South Australia Coastal Wedding at Star of Greece

Abbie and Nicholas are so glad that they committed to hosting their wedding interstate in South Australia. They wanted their wedding to feel like a coastal holiday with all their favourite people, and they got their wish, picking Port Willunga as the place. A cosy seaside spot home to less than 2000, the newlyweds told us that when their guests arrived it was like they’d taken over the town. “Our friends all showed up to the fish and chip shop one night and basically turned into a pre-wedding event.” The couple add that their venue, Star of Greece, fit seamlessly into the brief, “an Aussie coastal classic with amazing food and an unbeatable view.”

The new husband and wife reminisce on their favourite bits below, like the spontaneous, sentimental jam session that broke out between family and the couple’s much-loved musos Behind the Veil Music. The couple gelled with these pros straight away, saying they are “ridiculously talented” and made the “whole process stress-free”. And the happy snaps! Scroll on and you’ll quickly see why, for this couple, having the wonderful Elsa Campbell behind the camera was a non-negotiable.

WEDDING DAY HIGHLIGHTS

“Having my relatives perform a traditional Tongan hymn as a blessing was one of the most powerful parts of the day. It was deeply emotional and anchored us in culture and family. It gave the day this gravity and warmth that still gives me goosebumps. The styling and florals from Hygge Studio absolutely blew us away. They somehow captured what we wanted from just a couple of screenshots and a conversation. The styling was chic, elegant, a little playful, and it tied so naturally into the Star of Greece setting. People kept commenting on the florals and design all night, and it genuinely elevated the whole atmosphere. As the sun dipped, the windows opened up and this sea breeze poured in. Everything turned golden, Amy & Jake from Behind the Veil Music were singing beautifully, and suddenly everyone just looked impossibly happy and glowing. The ceremony nerves were gone, drinks were flowing, people were laughing – there was this collective exhale where the night really kicked in. That feeling is seared into our memories.”

A SURPRISE JAM SESH

“The speeches had us crying every time someone touched the mic. And then there were the surprises, like my dad and his best mate secretly rehearsing a Tongan love song with Amy & Jake (Behind the Veil Music) at dinner, before breaking into it with my uncle on guitar later that night. It was spontaneous, soulful, and unforgettable.”

FLAWLESS WEDDING PHOTOS

We booked [Elsa Campbell] as soon as we booked the venue. Elsa was exceptional. At our request, she also shot on film, and the results are really cool. I feel like I could print every landscape and detailed shot to display in our apartment. I am honestly amazed by what she was able to capture. I tend to be extremely anxious in front of a camera and usually avoid having my photo taken, but Elsa’s presence is so unobtrusive and graceful that I barely noticed her at work. And yet, the photos are flawless. Looking back, it’s remarkable how she captured the essence of the day, preserving the details and moments that make it.

HONOURING FAMILY

“Nicholas lost his mum, Kate, eight years ago, and weaving her into the day was incredibly important. Nicholas wore her brooch, I wore her earrings, and we even brought a small urn with us that sat at the altar. Every speech, in some way, mentioned her. It felt like she was with us. We also had my cousin officiate, which wasn’t about religion for us, but about making the ceremony feel grounded and personal. And, of course, the Tongan hymn sung by my relatives, which tied everything together beautifully.”

Find more awe-inspiring wedding albums captured by Elsa Campbell . Or get in touch with Behind the Veil Music to book your wedding singer/band/DJ/harpist or all of the above! Hit the blog for more chill seaside nuptials that’ll make you smile, or click here to browse our favourite local coastal venues.