Location: Braidwood, New South Wales, Australia
Style: Black Tie, Elegant, Exciting
Time of planning: Around 1 year
Number of guests: 85
Setting: Luxury Farm
Season: Winter
Sophia and Angus are two corporate professionals from Sydney, Australia, whose story began back in high school. They’ve been by each other’s side ever since, growing together through every chapter of life. In the winter of 2023, Angus proposed to Sophia on a bright, sunny Sydney day at their favorite beach spot, Balmoral Beach, where they had shared countless memories, laughter, and fish and chips dates over the years.
Bride's Morning & Fashion
Sophia’s bridal look was a blend of elegance, artistry, and intention. “Similar to the florals and styling, I drew inspiration from the sculptural nature of Mona Farm,” she shared. She chose a stunning gown from Corston Couture, featuring detachable sleeves that transformed her look effortlessly from day to night. For the veil, she kept it classic with a simple blusher. “I loved the extra depth the blusher gave when styled with the hair,” she added.
When it came to shoes, comfort and elegance were key. “Shoes were such a struggle to find! I didn’t want anything too high, and they had to be comfortable enough to wear all day,” Sophia shared. With a clever tip from the Corston team, bringing a fabric sample when trying on shoes made all the difference. She found her perfect match in a pair of Harlo Shoes pumps.
For beauty, Sophia kept it timeless and natural. “I wanted to feel and look like myself, but better,” she said. Makeup artist Mia Araya enhanced her features with a soft, minimalist look, while Kate Lily created a sleek, elegant hairstyle inspired by Kendall Jenner, Gigi Hadid, and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley.
Groom's Fashion
Angus wore a classic black tuxedo from Brent Wilson, with peak lapels, a black cummerbund, a crisp white dinner shirt to complement Sophia’s gown, a black bow tie, and sleek patent leather oxfords. Knowing Sophia’s dress would be timeless and refined, he and his groomsmen opted for an equally elegant look. His three groomsmen, who are also his brothers, wore matching tuxedos, each with a personal touch: custom cufflinks engraved with their sibling order in Roman numerals. Angus wore “II” as the second oldest, a subtle detail that made the look even more meaningful.
"Sophia and I both wanted to wear pieces that we could look back on in 20, 30 years and still think they look good, something timeless.”
Ceremony
The ceremony took place on the Croquet Lawn at Mona Farm, chosen for its open, cathedral-like atmosphere and seamless connection to the surrounding gardens. The ceremony was kept short and heartfelt, focusing on the emotion of the moment rather than tradition. Guests entered through the Rose Garden, greeted with glasses of champagne as a live jazz band played softly in the background, setting a joyful and elegant tone from the very beginning.
"The ceremony was a shorter one, but so special. We exited to the band’s rendition of "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" by Stevie Wonder, as floral confetti filled the air. It was definitely a highlight of the day and the perfect segue to cocktail hour.”
The setting perfectly reflected the couple’s vision of an effortless celebration: laid-back, intimate, and warm. The gentle sounds of jazz blended with the natural beauty of the garden, creating an atmosphere that felt timeless and personal.
Cocktail Hour
After the ceremony, guests gathered on the Homestead Lawn for cocktail hour — the perfect moment to unwind, mingle, and toast to the newlyweds. “This was the perfect time to mingle with guests and sip on my cocktail of choice, a spicy marg,” Sophia shared. Canapés were served as the live jazz transitioned into a DJ set, bringing party vibes to the afternoon.
To keep the evening flowing naturally, the Father of the Bride and Angus both gave their speeches during this time. “We didn’t want our guests to feel like the reception was just full of speeches, and it meant Angus and Dad could really enjoy the rest of the day without the stress of a speech!” she added.
Photography & Special Moments
As the sun began to set over the farm, guests made their way to the clear marquee for the evening celebration — but not before stopping to feed the resident highland cows, easily one of the day’s most unforgettable moments. The walk offered a chance to take in the golden-hour glow and sweeping views before the party started under the open sky. Photographer Zoe Morley beautifully captured every detail of the celebration, from the golden light to the laughter-filled moments with the highland cows.
"We think having such an incredible photographer (Zoë) made a world of difference; she made us feel so comfortable, and we now have the most phenomenal photos to look back on and reminisce on the day.”
Inspiration & Decor
The couple envisioned a wedding that felt “timeless and classic, with a touch of whimsy.” One of the main reasons they chose Mona Farm was its natural beauty — a venue where art, architecture, and nature come together beautifully. They drew inspiration from the surroundings, wanting the styling and florals by Rain Floral Design to feel like an organic extension of the landscape. “We kept our approach simple with a focus on the floral styling. In the initial planning process, we selected a palette of eight core colors — this formed the basis for florals, stationery, styling, and bridal party attire,” shared the couple.
For the reception, the goal was to create an intimate, candlelit atmosphere that invited warmth and connection. “We love the ambiance a candlelit dinner provides, so our table décor was centered around cathedral candles,” they said. To echo the farm’s natural textures, the candles were laid on soft beds of moss, giving the marquee a beautiful golden glow once the sun had set. Inspired by the sculptural art scattered throughout Mona Farm, their florist designed a standout centerpiece. It became a true showstopper, perfectly capturing the couple’s vision of timeless elegance with a playful, creative twist.
Reception
The reception was lively and full of energy. For the bridal party’s grand entrance, Angus popped two bottles of champagne, creating a sparkling champagne shower — a moment that quickly became a highlight and one that guests still talk about.
The couple chose a vanilla cake with Swiss meringue buttercream and fresh raspberries, perfectly paired with an espresso martini tower served alongside dessert to keep the dance floor buzzing well into the night.
The night continued with dancing that lasted well into the early hours, as guests let loose and celebrated with the couple. Every detail of the day, from the champagne shower to the desserts and cocktails, set the stage for a celebration that was as fun and vibrant as it was heartfelt, leaving everyone with a night to remember.
Advice from the couple:
• Prioritize yourself and what you want out of the day. Everyone has an opinion, but at the end of the day, you want to look back on the day with zero regrets.
PHOTOGRAPHY Zoe Morley | VENUE Mona Farm | FLORALS Rain Floral Design | DRESS Corston Couture | SUIT Brent Wilson | MAKEUP Mia Araya | HAIR Kate Lily | MUSIC Silent Shout
