Location: Maleny, Australia
Setting: Outdoor Luxury Estate
Wedding season: Spring
The number of guests: 69
How long did the couple plan the event: 2 years 2 months
Wedding theme/style: Classic, elegant and sophisticated with a modern romance vibe.
In the bustling city of Melbourne, Som Hawkins and Thomas Smith’s paths intertwined in 2016, all thanks to their shared love for dogs. Having recently moved to Melbourne to pursue her career, Som could never have imagined that Thomas’s undeniable charm and dashing good looks would capture her heart, especially as he borrowed a friend’s dog for their enchanting first puppy date at the picturesque Elwood dog park.
Som shares the story of the proposal: “Thomas isn’t good with surprises; he was so nervous about proposing to me that I knew about it for almost a year, so we ended up picking my birthday long weekend just after COVID with some of our family and friends that we haven’t seen for a while. We rented a rooftop overlooking the beach and danced the night away with lots of champagne. This gave me a chance to design my engagement ring, and my dream of owning a yellow diamond ring came to life!”
The couple chose a unique date for their wedding – the Australian Football Grand Final weekend and the last Super Full Moon of 2023. As many guests were from out of state, Thomas deliberately picked a Friday full moon wedding to allow everyone to relax and continue the celebration with their shared love for sports at their local pub.
The couple selected Maleny Manor as their picturesque outdoor wedding venue, offering everything they desired in one convenient location. With its all-inclusive features, the venue provided a seamless experience, and the convenience of arranging transportation for their guests through Stay Safe Transfers made the day even more enjoyable. The wedding day was graced with perfect spring weather, adding an extra magic touch to their special day.
On the morning of her wedding, Som was surrounded by loved ones as she prepared for her special day. Having a Brides-man added a beautiful touch to her bridal party.
With a glowing and natural makeup look by Kate Devlin, she felt like herself without feeling overwhelmed by makeup. Despite a last-minute change in hair stylists, Brooklyn Hair Artistry created the perfect look that suited Som’s natural style with soft waves that complimented the overall feel of the day.
Som exudes a sense of class and timeless style in everyday and professional life, often wearing suits and embracing an iconic fashion look. She sought a couture design for her wedding that embodied her style while being fashion-forward. She found the perfect match with Shehzarin Batha Couture in Melbourne, whose clean and beautiful designs resonated with her vision. The team created a unique dress with square shoulders, low cut, and long sleeves, adding a touch of lace for a timeless yet slightly sexy look. The custom mantilla veil was the perfect finishing touch to her personalized bridal ensemble.
Thomas, a classic gentleman, decided to wear a classic tie instead of a bow tie with his black and white suit for his wedding. He chose MJ Bale for the groomsmen and was drawn to the concept and fit of Anthony Squire, which embodied the true essence of a classic gentleman. Additionally, Thomas had the unique experience of custom designing his wedding band with Maleny Jewelers, which was particularly special for someone who doesn’t typically wear jewelry.
The ceremonial space was adorned with a serene palette of white tones, perfectly complementing the wedding’s timeless and elegant theme. Everyone eagerly anticipated the heartfelt exchange of vows between Som and Thomas. The presence of their beloved Labradors, walked down the aisle by the First Class Pet Wedding Assistants, truly made the ceremony even more special and held great sentimental value for the couple and their beloved guests.
Som’s parents and bridesmaids were by her side, showering her with love before she made her way down the aisle.
The wedding ceremony was truly one-of-a-kind. In a beautiful and touching moment, Som was walked down the aisle by both of their parents, a moment she had always dreamed of. Graham Hobson set the perfect tone by playing the piano during the ceremony as the dogs and bridal party walked out to Elton John’s “Can You Feel the Love Tonight.” The bride made her entrance accompanied by her parents to the classic tune “Your Song” by Elton John. To conclude the ceremony on a lively note, the newlyweds chose Calvin Harris’ “Feel So Close.”
