Hinterland Country Hall Wedding

Toni & Chris

Toni and Chris held their hinterland country hall wedding in the mountains of the Gold Coast. They wed in the gardens of the community run hall, before guests dined inside the hall under a foliage wrapped chandelier the couple made themselves. The spirits were high – the couple designing their day so everyone could feel as connected as possible. Lucas & Co were there to capture the day.

Toni remembers how they came to be. “We met at a music festival when our eyes clicked in a drinks line. We spent the day and night together before heading out for dinner after the festival.”

Toni wore the ‘Bridgette’ by Pia Gladys Perry gown from Bohemian Brides, explaining, “I chose a simple dress because I wanted to have a special headpiece, which I chose from Bo & Luca (Luna headpiece). It wasn’t what I had pictured before I went looking but the dress suited me and I knew I would be able to boogie in it!

Kate from the boutique made the experience really lovely and was incredibly accommodating. I added some handmade elements to the dress including a simple belt my mother in law helped me make, beading across the drop back and my something old. A friend had found antique ribbon embroidered with my initials in a store many years ago. I had the ribbon sewn to the inside hemline of the dress (thanks again to my mother in law). ”

Toni and Chris were married at Mt Nimmel Hall, Toni noting, “From the get go we wanted a small hall in the country that we could make our own and decorate just how we wanted. When we came across Mt Nimmel Hall we couldn’t believe how perfectly it suited us. It is run by volunteers in the local community.” Toni and Chris made the welcome sign, amongst other things (friends and family photoboard, drinks menu, order of events sign, menu, chandeliers, bench for ladies toiletries, toilet signs (man punching bear and 50s housewife), wedding favours, name tags, table numbers, speech stand and bunting).

Of her walk down the aisle, Toni remembers, “I’ve always loved the song from the opening credits in ‘Juno’, ‘All I Want Is You’ by Barry Louis Polisar. I had a fear that I was going to sob (read ugly crying) the whole way down the aisle and therefore wanted a happy song. My plan failed though. Our wonderful singer Tommy Sheehan, a local Gold Coast artist, made the song his own and had slowed it down to a beautifully romantic piece. Choking up ensued.”

Enchanted Flowers created the floral arrangements for the day.

Lindsay Carroll officiated the ceremony, Toni telling, “Our number one goal was to have a ceremony that made everyone feel connected. We wanted it to be personal and heartfelt. Our celebrant Lindsay had some lovely ideas to make our guests feel included. Lindsay entwined personal stories and information we had shared with her within her dialogue and this coupled with having written our own vows ensured it felt very much our day. We had two readings; ‘On Your Wedding Day’ Poem by Unknown and ‘Love is a Temporary Madness’ by Louis de Bernieres.”

Of their photographers, Toni remembers, “Sarah and Jason from Lucas & Co were lovely to work with. They were unobtrusive and were very quick to get a shot and move on to the next. We didn’t feel staged or unnatural at all. We loved that they were up for a bit of a bush bash so we could get down to a stream in the state forest to capture some amazing shots. Also, Sarah has great shoes!”

Toni recalls, “I loved going to take photos and having some quiet moments with my new husband and some fun with our wedding party. We stopped at an open field by the side of the road opposite a large barn. Shortly after, a band started jamming in the barn so we had a dance in the field. I still regret not going over and asking them to come and play the reception!”

The newlyweds and their guests started the evening off with speeches at dusk.

The reception was held inside the Mt Nimmel Hall which was decorated with a rustic style chandelier made by the couple, Toni remembering, “We collected driftwood which Chris used to create two rectangular frames. We wrapped them with fairy lights and hung foliage from them, before hanging them from the roof over the tables.”

Homemade muesli was gifted to guests as a wedding favor.

The newlyweds made sure to hire a team who could support them on their day. The Events Lounge coordinated everything on the day while Lovestruck Weddings styled the wedding. Toni notes “Rachael from The Events Lounge who provided an on the day wedding co-ordination for us was extremely easy to work with and her professionalism was superb.”