Real Wedding - Melissa & Stuart, Red Hill VIC

October 2, 2019 In Black and White, Classic, Real Weddings, Winery By Natalie Drum

Real Wedding – Melissa & Stuart, Red Hill VIC

It’s not often you hear a bride and groom say their day was ‘the smoothest and most relaxed day ever’, but this is exactly the way Melissa and Stuart felt.

Choosing Montalto on the stunning Mornington Peninsula as their venue, they fell in love with the rustic, yet elegant feel of the special space, and found they didn’t need to do much to highlight its natural beauty.

Walking down the aisle was a dream moment for Melissa and Stuart was wowed by his beautiful bride in a One Day Bridal gown.

White Vine Photography captured all the moments, so get scrolling this darling day.

In their words…

The meeting.

We worked together, Mel was Stu’s boss!

The ‘one’.

After seeing each other for six months, Stu went overseas for a four month trip. When he was away we both realised that we couldn’t live without each other.

The proposal.

We had planned a trip to Italy as part of Mel’s 30th Birthday present. Stu is half Italian and wanted to show Mel the hometown where his Nonni were born and raised. He took Mel to the Church in Meano, Northern Italy where they were married 65 years ago, and got down on one knee.

Style inspiration.

Montalo is our favourite winery on the Peninsula and was always our first choice for our wedding venue. We love the rustic yet elegant feel that the winery has and we wanted to highlight its natural beauty.

The outfits.

I had always wanted to feel like myself in my wedding dress. I wanted it to be an elegant silhouette with beautiful shoes and accessories.

Stu, also wanted to feel like himself on our wedding day. He choose to wear a linen blazer and tailored pants and had crisp accessories with his bow tie and custom made shoes. We also wanted to be in lighter shades as our bridemaids and groomsman were in black.

Favourite moments.

Walking down the aisle! Stu walked in with his mum and dad and then after the flower girl, page boy and bridesmaids, Mel entered with her dad. Seeing all of our friends and family looking back at us was a moment we will never forget.

Meaning of marriage.

Marriage to us means the beginning of a new chapter in our lives, we are our own family and have connected on a deeper level now as husband and wife. Marriage for us is about loving and accepting each other for who we are and supporting each other through thick and thin.

Wedding soundtrack.

Stu, flower girl, page boy and bridemaids walked down the aisle to Higher Love by James Vincent McMorrow

Mel walked down the aisle to Heartbeats by Jose Gonzalez

Reception entrance: I Got U by Duke Dumont

Frist dance: Stand by Me by Florence and the Machine, mashed into Don’t stop me now by Queen – which got our dance floor going!

Funny stories (or near disasters)?

No, it was the smoothest, most relaxed day ever.

Planning surprises.

There are so many options and businesses out there that specialise in weddings. You really do need to do your research to find the best people to help facilitate your vision.

Words of wisdom.

Have a clear understanding as to what you want your wedding to represent, for us we wanted to have great food, beautiful wines and an amazing party! Set your budget, do your research and don’t settle for anything that doesn’t align with your vision. There is so many options and people who can help bring your vision to life. Enjoy the process, it comes and goes way to fast.

Take a moment on the night to just be together, have a glass of champagne and really absorb what is around you. It is a wonderful moment for you, your family and your friends so look around and soak it all up.