Location: Yarra Valley, Victoria, Australia
Setting: Winery
The number of guests: 135
Wedding Season: Summer
How long did the couple plan the event: 1,5 years
Wedding theme/style: Summery, whimsical, modern and warm.
Tim and Mimi, a wonderful couple from Melbourne, Australia, may appear quite different on the surface. “Although we couldn’t be more different socially (I’m always down for karaoke and a dance, Tim is much more happy to be home with a bowl of pho), we’re so alike in all the ways that matter, and being together feels just right,” shares the couple. Their journey began with an introduction through a mutual friend, leading to their first meeting over dinner at a Thai restaurant. Tim was so nervous that he couldn’t look Mimi in the eyes all night. Despite this, sparks flew, and Mimi likes to say it was love at first sight. She took the initiative and asked Tim out to dinner first, and they’ve been inseparable ever since. Mimi’s sister often says they are a package deal.
Six years later, Tim proposed at a private sunset dinner in Singapore, complete with flowers and a private photographer, completely taking Mimi by surprise. Travel has been a cornerstone of their relationship, with the couple exploring 15 countries together and planning to continue their adventures well into old age.
For their wedding, Tim and Mimi wanted an inviting, warm, and enjoyable atmosphere that reflected their love for nature. As a plant-loving household, they envisioned a wedding rich in greenery and florals. The celebration was filled with details and sweet emotions, perfectly captured by the talented photographer Ashleigh Haase. She expertly preserved the couple’s love, the picturesque setting of the winery, and all the meaningful details of their special day.
Tim and Mimi envisioned a nature-oriented wedding, and a vineyard setting was the perfect choice. After deciding on a vineyard wedding, they visited several locations in the Yarra Valley. The moment they drove up the iconic tree-lined driveway of Stones of the Yarra Valley, they knew it was the one. Tim, who had been relatively neutral about most of the wedding planning decisions, immediately declared, “We have to get married here.”
Mimi spent the morning getting ready with her bridesmaids, her mom, and her sister. It was a relaxing and chill atmosphere, with music playing and everyone chatting while getting their hair and makeup done in matching pajamas. “I think this was the perfect way to start the day and really helped to settle any lingering nerves I had,” shared Mimi.
Mimi wore a stunning beaded strapless off-shoulder gown by Jane Hill. Her mom found the gown on their first day of dress shopping and insisted she try it on. Though it wasn’t what Mimi initially envisioned for her wedding day, she was glad her mom found it because it felt perfect for her. Her accessories were minimal, highlighting the intricate details of her dress.
She added an overskirt to the gown for the ceremony and removed it for the reception. Her veil was a dramatic 3.5 meters long, contributing to an overall glamorous look. Later in the night, Mimi changed into a floor-length satin gown with playful cutouts by Kyha, reflecting her love of non-traditional, fun fashion.
Tim felt super nervous and incredibly excited that the big day had finally arrived. “I knew the amount of work that Mimi, in particular, put into making our wedding day as special and stunning as it could possibly be, so I was ready to get married and celebrate our day with our family and friends,” he shared.
Tim was thrilled to have suits for himself and his groomsmen from Suitably. He had a great experience getting his custom-tailored tuxedo and vest made to measure. A special touch was added to the tuxedo jacket with Mimi’s initials embroidered into the lining. The look was completed with a pair of patent leather oxfords from Hugo Boss and an IWC Portofino Automatic Moon Phase on his wrist. The timepiece was special because Mimi and Tim decided to commemorate their wedding day with matching watches, and he proudly wore his.
The first look between Tim and Mimi was an unforgettable moment filled with emotion and anticipation. This private, intimate moment allowed them to connect and share their joy before the whirlwind of the day began, setting a beautiful, heartfelt tone for the celebrations to come.
Tim and Mimi’s modern ceremony was held in the Chapel at Stones of the Yarra Valley. The highlight of the ceremony was undoubtedly the stunning floral installation. This custom-rigged hanging arbor, crafted with hydrangeas, dried grasses, and hanging amaranthus, created a magical atmosphere. Many guests remarked it looked like a floating frame, perfectly capturing Tim and Mimi at the center.
Tim and Mimi wanted their ceremony to be engaging and reflect their personalities. Not being the most traditional couple, they asked their celebrant, Sheridan, to infuse this spirit into the ceremony. She did an amazing job getting the guests to cheer as Mimi and her bridesmaids walked down the aisle, setting the mood for a warm and inviting celebration. Leaving the Chapel after being pronounced husband and wife was an exhilarating experience. The large wooden doors opened to reveal all their guests lined up, joyfully throwing rose petals. The Chapel bell rang in the background, creating an unforgettable, dream-like moment.
Before the reception, the newlyweds spent some precious time together as their photographer, Ashleigh Haase, captured wonderful portraits. Ashleigh’s talent for capturing genuine emotions and the stunning vineyard backdrop made this after-ceremony photoshoot an unforgettable part of their special day.
As someone who prides herself on organization, the rest of the planning process came together effortlessly for Mimi. The color choices for the event reflected the fun, summery hues they loved: greens, pinks, and whites. Green, a favorite color for both Mimi and Tim, prominently featured in the decor. They aimed to create a warm, cozy, and inviting wedding that mirrored their everyday life. Working with Sassafras Wedding for the florals was a dream. Mimi wanted something ‘wow and unique’ for the ceremony and the reception that fit within her desired color palette. The floral arrangements told a story, starting with muted shades for the ceremony and transitioning to vibrant pops of color for the reception.
The dinner reception was held at The Barn at Stones of the Yarra Valley. Hanging in the center of the room was a stunning custom installation of hydrangeas, hanging amaranthus, roses, delphiniums, cosmos, and dahlias. The tables featured delicate, colorful groupings of field florals, including dahlias and cosmos, arranged in various curated vessels. As a dessert lover, Mimi considered having a delicious cake crucial. They were fortunate to find Mali Bakes, who created a custom three-tiered cake. Mimi requested something fun, colorful, and creatively piped. “It was probably an unconventional cake, but exactly what Tim and I wanted (but more so me, as the sweet tooth in the relationship),” added Mimi.
It was a special day, and Tim and Mimi still felt the excitement and joy days later. After speaking with some of their close friends in the days following, they found that everyone shared their sentiments. Friends and family all remarked on the incredible mood of the wedding and how everyone was there to have a great time and celebrate the couple. The day was beautiful, thanks to their wonderful vendors and its atmosphere.
Reflecting on the experience, Tim and Mimi said, “We can’t pinpoint any particular aspects that made the day unique or memorable, but looking at the day as a whole and reflecting on it with our guests, it was just perfect!”
I was a little nervous in the lead-up to the day. I was hoping that all my ideas for florals, the colors, my dress, and makeup would come together. It’s hard to know whether my vision would come together since each aspect is planned individually. But I trusted our vendors so much! We developed a close bond with all our vendors, and I think this is reflected in the amazing day we had.
Advice from the couple:
• Be present! What they say is true – it really does go by quickly. The best thing you can do is make sure that you have a good time. So have that dance! Have that drink! You’ve put so much work into creating this day, now it’s time to let your hair down and enjoy it with your guests.
