Every part of Monica and Victor’s relaxed wedding in country NSW felt authentic and full of connection. Culture played a big part in their day; from the attire to the hand-wrapping ritual during the ceremony, Burmese culture wove through it all. Captured by the ever-talented Stephanie from Acacia & Grace, their country wedding was a beautiful celebration.

Who knew a game of Kings Cup during university orientation would lead to a relaxed, country wedding with Burmese culture woven throughout? “We met at university when we were living in the same accommodation (International House). Then we ran into each other at various points before becoming friends and eventually going on a first date!”

After Victor’s original proposal plan slipped through his fingers, he had to think quickly and improvise. Luckily for him, anything is romantic in Scotland! “Victor planned to propose on a trip in Europe. He was so cagey about his backpack and nervous about carrying the ring around. When we were driving through the Scottish Highlands, he planned to propose when we stopped to see a waterfall, but he forgot to bring the ring, and then it started raining, so he ended up proposing in the hire car with the windscreen wipers going. It was so special,” Monica shared.

Monica wore a beautiful pink, gold and white longyi, a traditional Burmese outfit, with a white-and-gold embroidered top. “The outfit, along with the bridesmaids’ outfits, was selected from a store in Myanmar, and Victor’s mum arranged for them to be made and shipped to Australia. Choosing and trying on the outfit was exciting – it really felt like such a special outfit and a lovely way to represent Victor and his family’s background.”

Her wedding party also wore traditional Burmese attire. They wore these stunning sky-blue and silver embroidered two-piece sets with the matching longyi.

Bek’s Bloomz created all of the gorgeous flower pieces found throughout Monica and Victor’s relaxed country wedding. “Honestly, all credit to Bek for choosing the flowers. We sent the dress colours and discussed the venue set-up, and she had the best suggestions. We had a lot of gum, some lovely light blue delphinium, and white and whitish pink roses (Candy Bianca and Vandala roses).”

There was no better backdrop for their wedding than Monica’s childhood home in country New South Wales! Not only did the poplars and farmlands create a beautiful backdrop, but it was also a sentimental spot to celebrate the beginning of their married life. “We chose to have the reception in and around the old shearing shed, which we spent a lot of time cleaning and decking out with fairy and festoon lights. Monica’s dad built the arbour, and Monica and her sisters created the flowers on the arbour with the stunning flowers from Bek’s Bloomz,” Victor shared.

Victor had his soon-to-be brothers-in-law in his wedding party, with both wearing matching traditional Burmese paso in a deep blue shade. For his own look, he wore a traditional Burmese silk paso that his own father had worn on his wedding day. “Victor wanted to bring his culture to our wedding and to embrace his Burmese heritage. For the reception, he wore a black tux which he chose for a sharp and elegant look that would also be comfortable to dance in,” Monica explained.

Monica walked down the aisle with her mum and her dad, as her very talented teenage cousins performed “Stand By Me”.

Their ceremony was a beautiful celebration of Monica and Victor’s coming together, led by a family member. “We included a hand-wrapping ceremony performed by Victor’s parents, which is a Burmese tradition to symbolise ‘tying the knot’,” Monica shared.

“It also rained a lot the day before, and we got such a beautiful day with such lush surroundings. The setting just stunned and complemented our outfits and the flowers so well.”

Of all the beautiful details and moments, these are the five things that stood out the most to Monica and Victor:

“1. The venue being the family home.

2. Including Burmese traditions in the ceremony.

3. Dancing in the shed, which is something we’ve done at many events before this one.

4. Including so many family members in the ceremony.

5. All our lovely guests, some of them travelled far from across Australia and overseas to be with us for the day.”

Stephanie from Acacia & Grace Photography captured every moment alongside Victor and Monica, and they couldn’t have loved her work more than they already do! “Steph was incredible to work with. She was so organised and supportive in the lead-up to our wedding. On the day, she was so calm and warm and made us feel so at ease, and we just enjoyed our couple photo sessions so much. We were so pleased with our photos. They capture the happiness and love we experienced and the fun that was had by everyone.”

In the big shed where the reception was being held, Monica and Victor set up an adorable display of Polaroids from when they were children, plus photos they’ve taken together over the last 10+ years they’ve spent together. So guests could walk down memory lane as they entered.

And during the reception, aside from the delicious pizza supplied by Wandering Woodfire Oven, the speeches from their friends and family hold a particularly special place in Monica’s heart. “All the speeches were perfect – they captured us so well and had everyone laughing and crying,” she shares.

When it comes to advice for couples planning their own relaxed weddings currently, Monica shares this: “The ceremony goes so quickly, so try your best to be in the moment and soak it up. Find a little moment throughout the wedding for just the two of you to celebrate together.”

We love a good sunset shoot here, and we especially love how Victor and Monica’s golden hour portraits captured by Acacia & Grace turned out! Luckily for us, Monica agrees. “So hard to choose a single one, but the sunset couple photos all turned out so well, and we had so much fun getting them taken,” she shared.

While Monica and Victor didn’t want a formal first dance, they brought back “Stand By Me” as a dance floor opener! “We initially didn’t want to have a first dance, but we decided to lead the dance floor with this song. It was very casual, and we didn’t choreograph it. We were keen for everyone else to join us!”

Thanks to Acacia & Grace Photography for capturing and sharing this wonderful wedding. And please join us in congratulating Monica and Victor on their celebration!