Set amidst the Daylesford countryside Nikita and Harley’s romantic wedding drew together their favourite humans, young and old.
Unfolding in an olive orchard and flanked by a bridal party in vibrant suits and dusky pinks dresses, this couple tied the knot in an emotive ceremony before exploring the surrounding countryside, capturing golden, sunlit portraits.
Returning to a relaxed reception (think giant Jenga games played in competitive fashion, infinite wood fired pizza and a magnificent, triple tiered drizzle wedding cake), this celebration epitomised all things effortless, rustic and magic.
Gorgeous #rcrealbride Nikita married the man of her dreams Harley in our Fredricka wedding dress by Maggie Sottero on the 4th of March 2017 at Providence Gully.
Photography : Joseph Willis
THE FIRST SIGHT
Harley and I met when we both played for the same Football/Netball club nearly 9 years ago.
THE PROPOSAL
Harley had booked a holiday for my birthday in the Whitsundays, I was also Heavily Pregnant at the time. He used my love of the Ocean/diving and had organised a beautiful day out on the Reef, we had been out all-day swimming with the fishes on a 33-degree day it was perfect. The boat stopped on one of the islands for lunch I was happily sitting in the sun on the sand when Harley wandered off, I took know notice what so ever, (baby brain had well and truly kicked in).
He started waving me down wanting me to look at something in the sand behind some rocks, to his amazement I wasn’t exactly obliging due to being pregnant extra weight and the combination of salt and sand (chafe) I wasn’t moving. What took a lot of convincing and Harley getting pretty annoyed, I made the walk over to him, he looked rather nervous, I looked down where he had written in the sand WILL YOU MARRY ME, down on one knee crying, and me feeling absolutely horrible I obviously accepted and was over the moon with happiness. The proposal summed up our relationship and personalities perfectly, which made it that much more special. We were finally at that point in our lives where everything felt right, we had grown as people and matured with each other as a couple.
THE VENUE
Providence Gully was the second Venue we looked at, and was picked to suit our personalities, we wanted a venue where both the ceremony and reception could be held. We are both extremely laid back and that’s exactly how we wanted our wedding, relaxed and rustic countryside, when we drove into Providence Gully it all started to look perfect, the nature, flowers, birds, everything was falling into place. Harley was sold, I on the other hand am a little more indecisive, until we were showed possible areas to hold the ceremony, the area that stood out the most was a very private and remote olive orchard, all that crossed my mind was my Nono would have been so proud, (we both shared a love for eating a whole jar of olives to ourselves) and although I knew he wouldn’t be there it made me feel warm and I was also in. We made our decision then and there.
FAVOURITE MOMENT
Our Vows, ever since we first started dating and talked about our future, the typical young love talking about marriage, we always said we would write our own vows. They meant more than words can describe, especially Harley’s he literally had the whole room in tears.
THE DRESS
I felt like the dress was made for my body, it was everything I could have imagined and more. It was perfect and ticked all the boxes that I had wished for.
FINDING THE ONE
My experience was so Stress free, the honesty and heart felt advice was greatly appreciated. My mum and I honestly had no idea how much to expect for a wedding dress and hadn’t set a budget, but the staff were extremely respectful and weren’t trying to sell us the most expensive dress in the shop, there was a mutual respect and a bond made within 5 minuets, my consultant knew my body type and worked well to cater for the areas I liked and didn’t like.
ADVICE FOR OTHER BRIDES
On your Wedding day, everything will fall into place, the little things that may have been forgotten really don’t matter. Try to stay calm and positive. At the end of the day the only thing that’s really important is marrying the one you love, in front of the people you love.
Watch the wedding of Nikita and Harley come to life, filmed by Moon and Back
Photographer Joseph Willis / Videographer Moon and Back / Catering Event Wood Fire Pizza / Flowers Jenny Burke Florist