This has got to be one of my favourites! Yes, these two were in love & obviously adored each other, so the romance was there and then some, but it was actually the last minute design change that I absolutely LOVED being challenged by. It was actually the reason this wedding ended up being so God damn glorious!

In the early stages of the design, Shelly was totally infatuated with this beautiful 'into the woods', autumn toned, whimsical affair. We swapped many emails regarding the various styling treasures we would use & each & every bloom, making sure the colour pallet was perfection! As the wedding drew closer I could tell she was getting cold feet (from the design, not her beautiful fiancé!) & after meeting with her bestie I received the email confirming my feeling. See, her bestie is Skae, of Skae & Andy's Romeo & Juliet inspired bohemian luxe ethereal love fest. Skae's wedding was to take place a few weeks after Shelly's & although having your best friend able to empathise completely with the stresses & excitement of organising a wedding, the two beauties couldn't shake that perhaps their weddings would have been a little too similar. I tried to convince both that each were completely different (I would have told them if I thought this might happen) Shelly was ready to let go of her dream design to ensure both girls knew 100% nothing would be the same. Then the magic happened....

Shelly started sending me through the most refreshing organic, rustic yet romantic images all of which reminded me heavily of my time in Tuscany. Layered Terracotta pots, fresh fruit recently picked, wild foliage & pops of white & apricot bloom, old chandeliers and old timber accents. It was just SO dreamy and unlike any wedding I had ever seen! I loved it!!! Sent her an email telling her that I had all the treasures to make her wedding look exactly like the images, if not, better... challenge accepted!!!

I started collecting off cuts of herbs, Tuscan inspired pot plants & endless terracotta! Matched on the day with gold modern cold candle sticks (for a little luxe) endless candles, fresh lemons & oranges, timber top tables, wild unstructured arrangements featuring deep green foliage, white & apricot blooms and layered white fabric (whimsical addition) and finally some hand picked Italian brunch inspired treasures, it was Tuscan perfection.

My favourite feature and may be my favourite feature to date, was the epic bridal table. Phil had made various timber objects for the day but had built this incredible big timber open top box structure to be hung above the bridal table and it just completed the look. Sitting amongst the timber arches & rattan pendants the floral/branch installation just ties everything together & is the cherry on top of the wow factor bridal space.

I can't not say something about the magnificence that is Meribee. As a wedding venue it is sheer perfection. Catering to lovers that want to celebrate for the whole weekend, the venue comes with not only accomodation for many but with various magical ceremony spots, tennis courts, endless gardens & of course the recently completed barn. The barn itself is made for OTT stylists such as myself, with beams rigged with power points for extravagant lighting and bountiful floral installations (literally dreamy AF). They also supply various prices of wicker furniture & the all important timber top trestle tables. And because you have the entire site for the weekend, ample time to make the magic happen! HEAVEN.

Lastly I need to give a shout out the crazy talented Mitch Pohl, who Shelly & Phil were very clever in hiring. His work is nothing less than art. He captures the kind of beauty that makes your heart skip a beat. I count my lucky stars he was there that day as my work could not have been captured better.

If you're interested in recreating this style for your own event or wedding, get in touch!

Blog

TUSCAN CHIC | SHELLY + PHIL