For this laid back pair, a relaxed, south coast wedding was always on their radar so when Alex stumbled across The Driftwood Shed (which you may recognise from Simone and Tom’s wedding, featured in issue five) she made a booking right away. “I saw The Driftwood Shed online and it was the first and only place we looked at. The barn is over 100 years old and still in all its original, beautiful glory. It’s gorgeous, rustic and a little rough and tumble right on the Shoalhaven River”, says Alex, describing the theme of their wedding as “eclectic, undone, personal and a little 70’s bohemian”.
Wanting to add a few personal touches of their own without drowning themselves in DIY Alex and Shannon chose on job each (for her it was the shibori dyed napkins and for him it was the wooden archway) and left the rest to the professionals.
“There’s a great tight knit community of creatives down south who work really closely with each other and they are all so calm, generous and cut the crap it was refreshing. Our photographer, John Benavente, was a gun. So calm, so professional and so fast he captured the moment before you knew it was happening. Erin from South Coast Party Hire was a star we had to order so much and had no idea what we were doing. She was really great about letting us know we needed and what we didn’t. And The White Tree created the most epic dance floor, everyone was carving it up hands down the best band out.”
Last but not lease was Rue de Seine, the label which created Alex’s incredible gown which she discovered on her first visit to The Babushka Ballerina. “I couldn’t believe I’d found a dress that looked like it had been made for me. It’s a true extension of my style instead of something foreign and out of character. The beautiful French lace and applique was so romantic and ethereal and then the plunging neckline and rock star fringe really gave it some edge. Plus, the slip underneath was good enough to wear alone which I did at the end of the night on the dance floor.”
To see more awesome work from John Benavente be sure to pick up your copy of our first annual Real Wedding Special from Mag Nation whilst stocks last! Issue seven and issue eight are also available from their online store.
CREDITS Photos John Benavente // Bridal gown Rue de Seine via The Babushka Ballerina // Shoes Diavolina // Jewellery Sarah and Sebastian and Venice // Hair Jasmine Rose Mobile Hairdressing // Makeup Simone Pentzoldt // Bridesmaids dresses Bec and Bridge, Maure & Eve, Rodeo Show and Wish // Bridesmaids shoes Wittner // Groom and groomsmen suits and pocket squares Country Road // Grooms shoes Florsheim // Cufflinks Van Heusen // Flowers Sprout Flora // Stationery Allie Hanson Paper Goods via Etsy and Style Communications // Ceremony and reception The Driftwood Shed, NSW // Catering Rabbit & Co Caterers // Cake Mavournee Georgeson // Letter lights Event Haus // Marquee, lighting, sound and furniture South Coast Party Hire // Music The White Tree // Celebrant Altaryourthinking // Rings Peter Lind Jeweller // Transport Stuart’s Coaches.