Wedding | Rua & Billy

2 minutes ago

8 min read

Tell us a little about yourselves!

We met in 2017 and dressed the same accidentally on our first date. It took a little while logistically to actually get to the first date. I (Rua) took a photo of the beautiful boy I was on a first date with, I knew he was my guy.

Eleanna Hingston (my make-up artist) and I worked together all those years ago. It was so funny when doing my bridal make-up, she was reminding me how smitten I was when we first started dating.

We both clicked instantly, with aligned love of life, family and friends. Our families quickly swallowed the other, welcoming into the chaos and joy with open arms. Friends of each of us became friends of ‘ours’. It was like we were just made for one another, we’d been just waiting to meet! Given I was from NZ and Billy from the UK, it was fate that brought us both together in Melbourne where we set up and got a house and dog. Life together has always felt like the most natural thing in the world.

Why did you decide to get married where you did?

We had some very specific requirements of a venue - gorgeous gardens, great food and wine, space for little ones to run around, flexibility to work with us on a schedule and using locations on their grounds that felt right for us. The grounds on a warm day are heaven. My grandparents (Rua) have a big garden in central Auckland in NZ. The gardens reminded me of theirs and I was told their influence was one of the original designers of the gardens there.

We also wanted a place that had nice rooms with green outlooks, in a place outside of the city that could accommodate us and our loved ones so we could spend two amazing days and nights just being ‘us’ together, unencumbered by logistics and moving here and there. Somewhere we could enjoy the moment together. There will never be a time those same people so close to our hearts will all be in one place. It was the best two days.

One of my favourite things in the world is dappled sunlight through lush green leaves, something Billy thought of when designing my engagement ring with The Line of Sun. We’re nature kids, happiest when outside and with our people.

How many guests did you have?

We ended up having a perfectly rounded 100 guests, which was the perfect number. Most of that was family to be honest! Friends and family travelled from around the world to be there.

What was your budget?

I work in events for work, so basically worked it backwards - we discussed our most important ideals and agreed the music, flowers and photography/videography were the things that would both set the scene and capture the memories. Because I’ve worked in galleries, events, branding agencies I had a really clear vision of a simple, paired back and elegant styling proposal. The good thing is knowing a starting point per person, as we worked through the budget vs wants, we were able to look at everything and work out where we could save and where we wanted to invest, keeping those 4 things in mind.

We had a few things happen once engaged that meant we postponed our wedding, but that gave way to more time to ideate, meet the vendors that matched our energy and were genuine, saw the vision and could bring it to life. We looked at a plan, made a suitable budget and then worked it down from there.

I learned from furniture design and art, that when you refine and practice restraint and use creativity to solve problems, the outcome will be unique, crafted and thoughtful.

Tell us about your outfits.

My dress was actually made by my great-grandmother who was an incredible dressmaker in the 1920s-1950s in NZ. She was fiercely independent and supported her family during tough economic times through her amazing dresses, eventually opening her own shop. The dress was made with beautiful Chantilly lace. I asked my Aunt who had worn the dress in the 90s for her wedding if it was still intact. I flew home to NZ for a work trip and went and tried the very delicate dress on, I was then determined to see whether I could restore it or even part of the lace to wear, even if just for the ceremony. Thus began the big adventure and story of bringing the dress back to life.

I went to The National Archive Victoria and met a conservator and restorer, Larry Edwards. He really blew me away with how much he knew about design and fabrics. He does work restoring for museums, he also works to help with shows like the recent Westwood & CDG exhibition at The NGV. The first step was washing and re-hydrating it, then came the search for the lace to see if we would be able to repair and alter it at all. After a trip to NYC and The Met, the hunt began for the lace, which had to be from a dress of the same age/same era to match the Chantilly pattern. By some miracle, a dress was found and shipped to Australia, where we found it was a perfect match. This allowed us to play a bit more and create a dress that would honour my matriarchs before me, while feeling like ‘me’.

Honouring my Indian heritage on my Father’s side, I decided to go with a two-piece and when we landed on the idea, it felt so right. Like with our home, finding perfect pieces, collecting over time was really fun. Once I knew the dress was salvageable and we had a plan for the two-piece design, I started looking at accessories and shoes. Something classic with a twist for the shoes and vintage openwork Lacroix earrings.

For Billy’s suit, him and the groomsmen went to Oscar Hunt and got made-to-measure suits. They made it fun and easy, even taking the overseas measurements and everything fit just perfectly. Billy wore a cream tux blazer and classic black pants, tying into the overall modern classical look.

What was the most important aspect for you, in terms of planning your wedding?

