Carly and Mark's Spring Winery Wedding

Carly and Mark

Mark and I first met through a good friend of mine at a local bar. I think I was attracted to his blue eyes the most!

Mark proposed to me a week before Christmas, on a Wednesday night. He was acting quite unusual from memory. He insisted on cooking me dinner, and pouring me a glass of wine. He cooked chicken mignon and asparagus spears on the BBQ, and served this with mashed potato. We sat down and listened to music, and once we’d finished dinner he got down on one knee and asked “Will You Marry Me?”

We had the most perfect spring day for our wedding. We shared our day with 120 guests. My two sisters, and two best friends were bridesmaids, and Mark’s two brothers, and two closest mates were his groomsmen.

Laura Gilham did our make-up and hair; she travelled all the way from Melbourne, and I think she did a fantastic job!

My dress was from Luci Di Bella in Melbourne. I chose an embellished ivory sweetheart strapless gown. The gown was made to measure, and fitted perfectly. Clara and Luci from Luci Di Bella provided a great service.

My bridal bouquet was a loosely structured organic style bouquet of miniature heirloom roses in cream tones. The bridesmaids’ bouquets were round clusters of mixed blooms in pastel shades of champagne, peach, ivory, mid pink, and blush.

We were married in the beautiful gardens of Brown Brothers Winery in Milawa Victoria, underneath the old oak trees. Milawa is a special place to me – this is where my mum grew up with her four siblings on a small farm, and my Mum and Dad got married in Milawa 25 years ago in the little red brick church. The view was amazing, with the vineyards and distant hills in the background. The trees were decorated with hanging rustic barbed wire hearts. This set the scene as Dad and I walked down the aisle to ‘Over the Rainbow’ by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole.

Our photographers Bec and Kenny from Fork and Spoon PD were absolutely brilliant. Not only did they capture the entire day – but they also created a mini film too! Bec took some lovely photos of us on my Uncle’s farm – I particularly like the one she took of me on the back verandah against the old screen door. The old flour mill was also used in our wedding photos.

Our reception was also held at Brown Brothers winery, at the lovely Patricia’s Table Restaurant. The reception tables were decorated with clusters of pink snapdragons, and tea light candles. Brooke Whelan, from Flourish Beechworth designed my flowers arrangements. She also decorated our timber arbor and wine barrel with clusters of gypsophila.

We sat down to a beautiful two course meal, including fried pork belly with Asian slaw, chilli caramel and crispy shallots, followed by breast of Milawa chicken, pumpkin and shiitake mushroom risotto. Our selection of wines included Pinot Grigio, Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Tempranillo, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Mark’s mum made a beautiful chocolate mud cake for dessert.