Sparkly & Relaxed Garden Party Wedding

Jess & Susi

If there is one thing we know, it’s that intimate weddings are going to be so on-trend for the next little while. So today, we’re introducing you to Susi and Jess, who celebrated last New Years Eve, with just 28 of their closest family and friends. The couple marrying in the garden of Susi’s mum’s house, before spending a lazy afternoon, garden party style, in complete merriment.

And because we’re all about sparkles this month – let’s take a moment to pay homage to Susi’s sparkly black wedding suit. Hello, amazing! Corina Necu captured this beautiful garden party day, read on for the story! As for how these two came to be? “Our first meeting was at our favourite pub the Exeter on Rundle Street” shares Jess. Susi proposing on her birthday. “Susi proposed to me on the morning of my 30th birthday. When I woke up, the room was filled with balloons, Susi gave me a lot of gifts – the last one being my engagement ring (made by Susi’s Dad (a jeweller of Archer & Holland Jewellers) and wow was it a surprise – it was just perfect!”

The brides met before the ceremony as they prepared for the big day.

It was an at-home wedding for this special occasion, remembers Jess. “Our venue was and is very special to us. Susi’s mum’s house in Marino or as we like to call it chino Marino. We lived with Susi’s mum for a while and it became home. It is home and there was no other place we wanted to get married.”

The floral details for the day were styled by a friend. “We were so lucky to have our gorgeous friend Tash arrange our flowers. Her parents live on a protea farm and spent so much time getting natives and proteas arranged for our day! Amazing!!!”

The bride’s walked down the aisle together, says Jess “We had one of our best friends play and sing our song (Cat Power “Sea Of Love”) while we walked. It was very special!”

This was a guest list that was tiny, but loved, explains Susi, of the ceremony, officiated by Lauren Khabbaz. “The wedding was small, just 28 people so it was super intimate. Our main girl Susi’s sister and lucky for me now my sister-in-law Kate, read ” I carry your heart” for us. It’s a favourite and she did it so beautifully!”

“Just have fun,” advises Jess “do what YOU want to do and take in every second of it”

The photographer? Someone Jess can’t stop raving about! “Omg, where do I start! Corina Necu was our photographer and I honestly couldn’t have imagined how amazing our photos turned out! She is gorgeous, down to earth super lovely gal who makes you instantly comfortable, doesn’t ask you to do anything awkward, let’s things be so natural! She was a ninja and captured shots from god knows where but honestly she is a total gem! The best person/photographer ever!!! She is amazing!”

Jess found her gown a The Vintage Bride Boutique. She tells “I love op-shopping and vintage styles so it was a no brainer for me to go there.” Meanwhile, Susi wore a sparkly black Carla Zampatti. Jess noting “Susi and her sister and bestie went shopping together and as soon as they saw it they knew it was the one! Susi and I had no idea what each other was wearing so very happy we didn’t clash on the day haha.”

Guests embraced the newlyweds for their first dance. “We kinda had a couple of first dances – one was to Middle Kids “Edge Of Town” as it was mentioned in our ceremony. We started dancing with our sister and brother in law. Then everyone formed a circle and Susi and I were in the middle and everyone held hands and lifting their arms around us kinda like a big breath of air to Clare Bowditch “On this side”. It was a super special moment, one Susi and I will never forget.”

Celebrations, being New Year’s Eve with newlyweds to celebrate, went on late into the night. Jess remembering “We loved the enormous amount of love and laughter. Susi and I paused to have a moment and overlooked the deck and just saw a sea of fairy lights and family and friends (which) was pretty special!”