Hi lovelies,

Today I am sharing with you a backyard wedding that I shot a while ago. It’s intimate, full of characters, and a true inspiration especially in this crazy times. AND I am so happy to tell you that this wedding is now on Hello May website!

Below I include the amazing details from Beth and hope you find it interesting and helpful;-)

Venue:

Matt and Beth got married on the 7th December 2019 on Beth’s family 5 acre property in Dural, Sydney. Beth’s father passed away 3 years prior, and it was important to the couple that his spirit was felt and memory acknowledged on the day. 

Beth’s Mum and Nana walked her down the aisle. 

Dress:

Beth found a jumpsuit by Vanessa Cocchiaro on Net-a-Porter before she got engaged. It had flared sleeves and it was love at first sight! Despite trying on a few wedding dresses, she knew the jumpsuit was the winner and arranged for it to be altered. 

Unfortunately the jumpsuit didn’t survive the alterations process, and with only a week to go, she needed to find something else. 

Two days before the wedding, after several failed attempts, Beth found a white linen midi with a statement sleeve from Shona Joy. And it was perfect!

Suit:

Matt chose a blazer from Politix, along with a white linen shirt from Saba and black chinos. 

Ceremony:

Matt and Beth asked their close friend Rebecca to be their celebrant. She gave the ceremony many personal touches and made it very special. Beth’s brother played guitar during the signing, a song he wrote himself. 

Theme:

They chose to have a sustainable and resourceful wedstival. Matt proposed to Beth at Bluesfest in Byron Bay because they’re both musicians and have a passion for live music. On their way home, they picked up a piece of rose quartz from the Crystal Castle to celebrate the engagement. The rose quartz and festival formed the basis of the theme for their wedding, 8 months later. 

Flowers:

Beth began collecting foliage and flowers from her Uncles property in Bell to dry out and use as decoration at the wedding. In October, she was able to harvest over 100 Waratahs which she hung in their home to dry.

Instead of a hens party, Beth invited the girls over for a crafternoon where they made beautifully unique dried flower arrangements for the wedding. Not only did it save money, but they looked amazing and it was a sustainable alternative to fresh flowers. 

Unfortunately, the house in Bell was razed to the ground as a result of the Gospers Mountain fire that spread into the Grose Valley before Christmas. 

The bouquet was created by Beth’s sister, an art teacher with hidden floristry talents! Beth and her sister Bronwyn visited the flower market in Sydney the day before the wedding and picked up anything they thought looked interesting and was in season. 

Food:

The catering company, Chomp, decided to remove beef in the aftermath of the fire in the Amazon Rainforest. This prompted Matt and Beth to decide on a completely vegetarian and plant based grazing table and burger bar. And it didn’t disappoint! Guests built their own burgers in one of the stables on the property that the couple had transformed into a mini food truck. Chomp also provided biodegradable plates and napkins. 

The Country Women’s Association were engaged to bake cakes and slices, with the money going back to the work they do, supporting families affected by drought and other disasters. 

The bar was in the stable next to the burgers. Matt and his Dad built it out of old pallets and a piece of recycled timber. Guests enjoyed ginger margaritas and whiskey. 

Styling:

Beth styled the venue on the day of the wedding and was up at 6am hanging flower arrangements, scattering chunks of raw rose quartz and dressing tables. Her sister created a photo booth area out of an old window found in one of the sheds. The matching doors were used to create an entrance way, decorated with dried flowers. 

The furniture was collected from Salvos stores, Facebook marketplace, Gumtree and even the side of the road. Beth’s mum was the highest bidder on an Greys Online auction, which provided them with 39 chairs and 17 tables. 

To dress the tables, Beth visited Spotlight and chose some earthy toned fabric which was cut into squares. The tables were decorated with a mix of rose quartz, vintage silver trays, cut glass decanters and salt lamp tealight holders. 

The wine and whiskey glasses were all vintage and mismatched. Guests were given a label to attach to their glass so they didn’t lose it. 

Music:

Matt’s best friends performed live performances in a giant Kata. Guests sipped whiskey, listening to the music. Even the kookaburras sang along from the gum trees above. 

Guests were asked to provide a song request with their RSVP which were all compiled into two epic playlists – lounge and dance floor! 

Gifts:

Beth and Matt asked their guests to contribute to a garden fund. They’ll be planting trees and plants on their property over the next 12 months to allow nature to thrive – it’s one way they’re trying to help the planet for future generations! 

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