Emily and Max’s South Coast wedding unfolded at Merribee, one of New South Wales’ most romantic garden wedding venues. Set among manicured gardens, it was a refined soiree under the sun with 125 loved ones, backdropped by the property’s perfectly lush greenery and blooms brought in by Ms Gibbons Flowers.
This setting is beyond special but zoom in and there’s a laundry list of sweet details also worth mention: a tiramisu in place of cake, portraits on the tennis court, deep chocolate Bec + Bridge bridesmaids’ gowns and custom stationery featuring the newlywed’s pooch.
Below, Emily and Max share their favourite wedding vendors photographer Photos By Damon, planning team (Paloma Events) and bridal gown designer Lillian Khallouf. Plus, their thoughts on where to direct your focus (and funds) in making wedding planning decisions.
Choosing a South Coast Wedding Venue
“We wanted an outdoor setting and a garden reception… We saw Merribee and fell in love and knew it was the one. It exceeded our expectations.”
A Cute Custom Wedding Stationery Idea
“A close friend of ours designed our menus and our welcome sign, which was a drawing of myself, Max and our dog Bullet.”
Emily’s Elegant Lillian Khallouf Wedding Dress
“It didn’t take me very long – I loved Lillian’s previous designs and I went to her pretty quickly after going to a few dress fittings and not loving any. I had a pretty clear vision of what I wanted and knew Lillian had made similar. Lillian Khallouf knew exactly what I was after and executed it perfectly!”
Finding Wedding Vendors: A Shoutout to the Wedding Planners
“Our wedding planners were the key to everything. They referred us to many of their trusted partners, which took the guesswork out of it. When someone has seen a hundred weddings, you trust their shortlist. A couple of vendors we found ourselves through Instagram and word of mouth, but the planners vetted everyone and pulled the whole team together.”
Marriage Means…
“Marriage is choosing each other deliberately, in front of everyone we love. Nothing about our relationship changed the next morning and that was the point. It was a promise to each other that the life we’d already built together is the one we’re keeping.”
A Mix of Old and New Wedding Day Tunes
“Our aisle song was ‘Can’t Help Falling In Love’ by Elvis Presley and our entrance song was ‘Where the Hell Is My Husband’ by Raye.”
The Bride & Groom’s Wedding Planning Advice
“Decide early on the two or three things that matter most to you as a couple (for us it was the food, the music and having everyone in one place) and focus your budget and energy there. Everything else, delegate or let go – nobody remembers the chair covers.”
Standout Wedding Vendors in NSW
“Our photographer Damon Cameron (Photos by Damon) was amazing, as were our planners, especially Brooke from Paloma Events.”
South Coast Garden Wedding Inspiration
Planning a South Coast wedding in NSW? If you’re searching for a photographer who knows their way around both digital and film, get in touch with Photos By Damon. Looking for bridesmaid dress inspiration? Explore more gorgeous shapes and colours from Bec + Bridge. And if a garden-party wedding is your vibe, discover more garden wedding inspiration from Hello May, including romantic outdoor venues, modern wedding styling and real couples who did things their own way.
CONTRIBUTING VENDORS Photographer Photos By Damon Event Planner & Stylist Paloma Events Florist Ms Gibbons Flowers Stationery She Scribes Venue The Merribee Cake Parfait Patisserie Entertainment The White Tree Celebrant Aly Cooper Rings Jacque Fine Jewellery THE BRIDE Bridal Gown Designer Lillian Khallouf Veil Kyha Shoes Amina Muaddi Hair Carley Van Der Meer via The Future Mrs Makeup Katie Moore via The Future Mrs Bridesmaid Dresses Bec + Bridge THE GROOM Suit P. Johnson
