Surrounded by greenery, soft blooms, and their closest people, Lauren and Ash curated an effortlessly chic minimalist alfresco wedding that was equal parts modern and meaningful. With Kalinya Estate setting the scene, every detail was considered – but never overdone. Their vision was clear: timeless styling, thoughtful moments, and a celebration that felt entirely their own. The result? A wedding that beautifully balanced style and substance, intimacy and elegance! And with the help of Moments Photography, they can relive each and every moment from the day forever.

In 2015, Lauren and Ash first crossed paths at The Island in Sydney. Even though they were both visiting the day club with their separate friend groups, the moment Lauren saw Ash get off the boat, she knew she had to talk to her! “A few drinks in, my friend and I “accidentally” (it was definitely planned) found ourselves at the bar next to Ash. We struck up a conversation, hit it off, and by the end of the day, we had exchanged numbers. We’ve been together ever since,” Lauren explained.

Ash proposed to Lauren on Christmas Day in 2022 – completely catching her off guard! “We were at my parents’ house for Christmas lunch with my immediate family, following our usual holiday traditions. Each couple had a bonbon to pull, and I thought nothing of it – just another festive activity,” she explained.

“When we pulled ours, I ended up with the larger side. Inside was a diamond ring and a note that read, “Will you marry me?” At first, I thought it was a joke because we had been together for so long, but then Ash asked me to marry her – and of course, I said yes! No one in the family knew about the proposal except my oldest sister, who had secretly helped Ash get the ring without raising my suspicions. It was a perfect surprise, made even more special by sharing the moment with our loved ones.”

Kalinya Estate in Bargo was the perfect home base for this alfresco wedding, not only offering stunning estate views – but also allowing their whole guest list to stay on the property for the entire weekend! “Since our guests were travelling from different parts of NSW, we wanted a location where everyone could stay and fully enjoy the experience without the hassle of travelling back and forth on the same day,” Lauren shared.

“Kalinya Estate is a five-star luxury property set on a stunning five-acre private estate. The estate was everything we had envisioned for our wedding – elegant, private, and surrounded by greenery and blooming flowers, creating the perfect atmosphere for an outdoor wedding in March. The team was incredible, ensuring every detail of the property was immaculate and making the entire planning process seamless with their easy-going and professional approach. It truly was the perfect venue for the wedding experience we wanted to create!”

Ash opted for a sleek pant and vest ensemble from SABA, which is perfectly suited to her style and personality. “Since we always shop together, Lauren went with me to help me find something I loved. While I didn’t know what Lauren’s dress looked like, she wanted to make sure my outfit complemented hers and would look seamless in photos.”

Both Ash and Lauren wanted to embrace the traditional white wedding attire while still staying true to their own individual styles. For Lauren, that looked like a timeless Christina Rossi dress. “My goal was to look back on our wedding photos and still love what I wore. The experience of finding it was special, I went shopping with my two sisters and my mum, and luckily, I found the dress at the second store, making the process stress-free and enjoyable!”

Instead of having a formal wedding party, Ash and Lauren thought it would be more meaningful to keep the focus of their minimalist alfresco wedding on sharing the day with their loved ones. “However, we encouraged our guests to dress in elegant, semi-formal attire to match the intimate and stylish setting of our wedding. This allowed everyone to feel comfortable while still complementing the overall aesthetic of the day.”

Something both Lauren and Ash agreed was important for them was the music flowing throughout the day. “We were very intentional about the music, as we believe it plays a crucial role in setting the atmosphere and vibe of the wedding. Music has the power to shape the entire experience, so we made sure it was exactly what we wanted,” they explained. “During the ceremony, Karleigh Rose, an acoustic singer, performed, adding a heartfelt and personal touch to the moment. She also sang during the cocktail hour, and while guests were dining, creating a relaxed and intimate atmosphere.”

Since the beautiful Kalinya Estate is already lush and expertly landscaped, Lauren and Ash wanted to keep their flowers minimal and let the property really shine. The talented Khloris Flowers created the stunning ceremony arrangements, enhancing the space’s natural beauty. “The soft, elegant tones blended seamlessly with the vibrant greenery and blooming gardens, elevating the outdoor setting without overpowering it.”

