Location: Yallingup, Western Australia
Setting: Winery
Wedding season: Summer
The number of guests: 72
How long did the couple plan the event: 1 year
Wedding theme/style: Romantic, timeless, formal garden party.
Chelsea and Cameron have been in a relationship for over eight years. Both originally from Perth, they met through a mutual friend when Cameron moved to Sydney for work. Chelsea, who had lived abroad with her family and attended international schools in China and Singapore, had already settled in Sydney for university a few years earlier. The moment they met, they felt an instant connection and wasted no time planning their first date. From then on, they have been inseparable, navigating life’s challenges and triumphs together. Cameron now serves as the CEO of a non-profit organization, while Chelsea thrives as an architect specializing in high-end private homes. Their chosen professions reflect their passions and skills, adding depth and richness to their shared journey as a couple.
The lovebirds wanted a romantic and intimate celebration with personal touches. That’s why they chose a Credaro Winery that provided a blank canvas, allowing them to bring in everything and create a unique experience tailored to them. Chelsea had fond memories of her mother and stepfather’s wedding in the Margaret River region of Western Australia when she was six, so she always wanted to have her own wedding there. Though they considered other venues in Perth with significance to both Chelsea and Cameron, they ultimately decided that the winery couldn’t be beaten, offering a nice getaway for everyone attending the wedding.
Chelsea was overjoyed as she prepared for her wedding day. She had the talented Cat Mooney as her hair stylist, creating a stunning look. Makeup artist Whitney Andrews also worked her magic, using soft pink tones to achieve effortless and natural beauty. With their skills, Chelsea was sure to radiate on her special day.
Chelsea was surrounded by her wonderful bridesmaids, and she felt immense happiness and pure joy. Their presence brought her so much delight, and she cherished that she was among her closest friends. They gathered around her, sharing laughter and excitement, which made Chelsea feel a deep sense of love and support.
Finding the perfect dress for Chelsea’s mother became the inspiration for her wedding design, even though she had yet to make decisions about her own attire, the bridesmaids’ theme, or the other details. They discovered a breathtaking Rachel Gilbert dress with embroidered flowers that instantly brought tears to Chelsea’s eyes, leading to an immediate purchase and setting the tone for the day. This dress provided a valuable reference point for the bride as she continued to plan and finalize the remaining details.
Chelsea took an active role in designing her wedding dress, collaborating with Rhonda Hemingway Couture in Sydney. Her vision was to create a soft and romantic look, achieved by using French lace with delicate beading layered with silk organza to add a gentle and subtle touch to the lace details while enhancing the dress’s graceful flow. To enhance the romantic ambiance further, she opted for a veil that elegantly draped over her face, finding the perfect one at Kyha Studios in Sydney.
Chelsea’s radiant and joyful personality shone through her entire wedding look, creating an atmosphere of warmth and happiness. Her family and bridesmaids couldn’t contain their emotions as they saw her ready for the special day that lay ahead.
Cameron and his groomsmen were donning their fashionable suits by InStitchu, eagerly preparing for the day’s wedding festivities. The atmosphere was filled with joy and ease, creating a fun and relaxed ambiance for the upcoming celebration.
The picturesque Credaro Winery provided an idyllic backdrop for the entire wedding, especially the ceremony. The ceremony space was tastefully decorated with stunning white flowers by Rose and Bud that flawlessly complemented the romantic theme of the wedding.
The first look between the couple on their wedding day was incredibly emotional as Cameron struggled to hold back tears upon seeing Chelsea gracefully walking down the aisle. It was a touching moment filled with profound love and undeniable beauty.
The entire ceremony was undeniably enchanting as the couple lovingly exchanged their vows. The contagious joy spread among all the guests, who couldn’t help but smile and bask in the happiness of these extraordinary moments filled with pure love.
An incredible cocktail hour following the ceremony established a delightful and joyful atmosphere for the entire wedding celebration.
The family, bridesmaids, and groomsmen were overjoyed to surround the newlyweds with warm wishes, abundant love, and unwavering support.
The couple chose a fantastic photographer, Sarah Tonkin, to capture all the love and joy of their wedding day. Sarah skillfully captured every moment, ensuring that the memories will be preserved for years to come. From the serene and beautiful wedding morning, where Chelsea shared precious moments with her loved ones, to the heartwarming first look and the tender ceremony with Cameron, Sarah’s photographs perfectly embodied the profound love and affection between the newlyweds.
The reception space exuded an ambiance of softness and romance through its impeccable design. Chelsea added: “We really wanted to ensure that the wedding details were personal to us, so I put together the overall look and feel for the wedding and designed the stationery. It was important that the venue took center stage and that the details worked seamlessly with the setting while ensuring that everything came together elegantly – so I looked at playing with soft pinks and creams and incorporating candles, lighting, crystal glassware, and sculptural glass vases to add that extra layer of romance.”
The bride took charge of the stationery and menu design, infusing her personal touch into every detail. Chelsea incorporated name cards and place settings into the menu, with an exquisite illustration of herself and Cameron on the back. The menus were presented in two color variations – a charming pink for the bridal table at the center of the venue and a graceful pistachio green for the tables flanking either side.
As the reception started, Chelsea and Cameron were happy as they received countless warm wishes. They were thrilled to be able to share these special moments with all of their guests.
Chelsea and Cameron had a special moment to witness the enchanting golden hour, captured by photographer Sarah Tonkin. Her photos beautifully portrayed the love shared between the newlyweds and captured the immense joy they experienced throughout the day. As the sun descended, it created a stunning backdrop for the photos, enhancing their beauty even more.
Chelsea and Cameron also took a special moment during the reception to express their heartfelt thanks and love to each other and to all the cherished guests who made their wedding day truly unforgettable. They shared their gratitude for the love and support they received, making it a heartfelt speech that touched the hearts of everyone present.
After the cake-cutting ceremony, the newlyweds shared a beautiful first dance that left everyone in awe.
After a quick outfit change into a delightful and romantic mini-dress, Chelsea continued to dazzle as the night unfolded. The dance floor remained alive throughout the entire evening, with the perfect music setting the mood. The infectious beats had everyone dancing ceaselessly, as no one could resist the rhythm and energy. It was an unforgettable night, with guests joyously grooving to the finest tunes.
Chelsea and Cameron’s wedding was everything they had ever dreamed of. The heartfelt photos taken by Sarah Tonkin will undoubtedly bring warmth and joy to not only the newlyweds’ hearts but also to the cherished guests who were part of this unforgettable celebration.
Advice from the couple
• We put together the best possible team who took over on the day and made everything come together perfectly – I couldn’t recommend choosing great vendors who have preferably worked together before. The day and the lead-up go by so quickly, but if you know you’re in great hands, then you are more likely to forget about the details and focus on one another.
• To book out a decent amount of time for couple portraits after the ceremony – we had over an hour all up with just Cameron, myself, and the photographer, away from the guests and felt so wrapped up in our own little love bubble that it just made the day all the more special and memorable. It felt like time had stopped for a bit.
PHOTOGRAPHER Sarah Tonkin | VENUE Credaro Winery | FLORIST Rose and Bud | ON THE DAY STYLIST Pop Up Planning Co | BRIDAL GOWN Rhonda Hemmingway | VEIL Kyha Studios | MAKEUP ARTIST Whitney Andrews | HAIR Cat Mooney | SUITS InStitchu | CELEBRANT Meg Osler | MUSICIAN & DJ ASKYA | CATERER Tiller Dining | LIGHTING Cape Events | SPERRY TENT The Zest Group | FURNITURE HIRE Hire in Style