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Claudia and Peter

Oh Tasmania, I do love you for a wedding location- such stunning countryside and such a romantic feel! Our newlyweds Claudia and Peter met in Kobe, Japan so the wedding had a Japanese KANJI theme (invitations, order of service cards, place name cards etc) at a classical romantic setting at a vineyard overlooking the mountain and rows and rows of vines on a sunny summer’s afternoon.

Claudia retells how they met. “We met in Japan as we both worked for the same English language school in different cities. We were both sent to a ‘kids training day’ on a cold winter’s day in December where we met, had an instant attraction then spent most of the day holding hands and singing our ABCs.”

Today’s photographs are by Jonathan Wherrett. It’s always special to have a photographer we haven’t featured for a while back on the blog, kind of like a cup of tea with an old friend! I love Jonathan’s clean and stunning captures!

The guests arrived by a red double decker bus at the winery; it was a beautiful summer’s day and everyone enjoyed the 15 minute scenic ride from the city to the winery.

Claudia wore a strapless Maggie Sottero gown, while her bridesmaids wore charcoal gowns from Mr K . Bouquets of red roses were styled by Gay Flowers.

Claudia and Peter held their ceremony and reception at Meadowbank Estate. Claudia walked down the aisle to Handel’s Air played by a string quartet.

Claudia says, “The ceremony was short and romantic and both of us cried during our vows and when the celebrant was talking about how we met in Japan and fell in love. Our mothers read a romantic poem and wedding prayer during the ceremony.”


The KANJI theme was echoed through the reception. Claudia says, “We opted for a simple, elegant style for table placements, choosing a church candle in a vase as the main centrepiece, with ivory and red rose petals scattered. The guests had Japanese KANJI inspired place name cards (matching the invitation, order of service and thank you cards) and a charcoal heart-shaped chocolate placed next to each card.  Each guest had a crisp white linen napkin with ‘Claudia & Peter, 6 February 2010’ embroidered on the front.”

The wedding cake was made by Cake Woman and consisted of tiers of chocolate mud cupcakes with chocolate ganache icing and decorated with a piped red rose and red ribbon,  with a red rose individually piped on each cup cake. The top cake had red roses neatly arranged with a beautiful red ribbon around the outside. The stationery was created by Invitation House.

Claudia says, “Our menu was fresh roasted vegetables and seasonal salads, Tasmanian smoked salmon and oysters, frittata and marinated olives, smoked and cured meats; crisp skin fillet of ocean trout, cauliflower, ginger and coriander seed dressing; eye fillet of beef, caramelised shallots, potato gratin and rich jus and soft centred chocolate pudding with vanilla bean ice cream with local berries.”

The couple shared a romantic first dance to a classic tune. “We danced to Etta James’ ‘At Last’ and it was a very special, fun moment. During the dance someone yelled out ‘you’ve been practising!’ – the dance was a rumba and finished with three spins and a dip so practising was compulsory!”

Claudia says “We left in a 1950  Mark V white Jaguar (which was followed by a black limousine in case it broke down!).”

Congratulations Claudia and Peter! Thank you for sharing your wedding day with us on Polka Dot Bride! Thank you also to Jonathan Wherrett for today’s images!

Photos by Jonathan Wherrett