Step into a storybook world where whimsy meets the wild, and every detail is woven with meaning. Amanda and Erik’s whimsical spring garden wedding was not just a celebration – it was an enchanting tribute to love, nature, and the beloved fur family that shaped their journey. Set in their own backyard forest, the day unfolded like a fairytale written just for them, with soft harp melodies, handpicked blooms, and deeply personal touches at every turn. So many details were inspired by their late bunnies – including the business Amanda runs in their memory. “My bunnies were so special to me, that I even run a business [find it here!] dedicated to them in loving memory which also inspired parts of our wedding.” This enchanting celebration was captured by Kevin, whose lens so effortlessly told the story of love, nature, and heartfelt detail.

Amanda and Erik’s eyes first met at a house party years ago, but it wasn’t their time just yet. It was when their paths crossed for the second time on MSN that their fairytale really began. “Determined to impress Amanda, I offered to drive her to a party, pretending it was on my way, though in truth, I drove halfway across the city just to see her. We got lost along the way, but those wayward moments were filled with laughter, and so began our beautiful journey,” Erik shared.

With a shared passion for the outdoors and creatures big and small, this duo fell headfirst into their adventure. Their friendship quickly blossomed into a deep connection, where Erik was drawn to Amanda’s kindness, beauty and compassion. Amanda found herself captivated by Erik’s caring nature, reliability and his humble smile. Joining them on this once in a lifetime journey to love was their two corgis, Rocket and Koda, and their two rabbits, Biscuit and Pebbles. “As the years passed, our love grew stronger. Erik’s proposal, cleverly hidden on a puppy’s dog tag, was a moment I will never forget – just one of many surprises in our journey together. Though we come from different worlds, we balance one another perfectly,” Amanda explained.

Erik wore a gorgeous deep blue suit jacket with crisp white chinos to perfectly fit in with the whimsical vibe of the day. The most heartwarming part of his outfit though? The subtle nods to their beloved Biscuit and Pebbles, who sadly recently passed away. His navy blue bow and pocket square were adorned with white rabbit embellishments.

Amanda’s first outfit for the day was this whimsical fairytale gown – straight from her dreams! Inspired by Crazy Rich Asians, this gown was expertly crafted by Marchesa Notte. A vision of hand-sewn appliqué flowers and 3D blooms, all in a soft baby blue. It was so whimsical it could have been from a Peter Rabbit novel, another beautiful nod to their beloved bunnies.

The standout detail from her first outfit? This absolutely incredible flower stole lovingly crafted by Don De Lamour! Draped in living glamour, this piece was inspired by Marilyn Monro’s iconic fur stole – reimagined as a living tribute to the wild. “I wanted something alive – a piece of the earth to embrace me, a stole woven from the delicate whispers of baby’s breath,” she shared.

“Nature and the forest are the heartbeats of my soul, and this stole was my love letter to them. A celebration of the beauty in simplicity, of a flower so humble yet breathtaking in her own right. Classic, heartfelt, and deeply personal – just like our wedding. Now carefully dried, it remains a keepsake forever, a tangible memory of being wrapped in the wild.”

What better location for this whimsical garden wedding than Amanda and Erik’s own secret reserve beyond their backyard! The place where wild and heart meet in perfect harmony. “The florals from J Event Design truly brought our vision to life. We gave them a whimsical, nature-inspired brief, and they executed it flawlessly. The attention to detail in every arrangement, whether it was the floral arch, the flower placements along the aisle, or the beautiful pet station, was nothing short of breathtaking. Not only did they understand our vision, but they also brought their own creativity and expertise to elevate it in ways we never expected. Above all, they were incredible people to work with, always making sure everything was perfect and helping bring our dream to life with such ease and warmth.”

