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.

We think her unbridled happiness must be because this very happily married woman sincerely enjoys being part of other couples’ journey into married life. But hey, enough speculating, because there’s simply no need – Fiona has answered all of our probing questions. So let’s train our spotlight on this star of the Sunshine Coast wedding industry and read all about being a modern, young celebrant on the Sunshine Coast.

Officiating a Kings Beach wedding, image by Phill Jackson Photography

Fiona, you’re a bit of a funky young celebrant. What keeps you young?

Why, thank you! I like to think that my positive outlook on life and a never give up attitude helps to keep me feeling young.

We happen to know you’re a bit of a cyclist. Where is your fave place to cycle on the Sunshine Coast?

My secret is out! Yes, I am part of the lycra brigade! I am currently training for the Ride to Conquer Cancer so I love to join my team in a cycle from our place at Kawana Forest up to Point Cartwright, then down to Pocket Espresso at Moffat Beach for a yummy hot chocolate or juice on a Sunday morning.

If you planned one perfect day, what would it involve?

Wow, what an excellent challenge…I may even put this on the bucket list to try! Most of it revolves around food, which isn’t surprising!

I would start with a climb up Mt Coolum – what better way to view the Sunshine Coast? Then head to some farmers markets to grab some breakfast and some local goodies for lunch. Next I would head up to the hinterland for a picnic, making sure I stop at Maleny Cheese for some more goodies.  Once I am stuffed to the brim, enjoy a leisurely drive back down the range before heading to our favourite restaurant in Mooloolaba – Via Italia – for a pizza and a drinks. To top it all off, I would then scoot down to Brisbane for a show at QPAC or outdoor cinemas.  Of course, my husband Ritchie would be right by my side, it wouldn’t be perfect without him.

What is something that is really important to you in your life?

My husband Ritchie, my fur child Rosie, my family and friends. But also maintaining a good balance between work and play

When you meet an engaged couple, what is one thing you love to learn about them?

I love to hear how the couple met and what they first thought of each other, but especially to see the reaction they give each other when asked – the whole unspoken look of ‘which story do we tell?’!

I give each of my couples a questionnaire to answer about their relationship and their dreams – the honesty in the answers I receive is just beautiful and I feel very blessed that they have shared such detail with me.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

I am a first dan black belt in karate!

Fiona celebrated her 30th Birthday in style – on a flying trapeze lesson at Twin Waters Novotel Resort!

If you could offer one piece of sound advice to brides and grooms, what would it be?

I have two: 1) Make a wet weather plan. It will reduce the stress for all of us!  2) Don’t sweat the small stuff – only you will know if the small details aren’t exactly right.

What made you want to become a wedding celebrant?

It all started when we were looking for a celebrant when we got married 8 years ago.  We wanted someone who was younger and modern. The internet wasn’t as great with wedding blogs (no Bride’s Tree back then!) and websites so most of the research I did was through magazines. So I knew there was a market out there. Four years later and I finally did something about it. It appealed to me on many levels and I enjoy it even more than I thought I would.

Fiona in action, doing what she does best and having a ball! Image by Level Eleven Photography

What do you love most about your job?

Meeting new couples, being involved in their journey, even just for a fragment of time, but knowing that I played a huge part of their wedding day.

The post Spotlight on a Supplier: Fiona Duce appeared first on The Bride's Tree.