Honeymoon: Qualia
