Set against the dark timber of a black barn, Gabrielle and Ross’ wedding day featured textured florals, stone-cut signage, and a timeline designed to feel relaxed. They skipped the altar line-up, seating their closest people in the front row instead. They also didn’t want to say long vows in front of an audience so those were shared privately earlier in the day. Their main ceremony lasted just five minutes. “It felt incredibly special to share that intimate moment between the two of us alone reminiscing on the six years we’ve spent together”, the bride said.

While the ceremony was short, the reception was anything but. A live band soundtracked the party before handing things over to a DJ and black-lit after-party that turned the space into an EDM club.

Aesthetics and design were very important to this pair. They crafted their own granite table numbers and signage. “We saved money by purchasing granite and cutting it ourselves,” said Gabrielle. “It helped us stay within budget while adding a personal touch.” Florals were their biggest splurge, but by choice. They wanted the room to feel immersive. Everything had weight, texture, colour. Another distinctive feat was the ice sculpture that held their signature drinks.

Managing other people’s expectations turned out to be one of the hardest parts of planning. “Balancing our vision for the day with the desires and opinions of family and friends required careful consideration and communication,” Gabrielle admitted. “However, looking back, I can confidently say that there isn’t anything we didn’t do for our wedding that we wish we had. We took the time to carefully consider every aspect and as a result, our day turned out to be beyond perfect.” We felt satisfied with our choices and the overall execution of our vision.”

Her advice for others? Make space for each other. “Prioritise spending quality time together on your wedding day. The best moments are those shared with each other, so make an effort to create space to connect amidst the chaos.”