Real Wedding - Tayla & Josh, Bellarine Peninsula VIC

March 20, 2024 In Classic, Real Weddings, White By Ivory Tribe

Real Wedding – Tayla & Josh, Bellarine Peninsula VIC

Welcome to the love story of Tayla and Josh, a couple who proved that sometimes the most beautiful weddings come together in a whirlwind of just seven months. From the moment they laid eyes on Terindah Estate, nestled on the breathtaking Bellarine Peninsula, they knew it was the perfect backdrop for their special day.

Initially hesitant about writing their own vows, Tayla and Josh took a spontaneous turn and decided to pour their hearts into personalised promises, a decision they cherish as one of their favourite moments of the entire celebration.

Their vision for the wedding? Relaxed, fun, and nothing too formal. Keeping the styling simple yet timeless, they opted for an all-white and neutral palette, perfectly complementing the panoramic views of their venue. With the soft glow of candles and fairy lights, they created a warm and inviting atmosphere for their guests to enjoy.

Capturing every heartfelt moment were the talented photographers from Hey Jack, who ensured that every smile, tear, and laughter was preserved for eternity. Join us as we delve into the magic of Tayla and Josh’s unforgettable day, filled with love, laughter, and timeless elegance.

The meeting.

Josh and I met at nightclub about eight years prior to our wedding and we have basically been inseparable ever since!

The one.

I think for the both of us it happened pretty quickly. Within a couple of weeks of seeing other we were booking countless activities, weekend trips and holidays together – everything felt really easy, and we just loved spending time with each other.

The proposal.

Josh actually managed to completely surprise me (which I didn’t think would be possible after almost eight years together). We decided about a week prior, to book a spontaneous road trip to Kangaroo Island. On the drive there, we stopped at a few beaches along the Great Ocean Road. It was the middle of the winter but was a beautiful sunny day. We made a stop at Loch Ard Gorge and had the entire place to ourselves. Josh hadn’t actually planned when or where he would exactly propose but was carrying around the ring in case the opportunity arose. As soon as he saw we had the beach to ourselves and the sun was shining, he got down on knee – it was the best surprise and was so exciting spending the rest of our trip together newly engaged!

Planning process.

We ended up looking at only the one venue and absolutely loved it, so we booked it straight away. I probably didn’t realise how much was involved in wedding planning initially, and we booked our date only 7 months out. I then learnt I had to get on to everything straight away from there. Despite being a very indecisive person, I actually really enjoyed the whole process and found all of the planning really fun.

Style inspiration.

The main thing that drew us to Terindah Estate was the view of the beautiful ocean backdrop, which we wanted to be the main feature. Josh and I are both very easygoing people and wanted our wedding to be really relaxed and fun, nothing too formal. We kept the styling simple but timeless by sticking with all white/neutral elements to complement the views at the venue, and used candles and fairy lights to create a warm, relaxing environment for the reception.

The ceremony.

Our ceremony was held outdoors looking over the ocean, on a beautiful sunny and still day, which we were so grateful for. Our celebrant Jen did an amazing job at keeping our ceremony personal and relaxed, which was perfect for us and made us feel really comfortable. We initially were not going to write our own vows, however at the last minute (4 days before) decided we should write some short vows to each other – they were so special, and it ended up being one of our favourite parts of the day.

The outfits.

Josh and his groomsmen wore classic black suits from MJ Bale and found the whole process very simple. I didn’t have any sort of style in mind, so found dress shopping a little more difficult. However, as our wedding was only 6 months out when I started looking, I knew I had to make a quick decision. I ended up going with a dress which had a detachable overskirt, which gave me the best of both worlds for the ceremony and reception. My bridesmaids wore beautiful white dresses from Hexie.

Favourite moment.

I honestly don’t think we can pinpoint a single moment, the whole day from morning to night was so incredible and so much fun. It was one big party with all of our closest family and friends – we both loved every minute of it!

Wedding soundtrack.

Aisle: Heartbeats – Jose Gonzalez

Reception entry: Touch the Sky – Kanye West

First dance: Lay it on Me – Vance Joy

Funny stories (or near disasters).

Everything ran super seamlessly in the lead up, but about 30 minutes before we were about to leave, I managed to break the chain strap on my shoe. Luckily, I had my sister’s boyfriend there who came to the rescue and put it back together, as I didn’t even think to bring any sort of backup pair!

Planning surprises.

How quickly suppliers book out! When we booked our wedding date, we initially only thought about securing the venue and it didn’t even cross our minds to check if we could get suppliers for everything else. I had to make a lot of enquiries, but we eventually got there in the end and couldn’t fault any of our suppliers – everyone was so lovely and helpful.

Words of wisdom.

Try to enjoy the process, and don’t get too overwhelmed by all the decisions and what you see on social media/Pinterest etc. Focus on the things that really matter to you as a couple that will make your day special.

The Bellarine Peninsula boasts beauty at almost every corner, from its sleepy seaside villages to the delectable delights of local produce and fine wine. See some of our favourite venues in this romantic region.

TAYLA AND JOSH’S SUPPLIERS

Ceremony and reception venue: Terindah Estate – Bellarine’s Premier Boutique Venue

Celebrant/Officiant: Heartlink Ceremonies (@celebrant_jenweston)

Photography: Hey Jack

Videography: These Wild Eyes

Florist: The Posie Place

Hair: Studio 2 Makeup and Hair

Make Up: Studio 2 Makeup & Hair

The Dress: Rachel Rose Bridal

Bridesmaid’s dresses: Hexie

Suits: MJ Bale

Catering: Truffleduck