You may recognise these two from our issue 17, where their gorgeous day was first featured!
Having been together on and off since the tender young age of 12, Lana and Clem found that their unbreakable bond always drew the two back together – regardless of what life decided to throw at them. That undeniable connection (and a whopping 18 years together) made it a given that this couple would favour a short engagement, getting married just one year after they got engaged. £We felt like we’d made everyone in our lives wait long enough for us to finally get married so we couldn’t draw out the process, says Lana, who described the theme of their celebration as keep it local’. There to capture the day was none other than HM pal, Lilli Waters of I Got You Babe Weddings, whose dreamy photography couldn’t have been more suited to the couple’s vision.
£I am passionate about supporting small business and we tried to reflect that in the way our wedding transpired. It made for an intimate and personal experience. I deliberately chose vendors [like awesome celebrant Marry Me Dee] that had worked together previously to create a genuinely awesome relaxed party vibe.
And a relaxed party vibe it was, Lana and Clem’s day was anything but ordinary. £We cried, laughed, sang and drank cocktails. Our guests surprised us with a flash mob and sang our favourite songs to us, we roasted our bridal party and in-laws to be. We honoured the traditional owners of the land and let our opinion be known that marriage should be open to anyone in love, says Lana, admitting she’s always dressed a bit left of field’.
£So when it came to choosing a wedding dress, I was completely confused! I tried a couple of boutiques in Melbourne and even went on a little trip to the Gold Coast but nothing felt right. I knew that to be true to myself I needed to wear something that screams me’! I’m extremely fortunate to have Linda Jackson (famed Aussie fashion designer and artist) as a cousin. Linda made the experience so enjoyable and I knew she would create the dress of my dreams.
Continuing with the ultra-unique vibes, it’s pretty clear that Lana and Clem continuously steered clear of the same old, same old. £We didn’t want a traditional ceremony with readings or speeches so our awesome band came up with the idea that we do a sing-a-long. Fidel & Sarah came into the barn during the ceremony and started everyone off singing Home’ by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. All of our guests sang at the top of their lungs and we cried with laughter at the end, explains the bride, adding that commemorating her father on her big day was extremely important to her.
£I would’ve given anything to have had my dad walk me down the aisle. As soon as I started planning our wedding, I knew that I would have a photo of Dad within the barn, so I could see him as I walk down the aisle. Photos of loved ones who were there in spirit lined the walls of the barn. I chose photos from each of their wedding days so it didn’t seem like a memorial and more like a celebration of love. This was my favourite and most personal detail.
CREDITS Photographer Lilli Waters I Got You Babe Weddings // Cinematographer DUUET // Event Planner and Stylist Wanderlust Creative // Florist Raven and the Rose // Stationery Katerina Bak // Ceremony and Reception Venue The Estate Trentham // Food Carts Happy Camper Pizza // Beverages A Country Affair // Cake Blackbird Cakes // Photo Booth Oh My Booth // Props and Lighting One Big Day Event Hire // Signage Harding Hand // Entertainment Fidel & Sarah // Celebrant Marry Me Dee // Engagement Ring Keshett // Grooms Wedding Band Rhys Turner // Bridal Gown Designer Linda Jackson // Slips OATS The Label // Lingerie Lonely // Shoes Wittner // Earrings Christie Nicolaides // Hair Brides by Vanessa Jane // Makeup Kate McCleary // Bridesmaid Dresses Shona Joy // Bridesmaid Shoes Windsor Smith // Suit TMLewin // Suspenders ASOS // Shoes Florsheim // Socks UNIQLO // Barber Dwayne Burrowes.