There's something special about a wedding that stays close to home, and Ash and Dom's day was exactly that. Married in the garden at Dom's parents' farm near Terang, surrounded only by their closest family and friends, this was an intimate celebration with all the heart of a much bigger one.
The ceremony itself was simple and heartfelt, set in the kind of garden you can't recreate, just the people who matter most, gathered together on home ground. Their twin boys were there too, making it a true family affair from the very first moment.
From there, we headed to Dalvui Homestead for bridal party portraits. If you haven't been, Dalvui is a piece of rural Victorian history. A majestic Federation and Queen Anne style homestead dating back to 1907, set within a garden designed by William Guilfoyle, the same landscape architect behind Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens. Walking through those gardens with Ash, Dom and their bridal party felt like stepping into another era. Navy on the bridesmaids and black on the groomsmen against all that established greenery made for some of my favourite portraits of the year.
The reception moved to Terang Cricket Club, where the guest list grew considerably as more of Ash and Dom's family and friends arrived to help them celebrate. There's something I love about a reception venue like this, unpretentious, properly local, and exactly the kind of place that lets a party find its own rhythm. And find its rhythm it did. The dance floor stayed full long into the early hours of the morning.
Partway through the evening, we snuck away for what was meant to be golden hour portraits at Terang Golf Club. Mother Nature had other plans. The light had threatened rain all day, holding off just long enough for everyone to get under cover in the marquee, and then rolling back in as the sun dropped. Instead of warm golden light, we got dramatic storm clouds building over the golf course. Sometimes the weather you don't plan for gives you the photos you remember most.
King proteas featured through the bouquets, tying together a day that felt natural, unfussy and completely true to Ash and Dom.
Ash and Dom, thank you for trusting me with your day, for letting me into the quiet moments and the wild dance floor alike. It was an absolute honour.
If you're planning an intimate farm or garden wedding in the Terang, Warrnambool or south west Victoria region and want photography that feels real rather than staged, I'd love to hear from you. Get in touch to chat about your day.
I was lucky enough to work alongside a vendor team who made the whole day feel easy, generous with their support from start to finish. Huge thanks to:
Videographer: Our Wild Love
Florals: Full Bloom Florist and Red Hill Farm Flowers Lismore
Hair: Naomi Lee Hair and Hair by Paige Harrington
Make Up: Telina Jane Make Up Artist
Dress: Esty Style
Suits: Pit Stop Menswear
Celebrant: Love Lexi Celebrant
Hire: Twilight Event Hire
Catering: Paella Pan and Bambino Wood Fired Pizza
