Armed with a $35,000 (AUD) budget, Kelli and Gerard set about finding themselves a venue to host their day. They settled on Gum Gully Farm, situated in the beautiful foothills of the Dandenong Ranges near Melbourne, a rustic and intimate space that felt just perfect for them as it was laid back and easygoing. It also had the perk that they were able to bring in their alcohol for the staff to serve, which helped to keep costs down.

Kelli’s favourite part of planning was being able to have a custom made dress. “I really enjoyed the wedding dress experience it was a great to get together with my mum and closest gal pals for a drink and try on different dresses. I found that the style I had in mind before trying anything on changed dramatically once the process started and that the dresses I fell in love with were way out of my budget. Getting a dress made using my ideas made it cheaper and a truly personal experience.”