Jess and Ben’s Romantic Picnic Wedding

Jess & Ben

Jess and Ben surprised their guests after a traditional church ceremony with a romantic picnic wedding inspired by an Indian Summer. Guests picked up a picnic basket on their way through a streamer covered arch and lazed the wedding day away on picnic blankets. Now if that doesn’t sound like an amazing way to spend a wedding day then I’m not sure what does! They chose Nicholas Joel Photography  to capture their wedding day.

Jess tells the story of how she and Ben met and how he ultimately proposed! “We met when we were kids competing in the local swimming club. Our relationship started a few years after school when we met up on a night out with mutual friends and we hit it off from there!  A true, romantic, Ben asked my dad for his daughter’s hand in marriage, before whisking me away to the Barossa Valley where he popped the question.”

Jess wore a gown by Anna Campbell from The Babushka Ballerina . Both she and her bridesmaids wore hairpieces made by Sylvy Earl 0435 147 223.

Jess walked down to the organ playing Pachelbel’s Canon in D.

Jess and Ben were married at All Saints’ Anglican Church, Singleton.Jess telling “The church was a special place for both of us: My mum taught Sunday school there, Ben was christened and I took my first communion there and the service was performed by a dear family friend, Father John Gilbert.”

One of Jess’ favourite moments was the exit from the church, she explains, “We were surprised by rose petals that dropped from the bell tower at the church as bell ringing announced our marriage.”

Of their photographer, Jess tells, “Nicholas Joel (and colleague Simon) captured the moments that made up our special day beautifully! We were really after natural photos with our friends and family enjoying the wedding ceremony and picnic reception and were so happy with the photos!”

The reception was held at a private homestead outside of Singleton. Jess remarked, ” Our venue for the reception was like a fairytale for us! We were very fortunate to be able to share the day at this special location.”

As their wedding favors, guests received lovingly collected picnic baskets (which also contained their meal catered by Worn Out Wares) as well as homemade tomato jam made by the bride and her friends.

The Wedding Designer provided hire furniture for the day.

The reception was filled with colour, Jess explaining, “We loved the bright colours of an Indian Summer colour theme and so used this as inspiration for decorations, floral arrangements and bouquets, the lovely dresses worn by the ladies and the dashing outfits worn by the men.” Worn Out Wares created the floral arrangements for the day as well as catering the wedding.

Jess loved “Watching all of our guests walk around and see the surprise reception set up all at once was a memorable moment. We were upstairs in the homestead looking out through the window and seeing everyone’s reactions and where they decided to sit was a lot of fun. ”

Guests enjoyed garden games such as croquet and quoits.

“We DIY’d a lot of the day and the personal touches were very important to the whole feel of the event for us – from giant paper flowers to photo decorations lining the aisle and personalised picnic baskets and tomato jam as bonbonniere. We loved creating the day ourselves and seeking inspiration from all over to assist us in planning. We were very lucky to be surrounded by friends and family who helped us to pull off the vision leading up to and on the wedding day. Thank you to you all!”

Jess notes, “We loved the wonderful speeches by Ben’s mum and brother, my dad, & our beautiful bridal party (Cass, Nat, Ari, Foxy & Scotty).”

The couple made sue to pay homage to the history of the homestead – telling their guests the homestead’s story, Jess remembering, “Ben and the groomsmen loved firing antique guns as part of the retelling of the history of the homestead.”

The couple danced to “Love Serenade” by The Waifs for their first dance. DLove Band keeping guests dancing on the homestead’s verandah until the wee hours.

Congratulations on your marriage Jess and Ben! May you have many more magical days together! Thank you to Nicholas Joel Photography  for sharing today’s wedding with us!