Real Wedding - Sarah Jane & Brendan, Willaura VIC

September 1, 2024 In Country, Garden, Latest Posts, Outdoor, Pink, Real Weddings, Victoria By Ivory Tribe

Real Wedding – Sarah Jane & Brendan, Willaura VIC

What could be better than one day of wedding celebrations? For SJ and Brendan, it was an entire weekend of festive fun, set against the epic backdrop of Mount Williams Station. With 42 people staying onsite from all over the globe, it was truly an incredible affair, as chic in style as it was filled with emotion.

After assembling a team of truly talented vendors and with plenty of help from their nearest and dearest, SJ and Brendan set out to realise their vision – an effortless-feeling blend of country elegance meets Med summer, with an infusion of Palm Springs vibes.

Long, alfresco tables fit the theme, styled with effortless dynamism with white linens and scatterings of soft pink blooms, lit by the soft sunset and dreamy fairy lights.

Along with the aesthetics, the atmosphere was pure fun, relaxed and sun-soaked, an uplifting feast for the senses realised to perfection through the lens of Love Bomb Photos and Apertura Studios. We love the newlywed’s ultra-chic poolside shoot, accessorised with Aperol Spritz. Scroll on for every visually vibrant moment.

The meeting.

Brendan and I met on a night out at the Crown Casino. I was on a night out with the girls, and he was on a night out with the boys.

The one.

Brendan says he knew I was the one when I took him a beer on the golf course – I was working in the bar at the time. For me, it was the accumulation of countless little things, the shared laughter, the mutual support, and the quiet, everyday moments that made me certain.

The proposal.

During a family holiday in Fiji, the Caley family took a day trip to the beach club island, Mala Mala. After snorkelling with my Dad, I returned to the beach lounger, where Brendan asked if I wanted to go for a walk. I initially declined, but Brendan persisted and led me to a secluded spot on the island. There, he dropped to one knee and proposed. Filled with excitement, I returned to the beach lounger by the pool to share the joyous news with my grandma and the rest of the family.

Planning process.

The planning process was incredibly enjoyable! Although finding the right people at the right time was challenging—who knew how popular March dates are? Cait, our day-of coordinator, was an absolute legend. She listened to all my crazy ideas and thoughts and helped bring them to life. In addition to Cait was the amazing Hailey, who was an incredible sounding board for photo location ideas to bring the best out of the beautiful location that is Mount William Station.

As well as the wedding, we had the extra task of planning the entire weekend. We spent three nights at Mount William Station, Sharers Quarters, and the neighbouring Airbnb. Hosting 42 people was both amazing and a logistical challenge, none of which would have been possible without the help of the entire Caley and Dowse families and special friends, not to mention the one and only organising queen, Aunty Sue.

Not only was the wedding a DIY blank canvas event, but we also decided to host 42 people for a weekend away in the Grampians. I was determined to ensure all enjoyed the weekend, as many of our guests had travelled far and wide from London, New Zealand, and all over Australia.

Style inspiration.

We wanted a relaxed, fun, and casual vibe with a touch of luxury through carefully selected details and thoughtful finishes. Mount William Station provided the perfect backdrop, blending country chic with a hint of Mediterranean flavour and a splash of Palm Springs by the pool. It was exactly the atmosphere we envisioned for our special day.

The ceremony.

Our ceremony was beautiful, surrounded best of the best of our friends and family. We wanted it to be short and sharp but meaningful.

The outfits.

Initially uncertain about the dress style, I explored numerous Melbourne boutiques and even entertained the idea of a custom creation. Eventually, I gravitated towards a vision of understated elegance and classic simplicity. As for shoes, I stumbled upon this amazing pair from Flordeasoka on Pinterest. Turns out they were from a Spanish brand with stores in Spain and Paris. So, during our European summer holiday, I made it a mission to snag them. I found them on a rainy day in Paris and carried them with me throughout the entire five-week trip. In a last-minute realisation, I acknowledged the necessity of a party-ready mini for the festivities, prioritising both comfort and the ability to dance freely. With a precise image in mind, I embarked on the quest for the ideal structured mini adorned with a bow.

