Real Wedding – Whitney & Mark, Wye River VIC
Real Wedding – Whitney & Mark, Wye River VIC
Real Wedding – Whitney & Mark, Wye River VIC
Real Wedding – Whitney & Mark, Wye River VIC

Real Wedding – Whitney & Mark, Wye River VIC

 

Kick-starting their day with an intimate and emotional ‘first look’, Whitney and Mark’s Wye River celebration was natural, elegant and the perfect beginning for these high school sweethearts.

After already sharing a decade side by side, Whitney and Mark knew exactly how they wanted their wedding day to play out. Styled with a stunning array of native florals, barefoot and beautiful, their beach celebration was relaxed and heartfelt.

Taking in all the moments was Rach of Sweeter Than Honey Photography, who’s stunning imagery really does all the talking.

In their words…

 

The meeting.

It’s so corny… high school sweethearts.

 

The ‘one’.

Year 12.

 

The proposal.

After being together for 10 years, you would’ve thought I would have been onto him! But it was not the case. I had booked us in for a night staying at Balgownie Estate and so we had stopped at Stevensons Falls near Marysville to do a walk on the way there. It was windy and cold. I was in a tracksuit and my knee was heavily taped. We headed off to the lookout. I didn’t twig when Mark was adamant to reach the top, as I had always known him to suffer from “summit fever” on other hikes we had done over the years. It sure was a surprise when at the top, Mark knelt down and produced a custom-made diamond ring, whose beauty was in contrast to my tracky dacks and wind-blown hair! It was a resounding “yes!”

 

The process.

We kept it all pretty relaxed. Having had some of my best girlfriends married not long before, they kept me on track with the timeline.

 

Style inspiration.

Nature. Elegant. Relaxed. Beach.

 

The dress.

I had known exactly what I was looking for. After trying on many dresses in bridal stores and looking at times like a cake topper, I hadn’t found what I had envisaged. Then one day in Sydney, while walking down the street – boom. There it was in a shop-front. Walked in. Tried it on. High-fived my to-be sister-in-laws. Purchased it there and then.

 

Favourite moments.

It was a moment before the wedding. Mark was looking out to sea and turned around to see me for the first time. I was so excited to see him.

 

Meaning of marriage.

It is a way of highlighting our love for each other. We were the same before as we are now after. But the wedding sure was a fun party with all our nearest and dearest to celebrate how lucky we are to have each other. Being married means we are committed to our awesome friendship and have lots of adventures ahead.

 

Wedding soundtrack.

Aisle: I will wait for you by Mumford and Sons

First dance: A DJ mash-up of Hakuna Matata, Client Liaison’s Feelings and Off White Limousine, Daft Punk Around The World, MeatLoaf Paradise By The Dashboard Light, wrapped up with Shake Your Tail Feather.

 

Funny stories (or near disasters).

One of my bridesmaids flew over from Perth to help me in the lead up to the wedding. She had left Perth in such a hurry that her bridesmaid dress was left behind. It arrived with two hours to spare on the day.

 

Words of wisdom.

I wrote out a pre-wedding and wedding day timeline and was able to allocate times and people to the tasks. Both sides of the family and the groom and bridal party had copies which meant everyone was able to know what was going on.

 

Last words.

It was a BLAST!

 

 

 

This beachside beauty has us dreaming of Summer. Have you caught Kylie and Matty’s Bali bash on the blog? See it here.

 

 

WHITNEY & MARK’S TRIBE

Ceremony venue / location:  The beach – Wye River, Great Ocean Road

Reception venue / location:   Wye River Beach Hotel, Great Ocean Road

Celebrant/Officiant:  Marks sister! Gorgeous Anna did our “Tie the knot” ceremony, because we had cheekily done the official stuff with Celebrant Tania Bannister on January 9th, 2018.

Photography: Rachel Ramsey at Sweeter Than Honey Photography

Florist: Stephanie Drewry – Earth Flower, Apollo Bay

Bride’s hair and make-up:  Di Baker

Bridesmaid’s hair and make-up: Genna Nelson

The Dress(es): I am not even sure of the brand!

Veil / headwear: A succulent and pepperberry crown by Earth Flower

Rings: Engagement custom ring (Nick Valpied in Ballarat), rose gold and diamond wedding band (Gems and Jewels, Ballarat), and my great grandmother’s engagement ring to complete the stack. Mark wore a gold band (Gems and Jewels, Ballarat).

Bridesmaid’s dresses: A navy dress of their choice

Groomsmen’s suits: Blue suits tailor-made on their Bali bucks

Favors:  Succulents growing in half a wine bottle.

Cake / Cake topper: A three-tiered mud cake by a local Ballarat maker, Liz Armstrong – dark chocolate and orange liqueur, and a salted caramel. Topped with two oversized wooden scrabble letters (M, W) and succulents.

Entertainment:  DJ Joe Byrne

Honeymoon: Byron Bay




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