Throughout their near-decade together, live music has been a “common thread” in Steph and Kale’s love story. So it made sense that they kick off married life with a multi-day party that would give your favourite festival a run for its money. Truly, these two didn’t miss a beat. From the full glamping fit-out to custom wristbands, every detail was so on-theme and SO FUN!
Kale’s grandparents’ farm was where it all went down, and legendary Elsa Campbell got all the groovin’ on camera. There’s no need for FOMO; the afterparty’s below.
THE VENUE “We were torn about where to have this event. We’re from opposite sides of the world (Canada and Australia), which makes things extra tricky. Although we have spent most of our relationship living in Vancouver, no specific venue was calling our name. It wasn’t until our trip back to Australia in 2023, when we spent some time at the Healesville property, that our wheels started to turn. Melbourne is where we fell in love, and this property was perfect for a festival wedding. We HAD to do it. The farm is very sentimental to Kale and his family. He grew up spending lots of time there with his grandparents – he and his brother working out on the land with his grandpa Ken. Sadly, Ken passed away years ago and couldn’t be there with us, but he was most definitely there in spirit and smiling down on the festivities.”
LITTLE LOL “About six weeks from the wedding date, Kale’s parents (Trish and Stu) kicked the cows out of the main paddock to prep the grass for the event. Well, the cows weren’t happy about this at all, and the next morning, Trish and Stu woke up to the cows back in the paddock! They broke the fence down and decided they weren’t going anywhere. It took a second try, and Stu fixed the fence up tight to keep them out for the rest of the summer. Sorry cows!
FAVE DETAILS “The custom festival wristbands were a fun touch everyone loved! We gave these out to the glampers as they arrived on Friday and again to everyone at the wedding the next day. The sunnies and fans were also a hit with our guests, who all came dressed in their best, brightest festival attire. The burger flags and custom parchment paper I designed for the food were a special touch that tied all the little branding elements together. We also got custom popcorn bags made with an illustration of Kale and me on them.”
DIY “Literally everything was a DIY, LOL. But the best was the hanging flower arbour. It was a true collaborative project, starting with Stu (Kale’s dad) salvaging fallen logs from the property and then with Kale building the frame out of them. My mum (bless her patient, crafty soul) spent nearly every waking moment during the week leading up to the wedding trimming, tying and assembling each flower onto strings, which were then attached to a net. Kale and his brother built the bar from wooden palettes, and we fitted it out with a hand-painted sign and beautiful weeping willow foraged from the property. I hand-painted all the signage on scrap wood, either from around the property or palettes.”
MEMORABLE MOMENT “Walking down the aisle with my dad and seeing all of our favourite people for the first time cheering and clapping, and then seeing Kale’s reaction to me for the first time in my wedding dress and outfit. It was a moment that I had thought about thousands of times over the last year, and it was finally reality. Also, getting lifted up by two family members (Nikki and Hunter) unexpectedly during the first song the band played (Rip Tide by Vance Joy) as everyone danced around us singing along.”
STANDOUT VENDORS “Elsa Campbell and her assistant Jean captured our wedding day better than we could have ever imagined. Photos [and being in front of the camera] were something I was really nervous about, and they made it feel so candid, natural and easy.”
We will never stop yapping about how important it is to find a photographer like Elsa Campbell, who makes you feel comfortable and completely at ease. Flick through more of Elsa’s work and shoot off an enquiry here on the Hello May Directory. Festival theme got you keen? Surf the directory to discover your dream team of vendors, ready to help you turn any paddock into a party. Wanna see more weddings that shake up the status quo? We got you. Quirky nups aplenty over here!
CONTRIBUTING VENDORS Photographer Elsa Campbell Cinematographer Cam Batten (Family) Day-Of Coordinator Kaidee Love (Friend) Florist The Floral Emporium Stationery & Signage Stephanie Talbot (Bride) Printer Michell Press (Menus), The Printing House (Burger Flags), Jukebox Print (Brochures & Parchment Paper), For Your Party (Popcorn Bags) & The Wristband Man (Wrist Bands) Venue Family Property Catering / Food Trucks or Carts Sliders On Tyres (Dinner), Biancolatte (Gelato) & Stephanie Talbot & Kale Batten (Bride & Groom) (Charcuterie Board) Wedding Favours Temu(Festival Sunnies) Paper Fans Amazon Hire Items Twilight Glamping (Tables, Chairs, Lounge Set, Barrels, Umbrellas & Glamping Tents), Bunnings (Drink Dispensers) Eltham Kids Party Hire (Popcorn Machine) & Etsy (Custom Corn Hole Bean Bags) Sound Hire Walpole Events Entertainment Wild Card Band via Hey Jack Entertainment (Wedding), Jack Spavins & DJ Moz (Afterparty) Celebrant Samantha Youl – Youl Say I do Rings Cavalier (Engagement), Foe & Dear (Bride) & Kingdom Fine Jewelry (Groom) Transport Evo (Friend) Audio Guestbook After The Tone THE BRIDE Bridal Gown Designer Mr Larkin Shoes Intentionally Blank Accessories Free People Hair & Makeup Bernice – Once Upon A Bride Getting Ready Location The Furmston House via Airbnb THE GROOM Shirt General Assembly Pants Oak + Fort Shoes Dr Martens
