G A B I & Z I O
{ Bohemian Prints }
After meeting in their early teens and after many flirtatious encounters, Gabi & Zio knew they had a spark. The couple tied the knot in beachside bliss at a bohemian themed celebration on the dreamy shores of Phillip Island.
Relaxed romance...
The couple always had the same vision for what they wanted their wedding to be like, so found the planning pretty easy. “We both always had the same vision for what we wanted so it was actually pretty easy. We wanted a relaxed, casual vibe, surrounded by out closest family and friends."
Perched between the sky and the sea, the couple chose the dreamy outlook at Phillip Island's Clifftop Boutique Accommodation to say I do. "When we found the venue in Phillip Island we knew instantly - it literally ticked every box! We chose the labour day long weekend so we could really make a weekend of it, with a recovery party on the Sunday following the wedding - and trust me we needed to recover!"
Beachside bliss...
In keeping with the nautical theme of the day, each of Gabi's bridesmaids wore navy blue dresses whilst each clutching native eucalyptus gum, succulents, foliage and white/cream roses., "I chose the colour scheme for the bridesmaid’s dresses but let them choose a dress that they liked as I wanted them to feel comfortable", Gabi reveals. Whilst Zio and his groomsmen all look dapper in neutral hues.
A Ballerina babe...
The bride chose an elegant strapless mermaid style gown for her ceremony and upped the ante for her reception in a DIY tutu. "I had two wedding gowns and funnily enough, the second dress I wore on the day was actually the first one I bought, almost a year before the wedding," says Gabi.
"I fell out of love with it after a few months and so went and bought another dress. I had always wanted a party dress and didn’t want to completely waste the initial dress so I came up with a crazy idea to cut off the bottom and make it into a tutu!"
Natural and rustic...
The couple continued this relaxed, yet elegant theme throughout their ceremony and reception. With a divine marquee adorned with foliage and succulents and candles adorning the reception tables, finally the look was made complete with crisp and clean white accents dotted throughout. “I would describe our style as rustic, beachy, Australiana", she says.
DIY Day...
Like with her wedding dress, Gabi enjoyed getting her hands dirty and entered into the world of DIY for her styling. "I woke up at 7am the morning of the wedding and set up each table setting, making sure it was perfect” she reveals.
To top it off, personal and creative bomboniere were given to guests to remember the special day, “we had personalised stubby holders along with potted succulents topped off with personalised signage reading ‘Let Love Grow’ along with our names and the date.”
“Try not to be overwhelmed by planning the wedding and ask for help if you are. It should be an enjoyable time, not something that you resent and that stresses you. Things will go wrong, that’s a given, but don’t focus on that and just enjoy every minute!”
Photographer: Bohemian Prints / Venue: Clifftop Boutique Accomodation at Smith’s Beach Phillip Island / Celebrant: Precious Celebrations / Grooms outfit: MJ Bale, Aquila and Industrie jacket / Bridesmaids dresses: Zimmerman / Groomsmen's outfits: MJ Bale & Aquila / Flowers: Flowers of Phillip Island