Don’t let the bright blue skies deceive you; this beautiful rustic wedding took place right in the middle of winter! Australian winters often come through with great weather, and these cosy nuptials found the perfect setting at Stones of the Yarra Valley in Victoria.
With picturesque grounds and a barn that was just perfect for the exchanging of vows, Stones was the ideal venue, and the newlyweds made sure to add little touches to personalise the space for their special day. From the mismatched bridesmaids’ dresses with leather jackets to the sweet table names and wedding favours, this celebration of love was also very much a really fun party!
Keeping the colour palette warm and simple, all that white and green simply meant that the copper accents and wooden textures were able to pop. Many thanks to Sayher Hefferman for capturing the beautiful smiles and joy of the day.
Mao Ling: “It was a really sweet moment for me, hearing his vows on the day to love me fiercely, in front of our close friends and relatives. That was followed by the exchanging of rings, where I couldn’t stop laughing, as his hands were just so sweaty! He kept apologising for his sweaty palms, which happens when he’s really nervous, and it was really cute. That made me realise how nervous he was, waiting for me to walk down the aisle.
“I also enjoyed doing the dance to ‘We Are All In This Together’ with my bridal party – it made me appreciate how much they matter to me! I wanted them to feel pretty as well, so I decided on the mismatched bridesmaids’ dresses, as everyone’s body shape is different and I wanted to give them the liberty of choosing a style they liked. I’m not a fan of fur coats, so I opted for leather jackets instead to keep warm as it was winter!
“We also wanted our table names to be different yet relatable and memorable, so we named them according to the values we treasure: love, patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, peace and joy. Now we have them displayed around our home – a wonderful reminder of the day!”
Anselm: “I think there were two standouts of the day: the walk in and the short few minutes we had before the rose petal ceremony. I teared up when the first bridesmaid walked in, then, okay, maybe I cried, seeing my beloved bride walk down the aisle. At that moment, I felt like I was the happiest and most blessed person on this Earth. The other time was when we were waiting upstairs before the rose petal ceremony, after we were officially husband and wife. We both looked at one another and said, ‘We’re married!’ It was so surreal, just pure bliss and excitement to embark on this journey with her.
“I’ve always wanted a destination wedding, one completely different to where I grew up, which was KL. Despite us getting married at the peak of winter, the winery was still so lush and green. Our wedding colours were green and white with a touch of copper, as we wanted a rustic yet elegant feel.”
Tips from the bride: “When you go for your bridal gown fitting, do it with the same inners you’re going to wear on your special day and with the same shoes. You don’t want any unexpected surprises on the actual day. Also, remember to take a moment on the day to just embrace the whole celebration. Remember to stop and take a moment with your spouse to remember this special moment forever. The day just passes by way too fast. This piece of advice was given to us by a friend and I couldn’t agree with it more!”
Tips from the groom: “Just enjoy the process! This experience only happens once in a lifetime, and trust me, time flies! No doubt there will be disagreements throughout your wedding preparations but just constantly remind yourself of who you’re doing this with, and why!”
MAO LING & ANSELM {Australia}
Photography by Sayher Hefferman / Videography by Where’s The Fish Productions / Venue Stones of the Yarra Valley, Victoria / Number of Guests 130 / Bridal Gown by Wedding Isle, Fame and Partners / Bride’s Shoes by Shoes of Prey / Hair and Makeup by Marlene Neysa (bride), Pheny (bridesmaids) / Wedding Jewellery by Rutherford Pearls / Groom’s Attire by Oscar Hunt, Benjamin Barker / Wedding Bands by Janai Jewellery / Bridesmaids’ Dresses by BNKR, The Iconic / Groomsmen’s Attire by Peter Jackson, Topman / Styling by The Details Co. / Flowers and Décor by Cecilia Fox / Wedding Cake by Missladybird Cakes / Wedding Favours by Sketch & Etch / Art and Stationery by Mickey Loves Jacqui / DJ by Top Dog Entertainment
{Read more about this in the magazine}