Jessica and Ben

It was not your typical summer wedding when Jessica and Ben tied the knot. In fact, it was a little moodier. The rain bucketed down, an outdoor ceremony, instead held by candlelight undercover, clear umbrellas popping as shelter and the mystical Mother Nature showing her talent at turning things on their head. But for these two, it didn’t dampen a thing, as evidenced by their beautiful wedding photographs captured by Tess Follett. Their day unfolding in the most heartfelt of ways, their vows carefully chosen, their first dance kicking off a night of celebration, and two extra special special guests, the couple’s children almost stealing all the limelight for themselves.

It’s been twenty years of memory making for these two, and somewhat love at first sight for the bride! She tells their story “I met Ben 20 years ago when I had just finished primary school. He came over with his cousin who I went to school with, riding their horses. It was literally love at first sight. We dated, but it wasn’t really dating we were too young, we more just held hands. After a year or so we went our separate ways, but we always stayed good friends and I always had a crush on him. 10 years ago we finally got back together it was the best moment that we had finally got back together. We then kind of did things backwards, we bought our house 7 years ago, then we fell pregnant with our first child Isaac 4.5 years ago. So we thought this would be a great time to fully renovate our house! Not! Then I fell pregnant with our second child, April, they were only 16 months apart. 12 months ago Ben finally asked me to marry him!!”

Jessica was set on a certain look for her wedding gown, and found her match at Mariana Hardwick. “I found finding my dress the hardest thing.” She remembers “I tried on so many dresses and most were out of my price range. I knew that I always wanted something beaded that had a low back and was in a V. I made the appointment at Mariana Hardwick and this was the first dress I tried on in the shop. I absolutely loved it. Then I had the dress made to measure because I wanted to take the mesh out of the front V and bring the neckline up. They worked with me to create my dream dress. Absolutely loved it, I will treasure it forever as it was a gift from my nan.”

Jessica walked down the aisle with her father, to her brother in law performing an acoustic version of “Unchained Melody” by  The Righteous Brothers. “It was amazing!” she remembers.

Ben popped the question at home, just how Jessica had always wanted it to be. She tells “I told him when he was ready to ask me I didn’t want to make a fuss. So he asked me at home, which was really nice. I remember going for a walk afterwards not really believing it. He asked me without a ring and said we would go and choose one together. So the following week we went to the Diamond Traders where we had looked a few times. They then pull out a diamond and tell me it’s mine. Ben had bought a diamond that we chose together 5 years ago. So they basically let him have a 5-year layby, as we ’re having a baby and renovating our house! It’s so beautiful, it was worth the wait.”

Jessica and Ben chose historic Yarra Valley venue Coombe The Melba Estate for their day Jessica explains “We wanted a relaxed, fun wedding, which is why we choose Coombe, we loved that it doesn’t look like a reception venue. It’s so beautiful. My theme was obviously pink and white. Which I carried through the girl’s dresses and the ties and flowers etc.”

 

Guests gathered inside for a sit-down dinner reception, complete with tiered cake by Sweet by Nature. “Our cake looked amazing and tasted so good too” remembers the bride.

Jessica and Ben chose Wandin Florist to create soft pink floral details to decorate their day.

Chantelle and Jon Duo kicked off a night of celebration, performing “Ain’t Nobody” as the newlyweds took to the dance floor.

It was important to Jessica and Ben that they included their children in the day. “The planning process was a tad harder for me as I had two little kids” tells the bride. “They literally came everywhere with me. To every dress fitting, cake tastings, meeting, hair trials. I quite enjoy being creative so I did as much DIY that I could. At times it got really busy trying to juggle everything, but I loved every second of it.”

A big congratulations to you both Jessica and Ben! Thank you for sharing your beautiful day with us. Thank you also to Tess Follett for sharing today’s stunning imagery!