As guests entered this enchanting space, notes from a harp played by Rebekah floated through the air – adding to the whimsical mood of the day. “Her music wasn’t just background noise – it was an essential part of the atmosphere. Each song she played seemed to capture a moment of emotion, adding depth and beauty to the day. Her talent and grace created an enchanting ambiance that perfectly complemented the whimsical and heartfelt vibe we envisioned. From the moment she began playing, it felt as though the music wrapped around us, making everything feel even more special. The way she brought our chosen songs to life, especially the personal ones, truly made her a standout part of our celebration.”

For Erik, the thing that stood out to him the most was just how meaningful and intentional every single detail was. “From the ceremony, where we honoured our fur family and celebrated our love, to the little touches that made the day uniquely ours. The love and warmth that surrounded us from our family and friends was incredible. I’ll never forget the way the forest looked as the backdrop, the whimsical details that felt like stepping into a fairytale, and how we truly made the day our own. It was a perfect reflection of who we are as a couple – adventurous, loving, and deeply connected to the things that matter most to us.”

Not only did Amanda and Erik hold their whimsical wedding in their own backyard, but each and every detail was personally sourced and hand picked. “From the smallest touches to the larger décor items, we wanted everything to feel deeply personal and reflective of our style. Even the easels for the signs were carefully selected and DIY’d by us, ensuring that everything felt like a true labor of love. It was incredibly special to see all the pieces come together, each one carrying a bit of our personal touch and a piece of our hearts.”

The ceremony and reception spaces were merged for guests comfort. “This thoughtful layout allowed everyone to remain seated with a clear view of the aisle, eliminating the need to move or stand.”

As Rebekah Harp’s delicately started to strum Lana Del Rey’s “Young and Beautiful”, Amanda began her walk down the aisle with her grandfather with a walking cane and step-dad. “The music that followed danced through the air with a whimsical charm, creating an atmosphere straight out of a fairytale. And in a moment of pure magic, Frank Sinatra’s Moon River played, a tribute to my dear grandad who has always held this timeless song close. It was a deeply heartfelt and unforgettable melody, weaving love and memories into the very fabric of our ceremony.”

The goal for the ceremony was for guests to feel the warm embrace of nature, love and join Amanda and Erik in honouring the spirits of their loved ones. “We envisioned it as a celebration of love in its purest form – gentle yet powerful, whimsical yet grounded,” she shared.

“For the readings, we chose passages that spoke to the essence of love, connection, and remembrance. We included a reading that captured the eternal bond between souls, and one that honored the memory of our bunnies, celebrating their role in our love story. It was important to us to keep the ceremony simple, humble, and meaningful, allowing it to speak to our hearts and to the hearts of our guests, as we stood together in the place we call home.”

Amanda’s ring designed by Heart in Diamond Australia, was not only beautiful but also held a sentimental value. “It’s a pet diamond, made from the fur of Biscuit, Pebbles, and our dogs. It was a tangible way to carry them with me always.”

Images by Kevin captured Amanda and Erik’s whimsical wedding in his soft, natural photography style. “Every shot was filled with the comfort of being surrounded by nature and loved ones. There was a special focus on our fur family, honouring the memory of Biscuit and Pebbles, as well as Rocket and Koda, making them a part of our story through every frame. The photos also beautifully captured the unification of our families and friends, as they came together in such a meaningful and joyous way. Every image feels like a piece of our fairytale come to life, perfectly embodying the ease, magic, and love of the day.”

Some of their favourite shots of the day were from their portrait session with Kevin and their two dogs. With the forest framing them in a gilded light, the whole whimsical atmosphere is captured in these stunning photos.

They set up a pet station, adorned with green grass rugs and flower plushes, designed to mimic the forest. “It was our way of inviting our fur family into the celebration, even if only in spirit. One of the most sentimental pieces was our dessert cart, which was inspired by our bunnies’ favorite ice cream pet cave toy. We had it lovingly recreated into a charming dessert cart, and the cake cutting ceremony felt all the more special as it tied everything together.”

The top five things that made this wedding so whimsical and unique included:

“1. Honouring our fur family: We dedicated our wedding to our beloved bunnies, Biscuit and Pebbles, who recently crossed the rainbow bridge. From bunny-themed signage to a wild inspired pet station and even a pet diamond in my ring, every detail was a tribute to them and our other fur family members, Rocket and Koda.

