by Jo Betz

Candlelit elegance at Provenance Wines

Set against the historic bluestone walls and stunning surrounds of Provenance Wines, Rhianna and Nathan wanted their wedding to feel romantic, effortless, and utterly timeless – and this venue delivered it all.

The ceremony was a showstopper: the Grand Hall framed the couple perfectly, the aisle glowed with candles, and Rhianna took everyone’s breath away in her strapless gown with a full skirt. Family played a meaningful role, from flower grandmas and heartfelt readings to Nathan’s dad as ring bearer, with a dreamy petal toss to finish the moment.

Soft, classic tones carried through the styling – bridesmaids in baby blue, crisp white bouquets, and delicate floral arrangements paired with candlelight to create a warm, inviting reception ambience as the evening unfolded.

Every detail came together beautifully, leaving a day full of love, laughter, and memories that will be remembered forever, captured by Jacob Heston.

The meeting.

Nathan and I first met in January 2020 at the Geelong Hotel. I noticed him across the bar and something about his kind eyes caught my attention, so I felt this sudden burst of confidence to walk over and introduce myself. I simply said, “Hi, I’m Rhianna.” From that moment we started talking and ended up chatting for hours. The conversation felt incredibly easy and natural and we quickly realised how comfortable we felt around each other. Our first few dates were relaxed and effortless. Our very first date was at Grill’d, followed by long walks along the river in Geelong and fish and chips at Point Addis – a place that would later become very meaningful in our story. From the very beginning everything just felt right.

The one.

Looking back there wasn’t one single dramatic moment it was more a feeling that grew very naturally between us. From the very beginning everything felt easy, comfortable and genuine. We could be completely ourselves around each other and life together just seemed to make sense.

The proposal.

Nathan planned a surprise day for us which wasn’t unusual because we often take turns planning little adventures for each other. The day started with coffee from Bella Hope in Colac before we drove out to Lake Elizabeth for a walk. After that we headed to Forrest where Nathan had organised a picnic lunch and we spent the afternoon just enjoying each other’s company. The final stop of the day was Point Addis a place that already held special meaning for us. We wandered down to the beach and along to the rockpools and it was there that Nathan got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. It felt incredibly special being in a place that had been part of our story from the very beginning. Afterwards we celebrated with Moscato and raspberry liqueur taking a moment together to soak it all in before heading out to a celebratory dinner in Torquay.

The planning process.

Planning our wedding was such an exciting and meaningful time for us. From the beginning we knew we wanted the day to feel personal, relaxed and full of love rather than overly formal or complicated. Our focus was on creating a celebration that truly reflected us and the people who mean the most to us.

We were very fortunate to have an incredible team of local vendors who helped guide us through the process and made everything feel less overwhelming.

Choosing Provenance Wines as our venue was one of the first big decisions we made and honestly, it ended up being the best one. Once we had that locked in, so many of the other details naturally fell into place and the entire day ran so smoothly because of it. The team at Provenance were amazing to work with and made everything feel seamless which took so much pressure off us, making us feel so present. The venue itself is so beautiful that it made styling decisions feel effortless.  We didn’t feel the need to overdo anything because the space speaks for itself.

Having such a strong foundation with both the venue and our vendors meant we could enjoy the planning process and more importantly, be fully present on the day. It all came together in a way that felt relaxed, organised and very “us,” which is exactly what we had hoped for.

Throughout the planning process we tried to focus on the moments that would mean the most to us; the ceremony, being surrounded by our family and friends, and creating an atmosphere where everyone could relax and celebrate together. There were of course moments of stress along the way, as there always are when planning something so significant, but overall the experience was incredibly special.

Style inspiration.

The inspiration behind the style of our wedding was to create something timeless, romantic, and true to us as a couple. We didn’t want anything overly styled or trendy; instead, we wanted the day to feel warm, elegant, and relaxed, allowing the natural beauty of the venue to really shine.

When we chose Provenance Wines, the historic bluestone building and beautiful surroundings immediately influenced the aesthetic we imagined. The setting itself is so stunning that we wanted the styling to complement it rather than compete with it. We focused on soft, classic tones, natural florals, and simple details that created a romantic atmosphere while still feeling effortless. Candles and delicate floral arrangements brought warmth to the reception space and created a beautiful ambience as the evening unfolded.

