Steph and Tom have the kind of story you really don’t hear every day, folks… They were running early for their wedding! “True to our rather unconventional style, we got ready together at home in the morning,” shares the bride. “I was super efficient with preparation (including a quick trip to the hairdresser for some low-key waves!), so we were actually running about 40 minutes early… which meant we had time to get a coffee together on the way to the venue! We were clearly the most dressed up of all the cafe’s patrons, but I’m not sure if anyone would have guessed that we were a bride and groom on our way to get married… apart from the fact I was carrying a bouquet!”
That super-chill vibe set the tone for the whole day, which was cool, calm collected… and done totally this couple’s way. With Jessica Clark Photography on hand to capture every wholesome moment (peep the sweet doggo smiling that her mum and dad are offish!), this beautiful day is 100% The Vibe.
THE VENUE “Because we had decided on a low-key, lunchtime/afternoon format for a relatively small number of people, we wanted a hospitality venue that wouldn’t need much in the way of additional decoration or furniture. Our other requirement was that it needed to be accessible by public transport or ride-share: destination weddings are fun, but they ask so much of the guests. We wanted our venue to be central and really easy to get to (and from, after a few bevs!) We looked at a couple of our favourite CBD restaurants, but they didn’t really ‘get’ what we were trying to do. In the end, Ferg’s was the perfect size for us. Being a bar and urban cellar door they had a flexible space, a great local wine list, and a good track record of event hosting. We also liked the idea that we could easily go back to the venue at a later date to privately celebrate with friends who couldn’t make it on the day due to Covid restrictions – which we have been able to do since borders have reopened!”
THE VIBE “After procrastinating for at least six months, Tom and I had a fairly simple and frank discussion about what we wanted our day to look and feel like – and we decided on ‘as low key as possible’. But underneath that, there were a few principles – thoughtful, intentional, sustainable. We really wanted to avoid buying anything that would only ever be used once. We agreed that we didn’t want to do the usual ‘ceremony followed by reception’ format, we didn’t want bridesmaids or groomsmen (we would instead involve key friends in other ways) and we didn’t want to partake in many of the regular traditions: walking down the aisle or doing a first dance sounded like my worst nightmare! We also aren’t big late-night dancefloor lovers (shocking, I know), so we opted for a casual daytime format, which also suited our friends who have small children.”
FAVE DETAILS “I gave Rebecca at Ponder Posy a really simple brief – wispy, everlasting, and if possible, incorporating some dried poppy heads that had come from my grandma’s garden. She nailed it – and when I ‘threw’ the bouquet to my next-in-line friend later in the day I nearly cried when I realised that I was giving such a treasure away! I also spent the entire day before our wedding baking the seven cakes/sweets that we served as our wedding cake. I love baking – and I love a big baking project – so this was super fun and not stressful at all. (Genuinely!). And our invites – we invested our invitations budget in Adelaide artist Billie Justice Thomson’s Really Big Magnets. The magnets also acted as a kind of fun pre-wedding favour, as we didn’t give our guests anything to take away on the day – apart from hearts full of love and many happy memories, of course!”
THE DRESS “It won’t surprise anyone that I only ever considered off-the-rack, ready-to-wear, preferably not-too-bridal options. I ordered online (and returned) maybe 10-15 options over the course of about nine months, but was really happy when I found the ROTATE by Birger Christensen dress via The Iconic. It was suitably ‘white’ so it signalled ‘bride’ – but mostly it felt like a party with its big puffy sleeves. The fact that it was Danish-designed was also special to me, as I studied in Denmark and have a really strong connection with the place.”
MEMORABLE MOMENT “I really didn’t want to walk down the aisle or have a big entrance ‘moment’, so as guests arrived Tom and I were right there to greet them and make sure they started the day with a champagne in hand! It set the relaxed and unconventional tone of our wedding early.”
TAKE ON TRADITION “On the whole we were fairly tradition-less and un-sentimental, but after an Acknowledgement of Country, before anything else happened, we wanted to acknowledge friends and family who couldn’t be with us – be it through distance or otherwise. One acknowledgement that brought out my tears pretty early was of my dear friend Emlyn, who had passed away only a few months before. I knew he had really hoped to make it to our wedding, but sadly it wasn’t to be. My crafty friend Will surprised me and our friends each with a custom pocket square in Emlyn’s memory – a thoughtful touch.”
A WORD OF ADVICE “Stuff expectations! Make every element exactly as you want, and make it true to you as individuals and a couple. Also – the best part of the day is seeing the happy faces of your nearest and dearest…so the best advice I can give is to not sweat the small stuff!”
STANDOUT VENDORS “Everything was easy and breezy, and the Ferg’s Stepney team worked really quietly in the background during the day to make sure everyone was accommodated and having a good time. Our photographer Jessica Clark Photography pulled out all stops with her dog-wrangling tricks when taking photos with our pup, Aria – so that deserves a special mention!”
Jessica Clark Photography isn’t just recommended by Steph and Tom – we think she’s pretty great, too! Hit her up over on our directory to snap your big day and you defs won’t regret it.
CONTRIBUTING VENDORS Photographer Jessica Clark Photography Florist Ponder Posy Ceremony Registry Office Adelaide Reception Ferg’s Stepney Catering Fine & Fettle, Pan & Vine Cakes Bride Entertainment Spotify Rings Jane Bowden, Zu Design (wedding), Jeanette Dyke, e.g.etal (engagement) Transport Uber THE BRIDE Gown ROTATE by Birger Christensen Shoes Shaka Earrings Sarra Tzijan, Jam Factory Sunglasses Cotton On Hair Etcher Makeup Bride Fragrance 19-69 Chinese Tobacco THE GROOM Jacket Calvin Klein Shirt Zara Pants & Shoes Country Road Barber H Barber Fragrance Aesop Hwyl EDP
