Stewie must have had some sense knocked into him when he bumped his head on a chandelier at a dinner party some three years ago, because the girl giggling at him ended up his wife. Piano teacher, Kelsey, was taken by this tall – albeit clumsy – drink of water, and now calls him her best friend and husband.
Their DIY backyard wedding ceremony took place in Kelsey’s grandmother’s garden in Flaxton in the Sunshine Coast hinterland, followed by a reception at Obi Obi Hall.
Images by Renee Towers Photography.
“I gave Stewie a double swag for all our camping adventures, he gave me an Akubra hat. We have the groomsmen and fathers monogrammed Zippo lighters and the bridesmaids got the wedding day accessories including a clutch, jewellery and a handmade wrap.“
“Our photographer, Renee Towers, pre-planned all of our locations. The first was in my grandmother’s garden, then at a bridge creek crossing on Obi Obi Road and finally an old dairy farm up the road from the reception hall.”
“One really special part was that my piano teacher, Marion Kilchester, played for the procession. She even wrote a special piece of music just for us that was played when we made our way back up the aisle.”
“My Grandmother passed down her wedding dress and veil so that I could use them if I wanted. I went and tried on gowns in stores but nothing had quite the charm of that dress. My mother painstakingly and carefully altered it whilst maintaining as much of the original charm as possible. To have a similar dress made that just suited me so perfectly would definitely have made a dent in the budget. She did an amazing job especially as one of my criteria was ‘can play badminton in it’!”
Wedding Secrets
iggest Splurge: Investing in the lawn games so that we will always have them to bring out at parties.
Bridal gown: Passed down from my grandmother, lovingly restored by my mother
Accessories: I made my jewellery.
Shoes: My boots were from EasySteps – SO comfortable!
Bridesmaids’ accessories: I made the bridesmaids jewellery and my mum made them and me caplets. I got their clutch bags at Colette Hayman.
Groom’s suit and shoes: Kingsize Big and Tall
Groomsmens’ suits and shoes: Suits from Ed Hardy + their own shoes.
DIY: The bar made from recycled pallets, paper garland decoration, and confetti.
Honeymoon: Severn River at Ballandean
Number of guests: 82
Wedding budget: $15,000
“(My favourite moment) was definitely the complete, exhausted happiness when my husband drove us off in my dad’s restored EH Holden Ute at the end of such an amazing day. Stewie’s favourite bit was the moment the rings went on. He says everything was smooth sailing after that!“
Photographer Renee Towers Photography | Videographer ShowBiz Video Productions | Transport Danny’s Tours | Makeup Artist Libby Hendrie | Hair Stylist Inside Hair | Entertainment Iain Jackson and Marion Kilchester | Celebrant Mary Baker | Wedding Night Accommodation Blue Summit Cottages http://www.bluesummitcottages.com.au/ Honeymoon Accom Severndipity | Pre Wedding Accommodation French Cottage and Loft Hall Obi Obi Hall
