Real Wedding – Melanie & Thomas, Leeton NSW

April 1, 2024 In Colourful, Country, Luxe, New South Wales, Outdoor, Peach, Real Weddings By Natalie Drum

Real Wedding – Melanie & Thomas, Leeton NSW

If you’ve ever wondered what a modern fairytale looks like, Melanie and Thomas’s epic celebrations are all that and more. Carefully considered details and bold romance coalesce in sophisticated grandeur, punctuated with a compelling sense of fun.

Drawing on Melanie’s Italian heritage and her childhood on a citrus farm for style inspiration led to a stunning aesthetic array of bold tangerine and lemon floral accents interspersed with citrus arrangements and top notes (both aurally and visually!) care of sweetly chic tambourines. An expansive minimalist dream marquee by White Top Venues with soft natural timbers provides the perfect counterpoint to the crisp white decor, harmonising with the lush bushland surrounds.

With the view and the soundtrack taken care of, with a little help from Blume Events, all that was left was for Melanie and Thomas to bring their most radiant selves. Melanie looked every bit a contemporary princess in her full-skirted gown by Leah Da Gloria, while Thomas cut a sharp figure in his classic tux by Montagio Custom Tailoring.

For a visual treat captured by photographer Carmen Hickey, scroll on.

The meeting.

Thomas and I met as first-year medical students at university, which was located some distance from both our hometowns. I messaged Thomas first, and he did not stop replying! We started dating in the third year of our degree and had to endure long distances at times due to the nature of our degree.

The ‘one’.

I honestly do not think there was one defining moment – we both continued to grow individually and support each other along the way, which I think is extremely important.

The proposal.

Thomas popped the question during a sunrise picnic with a ring he had designed alongside our jeweller. This was during a COVID lockdown, and we initially had a weekend getaway planned, which was, of course, cancelled. As it was so early in the morning, we had a whole day of celebrations before a romantic candlelit champagne dinner at home. Our family and friends sent bouquets of flowers and bottles of champagne, so we were definitely feeling the love from all!

Planning process.

We knew our engagement would be on the longer side due to some upcoming exams in our careers, and I always wanted to get married in my hometown. So we explored the local venues, which were by no means numerous until we stumbled upon White Top Venues. Having a marquee really opened the options for where we could hold our wedding. We then found The Shed, Yoogali, which suited us perfectly! From there we picked a date with typical nice weather for the region and made sure our major vendors would also be available.

Our Senior Event Director, Ayesha from White Top Venues, was a huge help during this whole process.

Style inspiration.

My Italian heritage and the colours associated with growing up on a citrus farm were major style inspirations. I wanted elegant greens and lush whites with pops of citrus colours.

Fruits from my family’s farms were incorporated into the table décor alongside hand-decorated tambourines, which were then heavily utilised all night long on the dancefloor!

Instagram was extremely useful for style guidance, and from there, I was able to find photographers, blogs (like Ivory Tribe!), designers and other styled weddings for inspiration.

The ceremony.

Our ceremony was held in my hometown at our local church. Growing up, I attended many weddings in this church, and my parents also got married here, so I always dreamed of walking down the aisle one day for myself! Our beautiful vocalist Cristina from Blume Events, who is also a dear friend, sang me and my father down the aisle for the entrance which was very special.

The outfit.

My dress was custom-made by Leah Da Gloria. I absolutely adore a two-tier lace veil and have always wanted this for when I was a bride, so I did not want something too extravagant for my dress. I am drawn to square necklines and am in my bow era, so Leah helped with this design using marcato material – simple but elegant.

My mum is a fabulous seamstress, so I have become very accustomed to clothes that fit perfectly.

Mum and I attended multiple dress fittings in Sydney during the design process, which I now fondly look back on as I no longer live close by to my family.

Favourite moments.

The entrance to our reception canapes on the grass! This Will Be An Everlasting Love was playing (classic!) as we approached our champagne tower, which was stunning! Our guests were all there enjoying the awesome atmosphere with our acoustic duo, cocktails, canapes and gelato!

Meaning of marriage.

Marriage means family. A lifelong partner in life to be there through every high and low.

Wedding soundtrack.

Ceremony entry: From This Moment by Shania Twain

Signing: Pachelbels Canon in D Major + Interlude II by Alt J

Recessional: I’m A Believer by The Monkees

Champagne tower entry: This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) by Natalie Cole

Wedding party entry: I Believe In a Thing Called Love by The Darkness

First dance: I Knew I Loved You (Acoustic) by Mateo Oxley

Funny stories or near disasters.

Thomas, my Dad, and I handpicked all of the fruit for our table decoration from both my Dad’s and our relative’s farms. I got a few cuts on my hands (which you can see in some photos!), and Dad got a cut right between his eyebrows!

Planning surprises.

The aftermath was actually what took me by surprise. I absolutely had the wedding blues when it was all over!

Words of wisdom.

Aim to have the small things sorted well before wedding week. Something will undoubtedly not run to plan, and the week before the wedding is naturally stressful enough, so I would aim to have everything sorted by then.

Enjoy the day—it goes by so quickly! Find a quiet time to spend with your new husband or wife. It is honestly the best day of your life!

Love the idea of partying under the stars in a stunning marquee set-up, but unsure where to begin? We’ve gathered some tips from insider experts to help you plan your dream day in the great outdoors, here.

MELANIE & THOMAS’ VENDORS

Ceremony venue: St Joseph’s Catholic Church, Leeton

Reception venue: White Top Venues at The Shed, Yoogali. Ayesha at White Top Venues was our Senior Event Director, who was there from the beginning of the planning process right until the end of the wedding night.

Officiant: Father Christian

Photography: Carmen Hickey Photography

Videography: Soda Films

Styling: Ayesha from White Top Venues alongside Melanie

Florist: Wren Floralista

Hair: Hairmasters, Leeton

Make-up: Bride – Lucinda Panarello. Bridesmaids – Hayley Reynolds Makeup and Chelsea Maria Beauty

The dress & veil: Leah Da Gloria – custom made

Shoes: Jimmy Choo

Rings: Whittakers Jewellers

Bride Earrings – Natasha Schweitzer

Bridesmaid’s dresses: Bec + Bridge