From the beginning, Kayla and Damien knew they wanted their wedding to be relaxed, rustic and romantic. Surrounded by an array of native florals and soft lighting, the couple were wed in a beautiful outdoor ceremony.
An Unlikely Encounter...
The couple met when Kayla was performing in a magic show in Brisbane. After Damien saw her perform, they just happened to bump into each other. From here, their love blossomed. The couple knew this was something special after a dangerous sea adventure. "We had rented a kayak on the Gold Coast, capsized it in rough seas and I was close to being swept out to the sharks. As we got back to shore, exhausted and kayak-less, we felt a real connection" the bride explained.
Focus On The Florals...
The couple decided on a theme that was rustic and relaxed, whilst still beautifully encompassing the romance of the day. "I knew I wanted native florals, more relaxed bridesmaid dresses and a lot of candles. We wanted everything to be comfortable and FUN!" the couple tells us.
Two Toned...
The groom went rustic with his look, sporting a stunning maroon woollen jacket, matched with a crisp white shirt, dark navy pants and a black bowtie. A truly unique and handsome look! The groomsmen dressed in a similar manor, but swapped the maroon jacket for a rich blue tone. They also adding a bright pink flamingo sock for a bit of fun!
Lacey Ladies...
The bride looked like a vision is her tulle and lace creation. "My wedding gown was the opposite of what I thought I would wear but I fell in love with it instantly." the bride explained. The design combined a soft lace bodice with a V-shaped neckline. The skirt dazzled with detail with nine full layers of tulle creating the most romantic ballgown. A split was placed into the tulle to add a little touch of sultry design. The bridesmaids looked elegant in dusty pink tones, covered in exquisite lace detail.
Under The Fig Tree...
The ceremony was help underneath the majestic Moreton Bay fig tree at the Albert River Winery. The backdrop perfectly encompassed the romance of a rustic garden wedding, with the surrounding farms and vineyards as an incredible backdrop. "It was the perfect ceremony spot for us. We love getting out into nature and just adore old trees." the couple tells us.
A Glow Of Green...
The reception was help in the ballroom of the winery, a stunning hall which has been standing for 140 years. The rustic timber floors and soft tones brought a outdoor element to the space, beautifully mimicking the vineyard landscape outside. Native florals including proteas, roses and pieces of greenery were placed across the tables and across the naked styled cake, perfectly inspired by the bouquets. Lastly, glass candle vases and delicate tea lights of all shapes and sizes were added for a romantic glow throughout the venue.
Let The Festivities Begin...
Guests were treated to a decadent three course meal featured a range of incredible choices. This included a rich calamari, pork belly, camembert stuffed chicken, sticky date pudding and pavlova...yum!! After cutting the cake, guests and the newlyweds enjoyed a night of dancing on the outdoor deck of the venue, surrounded by the twinkling night sky. "When the guests responded to our invite with song preferences, we ended up with a very eclectic mix! By the end of the night, everyone was up dancing and it was exactly what we wanted. Some of the requested bangers included Mr Brightside, Eagle Rock and Thunderstorm."
What The Future Holds...
After returning from their honeymoon, the couple learnt that they were expecting their first child! The little bundle of joy will be arriving in September 2019, adding more incredible excitement to the first year as newlyweds. The couple will also be relocating to Australia's beautiful Sunshine Coast where they look forward to welcoming their newborn.
A Few Tips...
The couple learnt a few crucial lessons whilst planning their special day. These tips include:
- Set a few times during the day/night to take each other aside and just catch up for 5 minutes.
- Damien and his groomsmen did a yoga session the morning of the wedding and he couldn’t recommend it enough to calm his nerves.
- Look up at the crowd at the ceremony and take it in. All those beautiful people are there to see you during one of your biggest moments in life.
- Don’t sweat the small stuff. Things might not go perfectly, but as long as you have each other with your friends and family there, the rest is minor.
If you're thinking of planning a vineyard wedding, check out these tips!
Venue: Albert River Wines / Wedding Planner: Kayla Templeman / Photographer: Sunlit Studios / Videographer: The Smile Factory Films / Wedding Celebrant: Anthony Lewis / Florist: Bec Willis Designs / Wedding Dress: Made With Love / Hair and Makeup: Backstage Beauty / Suits: Michael Innis Menswear / Grooming: Jimmy The Barber / DJ: Explosive Entertainment / Acoustic Music: Vanessa Krummenacher / Live Music: Sam Kirby