When today’s bride Zoe describes her and Jade’s wedding day as “Relaxed, funky, colourful and fun” she isn’t wrong. The pair, who hired their much-adored photographer Fran Jorgensen Photography to document every detail, choosing a country church for their wedding, using the grand, historic building as the backdrop for their I do’s before they made the most of their guests, who had travelled from all over the country and danced the night away.

It was the perfect homecoming for the couple whose paths first crossed at TAFE in Warrnambool before their lives led them to move to Western Australia. Recalls Zoe, “It was more like a series of small meetings rather than one big moment. We saw each other from across the hallway while at TAFE.
Then we were working next to each other at a restaurant and live music venue. Jade even looked at a spare bedroom in my sharehouse (but turned down the chance to live with me). We eventually got each other’s names from a TAFE marketing campaign we both did (he added me on Facebook first). And I started visiting the live music venue (both for the great music and a chance to hang out).”

And the story of the proposal? Well, it’s in Zoe’s words because as it turns out, she was the one who proposed. “I proposed in Tasmania on Cradle Mountain after an evening of early dinner and a sunset Tasmanian Devil sanctuary visit that ended with wine around a fire.
Shortly after getting proposed on our eco cabin balcony, Jade was outside calling friends and I saw a massive possum coming for the door. I promptly slammed the door in its face and locked it, then realised I had locked Jade outside on the balcony with it!”

“Jade wanted to be comfortable and simple” explains Zoe. “He got all the groomsmen to get the same navy blue suit jacket. Jade wore a black vest and black bowtie over a white dress shirt.”

The couple and their wedding party all stayed together over the wedding weekend, tells Zoe. “We had the entire wedding party and their partners all staying together and getting ready in the same house. It was a super fun morning to share with everyone and not be separated from each other.”

Zoe found a stunning gone at Moonstruck Bride. She shares “I wanted something uniquely me and the women at Moonstruck were so wonderful to deal with. They helped source a Willowby by Watters Woodrose gown which was fun and sexy. Covered in tassels with a deep v-neck and keyhole back.  My shoes were white cowgirl boots from Bared Footwear which I already owned and loved and I got the best colourful tassel earrings from Kingston Jewellery. I wore Jade’s grandma’s wedding ring at his mum’s request. It was a beautiful offer and felt like she was with us for the day.”

The couple chose to do a first look before the ceremony. “Jade and I made sure we had lots of little moments together” explains Zoe. “We did a first look before the ceremony, our photos afterwards (when finished with the family and bridal party photos) and then snuck off again for golden hour beach photos and some more time together.”

Zoe had her bridesmaids wear different, orange dresses from Nine Lives Bazaar. “The design was a 2019 release, so we needed to find them through Facebook buy/swap sites” she explains. “They were colourful and bright and had the flexibility to choose their footwear and accessories.” The blooms for the day? Styled by Flower Trail. “We had a local florist put together our flowers. My only instructions were colourful and native and she nailed the brief.”

The couple chose St Brigid’s Crossley for both their ceremony and reception. “The ceremony was outside beside the church and the reception in the community hall and garden nearby.  We wanted a relaxed, country feel to the day and this venue was perfect.”

Zoe chose a friend to play “Do You Realise?” by The Flaming Lips as she walked down the aisle with her parents.

The couple chose their ceremony to be the same, chilled vibe as the rest of their day. “We wanted our ceremony to be short, simple and authentic. We had our vows and the celebrant told our story.”

Advises Zoe “Just do what you want with the day and don’t let other people’s expectations get in the day. This is your day to celebrate as you choose.”

The pair spent a lot of time with photographer Fran and loved every moment of it. “Fran was an absolute dream! She was so authentic and fun and captured our day perfectly. She even managed to coordinate our chaotic families to get all the photos promptly.”

“We had a candle and photos set up for loved ones who had passed. In the year leading up to the wedding Jade’s Grandma and uncle passed away, I also lost one of my Pa’s years before. Both my Nan and Jade’s Mum were very touched by the display.”

The decor and details of the day were pulled together by The Wedding Stylist. Says Zoe  “Sarah from The Wedding Stylist in Koroit went above and beyond. She was such a help leading up to the day – doing site visits for us as we were living on the other side of the country. She was hired to set up the reception, but also helped us with the ceremony planning, and came back the next morning to triple-check the reception and put together our flower cones for the ceremony.”

Music was a huge part of the night for the newlyweds and their guests. “Music is such a big part of our lives and we made sure it was a big part of our day too. We had guests request songs with their RSVPs and created a playlist. We also had a truly amazing band playing into the night. I loved dancing the night away with my new husband.”

The biggest congratulations to you both Zoe & Jade. Thank you for sharing your stories with us and thank you to Fran Jorgensen Photography for sharing today’s celebration with us.