Tell us a little about yourselves!
Tim is a journalist with the ABC who enjoys reading, photography and swimming. Bree is a marketing manager who is interested in fashion, design and the outdoors. We have been together 11 years, we have a little one and a half year old son Javier.
Why did you decide to get married where you did?
Tim briefly studied architecture in Uni and fell in love with the buildings at Bundanon. We are both big fans of mid-century design, so we appreciated the various aspects of the Arthur Boyd Education Centre where the reception was held. In particular we loved the clean lines created by the large windows and slanted roof as well as the combination of concrete and timber.
The natural beauty of the Bundanon site was also an important factor. The magnificent Shoalhaven River is a spectacular backdrop for a wedding.
Finally, Bree grew up in Berry, so hosting our friends and family on the NSW south coast was important for sentimental reasons. Tim’s family also lives in Wollongong, so the location was also convenient.
How many guests did you have?
108 guests. Damien Milan captured our day.
Tell us about your outfits.
Bree: I flew all the way to Brisbane from Sydney to try dresses on because it was the only store I found that had a great mix of contemporary designers.
Tim: We searched all over the city looking for a suit, I was tossing up between something off the rack and something tailored. My whole family is quite tall, with my best man standing at 6’7’’, and my other groomsmen who were my brothers, all quite a similar height to me at 6’4’’ – After trying a few off the rack, I think I soon realised it wasn’t going to work for us. I stumbled across Institchu through Olivia Adams (our ring designer) whose partner recommended it. The suits fit very well, and it was surprisingly affordable for a tailor-made suit.
What was the most important aspect for you, in terms of planning your wedding?
There were so many important things! We would each say to each other “This is a top priority for me”I think it was said about a lot of things in the end. I (Bree) can be quite pedantic about things, especially aesthetics and I think weddings are so personal, I really feel they are a reflection of who ‘you’ are; everything from the choice of outfits, make up, music, choice in decor, flowers, chairs, menu designs, down to table linen.
We had to ‘priority basket’ because, at the end of the day, it’s just also about the positive vibes and the love and the energy that outweighs everything else. From what I’ve been told, there was a lot of that too on the day! In the end, we prioritised: Having a venue that would let us play music and dance (we have it a pretty good nudge on the night), music, photography and the decor/florals.
Any tips for couples getting married?
Book all your preferred suppliers as soon as you lock down the venue. Or if you haven’t decided and its taking longer, book your photographer, music and anyone else important to you first. Good people book out fast!
The last few weeks before the wedding is a huge push on all thing’s admin related. Do anything easy early e.g. prep seating plan, print your reserved signage, photography shot list, start your dietary requirements list, drop timings and contacts into your run sheet as soon as you confirm with the suppliers. I also suggest buying bridal party presents and writing any notes early. I left this to the last minute and it added to the stress.
Everyone said to get a videographer because watching the video is something couples do over and over. We had a friend compile an amazing social video for us and can confirm, we watched it over and over. It really brings the day to life in a way photos cant. We also wish we could watch the speeches back and see people reactions, it’s one of the best parts of the day. We wished we had more footage. Get the damn videographer!
Lastly, I listed to a few Nearly Weds Podcast (now called Newly Weds) in the lead up to the wedding, there were a few good tips I enjoyed from their guests on the show. Here’s one, cheekily called ‘Blow Me’ in acronym form:
Bouquet out of water 30 mins before you go down the isle
Lady Garden – make sure you hold your bouquet down near your lady garden (not up high)
One hour before the ceremony ensure you and your bridal parties are dressed and ready
Wrists– check everyone’s wrists and ankles for hair ties
Move your engagement ring to the other hand
Energy! You are the f***ing vibe! Make sure you and your bridal party bring it!
There one other that I had written down, less controversial, called 'Smile':
Seats – ensure you have reserved signage printed for people in the front row.
Middle – Make sure you and your partner are positioned in the middle of the isle for during the ceremony (I forgot this one and we were askew – if you’ve got an outdoor wedding, I highly suggest making some markings for you and the bridal party)
Eyes – make sure you discuss when you want your partner to look at you (sometimes at an outdoor wedding there might be a bit of walking involved to get to the top of the aisle)
Long kiss and deep dip – This is the photographers one shot to get ‘THE kiss’ so don’t just do a quick peck.
Exit – Give the people (and the photographer) what they want, a wild exit down the aisle – they make for the best photos.
Are there any vendors that you would like to tell us a little more about?
My make up artist Lidija Jevremovic literally did the lords work on my face. I have never felt more beautiful in my life. I did another trial before her and was pretty underwhelmed, so when she absolutely nailed my brief and made me feel like a goddess at my hens I knew I couldn’t not have her for my wedding day. 100/10 highly recommend. I wish she could do my make up every day.
Also our lovely celebrant Lisa Roden, she was so patient and kind and was great at hand holding us through the whole process.
Photographer: Damien Milan @damienmilan_photographer | Ceremony + Reception Location: Bundanon | Celebrant: Lisa Roden @lovelisacelebrant | Entertainment: The Vintage Stylus
@thevintagestylus | Styling + Planning: by the Bride | Hire: Shoalhaven Party Hire, Howe's Cool Room
Flora: Emily Patricia Floral @emilypatriciafloral | HMUA: Lidija Jevremovic @lidija.mua | Catering + Beverages: Fine Spun Catering, Selection of Grifter Beers + Das Juice Natural Wine | Signage, Invitations, Menus, Table Numbers, Seating + Signs: Emma Fernandez @design.frn | Ceremony Dress: Vivienne Westwood @viviennewestwood (from Bloom Bridal in Brisbane) @bloom_australia_ | Reception Dress: Taller Marmo @tallermarmo from Net-a-porter | Groom's Suit: InStitchu @institchu
Engagement + Wedding Rings: Olivia Adams @oliviaadamsjewels | Shoes: Jimmy Choo @jimmychoo (Bride) + Crockett + Jones @crockettandjones_official from Double Monk @doublemonk (Groom) | Bride's Earrings: Christie Nicolaides @christienicolades | Groom's Cufflinks: Vintage Givenchy | Wedding Party Attire: Vintage dress from Axl Bazaar @axlbazaar (MOH), Bridesmaid: Bianca and Bridgett @biancaandbridgett + Saint Valentine @saint_valentine_jewellery pearl necklace , Bridesman + Groomsmen: Instichu @institchu, Mother of the Bride: Carla Zampatti @carlazampatti