WHERE: At home in Jaspers Brush NSW (near Berry) , in the ‘retired strawberry field’

THEME: Casual, organic, natural

PHOTOGRAPHY: Jonas Peterson Photography – I  was after a non-wedding wedding photographer. (I hate getting my photograph taken !!) After discovering the talents of Max Wanger thought there must be someone in Australia who was on the same wavelength. I emailed Louise from Frankie Magazine and she suggested Jonas. After looking at this blog, I knew this was exactly the aesthetic I was after… something authentic and which told a story of the entire day. We couldn’t be more thrilled with his work and talent. He captured the soul of the day. Not only that, but he and Jacqui were wonderful to have around and a pure joy to meet.

 

DRESS: ‘off the rack’ toni maticevski

BRIDESMAIDS: I didn’t have any bridesmaids. I’m not too sure really how and why I came to that decision. I was conscious though that I did want the wedding to be understated and simple and a bridal party didn’t really factor in. I did have my 2 gorgeous closest friends with me a few days before the wedding to get me sorted and ensure my champagne was topped up regularly!

GROOMSMEN: same as above really. Joost’s best friend helped with the ceremony and was our MC

HAIR: Hair by Kyra Jane  in Nowra

MAKEUP: Empire Makeup by Angela Brookes. Angela was fantastic in achieving the natural look I was after.

RINGS: Bakalian Brothers, Newtown

STATIONERY/INVITATIONS: myself (I’m a designer)... view the invitations here

FLOWERS: Michelle Collison of Shady Fig Nowra, responsible for the divine headpiece and bouquet made from David Austin roses, brunei, pepper berries, strawberries and strawberry leaves and rosehips. (The feature of the strawberries was a nod to the history of the property which was a strawberry farm which Joost’s parents ran.

CEREMONY DETAILS: We got married at home, on the property which was once a strawberry farm run by Joost’s parents. The strawberries in the headpiece and the table settings paid homage to the setting.  The actual ceremony was under the cedar tree at the back of the property. A place where Joost and his friends used to camp as kids.
To honour Joost’s Dutch heritage, its traditional for the groom to go and get his bride. (thank goodness as it was a bit rocky walking over the dry creek bed in heels!)
My mum married us! She has been a celebrant for a year and was wonderful to have this very personal moment carried out by a very special person. There were a few tears throughout the ceremony by bride, groom and celebrant, it was very emotional.

RECEPTION DETAILS: The marquee was in the retired strawberry fields (the property where we live). We had 75 guests so it was small and intimate. Speeches were done by Joost’s best friend Tim, and my best friend Dylane. Joost and I also did a speech.

CAKE: Joost’s mum Hannie made the wedding cake which was a flourless orange and almond in a bundt tin. Poor hannie had to make it three times as it kept sticking!

ENTERTAINMENT: We had a jazz band come from Sydney “RACHEL HANNAN’S LITTLE BIG BAND”.

FOOD & DRINKS: The food was catered by Joost’s old friend and mentor who drove for 5 hours along with 2 other chefs. It was special for Joost. Alby also provided the amazing wine – A Malbec from Chile, Croser Champagne and a crisp Riesling. (Alby Sedaitis, Zanzibar, Merimbula) We had large platters to share for each table instead of individual meals. This created a fantastic atmosphere, like having friends over for dinner.

LITTLE EXTRAS:
We didn’t honour much tradition as such, but we wanted it as personalized as possible.  For our Bomboniere, Joost baked a fig and walnut loaf which were in bags that I had sewn and screen printed. We dubbed it ‘love bread’ and the birds were a detail that were featured on the wedding invite. The birds, all different, also accompanied the table numbering.
The walkway for the guests down to the marquee was lined with flour bags from joosts bakery (berry Woodfired sourdough bakery). We filled the bottom with sand and placed a candle in them. They looked magnificent at night with their warm glow lighting the way.
The whole style was aimed to be very simple and organic. I was very aware that it was a marquee in the middle of a paddock, so I wanted to ensure the decorations and décor suited the landscape.

BEST ADVICE FOR PLANNING A WEDDING/TO BRIDES:

Use the internet and all the fantastic wedding blogs and websites to create a creative ‘mood board’ of the look and feel that you want to achieve. If you are not creative yourself, there are a lot of crafty people on etsy who can do lovely invites, placecards, decorations.

Don’t skimp on a photographer!!! It’s the lasting image of your day which you will reflect back on for the rest of your lives, and so will your children, so make sure you have someone who is going to produce the aesthetic you want. We are so thrilled with what Jonas did for us, and incredibly grateful.

Don’t stress out… it’s a party after all.


KIRSTY + JOOST'S CONTACTS:


•    PHOTOGRARHY: Jonas Peterson Photography

•    BRIDE'S DRESS & VEIL: Toni Maticevski

•    GROOMS FORMAL WEAR: Van Heusen

•    RINGS: Bakalian Brothers Newtown, Sydney

•    HAIR: Kyra Jane Florance (hair by kyra jane)

•    MAKEUP: Empire Makeup - Angela Brookes

•    INVITATIONS: me (hopscotch design)

•    FLOWERS: Michelle Collison

•    CAKE: Joost’s Mum, Hannie

•    RECEPTION: At home under the Cedar Tree, Jaspers Brush

•    CEREMONY: At home in the paddock

•    WEDDING PLANNER: me

•    ENTERTAINMENT: Rachel Hannan’s Little Big Band, Sydney

•    DECORATIONS: me

•    OTHER: Marriage Celebrant, Sheelagh Cameron (my mum)
 

View Jonas Peterson's post of Kirsty & Joost's wedding here... what an incredible talent! So inspiring!