Vintage Inspired Garden Wedding

Stacey & Matt

Stacey and Matt, inspired by Picnic At Hanging Rock, set about to have a quintessential Australian vintage inspired garden wedding. They wed in a beautiful garden and celebrated at a private home under festoon lighting and the most beautiful sunset. Vivid Photography were there to capture it all.

Stacey tells the tale of how she and Matt met. “Matt and I met in 2007 at a small bar in New Farm, Brisbane. We hit it off straight away and the following year moved in together. We got engaged in 2011 during a ski trip to Falls Creek in Victoria. Matt got down on one knee during dinner in a romantic summit restaurant, presenting me with a beautiful vintage-style ring that he designed and made himself (Matt’s a jeweler). I was totally surprised!”

Fio Contemporary Jewellery and Design designed the wedding jewels – Matt’s own company! Stacey explains, “Our wedding jewellery was all designed and handmade by Matt who owns and runs Fio, a contemporary jewellery studio in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane. My engagement ring is vintage-inspired and very feminine. It features a natural yellow diamond in the centre, surrounded by small white pave-set diamonds, with ornate hand-sawn detailing underneath the setting. Matt has a very simple white gold band with a textured scratch finish.”

Bouquet Boutique created the bride’s bouquet and buttonhole floral arrangements.

Stacey wore a lace Anna Campbell gown and her bridesmaids chose blush pink gowns from Two Birds Bridesmaids.

Stacey and Matt met before the ceremony for photos, Stacey telling, “It was also fantastic for Matt and I to have a ‘first look’ before the ceremony (we had our photos done beforehand) — it was a special moment between the two of us before things began and was captured beautifully by our photographers.”

Of their photographers, Stacey tells, “Cath and Rich from Vivid Photography were amazing – from the lead up to the day through to afterwards. They are both fantastic photographers and we were very lucky to have both of them shooting on the day. They made us feel very comfortable and relaxed and went with the flow. We love their style and knew the results would be outstanding.”

The bridal party was made up of Stacey’s favourite females – including eight tiny flower girls! She remembers, “Our bridal party included my sisters who I don’t see often, as well as 8 flower girls — all our gorgeous nieces! It was just beautiful having them part of the day and brought a real lightness and fun to the ceremony. Each held a single rose, and stepped in pairs behind the bridesmaids, with the head flower girl carrying our son Samuel (then 15 months).”

Stacey walked down the aisle to ‘Opus 23’ by Dustin O’Halloran.

Stacey and Matt chose Horace Window Reserve for their ceremony. Stacey explains, “The ceremony was held in Matt’s childhood stomping ground – a tiny, hidden park by the Brisbane river which boasts ancient trees, an old-but-working boat club and jetty, and a quaint rocky shore area used for picnics and fishing. It was a stunning natural backdrop and the colours, sounds and smells of the river and bushland were so vivid.”

Stacey tells, “Having our son Samuel there on the day made everything even more meaningful.”

“There were lots of special, funny, intimate and unique moments throughout the day. As guests walked up a small hill from the park to the house for the reception, they were gifted with the most amazing fiery sunset over the river. This made for some spectacular photos for Matt and I after the ceremony.”

Matt and Stacey held their reception in the gardens of Matt’s parent’s home. Stacey remembers, “Matt’s parent’s place and childhood home was our reception venue, located on the same street as the park. It is a 1920’s Queenslander timber house with wrap-around verandahs and gorgeous iron lace railings overlooking a formal, French-style landscaped garden. Guests had canapes and drinks in the garden and adjacent terrace, under the stars, until the wee hours.”

The wedding was a team effort with plenty of DIY. Stacey tells, “We DIY’d as much as possible — from our wedding cake and desserts, to transport, flowers, invitations, music, rings, styling, rose petal cones and more. Family cars for example were used for transport, Mum and I did the reception flowers after a trip to the markets, and our dads strung lights in the garden. We designed our own invitations and developed our own music playlists. Matt and I also styled the reception using a mix of vintage objects and furniture that we owned, borrowed or hired.”

The styling was vintage and sweet says Stacey. “In terms of styling, an eclectic mix of vintage white and timber chairs, small café tables draped with lace and doilies, and tiny jars of pink and white flowers were casually scattered throughout the garden which made for a pretty and whimsical look. Other touches included an antique French dresser for guest book signing with black and white photos of our parents’ and grandparents’ wedding day displayed in old frames. A salvaged wooden table and vintage hat box was used for presents and cards.” Hodgepodge Hire and Adorn Events provided rental furniture and pieces for the day.

Stacey and Matt lit up their garden party, telling, “Lighting at the reception was important to us. Jacaranda trees flanking the garden entrance were spot lit from below to create mood, drama and ambiance, as was a fragrant jasmine wall on the terrace. Festoon lights were draped from the trees to the house, and tealights were everywhere.”

Zen Catering put on a feast for guests.

Stacey remembers, “Our first dance was to Etta James’ ‘At Last’. Matt secretly arranged for small fireworks to go off (by professionals!) around the garden circle half-way through the song which was an absolutely unbelievable surprise! Dancing in the garden under the stars with the fireworks and friends and family watching on was amazing.”