Meanwhile, Brendan sought guidance from his friends to ensure his tuxedo was impeccably suited to the occasion.

Favourite moments.

One of my favourite moments was waking up early to assist in moving all the flowers outside. They had been kept in a dark room the day before due to the heat. I took the opportunity to make coffee for the early risers in the house and then stood outside in my robe and slippers, sipping my coffee and savouring the tranquil sunrise for five minutes, embracing the serenity of the moment and preparing myself for the day ahead.

Brendan’s favourite moment occurred right after the ceremony. It was when we finally got to enjoy our first drink and mingle with our guests.

Another moment we both loved was our grand entrance to the reception. Hand in hand, we entered, greeted by the sight of our guests waving their napkins and cheering us on.

Meaning of marriage.

To us, marriage embodies the concept of being lifelong teammates. It’s more than just a legal union or a romantic partnership; it’s a commitment to navigate life’s journey together, hand in hand. It means having someone by your side through thick and thin, supporting each other’s dreams, and facing challenges as a unified force.

Wedding soundtrack.

Ceremony: Here Comes The Sun by The Beatles

Signing: Adore you by Fred Again and Me and U by Tems

Recessional: Heaven Must Be Missing An Angel by Tavares

Reception entry: Cant Take My Eyes Off You by Frankie Valli

First dance: Boogies Shoes by KC & The Sunshine Band

Dress change entry: Be Faithful by Fatman Scoop

Last song: One More Time- Daft Punk

Funny stories (or near disasters).

As the Monday check-out commenced at Mount William Station, Brendan was struck by a sinking feeling: his brand-new wedding band was nowhere to be found. Despite the entire crew scouring the area extensively, the elusive ring remained elusive. Just as they were about to resort to rifling through the skip bins, Brendan’s Mum made a suggestion regarding its possible whereabouts. Fortunately, her intuition proved correct, and the precious band was located. It was swiftly resized the following day, just in time for the honeymoon.

Plannin surprises.

For me, it was the intricacies of seating arrangements that caught me off guard. I didn’t anticipate how much thought would need to go into ensuring everyone was comfortable and that different groups of guests would mesh well together.

Words of wisdom.

While some might advise not to sweat the small stuff, that rang true for me when considering unpredictable factors like weather or minor mishaps. However, it’s the details that truly define your special day. Focusing on what matters to you as a couple is key, as those intricacies are what make your wedding uniquely yours. Embrace the elements that hold significance for you, for they are the ones that will leave a lasting impact. Take, for example, the sentimental touches we incorporated into our celebration. My grandma’s illustrations gracing our stationery added a layer of warmth and love. Additionally, choosing drinks and songs to honour specific family members or the life-size cutout of our fur child, Macey. These small details are what helped make our day an unforgettable experience for us and our loved ones.

Our unforgettable weekend in the Grampians was a monumental undertaking, made possible by the unwavering support of our nearest and dearest. It was a deeply significant occasion for our families, especially after enduring some challenging years and being separated by the impact of the pandemic. Alongside our beloved families, the success of our wedding wouldn’t have been possible without our incredible team.

LINKING POST

Want stunningly luminous skin on your wedding day? Beauty and make-up expert Ashleigh Fenton gives us her top tips to prep for that dream day glow.

SARAH-JANE & BRENDAN’S VENDORS

Talking, talking & talking to everyone and anyone about who they know was the main way we found our vendors. Scrolling through instagram and Tik Tok and finding out all the details and tags of things that i liked. My camera roll was filled with screenshots to remember names and vendors.

Ceremony & reception venue: Mount William Station, Grampians

Celebrant: Nick Brown Events

Photography: Hailey, Love Bomb Photos

Videography: Sash, Apertura

Day Of Coordinator: Cait, Celebrait Wedding Co

Styling: Sarah-Jane, with a huge help from family and set up by Cait.

Florist: Sarah-Jane, her sister Ella Caley and family Sue Caley, Rob Caley & Grandma Helen + some beautiful friends.

Hair: Beth, Ginger & Blonde

Make-Up: Stef Bond Make-up

The dresses: Moonstruck and Emily May Bridal (mini)

Veil: My beautiful friend Emily

Shoes: Flordeasoka