Rustic Farm Wedding - Polka Dot Bride

Kaitlin & Jono

If you have a farm that has been in the family for generations, it is fair to say that it is a perfect location for a pretty rustic farm wedding, with plenty of DIY. That is exactly what Kaitlin and Jono did for their day, with the help of their family and friends. Emma Pointon took advantage of a stunning spring day and captured their wedding beautifully.

Kaitlin tells of their decision to hold their wedding on the farm. “We used “Dambagee Farm” as our venue as it is where we work and live. It has been in he family for four generations, so is very special to us. The Dandaragan area is also very picturesque so we are very lucky! It’s not too far from Perth, and while we don’t have that many accommodation options in town, lots of local people who attended the wedding were kind enough to host guests at their house for the night, and quite a few people camped on the farm too!”

Kaitlin chose a tea length dress by Elvi Design, a mother daughter team who live in the hills of Perth. Of her gown, the bride says, “My experience with them was great, they were very friendly and efficient. I knew we would be getting married on the farm, so I didn’t want a dress dragging on the ground. I chose a simple design with lace overlay on the bodice, and Georgian silk skirt.”

Kaitlin walked down the outdoor aisle, lined with hay bales, to an acoustic version of “Moon Shadow” by Cat Stevens. The ceremony was on a stony hill, overlooking the farm.

“We wanted our ceremony to be intimate and relaxed. We read our own personal vows, which weren’t too serious and got a few laughs from guests. Jono’s sisters did a reading, and my cousins, who were our flower girls, also did a reading. We had both of our grandmothers sign our wedding registry, and we had our dog, Schnitzel von Krum, at the ceremony!”

Of their photographer, Kaitlin gushes, “Emma Pointon was great! I saw her photos on Polka Dot Bride, and we went to meet her. We actually didn’t meet any other photographers as we were so happy with her. She was quick at getting photos back after the wedding too which was great!”

Kaitlin and Jono’s wedding was absolutely jam-packed with DIY elements. “We had to convert the old shearing shed for the reception! My brother added a bar into an old sheep pen to start with, and we had to put in a sink for the caterers, and build steps and a walkway into the shed!”

“I folded 1000 paper cranes for the wedding using the paper from Jono’s Farm Weekly magazines. I strung these onto strings and they hung down the wall behind the bridal table.”

“I made the name tags and seating chart using an old typewriter, and the seating chart was made using a map of the farm, with tables named after farm paddocks. My mum did the flowers for the tables, and made most of the other decorations for the night. Our guests received sausage dog shaped pens to take home.”

The couple’s first dance was to Fleetwood Mac’s “Say You Love Me” under festoon lights in the shed. “We both hate leaving weddings when they are just getting good, so we didn’t have a finish time for the party. People stayed up dancing till 3am!”