When Sophy started planning their Macedon farm wedding, there was only ever one venue on the table: Sophy’s childhood family farm in Macedon, Victoria. “Friends have also spent many weekends with us at the farm over our lives, so nearly every guest had lovely memories of being there prior to the wedding,” shares the bride.
A private property wedding often comes with a fair share of DIY, and this one was no exception. Weeks of gardening, a new driveway, and building the marquee itself became a true family and friend effort. “It really felt like a true community effort.”
At the couple’s request, the paddocks and wildflowers in front of the marquee area were left to grow wild, giving off an enchanting meadow-like look. “I think my dad would have preferred to have it perfectly mown (like the rest of the farm) before the wedding, but we didn’t let him. Our photographer Jen Tighe took the most beautiful portraits of us and our family in that paddock, and the long grass looked incredible!”
How did the couple keep their wedding day relaxed?
“The best weddings we had been to before ours were relaxed and full of genuine love. I also think the vibe of a wedding is always influenced by the energy of the couple. Because of this, we prioritised being as relaxed and present as possible. We also didn’t want to miss out on any fun so we were involved in every part of the day. We both helped set up the marquee with our friends before getting ready, and chose to have our portrait sessions with Jen before the guests arrived, so we didn’t have to miss anything.”
What were the most memorable moments of the ceremony?
“My oldest friend, Hannah, played the role of our ‘celebrant’. We had actually been legally married two weeks before at the Registry Office as we had always planned for Hannah to be our celebrant on the wedding day. Our dear friend Tori, who is a creative writer, also performed an original poem that she had written about us. We finished our ceremony with personal vows we had both written. Writing and exchanging our vows was one of the hardest but most beautiful parts of the whole process of having a wedding. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house! We were also blessed with hilarious and beautiful speeches from our friends Nick and Alex, and both of our parents later in the evening.”
A twist on tradition: greeting guests on arrival
Rather than a traditional aisle reveal, the couple chose to greet guests together as they arrived, with a bar set up at the entrance and welcome drinks hosted before the ceremony. “It really set the tone for the day and meant we were much less nervous to walk down the aisle, as there was no big dramatic reveal, which is not really our style.”
Standout Victoria wedding vendors
Photographer Jen Tighe was found through Instagram, and her candid, comfortable approach quickly put the nervous couple at ease. “Jen has such a beautiful eye for a candid shot, and we’re so grateful for the time and effort she went into preparing for our day.”
Catering came from one of the couple’s favourite restaurants, Bar Merenda, paired with local wines from Defialy and beers from Loveshack. “All the guests were blown away by the food.”
Looking for more private property & DIY wedding inspiration?
If this Macedon private property wedding has you inspired, visit our wedding directory to book photographer Jen Tighe for your own day. For more real-life ideas and practical advice, head to the real wedding section of the website to hear from other couples who hosted DIY or private property weddings, or shop for real hold-in-your-hand magazine, shop Hello May here.
CONTRIBUTING VENDORS Photographer Jen Tighe Florist Fleurs de Lyonville Stationery Il Papiro Venue Private Family Farm Catering Bar Merenda Beverages Defialy, Loveshack Brewing Cake Maker Arizona Lucas Cake Topper Baking Culture via ebay Hire Items & Marquee Kyneton Hire Celebrant Hannah Smith (Friend) Rings Pip Stent THE BRIDE Bridal Gown & Veil Designer Lola Varma Shoes Stuart Weitzman via Art Garments Hair & Makeup Bec Shannon THE GROOM Jacket, Pants & Shoes Our Legacy via Incu Shirt Suit Supply Grooming Beef Barbers Abbotsford
