Rhiannon & Matt
There is so much fun in the photos of today’s relaxed Como Gardens wedding, The outdoor ceremony, the first dance under the sun, lawn games and champagne – what is there not to love? Rhiannon and Matt worked with Warren Photography to capture the magic of their day.
Rhiannon tells the story of how they came to be. “The chemistry between us was very evident when we first met, over 11 years ago. Years later, two days before Matt departed to London to live, he confessed his lifelong vision of marrying one day! Fast-forward three years later, (including a brief catch up in London!) Matt arrived home and true to his word, phoned me that very day, to say he would pick me up at 7pm the following evening to go to dinner. Seven years, one dog, one son, another baby on the way and a business later – we “officially” committed – if we hadn’t already!!”
Silvana Tedesco designed the bride’s gown, Rhiannon telling, “My dress was from amazing designer / friend / client, Silvana Tedesco. I walked in with my mum and bridesmaids on the hunt for a vintage style high neck lacy piece, and ended up with a contemporary lace, low neck, two pieces dress! The typical polar opposite situation!
Months later, I fell pregnant (a surprise that was meant to be post wedding – but turned out to be the perfect timing!). However we decided to stick with the chosen design, but we would leave all fittings until the final two weeks! Silvana was incredible to complete it within such a short time frame!”
Rhiannon and Matt were married at the beautiful Como Gardens, the bride remaking, “The ceremony and reception were held at the private residence “Como Gardens” in The Basin Victoria, at the foothills of the Dandenong Ranges. I grew up in the area and my primary school was just down the road, which is across the road from paddocks full of cows! I love the area but it was NEVER my vision to get married there!!
After struggling to find a venue that would accommodate our 180 guests and met our brief for a relaxed a natural setting, it was at the property’s annual open day that we had a light bulb moment! Sitting on the hill whilst enjoying coffee and music, together we schemed/planned and designed our dream wedding on the grounds! Then all we had left to do was ask permission of the owners…… and after some batting of the eyelids, our cute then one and a half-year-old in tow, Pat and George eventually agreed (they hadn’t held weddings there in many years after a couple of bad experiences).
The ceremony was held under the huge 100-year-old oak tree. For the reception, we set up teepees on the flat grounds between the trees and the lake. The Dandenong Ranges formed the backdrop to the entire garden setting. It was magical.”
Rhiannon walked down the aisle to The Piano Guy’s “A Thousand Years”. The bride telling, “Ironically, just by chance the music clip for this song is (an) almost identical scene to where we held our ceremony on the property.”
Georgia Mills officiated the ceremony, Rhiannon explaining, “The ceremony was very relaxed, light-hearted, personal and US! Our mums shared a reading, and both parents were asked to stand in front of the crowd and swear an oath that they will provide babysitting duties as requested forever more! Bobby, our 2-year-old son was the page boy, with our 5-year-old niece Shylah the flower girl. It was incredible sharing our special day with Bobby (and baby number two in utero!), as the ceremony was a true celebration of the life Matt and I have created together and continue to develop.”
“Our mum’s reading was; “You share today the joy of a deep commitment and a sacred trust, and you have given each other the most precious gift of love.
Treasure it, nurture it and encourage it with all the honesty you used in creating it.
You are sharing something rare and beautiful. Always speak the truth and listen attentively so that you may understand each other’s thoughts and intentions.
Inspire each other by sharing your accomplishments. Say I love you often to retain the warmth between you.
Laugh a lot too, even when you are angry. to Remember you are each other’s best friend
Stand together and for each other always.
May each day be a blessing and the fulfilment of your dreams.”
Of their photographer, the bride remembers, “John photographed all of our friend’s weddings to date, he is like family to us! He helped us plan out the time sheet for the day, told us about the DO NOT’s from his past experiences at weddings and even made it to both houses on the day to shoot us all getting ready. His photography has absolutely captured the atmosphere of the day, we cannot thank him enough.”
“Matt made all the signage to direct guests to the ceremony and reception, he constructed the timber arch at the ceremony as well as the large-scale game of Jenga, all from recycled timber off previous jobs. We used an old timber bar that was on the premises as a gifts table where we added vases with flowers and Matt hung his original timber tool box from his apprenticeship days with brass chains which we used as the wishing well.” The couple purchased flowers from Camberwell Market Florist, asking friend Simone Haag to arrange them for the day.
Reception celebrations were held under large tipis from TipiKata.
Of their first dance, Rhiannon remembers, “We are both big lovers of Fleetwood Mac (which I was named after and Matt too grew up listening to also) so it was unquestionably Song Bird. We shared our first dance in the blistering sun just before it went down. We had not rehearsed any dance, so I was pleased to hear that it was a good ‘first dance’ as Matt is handy on the dance floor – but I am far from that!!! Our good friends DJC Events and DJ Dos ensured everyone was up on the dance floor under the stars ALL NIGHT LONG. They were incredible.”
Cakes by Lisa-Marie created a decadent cake table for the wedding, the bride remarking, “The cake table was a masterpiece in itself. This was really the only well considered and over decorated feature of the wedding. The table had moss laid over it, with different sized vases and posies of flowers, and SIX delicious cakes!! When I asked one of my dearest friends Lisa-Marie (a self-confessed perfectionist) if she would be willing to make our cakes, I told her there would be one agreement in place. That she was not to fuss or over-perfect the cakes or process!! She failed miserably!! I would hate to guess how many hours she spent planning/trialling/making/icing/decorating/perfecting/delivering (in 32-degree heat) SIX incredible cakes! We cannot thank her enough.”
Congratulations on your marriage Rhiannon and Matt! Thank you for sharing your stories with us! Thank you also to Warren Photography for sharing today’s gorgeous celebration!
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