I also spent a lot of time creating DIY elements for the day, including cleaning and preparing 156 Moccona coffee jars, which we used as candle holders throughout the ceremony and reception. It was a labour of love but seeing them all set up on the day made it completely worth it.

It was also incredibly important to us that our family played a meaningful role which they did in our ceremony.

Overall, the inspiration was simply to create a celebration that felt authentic to us – something elegant and meaningful, centred around love, family, and the people who matter most.

The ceremony.

The ceremony was easily the most emotional and significant part of the day for us. We really wanted it to feel like a true reflection of who we are – something heartfelt rather than overly structured or traditional. Being able to stand together in front of all the people we love most and make that commitment to each other is something we will carry with us forever.

Including our families was also incredibly important to us. One of the most special moments was having both of our grandparents walk down the aisle as our “flower grandparents,” which was such a beautiful and personal touch. We also had our grandparents sign our marriage certificate as our witnesses.

I was also lucky enough to have both my mum and dad walk me down the aisle, which made that moment even more special. With my dad being diagnosed with cancer and having been given less than five years to live, it made that moment even more emotional and something I will treasure forever.

Another deeply meaningful part of the ceremony was having Nathan’s Aunt Nora do a reading. Nathan’s mum sadly passed away from brain cancer six years ago, and it was very important to us that her presence was felt throughout the day. Having her sister take part in the ceremony felt like a beautiful way to honour her and acknowledge the love she would have shared with us.

At the end of the ceremony, we had my mum, my stepmum, and all of Nathan’s aunties hand out petals for the petal toss, which was such a fun and lovely way to include them all. Nathan’s dad, David, also had a role in the ceremony as our ring bearer, which was another really special way to include family in the day.

We also wrote our own vows, which made the ceremony feel incredibly personal. Hearing each other’s words in that moment, in front of everyone we love, was something we will never forget.

The ceremony felt completely true to us.

The outfits.

I first went dress shopping on my own to get a feel for different styles and to avoid feeling overwhelmed by too many opinions. During that visit, I ended up finding the dress that felt right for me straight away. Once I knew it was ‘the one’, I went back again with one of my bridesmaids and my mum so I could show them the dress I had already chosen, which made it special to share that moment with them.

Nathan was already pretty set on what he wanted to wear. After looking through photos on Pinterest for inspiration, he had his heart set on something classic and timeless, an all-black tux that would never date. He went in on his own first to Eddy Elias, which made sense given he had bought suits from there before for other weddings. With the help of Andrew and the team, he worked through a few options and ended up finding one that really felt right.

When I came in afterwards to see it, the decision had already been made, and I completely understood why. It suited him perfectly – it was sharp, simple, and exactly what he’d had in mind from the beginning.

Favourite moment.

Our first look was so special it was just the two of us away from everything and such a calm and emotional moment before the day really began. It also gave me the chance to give Nathan a meaningful gift; a suit pendant with a photo of him and his mum from when he was a little boy. That moment was incredibly special and something we’ll both always hold onto.

Our first dance was also such a highlight especially because it was a bit of a surprise for our guests! It started off slow and romantic to Birds of a Feather by Billie Eilish and then switched into Let’s Get Loud by Jennifer Lopez which no one was expecting. It completely changed the energy in the room and got everyone up and celebrating on the dance floor with us as soon as our dance was done.

Meaning of marriage.

Marriage to me means choosing each other every single day. It’s not just about the wedding, but about building a life together – supporting one another through the highs and lows, growing old together, and always having that person by your side no matter what.

During our ceremony, Nora read a piece about soulmates that really captures how I feel. To me, marriage isn’t about finding someone who completes you, but someone who inspires you to become the best version of yourself. It’s about having a person who sees every part of you – the good, the messy, the parts shaped by life – and chooses to stand beside you through it all.

It means encouraging each other to grow, to heal, and to chase everything you’re capable of without ever feeling held back. It’s having someone who believes in you, sometimes even more than you believe in yourself, and who celebrates who you are becoming.

