Fun Country Wedding At Cowbell Creek

Luke was the popular guy at school, Dee-Jay, happy with her more intimate group of three friends, the paths of both rarely crossing, but the spark was there. “We never dated at school but there was definitely something in the air between us…” remembers Dee-Jay. “We would even catch each other staring at one another. Luke thought I was a bit weird at high school.”

Weird or not, it seems Luke was soon won over, because today, in the middle of a Gold Coast farm (cows included, which makes this story perfect for The Nature Issue) Dee-Jay and Luke are sharing their stunning country wedding.

Captured by About Time Co this was a day that embraced the couple’s country backgrounds, with a modern twist (like the groom’s incredible emerald green jacket! Explains the bride “We wanted contemporary simplistic country theme – colours white with blush pink & emerald forest green. Everyone kept saying “it doesn’t feel like a wedding” due to both Luke & I not being stressed; just going with the flow. We both just had the best time, so much fun, love & laughter. It was like a big party!”

Let’s talk about Luke’s look for the day (because that emerald green jacket? Everything!) Dee-Jay fills us in “Luke wore a white RM Williams long sleeve shirt, light grey dress pants, dark chocolate leather deck shoes with a braided leather belt, the best was his Emerald forest green suit jacket (from Asos) & pink bow tie/pocket square.

Luke can pull off most things. He is used to wearing different patterned shirts to rodeos so we knew his jacket or shirt had to be different, we both knew we needed to find the jacket & work everything around to suit it. It was perfect & I love his jacket especially on him. The rest of the outfit fell into place being white/grey such easy colour tones to work with. The pink bow tie was the final detail to finish the look off & it all came together. It looked so darn good.”

The couple gifted guests custom made stubby holders from You’re that girl design. “This is something Luke wanted and they went like hotcakes. Everyone loves a good stubby cooler to take home!” laughs Dee-Jay.

The bride found her Pronovias gown at White Lily Couture. Sharing “It was completely different to what I originally thought I was going to wear. I thought casual boho was what I was after, but once I tried them on I soon figured out I hated them all on me.

I remember walking down to try on the dresses I picked out & this bride to be was in this dress. She had dark long hair, her body so curvy and beautiful, beautiful tanned skin. I was about to try on my last dress & I asked if I could try that dress on. As soon as I go into this dress it felt right. Even before I stepped out to show my mum & sister I already had tears in my eyes but when I looked at myself in the mirror I could stop the tears. My dress was absolutely beautiful – going from boho to full-on wedding dress I was shocked that this was what I LOVED. Lisa, my consultant, knew this dress/style was meant for me even before I asked her to try it on.

I went away to another dress appointment I tried on a few others in a similar style but they weren’t the same. I went back to try the dress again & burst into tears again this time knowing this was the ONE. I wore pearl gold duster earrings, tanned heels, my mum’s pearl bracelet she wore on her wedding & my gold bangle which I wear every single day as it was my nanna’s.”

Country loving was totally a thing on this day, the venue chosen? Gold Coast farm Cowbell Creek. “Cowbell Creek IS AMAZING!!” raves the bride, “I found Cowbell a couple of months after getting engaged & literally feel in love with the place but Luke wanted our wedding in Townsville (we live in Mackay). So I changed what I wanted to a bit more country dry wedding in Townsville. Once we spent a day venturing around venues in Townsville, Luke realised maybe the venue I wanted was what he wanted after all.

I booked a date without even visiting the place purely cause the photos were amazing, everything in one spot, it even had animals which was was soo cool. When we finally visited it was more amazing in person than on Instagram. It was exactly what we wanted. The venue itself is stunning I barely did anything to style the venue, bus collection & drop off for guests since all our guest travelled, ceremony & reception all in one place, just perfect.”

Dee-Jay was walked down the aisle on the arm of her father to “From the ground up” by Dan & Shay. “My dad walked me down the aisle & pretty much cried the whole way (happy tears obviously).”

“Less is more is what we told our celebrant” notes the bride of the brief given to celebrant Ceremonies by Leisa. “Luke & I aren’t traditional at all. We’ve done everything backwards engaged, baby, house, wedding but we aren’t fancy people either. We wanted everyone to feel comfortable, laugh & feel the love. ”

Advice from these two to you? “Have lower expectations for your wedding day!! This will help you be less stressed, expecting something is meant to look or be placed a certain way doesn’t matter. The little things aren’t the reason everyone is there celebrating.”

The newlyweds made sure their daughter was a special part of their day. The memory of which is one of the groom’s favourites “I love my wife lots, seeing our daughter Avaliah walk down the aisle in her pretty white dress, having all our close friends & family in one place at one time & loved that the rain didn’t hit! ”

The couple flipped the wedding day schedule on its head, mingling with guests as soon as they were married, for cocktails, “Our day was backwards & worked for us to spend as much time with our friends & family” remarks Dee-Jay. “We had the ceremony, group/family photos, cut the cake, 1hr mingle with guest, speeches (maid of honour, my parents, in-laws, best man). Mingled a little more before heading to wedding party photos then bride groom photos & back to reception to dance & drink for hours!!!”

Guests enjoyed individual grazing boxes “Thanks COIVD” laughs Dee-Jay.

Dee-Jay has so much to say about the couple’s choice of wedding photographer. “Amy & Chris from About Time Co are incredibly talented. They go above & beyond to help you get the most out of their time/your day. You will not be disappointed when booking Amy & Chris.

From the very first point of contact to even a month after you can tell they care. As soon as Amy called me to talk through packages/what they are about/what they have to offer/any questions I had. I knew they were meant to our photographers, but what really helped seal the deal was her personality! There is something about Amy & Chris that even though we didn’t get to meet until it was our wedding day I felt like I already knew her.

The time, effort, communication, passion all shows in their work especially when you receive your sneak peeks or your whole gallery! The pictures are perfect. They truly make your wedding photos tell a story even though they aren’t a live video. I will not be able to thank the guys enough, all I wish could do is do it all again.”

That incredible bouquet? The work of Missy la Belle who styled the beauty of the day. “I originally had picked white & green flowers, until I saw a bride’s bouquet a couple of months out & I feel in love with the style” explains Dee-Jay. “It was more dried flowers, dusty but fresh & less green. I sent the inspo photo and added dried flowers, which yes cost a bit more but I knew if I didn’t do it I would regret it. So glad I did because they were absolutely amazing.

Trying to picture what your bouquet is going to look like with getting ideas, this flower, that flower – to make your own is hard but they were soo beautiful and complimented our styling..”

“We never planned to go off location for photos but driving out to Cowbell with all the rain was seriously like I was in a movie. So when our photographer asked if we wanted one spot in particular, when I mentioned going to the road she jumped at the idea & even Luke was all for it too. We didn’t want the same photos you see at every venue.”

Although the first dance wasn’t exactly what these two wanted, we’d have to say it seems it was still pretty perfect. “Our first dance song was meant to be “you’re still the one” by Shania Twain but either I forgot to mention or it got mixed up. We ended up dancing to “Down Under” by Colin Hay (covered by Delta Goodrem) cover which was meant to be father-daughter/ mother-son dance. We just laughed about it & we danced along with it.

Dee-Jay even managed to surprise her husband with a live band! Enlisting The Music Box Collective to play through the night. “He always wanted one but I said no as we could use our iPad. With a lot of guests not being able to make it I used the extra $$, we were saving to have someone. I am glad found someone 6 weeks before the wedding.”