Whimsical Sydney Garden Wedding

Kellie & Phil

I love the surprises at Kellie and Phil’s whimsical Sydney garden wedding. The gorgeous garden ceremony the sparkling lights of the reception – the little touches of Alice in Wonderland and the Secret Garden that gave a little touch of magic to an already beautiful day. Kellie and Phil chose I Love Wednesdays to capture their wedding.

Kellie starts us off with the story of how the newlyweds came to meet. “We met through mutual school friends and were friends for a few years before getting together. We have so much in common, every day is special and fun. Phil proposed to Kellie in beautiful Switzerland which they hope to go back to one day!”

Kellie wore a gorgeous gown by Karen Willis Holmes, remembering, “I went dress shopping on my own and it was one of the first I saw. Then I bought my friend Jessie along, as soon as she saw me in the dress she cried and we knew I didn’t need to look any more! Love it because it is conservative but still slinky and sexy. I felt covered and comfortable.. and the sequence made it fun! Easy to dance in and it didn’t crease.”

Kellie and Phil chose The Palm House, The Royal Botanic Gardens for their ceremony, noting, “The Palm House in The Royal Botanic Gardens is a stunning clean slate to create a beautiful earthy whimsical setting for the ceremony.”

Oh Flora styled the beautiful floral arrangements for the day, the bride explaining, “I loved working with Tanya from Oh Flora Flowers, she is very enthusiastic and has some great ideas. Tanya’s work is beautiful and I even had a floral crown made by her for my hen’s party where she ran a kokadama workshop for my family and girlfriends.”

Kellie walked down the aisle to an acoustic version of The Beatle’s “Here Comes The Sun”.

Jessie Cacchillo officiated the ceremony, the bride remarking, “With celebrant Jessie Cacchillo at the reigns, our ceremony had a fun and casual feel. Our readings were The Velveteen Rabbit and Nothing Else Matters by Metallica.”

“We had three bridesmaids and one best man, but told the rest of our closest friends the colour theme so they all came along for the ride in our ‘fun bus’.”

Of their photographer, Kellie tells, “Our photographer Len was just amazing, she was there for every moment and a bit like having an extra bridesmaid! Everyone loved her and she was very good at giving direction. Also Len was amazing leading up to the wedding with questions I had on anything and everything.”

The newlyweds and bridal party travelled in The Fun Bus & Herby The Beetle, the bride telling, “We loved riding in our own car because it was the only time we really got to spend solo together.”

The newlyweds chose The Grounds of Alexandria for their reception, remarking, “The Grounds of Alexandria is the most magical setting for any event. The fairy lights strung around the garden, the long barn tables, the black and white dance-floor, the amazing grazing menus and fun barn bar..its just the best venue in Sydney.”

Guests took home succulents planted in tea cups, the bride explaining, “I collected teapots for the table centrepieces and vases; and also collected teacups for the wedding favors. We grew little plants in the teacups for guests to take home. It was quite a bit of work! Not sure I would do that again.”

Of the first dance, the newlyweds tell “We chose INXS, Never Tear Us Apart. Then Kellie had a dance with her dad to ‘My Girl’. We had ‘Stuck in the Middle with You’ as our cake cutting song. Our first dance with everyone else was 1979 by the Smashing Pumpkins which was a concert that Phil and I saw together when we started dating.. always has been a special song for us.”