Focusing on what the feeling and experience of our guests over the two days would be, especially since they’d all travelled to be there. We wanted a very unique ceremony, with our vows written especially. We also wanted a second day together with everyone to chat about the wedding party, get to sit and talk with everyone and see all the little ones who were so well looked after by a local nanny service. We wanted it to feel like a holiday, like we were on our own little island and we achieved that. It was private, secluded and we were so happy to have a cohort of cute little nieces and nephews running around the grounds. Allowing all our friends and family who are parents to have their kids nearby, safe and watched over allowed us all to really enjoy the night. Some of the older kids came and had a boogie with us too.

Being able to get DJ JNETT, one of our favourite DJs to go see live over the years of dating and getting to know each other was such a perfect touch and set the mood for the outdoor dance party, with festoon lights and Billy’s giant disco ball (he was in charge of the dance floor!).

Were there any elements that were important for you to incorporate?

Every decision, the location, what we wore, choosing the menu and drinks was all really personal to us, it was an ode to our love for one another, but also the people who make our lives so full and joyful. Choosing the bridesmaids’ dresses to reflect their individual personalities, together the girls looked like dappled sunlight through leaves - that was the vision!

Unfortunately the Victorian weather Gods had other plans and it was a sweltering 40 degree day, so we were forced indoors, but Saltflower and the venue moved to our Plan B option, using the restaurant for our ceremony which was still really beautiful.We also picked rose petals from the garden of our new house over summer leading up to our big day and used those as confetti, which was stunning and they had the most beautiful soft rose scent.

Creating distinctive indoor/outdoor moments to make the most of the venue and all the beautiful spaces was also a key point. Our ceremony was meant to be out among the conifers and vineyards, but it was a hot day (around 37-40 degrees) so we moved to Plan B in the beautiful restaurant indoors and did the reception in air-con, before moving back outside down in their stunning courtyard with festoon lights, great speakers and a giant disco ball, with DJ JNETT spinning tunes - these shifts and our recovery day picnic on the lawns gave guests mood shifts to keep things interesting and exciting.

Any tips for couples getting married?

Do what feels right for you - trust your quirky little heart. If you have a creative idea and want to try something out, back yourself, play, refine and craft. Prioritise things that will add to the atmosphere, but also if you’re determined to do something however ridiculous, just work it out and try it. Some of the smallest details will bring you a strange amount of joy (like hand written name cards).

Keep a ‘memories box’ for things you want to keep after the day, like dried flowers, printed pieces. We also purchased one of the beautiful vases used for the flowers on the tables afterwards. Last one is practical - as you plan, collate logistical things, like your run sheet and a shot list of photos so it’s not all left to do at the end. Notify your favourite friends who you want to be the last standing with you at the end of the night.

The photos and video should be done by people whose work moves you and you feel comfortable with. After the moment, the photos and videos are the lasting memories that you get to keep and look back on time and time again.

Are there any vendors that you would like to tell us a little more about?

Every single person who worked with us to bring some part of this magical moment to life was pretty special. When talking in emails, texts, DMs and on video calls connecting with the people behind the creativity was also important.

The girls at Saltflower were the first people we locked in, after chatting about my grandparents’ garden and our vision for organic and unexpected forms.

Eleanna Hingston is truly the most special woman and made all the girls and my mum feel like beautiful queens - she is so great at highlighting natural features of very different complexions and faces to bring together a look.

Keryn Sweeney felt like hanging out with a friend for the day, we felt so calm and comfortable. I searched for a long time to find a photographer who I loved before coming across Keryn’s IG page. She captured the personalities of people and the atmosphere of moments so well. Artistic and intimate.

We’re so happy with the photos, some beautiful shots of our special day and people we love so much.

Also, Friday Event Hire were incredible and have a really nice hire range. They also helped to make the disco ball possible!

Photographer: Keryn Sweeney @kerynsweeneyphotographer | Videographer: Sommar Films @so

mmarfilms | Planning & Styling: by Rua | Flora: Saltflower @saltflower | Ceremony & Reception Location: Lancemore Lindenderry Red Hill @lancemoreevents | Catering & Beverages: Lancemore Lindenderry Red Hill @lancemoreevents | Celebrant: Jane Mackinlay @lovejane_celebrant | Hire: Friday Hire @friday.hire | HMUA: Eleanna Hingston @eleannamua | Hair: Krownd Hair @krownd_hair | Cake: Holy Sugar @holysugar__ | Stationery: by Rua | Entertainment: DJ Jnett @djjnett | Veils: Carte Blanche Bride @carteblanchebride & Cortana @cortanabrides | Engagement Ring: The Line of Sun @theline