After being together for four years, Estelle and Ben didn’t want to wait any longer to get hitched, tying the knot a short seven months after the sweet proposal. “We knew we wanted a shorter engagement,” spills the bride, who says they picked their June 2021 date by “process of elimination”. They “didn’t exactly plan for a winter wedding”, she says, “but, in the end, we’re so glad it worked out that way.” So out went the carefully crafted invites courtesy of our friends Evergreen Ink, and the wheels of love were set in motion.
A few months on and the dreamy big day was captured by none other than our good friends at Bulb Creative. Estelle was nothing short of perfection in her Prea James Bridal gown, which she says seemed destined to be The One. “My maid of honour sent me a photo of a dress and we both really loved it, but I was hesitant to be all in. Two days later my mum sent me exactly the same photo without knowing my maid of honour and I had already spoken about the dress! I knew this had to be it.” Meanwhile, the guys at M.J. Bale helped Ben out with his ‘I do’ look. Ready to take a slow scroll through all the delicious snaps to peek into this couple’s day of days? Yeah, you are…
THE PROPOSAL “Ben organised for my brother to take me out to Tallebudgera Valley one morning. Little did I know it was a complete set-up! As we were driving out to the Valley, my brother turned down a little slip lane and pulled the over next to a beautiful park (think: whimsical fairy forest). He told me to get out and walk because I’d know what I was looking for. After getting a little lost walking through the trees (thanks to a pile of sticks, a dog and a lady looking for a chicken), I finally locked eyes with Ben at the other end of the park. When I arrived, he shared a few special words with me and then proposed. He’d organised for a local photographer to capture the moment and I’m so glad he did. We then had a lovely picnic with all of our favourite snacks.”
DIY “Our DIY projects were limited because of the nature of our jobs. We were, however, in need of some linens (tablecloths and napkins) in particular colours that we couldn’t find anywhere so my Nanna took on the role of wedding sewer. She made our tablecloths and dinner napkins, and it was special to have these handmade with love. My nanna and Ben’s mum also collaborated on our wedding cake. We wanted something delicious, so we went to the experts! Nanna made my favourite elderflower and lemon cake (a recipe she got out of a magazine years ago that was apparently Meghan Markle’s wedding cake), which sat atop a layer of Ben’s mum’s famous white chocolate mud cake. They iced it together the day before the wedding and topped it with fresh flowers from the florist.
MEMORABLE MOMENT “We had five minutes with just the two of us after our portraits and before we entered the reception space. Sunset has always been a special time of day for both of us, so it was the most special moment to get to watch the sunset on our wedding day. There were little birds flying around and we could hear the chatter of our guests in the background. This is when it all sunk in for me. There was a beautiful peace in the stillness of that moment that will always be my favourite memory of the day.”
FAVOURITE DETAILS “There are too many to choose from! Our invitations by Evergreen Ink were absolutely gorgeous and a personal highlight. They really set the tone for the day. I also LOVED our flowers – incredibly romantic and timeless. My final favourite detail was created by our friend who organised the lighting. He has a personal collection of gorgeous lightbulbs that he hung from one of the trees just outside the reception marquee. It was totally unplanned and something he did on a whim. It was such a cool area that attracted a lot of attention and ended up becoming a photo backdrop for our guests.”
WE’RE GLAD WE… “Organised the coffee cart. It was a last-minute addition and was something my mum suggested about two weeks before the wedding. My cousin, Kayla Hanna, did an incredible job and ended up making more drinks than there were guests. It created a relaxed and cosy atmosphere between ceremony and reception and was the first place Ben and I went when we entered the reception area to mingle with our guests. Would definitely recommend something like this for winter weddings!”
TALK ABOUT TRADITION… “Ben and I are both Christians and it was important to us to pray together before the ceremony. About an hour before the ceremony, Ben arrived at my family home and my maid of honour led him into the backyard blindfolded to where I was waiting. It was such a special moment with just the two of us that calmed us in the best way before the rest of the day unfolded.”
CUTE CUSTOM “Ben’s nan passed away about a year before we got married, which was a big loss to the family. She held a special place in Ben’s heart and she played a big role in welcoming me into the family, so we knew we wanted to honour her on the day. We arranged for a single oriental lily stem (her favourite flower) to be placed on a seat in the front row next to Ben’s Pop for the ceremony. It was a quiet moment that just Ben and I and his family knew about, but it was really significant for the family.”
STANDOUT VENDORS The Bulb Creative team and videographer Jarod Lucas were easily our favourite vendors. They made us feel so at ease on the day and we felt they captured “us”. They even helped us in the lead-up to the day with the run sheet (something we didn’t think about until we met with them). Another stand out for me was Amy Spry Hair. She had such a calming and peaceful presence throughout the morning and my bridesmaids mentioned that she set a beautiful tone in the room.”
REFERENCES We knew from the very beginning we wanted the Bulb Creative team to do our photos and Jarod Lucas Films to do our videography as they were both highly recommended by friends. As for the other day-of vendors, we wanted to go as local as possible just in case any unexpected COVID-related restrictions popped up. We heard about the Tweed Wedding Trail from a friend, so we decided to check it out. This is where we met Estelle from The French Petal and Sarah from Hampton Event Hire, who were both incredibly helpful. Our other vendors were either recommended by family/friends or found on Instagram. A helpful trick I learnt from a friend is to look at the vendors your favourite photographers follow on Instagram.
If you’re as smitten with Estelle and Ben’s dream visuals as we are, hit up Bulb Creative right here. Then get yourself to Prea James Bridal for serious gown inspo, M.J. Bale for dapper big-day looks and take a look at Evergreen Ink‘s super-sweet paper goods.
CONTRIBUTING VENDORS Photographer Bulb Creative Videographer Jarod Lucas Films Florist The French Petal Stationery Evergreen Ink (save-the-dates, invitations), Stroke of Joy (place cards, signage) Ceremony and reception venue Family property, Murwillumbah Catering The Good Food Catering Co. Coffee Cart Kayla Hanna Hire Items Hampton Event Hire Marquee Event Marquees Entertainment One Glory (Jade and Adriana) Rings Ribs & Dust THE BRIDE Gown Prea James Bridal Veil & Bridal Boutique Sphere Bridal Gallery Shoes Betts Accessories & Bridesmaid Gifts Peggy & Twig (freshwater pearl earrings) Hair Amy Spry Hair Makeup Michelle Wicklandt Bridesmaid dresses ASOS THE GROOM Suit, Jacket, Shirt, Pants & Bow Tie M.J. Bale Groomsmen suits Edge Suit Hire