Jemima & Daniel's Melbourne Garden wedding

Jemima is an Australian Olympian who won a Bronze Medal for racewalking in Paris 2024 – she is also a keynote speaker and med student. Dan is a doctor specialising in sport and exercise medicine. Together, they are one talented, freshly married match!

“The overall vibe was a big family garden party,” the happy couple told us of their Melbourne nuptials. This inspired their choice of venue, their relaxed reception, and their approach to incorporating loved ones into meaningful wedding day roles. “It was also reflected in our earthy colour palette of chocolate brown, cream, and sky blue, as well as the floral arrangements that included green fruits and vegetables.”

Dan scrubbed up well in Suit Supply and Jem wow’ed in this elegant strapless Rosa Clara number, and both wore Bared Footwear on the day. Are they not the most stunning pair? Looking back, these newlyweds are glad they went the cocktail-style route, and say their “best decision” was smashing out all the family photos and couple portraits pre-ceremony. Behind the camera was Melbourne-based photographer Georgia Verrells, whose name and warm, candid-style will be familiar to loyal HM readers.

Below, Jem and Dan talk beaut blue blooms, Jewish wedding traditions, and standout wedding suppliers. Feeling inspired? Explore more gorgeous unions captured by Georgia Verrells on the Hello May Wedding Directory. While you’re there, browse Bared Footwear’s latest shoe offerings for brides and grooms. Then catch more blissful garden weddings. But first…

WEDDING IN A GARDEN | LARGE GARDEN VENUE IN MELBOURNE

“Our priorities were: a garden backdrop, an inner-Melbourne location to reduce travel time for guests, a good wet weather plan, and big capacity for 300 people. This narrowed our choices down nicely, and in the end, Gardens House was the third and final venue we toured. We loved how private the ceremony garden space felt, and the old-worldly charm of the 172-year-old house. The Royal Botanical Gardens is also a special setting for both of our families. We’ve all run many laps around it over the years, and Dan’s family have a Sunday walk inside the gardens ritual, so it was the perfect choice for us.”

SOMETHING BLUE BRIDAL BOUQUET | FRUITY FLORALS

“The flowers were my favourite detail of the day. Nicole from Pickled Willow Flowers was a dream to work with. Over one cup of chai I showed her my dress and told her I loved “fruity florals” – and completely trusted her from there. She created a beautiful “something blue” bridal bouquet, and decorated the Chuppah structure with flower pots on the ground that cascaded upwards.”

BEDEKKEN CEREMONY | FIRST LOOK | WALKING DOWN THE AISLE

“The moment I was most looking forward to on the day was the special first-look ceremony called the Bedekken. It is customary for Jewish couples to spend a week apart (with no communication) to build anticipation and encourage reflection prior to this first look. Interestingly, I actually enjoyed the walk down the aisle more than the ‘first look’ on the day. There was so much excitement and nervous energy leading up to the first look that it almost felt out-of-body. In contrast, once we had reconnected and had our couple portraits taken, I felt much calmer ahead of the aisle. Walking down with mum and dad beside me, I felt so present and happy. I could hear our musical trio of friends playing our special song Beyond by Leon Bridges, I could see the tears welling up in Dan’s eyes, and I could feel the energy of everyone who has played an important role in our journeys so far. Because of our large guest numbers, the aisle walk almost felt like how I’d imagine the finish line of the Tour de France feels with all of your cheerleaders packed to each side creating a tunnel. A moment I will replay forever.”

STANDOUT WEDDING SUPPLIERS IN MELBOURNE

“Our photographer Georgia Verrells and our videographer John Kurt were the stand out vendors. From the moment they walked into my house for getting ready footage, there was an easygoing and warm energy. I didn’t realise what a difference a lovely photographer and videographer make to the bride and groom’s experience of their wedding day. Every now and then they’d pull us away for some quiet couple photos, and remind us to breathe it all in and drink some water. They both captured the true essence of our day and moments in-between so creatively.”