Lauren walked down the aisle with her mum and dad, meeting Ash to then finish the walk together. Their ceremony musician performed a slowed-down acoustic version of “Everywhere” by Fleetwood Mac.

Led by their celebrant, Zoe Wieringa, the ceremony was intimate, heartfelt and overflowing with joy – just as they had dreamed. “Zoe perfectly captured our vibe, making the ceremony both meaningful and lighthearted, with the right balance of sentiment and humour. She told our story in a way that felt personal and engaging, ensuring the moment was not only special for us but also enjoyable for our guests,” Ash explained. “We did not include any readings, as we wanted the focus to remain on our vows and the natural flow of the ceremony.”

Simon and Shyani from Moments Photography captured this beautiful alfresco wedding as it unfolded. “From start to finish, their professionalism and passion for photography truly stood out,” they shared.

“From the moment we booked them, Simon & Shyani provided clear and prompt communication, making the entire process seamless and stress-free. They paid close attention to our vision, ensuring every detail was captured beautifully. On the day, they were a pleasure to work with. Their warm personalities made us feel completely at ease, making posing for photos feel effortless. They captured so many incredible moments, allowing us to relive the joy and excitement of our wedding every time we look at their stunning photographs. We couldn’t have asked for better photographers to document our special day!”

This minimalist wedding couldn’t have happened without their dream team of vendors, and Ash and Lauren loved every single one involved! “All the vendors we booked were amazing and truly exceeded our expectations. From the venue to the music, food and drink services from Smith Street Catering and Adore and Pour, and photography, each one played a crucial role in making our day perfect. We couldn’t have asked for anything more from them.”

One of their favourite shots from their alfresco wedding is this one of the pair walking through the estate with Ash’s arms around Lauren. “We’re both looking at each other, smiling, and it perfectly captures the love we share and the happiness we felt on the day.”

For Lauren, the best part about planning their wedding was seeing brainstorming their ideas together to create their dream wedding. “It was so special to collaborate and create something that was exactly what we envisioned and that truly reflected who we are as a couple. The most rewarding moment was seeing all our hard work come together on the day, watching our vision come to life after so much time and effort spent on planning.”

The five things that made this minimalist alfresco wedding so special to Lauren and Ash were:

“1. The intimate setting with our closest family and friends, which made the day feel personal and meaningful.

2. The music, which set the perfect tone and created the atmosphere we envisioned for our wedding.

3. The venue at Kalinya Estate, with its beauty and the added convenience of everyone being able to stay on-site, which made it even more special.

4. Our photographers captured the essence of our day beautifully, allowing us to relive those precious moments.

5. The significance of marrying each other, after being together for so many years, knowing we were right for each other and that we would share a lifetime together from that moment onwards.”

For the reception, Lauren and Ash opted for more minimal floral arrangements displayed on the tables. “The focus was on creating a timeless, intimate atmosphere that felt effortless yet beautiful. By choosing a simple and natural floral theme, we allowed the estate’s beauty to shine while incorporating classic wedding florals that tied everything together.”

To bring their reception decor together, this duo DIY’d the finishes. “We created name cards, designed the printed menus, and arranged the decorations in the centre of the tables.”

Their favourite detail? Just how intimate the wedding was, allowing them to spend time with their closest friends and family. “This gave us the opportunity to truly connect with each guest, share meaningful conversations, and create lasting memories together. The warmth and closeness of the day made it feel incredibly special, and we wouldn’t have had it any other way.”

Wanting to keep the night relaxed, Lauren and Ash skipped the traditional first dance. Instead, focusing on enjoying the moment with their guests. “While we skipped the formal first dance, music was still an important part of our night, creating the perfect atmosphere for everyone to enjoy.”

One special tradition they did keep for this day was the shared father-daughter dance!

To keep the tunes going all night, Lauren and Ash worked with DJ Nav! “We had DJ Nav take over after dinner, ensuring the dance floor was lively with all our guests’ favourite songs. This was one of our most important details, making sure our wedding felt truly reflective of our personalities and tastes.”

Congratulations to Lauren and Ash! Your minimalist alfresco wedding was so beautiful – we hope you’re proud! And thanks to Moments Photography for sharing with us.