After an 11-month engagement, Brooke and Rhys chose to tie the knot in a whimsical Mt Warning wedding. The bride walked down the aisle in an off the shoulder Rue De Seine number (from our faves over at Sphere Collective) and the bridesmaids in lacey Shona Joy gowns, keeping to the mystical forest feel of the day. For all the details and more photos by lens-lady Alex Jackson, make sure to keep scrolling….
THE VIBE “Wilderness! I love wildflowers and just anything in its natural element. I wanted to do something creative. Wild but feminine.”
THE DRESS “It took me a little while to find the one. I went to about 3 different places. I liked so many of them but I didn’t feel like “wow this is it”. I found one on Instagram by Rue de Seine and had to try it. I tried it on in a boutique in New Zealand as they had no sample dresses where I live. I liked it but still didn’t get “that feeling”. When I got back to Australia I drove 3 hours to order this dress from the Sunshine Coast (I had decided this was the dress I wanted). When I got to Sphere Collective I told the lovely Sarah who works there that I was ready to order this dress but she insisted that I try on some of her other dresses. Reluctantly, I did. I tried on the first one Sarah picked out and it was instantly a no. I tried on the second one and put it on wrong. I came out of the dresser confused. Sarah helped me put it on properly and I looked in the mirror and knew, when my jaw dropped, that this was the feeling I had been searching for. I looked at mum and she started crying. That was that. Sold. Sarah was so accommodating and so HONEST! She didn’t just say that she loved any dress on me to try and sell it, she was honest and real in her opinions and helped me find the one.”
REFERENCES “I found most of my key vendors on Instagram! Hello May Instagram Q&A was a massive help. Tweed coast weddings is where I found Gold Coast Tipis and a few others. I also attended a few open days. We attended the Byron Bay venue open day and Tweed Coast venue open day! I became apart of a few Facebook groups such as gold coast brides and DIY weddings gold coast.”
TALK ABOUT TRADITION “My Grandfather married us! We hired a celebrant to do the legal side but my grandfather stood in place of the celebrant and helped us with the I do’s. He gave a special speech and he incorporated his religious beliefs into this speech. It was such an emotional time for me, as my grandfather is such a special person in my life.”
STANDOUT VENDORS “Our Photographer Alex was so accommodating on the day! She posted props for our photos up from Sydney to the venue before arriving and came a day early to scout out spots for photos! She worked well with our videographer [Sail Me To The Moon] and captured the whole day so beautifully! Our photos were better than we could have imagined!! Such a down to earth photographer who understood my style. We were pretty lucky with all our vendors but I have to say Mavis kitchens were amazing! Pete and Charlie were so accommodating and gave us so much freedom to do exactly what we wanted to make it perfect! Gold Coast Tipis were really helpful and flexible also! Sarah from Sphere Collective was super accommodating and helped me to order extras from Rue De Seine without hassle!”
If Brooke and Rhys’ outdoor nuptials have got you inspired then pop on over here for a peek at our fave outdoor styling ideas. If it was the gorge bridesmaids outfits that stole your heart then head on over this way to take a squiz at more bridesmaids donning Shona Joy. So much goodness!
CONTRIBUTING VENDORS Photographer Alex Jackson Cinematographer Sail Me To The Moon Florist Alba Roses Printer Burleigh Print Place Cards Wooden Letters Australia Venue & Catering Mavis kitchens Cake Ardour and Stone Cake Topper Lerusticchic via Etsy Teepee Gold Coast Tipis Entertainment Kelly Penny The Black and Blues Band, Jade Peterson Celebrant Sandy Plunket Rings Diamond Boulevard Transport Forever Kombis BRIDE Dress Rue De Seine via Sphere Collective Veil JJ’s House Loungewear Homebodii, Le Rose Shoes The Bali Tailor Earrings Colette Hair Isabella Jane Makeup Janise Chan Bridesmaid Dresses Shona Joy Bridesmaid Shoes Lipstik GROOM Suit & Suspenders Brunos Suits Bow Tie OTAA Groomsmen Suits Brunos Suits Shoes Urge