Rather than dragging out their engagement, Esther and Jake decided to keep things short and sweet, planning their nuptials in only nine months. “Doing it all in one year kept it fun and exciting and in some ways made making decisions easier or ideas simpler just because of our time limit. We also didn’t want to wait too long and it was the perfect timing.”
The pair hoped that, despite the time crunch, they’d be able to create an ultra cruisy day at Hosanna Farmstay with the help of their oh-so-talented family and friends. “I think on the day the most important thing was that the day felt like ‘us’. The contribution of everyone who celebrated with us is what made it so unique. We wanted our theme to draw out the more comfortable, fun and relaxed sides of our guests, with a no-shoe policy, no table seating plan, no plates (just wooden boards to eat off), just like a big family camping holiday with style and pizazz.”
The wooden paddle boards were an epic DIY inspired by the environmentally savvy theme for guests to eat off of and take home with them, each traced, cut, sanded, shellacked and put together with love. The boards were imprinted with a ‘J&E’ and handed out at the beginning of the reception to stack with a delectable meal of wood-fired pizza and beer.
“We wanted to give something at the wedding that showed practicality, environmental efficiency, personality and some good ol’ handmade love. Marion, Jake’s mother, is so talented with woodwork so it was special having her touch on such an important part of the day,” says Esther, who was equally impressed with her own mum’s contribution to the day.
“I always knew how special it would be if Mum made my dress, and my golly it was. After trying on dresses in all shapes and sizes, nothing seemed to be exactly what I wanted and somehow I knew it wouldn’t be complete without Mum’s special touch. Most afternoons would be spent in the sewing room where we would sketch and talk and laugh with also a lot of blood, sweat and (good) tears poured into it. I honestly think it was the best part of the dress, with over 70 hours of love put into it, I looked down at it as I put it on on the wedding day and thought, ‘Wow, I love my mum.’ It was a true bonding experience for our relationship.”
Now happily hitched, the newlyweds couldn’t be more excited to look forward to the years to come, filled with tickle fights, snuggling and goofiness, looking over their awesome pics by Shane Shepherd and video by Joel Tronoff, and leave other future brides and grooms with this bit of advice: “Eat, drink and be merry, take off your shoes, dance til you’re a sweaty mess and make sure you look at each other and say, ‘YAY BABY, WE DID IT!’!!!”
CREDITS Photos Shane Shepherd Photography // Cinematographer Joel Tronoff // Stationery Minted // Ceremony and reception Hosanna Farmstay, NSW // Food trucks and carts Fire ?N? Dough and Gelato Milany // Prop and furniture hire Giant Games // Marquee / teepee and lighting SamiKata // Entertainment Bear Hug DJs // Rings Tree of Life and Eli Hubsch via Etsy // Bridal gown Karen Hayes (Bride’s mum) // Veil Gardems Fabrics // Robes / getting ready tees Honey Birdette // Lingerie Sass & Bide and Bras n Things // Accessories Spell & The Gypsy Collective and Anthropologie // Bridesmaid dresses Tree of Life, Sabo Skirt and Free People // Pants M.J. Bale // Tie / Bow tie Asos.