The celebrant, Amanda Johnson from LoveWorx, was a natural choice for the couple, as she brought a warm and approachable presence. Amanda’s connection to Thomas’s school and their shared love for the local café made her the perfect fit for the role of their celebrant.
Surrounded by their closest friends and family, Som and Thomas exchanged heartfelt vows, creating a memory they will cherish forever.
The newlyweds invited their guests into the Pavilion after the beautifully arranged ceremony by Lovebird Weddings and Mondo Floral Designs. They celebrated their just-married moment and started the cocktail party with even more breathtaking views.
The newlyweds enjoyed a picturesque walk basking in the sunlight with their beloved dogs, adding an extra layer of warmth to the entire wedding celebration.
Knowing their preference for photos over videos, the lovebirds sought out a skilled photographer who could capture those perfect candid moments. Blumenthal Photography proved to be the ideal choice, perfectly encapsulating the couple’s natural and classic style and creating stunning memories for them to cherish.
Som and Thomas focused on selecting top-tier vendors who could bring their vision to life and showcase what was most important to them. This allowed them to prioritize quality over quantity and ensure that each moment of their special day was unique and meaningful.
The couple aimed to design an elegant and timeless wedding, ensuring that the decor harmonized seamlessly with their chosen theme, exuding both style and grace.
Som shares: “I’m a sucker for romance. Thomas really left most of this to me. Our wedding quote was from my love of Moulin Rouge: “The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is to love and be loved in return”.
I wanted the décor to represent both Thomas and me, so we intentionally steered away from pinks, beige, and bold colors. By keeping it timeless and refined, our palette was crisps white & vanilla teamed with dusty green foliage to match the surroundings and gold to create a sense of sophistication and romance.”
The talented team at FZK and Co crafted stunning place cards, menus, table numbers, and invitations for the event.
Som and Thomas’ reception overflowed with heartfelt speeches, joy, and merriment as their guests showered them with love. The newlyweds curated a splendid celebration for their friends and family. The couple gifted their guests an unforgettable musical experience courtesy of the incredible five-piece band led by Graham Hobson. The band’s captivating performance kept everyone on the dance floor throughout the night, creating unforgettable memories for their beloved family and friends.
As a couple’s fur babies hold a special place in their hearts, it was essential for them to reflect this in their wedding celebration. Delectable cake by Zoe Clark, featured as the third course, tasted fantastic and paid homage to their beloved pets.
Additionally, Som and Thomas personalized the experience with “His and Her” signature drinks. Som enjoyed a delightful Chandon Moet served upon arrival alongside their eye-catching Champagne tower. As for Thomas, his signature Espresso Martini was presented during his speech before hitting the dance floor. Their guests absolutely adored these personalized touches.
The fantastic wedding ended with everyone enjoying the view of the full moon. It was the special wedding day that Som and Thomas had been dreaming of.
Advice from the couple:
• Really stick to what matters to you both. Try not to overwhelm yourselves with the current trends. You’ll be surprised if you stick to your own style or traditions, you’ll end up creating a trend naturally yourselves.
PHOTOGRAPHER Blumenthal Photography | VENUE Maleny Manor | PLANNER & STYLIST Lovebird Weddings | FLORIST Mondo Floral Designs | HAIR Brooklyn Hair Artistry | MAKEUP Kate Devlin | BRIDAL DRESS Shehzarin Batha Couture | VEIL | SHOES | RINGS | BRIDESMAID & BRIDESMAN DRESSING GOWN Billy J Boutique | BRIDAL ROBE Le Rose | GROOM’S SUIT Anthony Squires | GROOMSMEN SUITS MJ Bale | RINGS Maleny Jewellers (Groom), Diamond Brokers (Bride) | CATERING, BAR & FAVOURS | CHAMPAGNE TOWER The Bartender Noosa | CAKE Zoe Clark Cakes | TABLE STATIONERY & INVITATIONS FZK & Co Event | ENTERTAINMENT Graham Hobson Entertainment | CELEBRANT LoveWorx | TRANSFERS Stay Safe Transfers | PET CHAPERONE Pet Wedding Assistants |
