Real Wedding – Rachel & Jack, Coldstream VIC

With a late change of venue just weeks out from their big day, Rachel and Jack made magic happen under the trickiest of circumstances.

Though, looking at the result you really wouldn’t know it.

This elegant affair had all the makings of a perfect celebration and true to form, Katie Harmsworth has documented it to perfection.

In Rachel’s words…

The meeting.

We met at work, and have been inseparable since, going to our next three jobs together.

The proposal.

He surprised me with a trip to melbourne, booked a room in the Park Hyatt and proposed on the balcony. I was reluctant to go outside because it was in the middle of winter, but lucky I did! I didn’t let him finish speaking before I said yes and almost knocked the ring out of his hand trying to give him a kiss.

The dress.

I had seen a photo of the dress on Instagram and knew it was the one, I tried on three dresses from Pallas Couture but this dress felt right.

Favourite moments.

Jack’s vows would have to be my favourite moment.

Meaning of marriage.

So corny! But I commitment to Jack for the rest of our lives, to stick together through everything and support each other.

Wedding soundtrack.

Aisle: Soulmate by Mac miller

Signing of registry: Call me Al by Paul Simon

Ceremony exit: September by Earth Wind and Fire

First Dance: Youforia by Mac miller

Funny stories (or near disasters).

We had booked an Airbnb to have the reception at and the whole bridal party stay at the property together for the next four days. Two weeks before the wedding, Jack got a call from who we thought was the owner saying they had sold the property and it was due to settle in TWO days. I didn’t know if I should laugh or cry at this point. We tried to call him back but there was no answer. I was ready to cancel the wedding, as if I was going to find a place to have the wedding that wasn’t booked in two weeks! Anyway, Jack called the realestate who sold the property and tried to see if the new owners would allow us to still use the property for the one night… no good, they were moving in straight away and it was going to be a family home.

Whilst Jack was trying to sort something out I was calling every venue I could think of, my mum was looking, Jack’s parents were looking, it was frantic. Then the realestate agent called Jack back saying she was selling a property and they were happy to host it if we were happy with the property. So we went the weekend before the wedding to look at this house with fingers crossed and it was perfect, even better than the original plan, however it couldn’t sleep everyone for the whole four days.

During the panic of everything happening we had called all our suppliers ect to let them know it might not be happening, we received a call from our celebrant who had a friend who said we could stay at his home – it was AMAZING! Anyway it all worked out better than we had originally planned and basically Jack saved the wedding day.

Planning surprises.

Majority of the planning was pretty easy, apart the the two weeks prior to the wedding, I only picked my dress up two days before the wedding.

Words of wisdom.

Work together, it’s a day for both of you to remember and enjoy as much as the other!!!

If you loved this celebration, see more of what the Yarra Valley has to offer, here. 

RACHEL & JACK’S TRIBE

Firstly, my husband who pulled it all back together as it was about to fall apart! We probably still wouldn’t be married if it wasn’t for you, so thank you!

Ceremony location: Coombe, Yarra Valley

Reception location: Private property

Celebrant: Matt Finch – he was absolutely fantastic, I couldn’t recommend him enough, every single guest commented on how good he was and how smoothly it went and relaxed it was

Photography: The one and only Katie Harmsworth, who like Matt, was amazing – I think the photos speak for themselves.

Florist: Sugar Bee Flowers

Hair and make-up: Carla Dyson

The dress: Pallas Couture

Bride’s shoes: Jo Mercer

Rings: Jacque Fine Jewellery

Bridesmaid’s dresses: Shona Joy

Groom’s suit: MJ Bale

Groom’s shoes: Hugo Boss

Bow ties / ties: Hugo Boss

Catering: Pot and Pan

Bar: Pot and Pan

Favors: Aere Confections

Stationery / Signage: The Palm Co – stationery she was so good and so easy to deal with, the finished product was amazing and signage was Sketch and Etch.

Décor: Pot and Pan

Hire: Pot and Pan

Honeymoon: North America, Bahamas and Mexico