Ever since they got together, Mikaela and Leigh have shared a secret that until their wedding day, almost no one else knew. £Since we met four years ago, we had kept our true way of meeting a little secret from most of our friends and family, says Mikaela who confessed during the speeches that they’d lied about meeting in a bar. £There was a huge roar from the crowd when we revealed that we’d actually met online (in the pre-tinder years, before it was cool). So now, we are out and proud.
Not that the details of how they met made any difference to their incredible three day wedding spree anyway. £As it was a destination wedding and all 100 guests flew in for the weekend, we made it a three day event. We wanted it to be a really fun, playful, and memorable wedding day so our overall vibe was festivities over formalities.
Held at the Red Feather Inn in Tasmania, located a fair distance from their hometown in Victoria, Mikaela and Leigh were pleased to discover a variety of local vendors that they could trust to take care of things like food and flowers. £All of our flowers and foliage were native Tasmanian, the food and wine were all from local suppliers, the cheese tower from a local dairy… We also chose amazing Tasmanian photography duo Fred & Hannah who gave us lots of local information along the journey and felt like friends on the wedding day.
Not the kind of couple to just stand on the sideline, Mikaela and Leigh got involved by adding a few details of their own. £Mikaela made 180 paper hearts (on skewers) to line the aisle and I filled 100 test tubes with tea for our bonbonnieres, says Leigh who was more than happy to help considering he couldn’t be part of Mikaela hunt for the’ dress.
Unlike Leigh, who no doubt found his Oscar Hunt suit in minutes, Mikaela’s task took a little more time. £I went through quite a journey trying to find my perfect dress. I actually found my Bo & Luca headpiece first so decided on a simple dress to compliment this, says Mikaela who eventually settled on a slinky Rebecca Schoneveld number from The Bridal Atelier. £My dress felt really sexy as if I was wearing a 1920’s nighty and it felt so amazing as it would swish around me when I walked.
Mikaela’s favourite part of the day however, came later. £Our favourite moment has to be when four of our friends put us up on their shoulders on the dance floor it was the song of the night and everyone was going crazy… and clearly having way too much fun to give a shit about one little white lie.
To see what else belongs behind The Bridal Atelier’s doors click here and also make sure you grab your copy of issue nine, on sale at selected newsagents nationally come Thursday, September 3!
CREDITS Photos Fred & Hannah Photography // Bridal gown Rebecca Schoneveld via The Bridal Atelier // Headpiece Bo & Luca // Shoes Novat Shoes // Flowers Outside // Rings Village Gem and Gillian Hilman Design // Accessories Mnologie // Bridesmaid dresses Judith Penak Couture and Rodeo Show // Grooms suit Oscar Hunt // Grooms shoes Aquila // Groomsmen suits Jack London // Bow ties Edward Kwan and OTAA // Ceremony, reception, styling and catering Red Feather Inn, TAS // Cake Ashgrove Tasmanian Farm // Stationery The Parchment Place via Etsy // Hair BladeRunner Hairdressing // Makeup Brianna Schipper // Entertainment GD Lester // Celebrant Ann Penhallow Civil Celebrant // Cinematography equipment The Toast.