Engaged at the start of summer, Viv and Sam liked the idea of sharing the bride’s parents’ February anniversary. For those doing the math, yes, that left them just a couple’a months to plan – 82 days, to be exact! But cool, calm, and collected to the core, the timeline never phased these two legends. “Planning a wedding two’ish months in advance felt extremely organised by our standards although we’ve since learned that in the wedding world that’s a wee bit wild.” You can say that again.
The bride (in a funky feathered Rebecca Vallance frock) and groom (wearing a partially Salvos-sourced ensemble) told us that they didn’t do a whole lot of vendor research, but are “lucky to be surrounded by a community of very talented friends, along with a few wonderful long-standing connections who just happened to be the perfect people for the job.”
“Alongside that,” the bride adds, “we were lucky enough to work with some amazing people whose work I admired.” Folks like Mitch Pohl, whose photography the bride had always loved, Makeup by Megan who had done the sister-of-the-bride’s wedding make up a decade before, and hair stylist Chantelle from Willow Bridal, who the bride had known since childhood. “Looking back, having so many familiar faces involved made the whole day feel less like a big production and more like a celebration built by our community.”
Relaxed brides and grooms will find a wealth of good inspo below, so scroll on to see more of Viv & Sam’s wedding at Glastonbury Gardens in Austinmer and roaring Bóveda restaurant reception.
A MODERN WEDDING RECEPTION & MEXICAN MENU | wedding locations south coast
“Our criteria was fairly simple: find a place that could do as much as possible for us (catering and drinks), had space for kids to run around, ideally had air-con (I get sweaty on the best of days) and didn’t require us to hire half a furniture warehouse or become amateur event stylists overnight. So we made a short list of places we liked, sent a few enquiries, and I went to see Bóveda first. By some miracle it was available on the exact date we wanted and the people running it were lovely. Given the timeline (and our general approach to decision-making), that felt like more than enough research, so we locked it in.”
UNCONVENTIONAL BRIDAL | LOW-KEY WEDDING DRESS SHOPPING
“Technically I bought my wedding dress before we were officially engaged. The dress was the fourth one I tried on, on the very first morning of looking, which surprised absolutely everyone who knows me. Not because of the impulse decision, but purely because I had voluntarily gone shopping. . . .So the fact that I had actually agreed to dedicate a full morning to dress shopping genuinely sent shockwaves through my family and friends. But when I put on the feathery Rebecca Vallance dress I felt happy, comfortable and like myself, which seemed like a pretty good sign so I bought it immediately.”
A PRE-CEREMONY DATE | FORGOING WEDDING TRADITION
“One thing we’re really glad we did was make time to see each other before the ceremony and then to arrive at the gardens together. We had a quiet drink and a cuddle, which gave us a moment to breathe and settle the nerves before everything began. It made the whole day feel calmer and more like us.”
CEREMONY HIGHLIGHTS | A BUBBLE AISLE
“The aisle moment and the ceremony were definitely highlights. My siblings are all between two and eight, and instead of traditional flower kids we asked if they’d like to be our “bubble kids”, mainly because I have a slightly ridiculous love of bubbles. Watching them proudly march down the aisle, blowing bubbles everywhere and being gently guided along by my siblings, was wonderful. I walked in behind them with my parents on either side of me, some of Sam’s closest friends playing the music, and Sam waiting at the end of the aisle next to my eldest sister Theresa, who was officiating the ceremony. During the ceremony Sam’s eldest niece Lia gave the Acknowledgement of Country, and his goddaughter Neve presented us with our rings. It was one of those rare moments where you look around and realise that all the people who have shaped your life are somehow standing together in the same place.”
STANDOUT VENDORS ON THE SOUTH COAST NSW
“We honestly loved ‘em all! Mitch Pohl is a total legend, the Boveda guys were a dream, Megan made everyone feel incredible, Chantelle (Willow Bridal Co) felt like family, the list goes on!”
MORE GOOD STUFF
To find South Coast wedding venues, or for help planning your South Coast nuptials, visit the directory to get in touch with our go-to NSW wedding suppliers (like make up artist Makeup by Megan). Feathers, minis, separates, and jumpsuits – find more modern bridal inspo here or check out these quirky local nuptials for the most unique wedding ideas.
CONTRIBUTING VENDORS Photographer Mitch Pohl Florist Mowgli Studio Ceremony Venue Glastonbury Gardens Austinmer Reception Venue & Catering Bóveda Cake Maker & Tiramisu Family & Friends Celebrant Theresa Mullan Celebrant Rings Unu Jewellery THE BRIDE Bridal Gown Designer Rebecca Vallance Shoes Mi Piaci Accessories Swarovski, Szade, Depop Hair Chantelle, Willow Bridal Co Makeup Makeup by Megan THE GROOM Jacket & Shirt Salvos
