Wattle Park Chalet provided the perfect backdrop for Tessa and Alex’s romantic Winter wedding. Captured by Simon Pickering, their ceremony and reception was full of beautiful and heartfelt moments. As Tessa shares with us, there were Polish traditions and a surprise performance from her family. It was a fun and memorable day all around for the couple and their families. 

Alex and I first met when we were 17 through a mutual friend and developed a strong friendship that turned into something more a year later. We were on and off for a few years before getting together once and for all at 24.

We went to Daylesford for a weekend trip and Alex had the room prepared with roses and champagne, so that when we returned from dinner he could propose. Unfortunately, he got food poisoning from earlier that day, but he managed to get out the words “will you marry me?” and then had to run to the bathroom and be very ill for the rest of the night. Was the most romantic 5 seconds of my life!

The wedding was held at Wattle Park Chalet on 10th June 2023.

I like the classics, so went with something simple and comfortable to wear on my wedding day. I wore a drew with a fur wrap around the shoulders as it was a Winter wedding theme.

Alex’s Best Man was his cousin, and his two groomsmen were two of his close friends. My maid of honour was my brother, and the bridesmaids were my two closest childhood friends that I grew up with and are like brothers to me.

For the walk down the aisle, the song I chose was ‘Simply the Best,’ a cover performed by Ben Haynes.

My engagement ring is Alex’s great-grandmother’s – unaltered. 

Wattle Park Chalet was the perfect setting for our wedding, as it was rustic and spacious, set in a beautiful park with a private garden for the ceremony to be held. It also had plenty of room for everyone.

We had a very basic ceremony. It was held in the garden outdoors and we chose to have the celebrant read out our vows to each other.

 

I really like natives and Australian natural flowers and so with the winter theme in mind, I had the florist make up a bouquet of Australian natives with whites.

 

While technically, not really a vendor as well, a shout out to Alex’s cousin who did the wedding invitations and Alex’s aunt who made our wedding cake. We are so lucky to have such talented and kind people in our lives.

Our photographer Simon Pickering cannot be faulted. To be so accommodating at the last minute, due to our previous photographer pulling out, and managing to capture the day so perfectly takes a lot of skill.

We included a Polish tradition to honour Alex’s side, with the parents presenting us with salt, bread, and a shot of vodka. These items represent a hope that we always have the minimum needs for a long life together.

Our first dance was performed to ‘Tennessee Whiskey,’ a cover version performed by Chris Klafford. Neither of us are dancers, nor did we really practice, so it was a good slow song to just sway along to. It’s Alex’s favourite song.

My parents and brother prepared a song that they performed on the day, to the surprise of everyone including me. It was very sweet and funny.

Our celebrant Rhianna Hoyle did a great job getting to know us and was responsive and professional.

Also, the Wattle Park Chalet vendors were so fantastic. They provided the full package which took a lot of stress out of planning the day and were cooperative, managed to accommodate extra guests at the last minute and were very punctual and on top of everything.

The day goes by so fast so really try to savour each moment. We didn’t get a videographer as we didn’t think we would need one, but it is now something that we had wished we had done. 

Thank you to Tessa and Alex for sharing your Winter wedding celebration with us!