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Annabelle & Marc’s Lush Family Farm Wedding

Real bride Annabelle & new husband at the altar at real wedding ceremony on family farm in southern highlands; bride wearing the Aubrey gown by Karen Willis Holmes.

Annabelle and Marc tie the knot in an intimate family farm wedding, after 6 years of knowing each other. The pair met through their mutual passion for charity after Marc signed up to be a builder for Annabelle’s charity School for Life to build a school in Uganda in 2014.

 

Annabelle wore the classic Aubrey gown, from the WILD HEARTS collection… “The structured fit, long sleeves and statement shoulder. It fitted me like a glove, had a gorgeous, dramatic train and I know I will love it for years to come. It was the perfect gown for me!”

On the proposal

Marc absolutely knocked the proposal out of the park in 2018 whilst the couple was in New York for Christmas.  After visiting an art gallery together, Marc rushed Annabelle off for something special that he had planned which involved “the best view over the city”.

After being picked up in a fancy car that took the pair to a private helicopter pad, Marc proposed in mid-air over Manhattan… how incredibly dreamy?!

Real bride Annabelle wears the Aubrey gown; a simple long-sleeved wedding dress from the Wild Hearts Collection, designed by Karen Willis Holmes.
Real bride Annabelle wears the Aubrey gown; a simple long-sleeved wedding dress from the Wild Hearts Collection, designed by Karen Willis Holmes.
Real bride Annabelle wears the Aubrey gown; a simple long-sleeved wedding dress from the Wild Hearts Collection, designed by Karen Willis Holmes.

On the venue

These lovers were married on Annabelle’s family farm in Cayonleigh, the Southern Highlands of NSW, a sentimental ode to her upbringing and childhood.

Choosing to avoid a DIY wedding, the pair held their lunchtime reception at The Stables, at Bendooley Estate for the convenience of a catered venue… “The Stables at Bendooley has a modern-country feel and fabulous food so it suited us, and the vibe we wanted, to a tee.”

Real couple Annabelle and Marc just married at family farm ceremony, bride wearing the Aubrey gown by Karen Willis Holmes; a simple wedding dress with long sleeves and a shoulder pleat.

All the styling details

Focusing on intimacy, simplicity, and fun, the couple chose to invest in the details that were important to them, such as good food, wine, live music, and an incredible photographer…

“We didn’t focus too much on getting every little detail of the styling right because we knew that it’s the bigger parts of the day that people remember the most”.

Opting for an intimate ceremony with 50 chairs hosted tightly within a row of pine trees, the wedding proceeded with canapes and portraits in the garden, accompanied by moody live music.

The reception at Bendooley Estate consisted of an intimate shared menu amongst 3 long tables alongside tall flower arrangements and low vases holding pink roses and romantic candles.

“Our florist was kind enough to lift all the flower arrangements she did for our ceremony and transport them to the reception straight after! She was amazing.”

Real bride Annabelle with new husband at sunset on country family farm wedding; bride wears the long-sleeved Aubrey gown by Karen Willis Holmes.
Real bride Annabelle with new husband at sunset on country family farm wedding; bride wears the long-sleeved Aubrey gown by Karen Willis Holmes.
Real bride Annabelle with new husband at sunset on country family farm wedding; bride wears the long-sleeved Aubrey gown by Karen Willis Holmes.

The Dress

This gorgeous bride had an eventual journey to find her dream dress, starting off with trying on a bunch of gowns that she had her eye on, but not Aubrey, her chosen gown.

Annabelle then went on to purchase a second-hand gown and paid for alterations, but it didn’t turn out to be her dream…  “When I went to collect it the week before it just wasn’t fitting me right, I knew I couldn’t wear it.”

Annabelle contacted the KWH Alexandria boutique 5 days before her wedding to try her luck with our timeless Aubrey gown, a long-sleeved wedding dress from the WILD HEARTS collection.

“They managed to find one in my size, I purchased it on the Sunday and the amazing seamstresses had it turned around for collection by Thursday, the day before my wedding. It certainly wasn’t the way I’d originally envisaged my wedding gown journey to be but I am so glad for the kindness, professionalism and speed with which KWH handled the process. I don’t know what I would have done without them!”

Real bride Annabelle with husband Marc on open country road at farm wedding, bride wearing the timeless Aubrey dress with long sleeves and a deep V back.

Accessorising

Annabelle wore our Aubrey gown with stunning jewels from Pierre Winter Fine Jewels.

Real bride Annabelle at country farm wedding wearing the long sleeved Aubrey gown and earrings from Pierre Winter Fine Jewels.
Real bride Annabelle & husband Marc sunset kiss at country farm wedding, bride wearing the long sleeve Aubrey wedding dress by Karen Willis Holmes.

Gown hunting tips

Annabelle’s main recommendation to brides-to-be is to take your time and avoid rushing the process, or putting too much pressure on the decision.

“Take the time to find something you love and are comfortable in. I think everyone thinks they are going to have their ‘say yes to the dress moment’… At the end of the day, you just want to look like the best version of yourself.”

KWH bride Annabelle wearing the timeless Aubrey gown; a simple long sleeve wedding dress with a dramatic train.

What does love mean to you?

“Growing old together, learning to love and understand each other’s differences, being kind to one another, and supporting each other when the going gets tough. I believe that love is about finding meaning in the little things and being able to have fun, laugh and cry together. Love is also about loyalty and always having each other’s backs.”

Suppliers:

Location – Family Farm, Southern Highlands / Photographer – Alex Marks Photography / Celebrant – Sophie Coombes / Florist – Jane Lampe from Floreat / Hair & Makeup – By Normie / Music –Aniella & Simon and Big Thanks Band / Stationery – La Belle Creative / Wedding Bands – Jacque Fine Jewellery / Wedding Shoes – Billini / Bridesmaids dresses – Shona Joy / Bridal Earrings – Pierre Winter Fine Jewels / First Dance – Toto by Africa


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