Six years ago, singing teacher, Michelle set off on a Contiki tour through the Greek Islands. Little did she know her life would be forever changed when she met her future husband, Avionics Engineer, Gary. 

Gary grew up on the Sunshine Coast on his family farm, which was the perfect location for the couple to hold both their wedding ceremony and reception. Their intimate wedding with 40 of their nearest and dearest was a stunning showing of simple modern elements with chic details. 

Michelle has shared her family farm wedding planning journey and all her best tips for having a dream private property wedding from DIY elements to her fave vendors… 

Smooth Planning

We really didn’t hit any speed bumps, the planning process was fairly easy for the both of us. I think having a smaller wedding probably helped in this area too.

Planning Resources

We found a lot of suppliers through The Brides Tree website and forum, as well as lots of Googling. As we’re not local to the Sunshine Coast, it was a lot like starting from scratch as a far as planning went.

Stand-out Vendors

All of our vendors were incredible! If I had to narrow it down I would say – Bec Smith (photography and videography) she’s just a beautiful energy to have around and the final product is stunning. Fiona Duce (celebrant) made the ceremony really fun, relaxed and personal. Something For Catering – nothing was too big an ask and the staff were fantastic, not to mention the amazing food!

Images by BXCSMXTH 

Relaxed Morning of the Wedding

Our whole bridal party and my parents had a house together in Alexandra Headlands, so we all had breakfast together before the boys headed off to the farm. The morning was really relaxed and it felt really natural to all be together.

The Location 

We got married at Gary’s family farm and it was so special to be married somewhere so personal to us. Gary grew up there and it just feels like home. We couldn’t imagine getting married anywhere else and I think it helped make our day feel more relaxed too.

Highlights of the Day

Definitely the ceremony. It was so beautiful to have everyone we loved so dearly there and to share that moment with them. We were both so excited to see each other as I walked down the aisle, you could just feel all the happy energy, it was really special. The formalities of the day become a bit of a blur the longer we get away from the wedding, but we will always remember the feeling of being incredibly happy and so loved. It was perfect.

Why I Married This Guy

We made this commitment to each other long before our wedding day, we can’t imagine life without each other! I think we bring out the best in one another and have a really strong foundation in our relationship.

 Wedding Secrets

Biggest splurge: Our biggest splurge would be photography & videography, we knew these would be the memories to look back on so they were definitely worth the investment. Bec Smith (BXCSMXTH) was absolutely amazing!

Best money-saver: We made a lot of items ourselves and put money towards our priorities for the day. One big decision we made was to have our bouquets and buttonholes done professionally, then we did the table arrangements and any other florals ourselves. This is probably where we saved the most money, as well as just doing lots of research and going for the best product for price.

Bride’s dress: Grace Loves Lace

Hair vine: La Boheme Darling

Bride’s shoes: Wanted Shoes (a very much loved pair from over the years.)

Groom’s jacket: Politix

Groom’s pants: Bruno’s Suits

Groom’s accessories: Tie, pocket square and cufflinks – The Iconic. Belt – David Jones. Socks – Happy Socks. 

Groom’s shoes: Julius Marlow

Bridesmaids’ dresses: The Iconic 

Bridesmaids’ shoes: Betts Shoes

Bridesmaids’ accessories: Their own 

DIY: All our signage, wishing well and guest book was handmade by Gary and one of my beautiful bridesmaids, Sasha. We did the table arrangements ourselves and only hired in the big items e.g tables and chairs. We also did a lot of the set up ourselves the day before.

Number of guests: 40

Honeymoon: Six Senses Laamu – The Maldives

Number of guests: 40 

Wedding budget: $30,000

Actual cost of wedding: $30,000

The Music

Aisle – Northern Wind by City & Colour

Signing – How Sweet It Is & Stand By Me

Recessional – Fire and the Flood by Vance Joy

Cake Cutting – September by Earth Wind and Fire

First Dance – Can’t Take My Eyes Off You by Franki Valley

Check out this playlist made up of Aisle Recession song suggestions from real couples, and a few from me… 

Advice for Future Brides

Plan in advance and make the most of help anywhere you can! Take a moment with your partner to just bask in the moment, because it’s over so quickly. We stood on top of the stairs watching everyone at our reception and just took it all in. Also, if you can, get videography and an on-the-day co-ordinator! It’s definitely worth it.

Our Next Big Adventure

Well, not long after the wedding we fell pregnant, so our next big adventure will be parents to a beautiful baby girl! We’re absolutely over the moon.

Michelle & Gary from bxcsmxth on Vimeo.

Photographer + videographer: BXCSMXTH | Wedding coordinator: Something For Catering | Florist: Ginger Lily & Rose | Catering: Something For Catering | Cake: Milk & Honey Cake Creative | Transport: Boomerang Bus Hire | Hair + makeup: The Beauty Case | Decor hire: Equip4Hire + Simply Style Co. | Entertainment: The White Tree | Place cards: Wooden Letters Australia | Celebrant: Coastal Weddings – Fiona Duce | Wedding night accommodation: Airbnb 

Thank you for supporting our A-list Vendors, who were part of Michelle + Gary’s dream team for their family farm wedding…

The post Michelle loves Gary | Family Farm Wedding appeared first on The Bride's Tree.

Each is only a few minutes in length, but chockas full of heart and soul. Moments to make you laugh and cry. Intimate exchanges, the likes of which will fill your tummy with butterflies. 

The dresses and flowers, the makeup and hair, the table settings and ceremony arbours are all in there. So are the champagne pops with the bridesmaids, Dad’s tears when he sees his little girl in her wedding dress for the first time. The groom’s face that betrays his overwhelming love for his almost-wife. The first kiss, the first dance, that chance glance between the brand new husband and wife. 

This is what it’s all about, my friends. If you haven’t booked a videographer for your wedding yet, you’re about to. Your favourite maker of Sunshine Coast wedding films could be right here… 

The Bride’s Tree: Styled Shoot (April 2017) from Jensen & Young on Vimeo.

Jaimee & Ash from bxcsmxth on Vimeo.

Brides Tree Shoot August 2017 from Jensen & Young on Vimeo.

The post Best Sunshine Coast Wedding Films of 2017 appeared first on The Bride's Tree.

Eloise & Corey Ely from bxcsmxth on Vimeo.

This film starts with some seriously cute footage of now married couple’s adorable son enjoying his parents’ wedding day morning playing with his dad. It concludes with the bridal party’s singalong, featuring Daryl Braithwaites’ The Horses. 

In-between is a teary Father-of-the-Bride, some heartfelt vows, GORGEOUS reception styling, to-die-for fashion and lots of smiles and dancing – all set to a killer soundtrack by Sunshine Coast wedding videographer, BXCSMXTH. 

Congratulations on your marriage, Eloise and Corey, and thank you for sharing your film with us all today. 

The post Wedding Film: Eloise & Corey in Yandina appeared first on The Bride's Tree.