Ok, ok, so can you actually believe that this gorgeous bride’s wedding gown was from an op shop? We couldn’t either, but it’s for real. And we absolutely love it. “At first it was a joke, but then when I came out of the change rooms and showed my friend, we both knew! It was perfect, it was me.” It certainly is perfect, and we have all the pics to prove it. Thanks to Vladan Gajic Photography, of course! Scroll down for all. You won’t regret it. Promise.
THE PROPOSAL “We we’re home in Tasmania for my sister’s wedding and the day after Daniel wanted to go on a roadie. I was so tired from being a bridesmaid the day before that I said no… a few times. He persisted and we drove down to Meander Valley Dam, which is absolutely stunning! He set up a tripod whilst I was taking selfies (and completely oblivious). He starts playing music and says to get ready because we’re going to have some photos together! Mid-pose I look to my right and he is down on one knee, asking me to marry him with this gigantic ring that I didn’t believe was real. Then he read me a pre-prepared essay of lovely words about why he wants to marry me and we were hugging and laughing!”
THE VENUE “My now husband said to me straight after we got engaged ‘I know where I want to get married– New Zealand’. And that was it! He had been before and stayed with friends on their farm. He’d never seen a sight more beautiful and so I trusted him. He was right. We’re so glad it was a destination wedding, everyone flew in from all different places so it was like one big holiday with your closest friends and fam.”
FAVOURITE DETAILS “I loved the flower crown that my gorgeous friend Tanisha Koops made me on the morning of the wedding. It was simple and complimented my dress perfectly! Also, the cake (from Food Affair Gore) was so delicious, I couldn’t have enough of it. And we had Holy Communion during our reception, which was one of the most special and beautiful moments of the day. Our friend Warren sang Holy Spirit and there we’re a lot of tears!”
DIY “Me and my best friend, Bec spent the week before the wedding picking gum leaves, green leaves, bush leaves, etc. Really any native plant that we could find on the side of the road. Oh and pinecones-haha! We decorated the hay shed with these plants, large logs for seating and blue grain barrels that we covered in wool sacks. We loaned heaps of jars from the farm and filled them with little plants and candles and all of the signage to get to the wedding was handmade. The wedding was a DIY and lots of hands contributed.”
THE DRESS “I never thought about THE dress until we got engaged and even then I wasn’t into going to bridal shops, or spending lots of money. One day I took a friend shopping as I heard Ellery was having a sale. When we went in, I bought a dress on the spot for only $300. It was simple, high neck and flowy. But.. when I went to drop off some old clothes to Salvos one weekend, my friend and I decided to do some shopping… We found this stunning scoop neck, vintage, handmade ice pink dress. I had to try it on!”
STANDOUT VENDORS “Vladan Gajic Photography did an incredible job with the photography. Everyone comments on how amazing it is still to this day. But honestly we could not have done anything without our friends on the farm, they went above and beyond for us, lending half their house for decorations/seating/tables etc, setting up with us, even using a tractor to move the logs into the hay shed- all for free! Such kind and genuine people, the wedding would not have been what it was without them.”
CONTRIBUTING VENDORS Photographer Vladan Gajic Photography Stationery Hello Botany Ceremony & Reception Private Property in Gore Catering & Cake Food Affair Gore Sound Hire Party Plus Marquee & Events Entertainment Reuben Koops Rings Rob Mitchell Jewellers Hats Lack of Colour Transport Apex Car Rentals BRIDE Bridal Gown Op Shop Shoes Senso Hair Sweeney T’s Barber Shop Makeup Artist & Flower Crown Tanisha Koops GROOM Jacket Zignone Turtleneck & Pants Asos Shoes Dr. Martens Watch Kapten & Son