If you’re considering a circular wedding ceremony set-up, take note friends! This styled shoot at the iconic Old Dairy Maleny on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast is a masterclass in how to make it happen.
The brainchild of Nikki from Curated Weddings & Events, this colourful concept was thoughtfully pulled together to embrace the magic of the hinterland – with the dramatic florals and vibrant styling a striking focus against the lush rolling hills – while also showcasing the handiwork of some seriously talented peeps, including Cooper Brady, who was the man behind the lens snapping these epic photos. Scroll to see…
A rustic wedding venue with a modern twist, The Old Dairy in Maleny sits on nearly 90 acres in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland and boasts panoramic views of the mountains and valley, meaning the opportunities for ceremony and photo locations are endless. One look at that breathtaking image above shows just how grand this space is. “When Nikki from Curated Weddings & Events reached out with the circular ceremony set-up idea, it was something we had not seen yet on the hinterland, so of course we couldn’t say no,” The Old Dairy venue manager and event co-ordinator Keighley says. “The vision became a reality and it was a colourful dream.”
Every detail of this wedding set-up was carefully pieced together by Nikki of Curated Weddings to showcase the charm of The Old Dairy in a fresh and innovative way. “The goal was to create a truly unique setup,” she says. “The circle ceremony, symbolising eternity, served as a striking focal point, while the design fused modern elegance with playful elements like a wave table setup and vibrant florals that contrasted beautifully with the natural surroundings.”
We’re always impressed by Cooper’s editorial/documentary-style approach to photography and his ability to capture the beauty of landscapes and details when telling the story of a wedding. True to form, during this shoot, Coop absolutely nailed the brief when snapping the magic of that dreamy backdrop. “Stepping away from the breathtaking and ever-loved ceremony deck at The Old Dairy wasn’t easy but was a great opportunity to show off their perfectly manicured rolling green lawns… hashtag lawnporn lol,” Cooper laughs. “I’ll remember this shoot for the brief moment the sunset was more like a rainbow on the horizon, and the great bunch of people involved.”
Specialising in whimsical, garden-inspired florals, Caitlyn from Love It Floral Design is all about lush overflowing arrangements, seasonal blooms and delicate textures to create romantic settings – and when it came to showing off this spectacular venue and working within the theme of circles, she was more than up for the challenge. “I was inspired by the symbolism of circles and their representation of unity and connection,” she says. “I wanted to create a ‘love nest’ ceremony feature that felt intimate and inclusive, with the couple and their loved ones encircled in garden florals. The circular design not only creates a unique visual element but also ensures that every guest has a perfect view of the ceremony.”
Our friends from The Vintage Bar Co. were also on hand for this special day, doing what they do best… slinging bloody delish cocktails from one of their chic and sleek mobile bars. “We wanted to create cocktails that represented a splash of spring!” says director Cody. “We crafted housemade dragonfruit syrup for the dragonfruit sour and housemade strawberry syrup for the strawberry margaritas.” Um… yes, please!
You’ll also find a bunch of the rockstar vendors who pulled this shoot together over on the Hello May directory – you can reach out to iconic venue The Old Dairy here; legendary photographer Cooper Brady here, and the lads from The Vintage Bar Co. right here.
CONTRIBUTING VENDORS Photographer Cooper Brady Venue The Old Dairy Maleny Stylist Curated Weddings and Events Florist Love It Floral Design Videographer Blue Vale Films Makeup Kate Ellen Maekup Artistry Hair Styling Evalyn Parsons Bridal Gowns Moon and Pearl Bridal Bar & Drinks The Vintage Bar Co Suit Ferrari Formal Wear & Bridal Shoes Harlo Shoes Celebrant Your Story Celebrant Jeweller Maleny Jewellers Handbag Billy J Bridal Cake Chocolate 2 Chilli Stationery Bluebird Invitations Accessories Bowerbird Bride Lights Say It With Lights Fireworks Fuse Pyrotechnics