It also means family, not just the one you come from, but the one you create together.

Wedding soundtrack.

Aisle: Tenerife Sea by Ed Sheeran

Reception entry: You & Me by Flume

First dance: Birds of a Feather by Billie Eilish followed by Let’s Get Loud by Jennifer Lopez (song mash up).

Funny stories (or near disasters).

We were lucky overall, but one moment that stands out, and that we can laugh about now, was with Nathan’s boutonnière. The pin ended up stabbing him multiple times in the chest after his groomsmen tapped him in the wrong spot during a photo. Before we knew it, he was actually bleeding through onto his pristine white shirt. Not exactly ideal on your wedding day!

But honestly, we just rolled with it. It turned into a bit of a moment, with everyone jumping in to help, and we ended up with a very funny photo of Nathan surrounded by the entire bridal party, holding Band-Aids and trying to fix him up.

We were definitely laughing about it in the end.

Planning surprises.

One thing that really surprised me was just how much planning and organisation goes into making the day run smoothly. You do not always realise how many moving parts there are until you’re in it with timelines, vendors, logistics and little details. Everything needs to come together at the right time.

Even things that seem small end up needing thought and coordination, and there’s a lot happening behind the scenes to make it all feel effortless on the day. It gave me a whole new appreciation for how much work goes into creating a wedding that feels seamless.

That being said, once the day arrived it was all so worth it. Everything came together beautifully and we were able to be present and enjoy every moment.

Words of wisdom.

My biggest piece of advice would be to remember that the day is about the two of you. It’s so easy to get caught up in the details, opinions and pressure to make everything perfect but at the end of it all you are marrying your person and that is what truly matters. Try to stay organised where you can and start planning as soon as possible so you do not feel so overwhelmed in the lead up. Don’t be afraid to let go of things that don’t feel important to you. Also build a day that feels like the two of you. The moments people remember most are not the tiny details but the feeling, the atmosphere and the love in the room. Finally, take it all in as the day goes so quickly – so make time to pause, look around, and really soak up being surrounded by all your favourite people celebrating your love.

Final words.

We would like to add that we feel incredibly grateful – grateful for each other, for our families and for all the people who showed up to support and celebrate us. Choosing your wedding party wisely has a massive impact in both the lead-up and on the wedding day itself. We also highly recommend a Sunday recovery after the wedding as it gives you a chance to debrief and have meaningful conversations with guests you didn’t get to catch up with on the day. Finally, if you are planning a honeymoon, we would strongly suggest having two to three days at home beforehand to unwind after such a huge weekend. It allows you to rest, be present and truly enjoy the start of your honeymoon.

Rhianna and Nathan’s Vendors.

Ceremony and reception venue: Provenance Wines – 100 Lower Paper Mills Rd, Fyansford VIC 3218,

Celebrant/Officiant: Ceremonies by Ella Reeve

Photography: Jacob Heston

Videography: Josue TW Films

Florist: The Posie Place

Hair: Cassie from Rokpaperscissors

Make-up: Emma from Studio 2 Makeup

Nails: Chelsea from Buttercup Nail Lounge

The dress and veil: Luv Bridal, Chadstone

Shoes: Novo Shoes

Rings: Cullen Jewellery & Michael Hill

Bridesmaid’s dresses: Bec and Bridge

Suits and accessories: Eddy Elias

Cake / Cake topper: Love It Cakes

Entertainment: Music by Demi

Transport: Murrell Group Limo

Honeymoon: New Zealand for 16 days

SHARE THIS POST

THE LATEST

June 23, 2026

Are Mismatched Bridesmaid Dresses Still in Style? The Wedding Trend Couples Are Loving in 2026

June 23, 2026

Beyond the Brochure: The Questions Worth Asking on a Wedding Venue Tour

June 23, 2026

Parents Contributing to your Wedding? How to Navigate Family Expectations Without Losing Your Vision

June 23, 2026

An all-white bridal party, ocean vows and a surf club reception.

June 21, 2026

Ancestry and Elegance at Coombe Yarra Valley

POPULAR POST

SHARE THIS POST