Rachael & Jake

Autumn holds all kinds of magic, and for Rachael and Jake, it held the promise of all that was to come as they celebrated their marriage on a country farm outside of Queensland’s Bundaberg. Packed with country charm and beautiful, rich Autumnal tones of dusky pink and marsala, this was a day that was carefully crafted to reflect its stars – from the flowers to the favours! We couldn’t be more thrilled to share their day, alongside their beautiful images captured by Nina Maree.

The pair, who grew up together, meeting when they were just seventeen, found each other through friends.  The groom popping the question on one of their romantic beach walks. Rachael shares their story. “We were living in Tin Can Bay at the time. We spent the day walking up to the lighthouse at Double Island Point (near Rainbow Beach). Jake rushed me the whole way (he was so nervous). After our walk, we went down to the beach and had a picnic with a few drinks and nibbles. It was actually a terribly windy day but I had absolutely no idea. It was a long weekend so we were able to drive home to Bundaberg to spend the rest of the weekend with our families.”

Rachael found her beautiful lace  Mia Solano gown at Luv Bridal. “I knew when we were in the car on the way to Luv Bridal that I would find my dress there. I even mentioned it to my Mum and bridesmaids when we were in the car. As soon as I tried the dress on, the song that I had planned to walk down the aisle to came on. I knew straight away that I had found, as they say ‘the one’. I wore my late grandmother’s wedding and engagement rings as my ‘something old’ and ‘something blue’. It was very important to me that I had something of hers with me on the day.”

The bride arrived on a horse and carriage, and walked down the aisle to Ed Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud”. She notes “My father walked me down the aisle. In hindsight, I should have had both my Mum and my Dad. My Mum played such an important role in my life.”

Simply a Celebrant performed the official parts of the day, says Rachael. “We wanted our ceremony to reflect the serious nature of the binding commitment we were making to one another but to also show the deep love we have for one another. We also wanted to acknowledge that although we were making a commitment to one another, it would be very difficult to keep this commitment without the love and support of our family and friends. We made special mention and asked our family and friends to commit to helping us through both the good and the bad.”

The day was all about country charm, Rachael and Jake saying their vows and celebration on the family farm. “We had both the ceremony and the reception on Jake’s parent’s property at Moore Park in Bundaberg. This venue really helped to create the relaxed, family-oriented atmosphere we were hoping for. It also meant the party could go on and that we wouldn’t be kicked out of a venue at midnight.”

A nod to the groom’s heritage was celebrated through the floral details, worked on by Lavish Flowers Bundaberg, Bundaberg Roses and Fiona’s Farm Fresh Foliage. “Jake’s family is South African so we had Proteas as our statement flower” explains Rachael. “We then chose roses and foliage from local flower farms, Bundaberg Roses and Fiona’s Foliage Farm.”

Rachael can’t speak highly enough of the couple’s chosen photographer Nina Maree. “Nina was absolutely sensational. She had a tough job making us all feel relaxed while keeping the rowdy groomsmen in line. She captured perfectly the essence of our day; family, friendship and love.”

“The initial design phase was so fun; figuring out the theme, colours, and atmosphere that really reflected us as a couple. The tough part was getting the vision in my head to come together” shares Rachael.

A marquee reception was filled to the brim with handmade touches. “My beautiful friend, Jaimee, put our bouquets together and decorated the ceremony and reception with pieces I had been collecting and sourcing from mostly op shops. Jaimee also put our grazing table together. She had such a big job in the few days before and the day of the wedding. Jake put the seating chart together and I made the favours. We ordered our wedding invitations as a package from Etsy and had them printed locally.” The guests each took home a handmade candle as a wedding favour.

There was so much amazing food and drink on the night thanks to Roll’n’Banks Bar with Alowishus Bundaberg and  Piping Hot Woodfired Pizzas. “The Roll’n’Banks bar were fantastic” raves Rachael. “They worked with my father-in-law to create a beautiful drinks menu that included something for everyone and finished it off in their stunning glassware. Courtney is such a great operator and the ladies worked so hard on the night keeping everyone’s glasses well and truly full.”

 

“The speeches were absolutely beautiful. It was so lovely to hear from just a few key people who found the perfect mix of humour and sentiment” remarks the bride.

It was, of course, the people that made it the best day for these two. “I think your wedding is truly the only time all those special people from different facets of your life come together. We had many guests travel from overseas (USA and South African). It was so special to be able to spend the days before and after celebrating with them. Having the wedding on the family property was so special. Having our photos taken on the property was just magic.”

Jack Johnson’s “Better Together” kicked off the dance floor, chosen to reflect the fun vibes the newlyweds wanted their reception to have.

Congratulations Rachael and Jake! Thank you for sharing your beautiful day with us! Thank you also to Nina Maree for sharing today’s stunning imagery!