G W Y N N E T H & T H O M A S
{Bursaria}
From the beginning, Gwynneth and Thomas knew they wanted a wedding day that displayed elegant decor and timeless beauty. Choosing Werribee Mansion as their dream location, the couple enjoyed a sophisticated and romantic garden wedding with friends and family.
Kiss From A Rose...
Gwynneth and Thomas met back in 2012 at a friends house. "Tom sat next to me and didn't even say hi. It wasn't until he mentioned that he filmed weddings that my ears perked up!" Love blossomed quickly for the couple with the turning point being at their 6 month anniversary. "He came to me each day for 6 days, always with a rose. First a white rose, then a pale pink one, and ending with a red rose. That was very special."
Proposing An Adventure...
The couple were engaged on their 5 year anniversary whilst on a surprise trip to Queenstown, New Zealand. Gywnneth explains "I had no idea where we were gong or what we were doing. My only clues were that it was cold, we were going for 24 hours and I would need my passport." That evening, the couple took a chairlift up to a restaurant where they could enjoy dinner and admire the phenomenal view of Queenstown. Photographer Tom then set up his tripod so that the proposal could be captured on film.
A Timeless Theme...
Early in the planning stages, the couple decided that a garden would be the perfect setting for their day. After viewing Werribee Mansion, it was decided that this held the perfect timeless and classic style that the couple were looking for. The overall concept was kept classy, elegant and timeless. Wishing to keep colour involvement to a limit, they opted for a focus on white tones and using the majestic backdrop of the venue to highlight the theme. The couple also aimed to create the feeling of a destination wedding but without the need for their loved ones to travel.
The Beauty Of Werribee Mansion...
The ceremony was held within the 'Silky Oak' lawn area in the gardens of Werribee Mansion. Surrounded by towering trees and soft foliage, the couple wed with the beautiful gardens creating the most delightful and vibrant backdrop. With a string quartet greeting guests, the venue was whisked into the romance of a fairytale. The beautiful oak trees and layers of greenery cast the perfect area of shade for guests, with the beaming sun adding a whimsical light to the day.
The Princess Bride...
The brides gown beautifully blended an elegant style with a dreamy and detailed design. "Once I tried it on, I knew it was the one. I wanted to look like a princess and in it, I felt like a princess. It really was my dream dress" the bride explains. The strapless style was joined by a detachable off the shoulder tulle strap and a delicate veil to wear during the ceremony. The bodice featured light ivory beading and subtle lace detail, with a matching belt highlighting the brides waistline.
Suit And Tie...
The groom and groomsmen looked dapper in their rich navy suits, each with a striking tie. The grooms look slightly differed with a lighter blue tie and navy vest. Bridesmaids were dressed to match in a classic deep navy style, matched with a nude heel. This was also the brides way of incorporating 'something blue' into the wedding day. The bridal party carried bouquets further highlighting the classic style of the day, each filled with bold greenery and soft white tones.
Surrounding Beauty...
Following the ceremony, the newlyweds and their bridal party took the opportunity to create memories around the venue. Taken by The White Tree, a frequent partner of the venue, the photos focussed on creating a timeless and elegant album using the romantic surrounding decor. These included the lively flowers of the venues greenhouse and the rustic hallways and grand staircase of the Refectory. "We love that we were able to take candid and natural photos. They really captured the day so well!" the couple tell us.
Fresh Florals...
The delightful reception took place at the Refectory at Werribee Mansion. Holding a sophisticated tone, the venue was subtlety decorated to bring the couples vision to life. The colour scheme featured light white and cream tones, with splashes of colours being brought to life by the mixture of florals. Peonies, Lisianthus, Queen Anne's lace, silver suede foliage and orchids were joined by fresh greenery and eucalypts to create the elegant centrepieces. Surrounding decor was kept classic and simple, with a white toned base and small splashes of navy and silver detail throughout the menus and cutlery.
A Decadent Celebration...
Being decorated by the venue's team, the room featured 3 long tables, each coated with delightful floral decor. Large arrangements that were matched with the bridal bouquets was placed throughout the tables. Catering was created by the in-house team, Bursaria. The food offered a decadent array of options for guests, allowing a wonderful combination of flavours. Canapés and champagne began at cocktail hour, with guests later enjoying a sit-down grazing meal. Slow cooked lamb and fresh ocean trout were teamed with a range of delightful sides, set out to encourage guests to mingle. The couples cake featured a chocolate cake topper and hazelnut glaze, blending beautifully with the two tiered white masterpiece.
Grease Is The Word...
Wanting to treat guests to a little surprise, the bridal party chose to perform a group dance to the medley from 'Grease'! The music of the day, performed by The Baker Boys Band, created a fun and lively vibe with their 5-piece band and string quartet. "They played covers of well-known pop songs - it was amazing! They asked us to provide names of songs that we liked and then created a set list from that. Couldn't have been easier or more perfect!"
Lesson Learnt...
Having planned a truly extraordinary wedding, the couple learned that there are challenges to face along the way. "It was a challenge trying to please everyone. At the end of the day, it is your wedding so you should focus on what is important to you and what will make your day perfect" the bride explained. For couples now planning their wedding, the newlyweds would recommend an emphasis on planning. "Don't stress about the details and delegate where and if you can. Make sure your bridal party are reliable and in the state. Set a budget and focus on the important things. Focus on what will make the event unique and special for you"
Caterer: Bursaria / Venue: The Refectory at Werribee Mansion by Bursaria / Photographer & Videographer: The White Tree / Florist: Oak and Holly Flowers / Cake: Aggilicious Delights / Entertainment: The Baker Boys Band / Wedding Gown: Karen Willis Holmes / Groom and Groomsmen's Suits: Peter Jackson / Groom and Groomsmen's Shoes: Windsor Smith / Bridesmaids Dresses: Bec and Bridge / Bridesmaids Shoes: Betts Shoes / Hair: Plumage Salon / Makeup: Ingrid Howlett