2. Personalised touches: We poured our hearts into every detail, from DIY signs to the floral placements, and the meaningful wedding favours, like the dessert cart inspired by our bunnies’ favorite toy. It made everything feel deeply personal and reflective of our love.

3. Celebration of nature: We had our ceremony at home, in our backyard reserve, surrounded by the beauty of the forest. It was a natural setting that felt intimate and close to our hearts, representing our love for nature and the wild.

4. Disney & adventure-inspired vibes: Our love for Disney’s Up and the theme of “Adventure Awaits” infused our wedding with a sense of magic and whimsy. From the guest book to the overall atmosphere, it reminded us and our guests that life is an adventure, and our greatest one was just beginning.

5. The support of our loved ones: We united our families and friends in the most special way, creating an atmosphere of connection and celebration. We played mini-games, gave out prizes, and shared moments that bonded everyone, making it a true festival of love, laughter, and togetherness.”

For this portion of the night, Amanda changed into her next outfit – an ode to elegance. The Toni Maticevski Nightingale gown is a dream spun in pearl tulle, shifting with every movement to reveal hints of mauve and blush. “Inspired by Lindy Klim’s breathtaking wedding dress, it carried the same sculptural grace – effortless, yet enchanting,” Amanda explains.

“More than just a gown, its name and presence resonated deeply with me. Nightingale – a tribute to the untamed beauty of nature, to its quiet mysteries that unfold under moonlit skies. Like a storybook come to life, it echoed the grace of Disney’s Aurora and the captivating silhouette of Crazy Rich Asians’ iconic dress. A gown that felt like a secret, a spell, a song of the wild.”

The dessert cart was another special element, there to honour their bunnies love of their ice cream toy. “As we cut the cake, surrounded by our loved ones, it felt like our fur family – Biscuit and Pebbles – were right there with us, part of the celebration in spirit. The cart was a beautiful way to tie everything together, and it was so moving to see our guests react to the thoughtfulness behind it. The cakes were lovingly baked by my talented sister, who also helped co-run our dessert company, Cloud Castle Desserts. Our company was inspired by our shared love of Disney and Studio Ghibli, bringing enchanting, whimsical dessert magic to life. For the ceremony, we had 5-6 different cakes, all homemade by my sister, each one a sweet reflection of our shared passions,” Amanda explained.

“Another unforgettable moment was when we invited our families and friends to play the mini-games we had planned. It was a fun and meaningful way to give back to the people who have supported us, and everyone really got into the spirit of the games. Watching our loved ones reconnect through such lighthearted moments in the midst of the forest backdrop made it feel like an enchanted festival.”

A piece of advice Amanda and Erik want to leave for future married couples is this: “Make it personal. Incorporate elements that are meaningful to your journey. Whether it’s family traditions, shared passions, or sentimental touches, make sure your wedding tells the story of who you are as a couple.”

For her final look of the night, Amanda changed into a Great Gatsby-inspired gown, a stunning tribute to her grandfather’s love of classical music. “Adorned with endless rhinestones and crystals, they shimmered like a melody, catching the light with every movement, as if dancing to an unseen orchestra.”

Instead of a traditional first dance, Erik and Amanda planned a “game festival” to engage their guests throughout the night! “In true Erik and my style, we wanted to give back to the people who mean the most to us. Instead of a formal dance, we created a playful “game festival” in the forest, filled with mini games, prizes, and awards. There was a hot potato game with a magical twist – played with magic mushrooms – and golden tickets up for grabs! It was our way of bringing people together, sparking connections, and sharing the joy of being surrounded by those we love. The mini games were all about fun, laughter, and making meaningful memories with our closest family and friends. It was a day of celebration, and everyone had the chance to win something special and share in the magic of the moment.”

Congratulations, Amanda and Erik, on your whimsical garden wedding! Thanks to Images by Kevin for capturing and sharing these incredible photos with us!