Some love stories take a lifetime to unfold, and for Rosemary and Mark, their journey began over three decades ago. From meeting at the Metung Hot Springs to rekindling their bond after great loss, their connection only deepened with time. Their intimate winery wedding at De Grandi’s felt like a culmination of years of shared memories, a tribute to love’s enduring power. With the tranquil Traralgon River as their backdrop and Mark’s heartfelt surprise performance, the day was a sweet reminder that love, even after hardship, can grow and flourish. And thanks to their photographer, Weddings by Jack, we get the honour of sharing it with all of you!

Rosemary and Mark met 33 years ago at the Metung Hot Springs while catching up with their mutual friends. Both Mark and Rosemary were married when they initially met, but over the years, tragically lost their partners. Nine years after Rosemary lost her partner and 14 months after Mark lost his, their friends John and Barbara started to play matchmaker. “We spent many nights out with the four of us, when Mark thought ‘I had better secure this lady before someone else takes her’.”

Six years later, they were travelling along the Margaret River in a motorhome. It was June 2021, and as many of us experienced – most of their plans had been dashed thanks to lockdowns. “Mark’s birthday was coming up, so I had organised a lunch at Lewin Estate Winery. Matching wines with each course. Mark popped the question at the lunch table, which overlooked the beautiful gardens. An idyllic setting, and never to be forgotten!”

To find his wedding attire, Rosemary and Mark took a trip to Chadstone’s Peter Jackson store, where they picked out the smart blue suit. “He had bought a suit previously for his son’s wedding and was happy with the service, style, and colour of the suit. We had it altered, and it was done very professionally.”

Their match-making witnesses, Barbara and John, had free reign on their outfits. “John wore a suit, and Barbara wore a lovely sleeveless dress.”

When looking for her wedding dress, Rosemary brought her daughter Danielle and her witness Barbara to help. They made a trip down to Melbourne to look at four boutiques over two days – and Rosemary had her eye out for a colourful dress. “One was a good choice, but we went on to see what else was available. Feeling a bit disheartened from the first day, we went into the last shop, which was Lady Stardust Boutique. I tried on a few dresses, and then one just clicked and I was beaming. Barbara said this is going to be the dress – it was perfect. I felt very comfortable and happy with the choice made, and it was ivory in colour.”

She finished off her look with a heirloom bracelet that Barbara had loaned her for the day.

They didn’t want to travel too far out of Traralgon, and with some luck, they secured De Grandi’s Winery. “They had a beautiful Lakeside Chapel, which was all weather. The reception area in the winery has beautiful views of the Traralgon River. Mark’s old house was nearby, and it had the same outlook with large gum trees and views of the river.”

Inside the Lakeside Chapel, Mark waited as Rosemary and her two daughters walked down the aisle, with “I Get To Love You” by Ruelle floating through the air.

Their celebrant was Rosemary’s niece, Olivia The Celebrant – and was the perfect choice for this intimate ceremony. “She was very thorough in getting the story perfect. I felt it was a personal story to be told to both sides of the family to get the picture correct. She did an amazing job.”

After the ceremony, they had a cocktail hour outside the Chapel, making sure there was time to mingle and see all their guests.

Rosemary worked with Fiona at Flowers by Rhi for all of her intimate wedding florals to match the winery. They chose roses and lisianthus in beautiful, soft pinks and whites. “My two daughters and the witness wore corsages. And Mark’s two boys and the witness wore roses in their lapels. Mark had a rose and lisianthus in his lapel.”

One of Rosemary’s favourite photos is this one here, where they’re walking through the vines together while Mark is holding her bouquet.

Their photographer for the day, Jack from Weddings By Jack, had a calming presence. From the moment he arrived to take the getting-ready portraits to the send-off, he kept Rosemary and Mark at ease. “I also loved the music he wore on him so we could dance outside; it was fun and upbeat. He made the photos sing and fun.”

A standout vendor for Rosemary and Mark was Mark Symonds from De Grandi’s, along with the team he worked with. “They worked very hard to make everything perfect for a magical wedding.”

While Rosemary had worked hard to plan out every detail to perfection, Mark had a surprise up his sleeve for the reception. “Mark and my daughter Danielle secretly practised a song they sang together on the night. Simply Red’s ‘You Make Me Feel Brand New’. Mark felt the words says it all about our relationship.”

The top five things that made their intimate winery wedding so special were:

“1. Having all our friends and family to meet each other from all sides.

2. My girls walked me down the aisle.

3. Having my niece as our marriage celebrant.

4. Beautiful flowers.

5. Wonderful wedding venue.”

What was it about the day that Mark remembers most fondly? He says, “The atmosphere, having family and friends attend, and singing the song to Rosemary as I had been thinking about it a long time.”

Their first dance was to the Bill Withers version of “Just The 2 Of Us”, played live by their band Doit Doit.

Congratulations, Rosemary and Mark – your intimate winery wedding was beautiful to see and [we hope] even better to experience! Thanks to Weddings by Jack for sharing this beautiful day with us.