Tobi and Paul

Oh winery weddings never cease to get my senses going- the lush green of the vineyards the culture of fine food and amazing grape creations and the elegant, intimate settings.

Today’s wedding of Tobi and Paul is no different- it has the most stylish details that completely reflect the bride and groom and is in such a gorgeous setting!

Tobi recalls how she met her groom. “We met on a weekend away in Ocean Grove with friends in February 2007 to see Pete Murray at a ‘Day on the Green’ concert. The weekend turned out perfectly and we hit it off at the concert on the Saturday night. Five minutes into the return car journey back to Melbourne, my friend and I had a minor car crash, so we phoned Paul and his mate to come to our rescue.  To cut a long story short I ended up coming back in the car with Paul. The car trip home was a great way to consolidate our weekend away and from there we started dating and have had the pleasure of getting know and falling in love over the past 3.5 years.

Paul proposed at a quaint restaurant in the Marais district of Paris, France during a 3 week holiday in July 2010.We managed to arrange their wedding over  3 months.”

Today’s photographs are by Stewart Leishman who is continuing to wow me with his elegant, beautiful photographs. Simply put – they’re beautiful.

Tobi and Paul both got ready at Balgownie Estate. Paul wore a grey suit from Kenzo.

There’s a special story behind Tobi’s amazing shoes. “Since I knew the dress (Carla Zampatti) would show my shoes at all times, I went in search for a pair of show stoppers. I first saw a picture of the Jimmy Choo ‘Lace’ stiletto in champagne glitter fabric on my favourite wedding blog site Polka Dot Bride (where I also discovered Stewart Leishman’s work), it was ‘love at first sight’! I started to think they were an urban shoe myth, until I spotted a pair on the Gold Coast. However, they weren’t available in my size anywhere in Australia. After emailing Jimmy Choo’s head office in New York, they informed me that a pair was available in their Madison Avenue Boutique, New York City! And I happened to have a close friend traveling to NYC that week, who kindly picked them up and brought them back for me in their carry-on luggage. The moment I received them was like a scene from Cinderella, putting on her glass slipper for the first time. They were the ONE!”

Tobi wore a one shouldered gown from Carla Zampatti with earrings from Lisa Ho. Her hair and makeup was styled by Bernadette Fisers. The floral arrangements were styled by Victoria Whitelaw.

Tobi and Paul held their ceremony and reception at Yering Station. Tobi says “Our wedding day was everything and more than we could have ever dreamt it would be. Anticipating the weather to reflect the previous weeks of storms and rain, the day turned out to be a perfect sunny 29 degrees. The backdrop of Yering Station winery was idyllic, the rustic timber barn, contemporary stone building juxtaposed against the immensely green surrounds, blue sky and blooming native foliage.”

Tobi and Paul held their ceremony in the Yering Station barn. “The ceremony in the historical barn was intimate and magical. Our celebrant, Sylvia Johnson, was superb. Every word uttered was molded to suit our personalities, including writing our own vows, it was extremely memorable.”

Tobi says “To add a personal touch to the reception, we displayed a collection of original wedding portraits from both of our parents and their parents (our grandparents), one dating back to 1904.

Victoria Whitelaw (florist) complemented the setting with a variety of natural floral arrangements including David Austin roses, peonies, succulents and jasmine foliage. The table centrepieces were a collection of various size vases and vintage tea-light candles to reflect the natural farmland surrounds, with each place setting accompanied with a small Tussie-Mussie.  The stationery including the table menus and place cards, were designed by a great designer friend of mine, Lee Callister Designs  [email protected] or 0414 888 387.  Inspired by antique timber letter presses, the contemporary design continued the bold and rustic elements found within the winery.”

The reception was one of Tobi’s favourite parts of the day. “The food, wine, ambiance (live music by the Baker Boys Band) and speeches during the reception were magical. Time just flew.”

Congratulations Tobi and Paul! Thank you for sharing your wedding day with us today on Polka Dot Bride! Thank you also to Stewart Leishman for today’s photographs!