Jeanine and Nathan

There is something magical about the peace and beauty of the Australian bush. Which is why I am always a big fan of Australian bush weddings. From the soft muted colour palette put on by Mother Nature, to the bride and groom’s love of the surroundings. Today’s wedding of Jeanine and Nathan is perfectly ‘them’. It’s so relaxed and and so Australian. They’ve embraced the venue and Mother Nature and rather than decorating too much, embraced the beauty of the surrounds and let them doing the talking.

Jeanine explains how she and Nathan met. ”  We knew each other through a work colleague and friend and eventually met up at the races after a few years. I got the courage to give him a call and ask him for a date a little later on.”

Photographs today are by John Benavente Photography. I love the way John sees things through his lens. The vibrancy, the mood, the atmosphere- he pulls it together to look like art.

Jeanine and Nathan were married at the Bamarang Bush Retreat at Bamarang 10 minutes from Nowra. The guests were seated at long tables decorated with bouquets of native Australian blooms (created by Hyams Florist) and paper lanterns strung overhead. Jeanine says “The venue was amazing. It is made out of natural and recycled materials and the owner has made the houses out of mudbrick. There are quirky things all over the place that he has collected. You wouldn’t think it would all fit together but it does, from Tonka trucks to little ornaments. The set up of the reception included sourcing tablecloths courtesy of friends Yvonne and Keith who live just down the road from the venue on their own farm. A lot of organisational help had come from them and really, we wouldn’t have been able to do it without their help.

I sourced most items over the internet such as the battery lanterns and the hemp table runners.  The jam jars (as candle holders) are all donated from friends. They fit with the chairs all being different sizes and shapes as well.”

Nathan wore a grey suit from Tarocash.

Jeanine wore a gown from Henri Josef website.  The couple used the Australian bush theme throughout their stationery, purchasing invitations designed with gum leaves from iDiY.

Jeanine and Nathan held their ceremony on the deck at the homestead. “The ceremony was meant to be on the river but it was just too wet so the ceremony had to happen on the deck which we were still very happy with. The heel of my shoe got caught in the gap between the decking about 30 cm before I reached my husband and he had to remove it for me. It was pretty funny.” Jeanine walked down the aisle to “Rebel Heart” by The Corrs.

The ceremony was incredibly memorable. “Our celebrant was amazing Reverend Paul Bartlett. He did a really good job at easing our nerves”.

The cake (made by Unique Cakes with topper from Wow! Mini Me) was a special surprise from Jeanine. “ The cake was probably the big thing because it was a surprise for Nathan. It took a bit of planning to organise to get the wedding topper done to look like us but it worked out great. A bit of a risk to take considering it was coming from the USA”

The reception was catered “Passion Catering at Nowra did a fantastic job with the food”. The couple did away with a first dance, instead hiring a DJ from Partydisc Southcoast to keep guests on the dance floor.

The day was filled with special memories for Jeanine. “The ceremony, the bush setting, being with family and friends all weekend and everyone helping set up for the wedding, the dancing and spending the Sunday night, the day after the wedding, relaxing on the deck with my husband with takeaway with all the lights off and the outdoor fire place going listening to the rain..very romantic.”

Congratulations Jeanine and Nathan! Thank you for sharing your wedding day on Polka Dot Bride! Thank you also to John Benavente for sharing today’s photographs!

Photo by John Benavente Photography