When it comes to The Minimal Issue, we wanted to make sure we packed in all kinds of weddings. And today? It’s just the kind of wedding we want to share coming into the weekend. A long lunch in the garden (complete with brownies and plenty of sunshine), a minimal colour palette that let the stars of the day, Maddie and Nic, take all the spotlight, and a community of family and friends who came together to make it happen. Minimal in theme and style, maximum in love.  This one? Told beautifully through stunning images by  Samantha Elizabeth Photography.

Maddie and Nic met at a job interview for the Student Partnerships Program,  at their university, La Trobe in Melbourne, where they were both studying separate courses. They soon became inseparable, Nic popping the question just a year before they tied the knot during an overnight hike along the Razorback Ridgeline. Maddie sharing “Nic proposed at the top of Mount Feathertop at sunset.”

Maddie found her beautiful, yet simple gown at Bendigo Bridal Collections, where she also found her veil. “I went to a few different stores with my Mum and tried on so many dresses of all different styles!” shares the bride. “I narrowed it down to a couple in the Bendigo Bridal Collection store and took a couple of my close friends/bridesmaids along to make the final decision. Having the venue picked before choosing a dress helped a lot, as I ended up deciding between two dresses and decided on the dress that would suit the venue the best.” She added one very special piece to complete her look. “I wore a ring that was my Grandma’s with tiny sapphires in it, which doubled as both my something old and something blue.”

Opting for a morning ceremony with a luncheon reception, Maddie and Nic wanted an all in one venue. They landed on the sweet white chapel of country venue The Little Church At Spring Hill. Says Maddie  “We loved the fact that we could just have everyone in the one place, uninterrupted, for the whole day.”

Maddie walked down the aisle on the arm of her father, to Haley Reinhart’s version of “Can’t help falling in love with you”.

Although much of the day was not traditional, Maddie and Nic wanted their ceremony, to honour their beliefs. They chose their pastor from church to marry them, explains Maddie “Nic and I wanted our ceremony to be quite a small and intimate occasion with close friends and family. We were also lucky enough to have a pastor from our church marry us.

It was important to us that the ceremony was fairly traditional with a focus on the fact that we believe marriage is a gift from God. We had two readings in our ceremony – Romans 15:5-6 and Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 and two songs/hymns: “How deep the Father’s love” and “In Christ Alone”.

The beautiful floral arrangements were put together by Maddie’s bridesmaid Ashe, who also happens to be a co-owner of the floristry business,  Judah Rose. “Ashe and Grace were amazing – they set up a consultation where we explained our colour (black, white and greenery), some of the kinds of specific flowers I liked and would love in the bouquet, the venue and the general theme of our wedding and the talented Judah Rose team did the rest!” explains Maddie, raving “They created something even more beautiful than we could have imagined.”

Nic went with a classic black suit and bow tie, along with his groomsmen, find the pieces at Men’s Suit Warehouse. Says Maddie “Nic chose his suit and the groomsmen suits together with his brothers at Men’s Suit Warehouse. He knew before choosing the suits that he wanted to go with a classic black and white theme for the men’s suits.”

Maddie, who had worked with photographer Samantha previously, has nothing but rave reviews for Samantha’s photography of her and Nic’s day. “I had known Sammy previously, as I had worked with her in a casual job as a lifeguard at a local YMCA pool, which felt special because I already had a connection with her. However, even if we hadn’t known each other before the wedding it wouldn’t have mattered as Sammy is so friendly and has a way of making you feel comfortable and as if you’ve known her forever. Sammy captured our day so beautifully.”

The newlyweds celebrated with a long lunch (and afternoon tea!) in the garden.

This truly was a celebration thanks to Nic and Maddie’s community. “I loved the fact that some of our vendors were people we knew personally before our wedding” notes Maddie. “It made it feel much more special and personal, as even our vendors were people we know and love! Our music was acoustic from a talented couple we know – Tim and Amy Chan. Our wedding cake was made by a friend who works as a chef and has a cake making business – Leisha Spowart. Judah Rose – Ashe and Grace supplied our flowers.  I had previously worked as a lifeguard with  our photographer Sammy and makeup for the wedding party was done by Glow Beauty Bendigo – Taylah Hewitson who is also a close friend of mine.”

 The biggest congratulations to you both Maddie and Nic! Thank you for sharing the beautiful stories of today with us. Thank you also to Samantha Elizabeth Photography for sharing today’s beautiful story.