Real Wedding – Tahlia & Matt, Hahndorf SA
“As soon as we got out of the friend zone, we knew we were each other’s person”. Friends all through high school, for Tahlia and Matt, their first kiss set everything in motion, leading in to their dream wedding day.
Choosing a minimalist approach when it came to food and decor and leaning into to a relaxed, European summer vibe for the ethos of their dream day meant that this celebration is all about a beautiful experience with their friends and family.
Complementing the European sensibility are classic, refined vintage details – a chic classic car, timeless outfit choices and their stunning venue, Comida. Add the drama of a breathtaking weeping willow overhanging the ceremony and softly organic floral arrangements of muted pinks and accents of scarlet, and you have a celebration that feels as gently elevated as the emotions prevalent in each moment.
Captured through the lens of Jacob Jennings, this is one dream day worth immersing in for a true visual treat.
The meeting.
We first met in year eight at school in 2012, and were friends the whole way through. We didn’t actually date until two years after school in 2018.
The one.
We knew we would get married after our very first kiss. As soon as we got out of the friend zone, we knew we were each other’s person.
The proposal.
The question was popped among the Christmas lights in New York City.
Planning process.
It was a very laid-back approach! We picked the first venue we visited, my dress was the only one I had tried on, most of the vendors were friends of friends, and most decorations were thrifted.
We chose to go simple on decor and focus more on a beautiful venue, good food and good photography.
Style inspiration.
The inspiration behind the style was our venue. We loved the European summer vibe Comida had and leant into that for the decor and flowers. We also loved more classic and vintage looks, so definitely took some inspiration from that for our dress/suit and photos.
Inspiration from real local weddings was most useful, because you could see what works practically, what’s actually available in your area and what the real costs were. Pinterest was also a good place to get general inspiration on styling.
The ceremony.
It was special because it was our nearest friends and immediate family, so it felt very intimate and comfortable. The ceremony was also underneath a weeping willow, which made it a memorable and unique setting without the need for detailed styling.
The outfits.
We went for classic and timeless. My dress was pre-loved Maggie Sottero. I had this dress saved before I was even engaged, and I happened to find it on Stillwhite online. I bought it from an interstate seller, and it was the very first item we purchased for the wedding. Luckily, it fit me like a glove, so I never went to try on any dresses. Matt’s suit was from Peter Shearer.
Favourite moment.
Our favourite moment of the day was the very last song of the night, everyone got on the dance floor while Matt and I were on our friend’s shoulders. Everyone was singing the song together, and it was such a high to finish on.
Meaning of marriage.
Marriage to us meant more than just declaring our love or becoming a team, because we already had that. To us, getting married meant promising to not only love and commit to each other as we are now, but to all future versions of ourselves that we’ll become throughout our life. It’s an unspoken certainty every day that we love, support and choose each other.
Wedding soundtrack.
Ceremony songs included:
Sparks by Coldplay (aisle).
Put Your Head on My Shoulder by The Macaron Project
Let’s Stay Together by Joesef
Hold My Girl by George Ezra
Dive by Olivia Dean
Love Today by Mika
Funny stories (or near disasters).
Everyone was very smooth, luckily! The only hiccup was that I didn’t have my makeup trial until my hen’s day, which was two weeks before the wedding. I didn’t feel like myself with that make-up and ended up cancelling the artist and doing it myself on the day. I felt terrible for cancelling so last minute, but was grateful that I had, because it was so much fun doing my makeup on the day, and it was exactly how I wanted it.
Planning surprises.
Yes! I didn’t realise vendors were booked up so far in advance. I started planning nine months from the wedding date and thought that was plenty of time, turns out most hair and makeup artists were already booked out.
Words of wisdom.
Make your day authentic, not just trendy; you want it to feel like you! I think it’s also important to enjoy the planning together and not stress the small stuff, because guests won’t remember those details.
If I could go back in time, I would tell myself to trust the process more and stop doubting if it was all worth it, because it absolutely is!
Deep in wedding planning and unsure what you’re missing? No one is better positioned to give advice than those who have recently exchanged their I Dos. We’ve curated some of the best advice from our audience and real wedding couples to help you avoid some of the pitfalls of wedding planning.
TAHLIA & MATT’S VENDORS
Ceremony & reception venue: Comida, Hahndorf South Australia. The easiest people to work with, they had a wedding manager that helped coordinate everything. The staff were lovely and the food was amazing. Guests still talk about how great the venue was!
Celebrant: Mr Samuel James. We wanted someone to match our laid-back approach, and Sam was just that! Found him through Instagram and can’t recommend enough.
Photography: Jacob Jennings. Found Jacob by word of mouth. Jacob was exactly what we needed in a photographer. He made us feel extremely comfortable; it felt like having another friend there on the day. He was genuinely excited to capture the vibe from the day and excited to try new ideas to adapt to the lighting, setting and space. The photos were even better than I imagined!
Florist: Big Sky Flower Farm. Found by word of mouth. A small local Adelaide Hills florist using local and seasonal flowers.
Hair: Hair Loren
The dress: preloved Maggie Sorreto from Still White.
Veil: Amélie George Bridal
Shoes: Mi Piaci
Rings: Austen and Blake
Suit and bow tie: Peter Shearer
Transport: MG MGB – family members’ car
Hire: Olympic Party Hire for audio/lighting/dance floor. Golden Hour Mirrors
Honeymoon: Outrigger Fiji
