Perricoota Station Wedding

Mat + Liz

 

Liz was a seriously super organised Bride, and booked me in almost 2 years in advance of her New Years Eve wedding. Which is awesome for many reasons, but also made the wait soooooo long! The anticipation and build up to this one was really special, because I’d been looking forward to it for SO long. We stayed in touch the entire 2 years, and every time we chatted, she would tell me all the updated plans, and each time she told me the updated plans I would get more and more excited 😀

Liz had booked Perricoota Station in Moama. A venue I’d always wanted to photograph a wedding at. And she and Mat were so damn chilled out, it was seriously just so easy with these two legends.

Mat and Liz are GREAT friends (to each other, but also their friendship group). Like, so generous and thoughtful beyond most normal friendships. Their friendship group is more like family, from what I witnessed.
I figured this out pretty quickly on the morning of the wedding. All the girls, and all the boys got ready in the one (GIGANTIC) AirBNB in Echuca. Mat + Liz wanted their friends to have a holiday as well as celebrate their wedding with them. No one was stressed. Everyone was laughing and smiling. It was *really* nice.

 

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I asked the girls to go and hang out it the master suite, so I could photography the boys in private before they headed off to the venue.

 

What a good looking bunch of roosters.

And then once we were done, I sent the boys on their way and informed the girls they could come out of hiding.

Liz had her Grandma, and Mum there, as well as her Bridesmaids. Look at her Grandma looking at her, total awe.

The girls helped Liz get her beautiful Jack Sullivan dress on, while her Mumma looked on with pride.

Lots of jokes, laughs… a little bit of dancing, and still no signs of nerves! Liz obviously chose SO well with the company she chose to keep on the day. This bunch of girls? The most supportive bunch of babes!

When Liz came out with her dress on, her friend who had flown in from overseas, and her Dad were there awaiting. Their reactions are kind of priceless.

With everyone dressed and looking amazing, it was time to jump in the cute blue Kombi they had hired and hightail it to Perricoota Station, where the most beautiful ceremony was set up amongst the shade of the Murray River.
Stunning custom signage and the most beautiful circular arbor were set up. These guys really paid attention to detail, and you can just see what a difference it makes!

Mat was waiting nervously at the arbor, chatting with the boys as the Kombi drove down the long dirt driveway of the homestead.
… and the most beautiful surprise before Liz made her entrance…
They had asked their Grandma’s to be the FLOWER GIRLS!
So.
Fricken.
CUTE!!!

They almost… ALMOST stole the spotlight. But not for long… It was Liz’s turn.
She had her Dad and her Step-Dad walk her down the aisle.
Mat watched on with the most genuine happy-tear smile ever.
I must admit, watching Mat’s face focus on Liz as she walked down the aisle did make me wipe away a few happy-tears of my own (which I always strategically hide with my camera!)

The ceremony was BEAUTIFUL. Just really real. And raw. And happy.
These guys clearly, CLEARLY have the greatest and strongest love for each other. They’ve been together for a really long time, but you wouldn’t have known with the way they both glowed with excitement.

 

While the guests enjoyed some beverages under the gum tree’s and took in the stunning Murray River backdrop, I stole the bridal party for some quick photos before they headed into the reception to PARTY.

 

These guys were serious #SquadGoals
You could tell they had grown up together and been friends for so long. No awkwardness. No-one on their best behaviour (Cos who wants that?!). Everyone just… relaxed!
Which made Mat + Liz relaxed.
Which made me relaxed!

I seriously can’t get enough of these photos. I just genuinely love these guys so much.

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Onto the reception now…

This place was styled to PERFECTION.

Florals errywhere. Donut Station. Caricature man on site to sketch everyone’s picture (You should see mine – It’s hilarious!)
Did I mention, DONUT STATIONNNNN?

So time for the Bridal Party to be introduced, and I was excited because each of the couples had been practising their entrance all day, ha!

First up, Liam and Jake entered carrying Tamara – Because how else would you arrive when you’re in a trio??
Next, Belinda and Michael rode their imaginary horses in.
Then we had Luke and Kim with their choreographed number…

You couldn’t possibly set up a better intro… for Mr + Mrs…. Christie!!

Who went straight in to their first dance, which was just magic. Beneath the stunning lights and architecture of the old Woolshed.

And if you look closely, you can see the bridal party swaying there hands in support – Cute!

… And it wouldn’t be a first dance if you didn’t finish with a bridal waltz with your entire bridal party 🙂

Up next, were speeches. Where we heard cracking stories from Mat’s Dad, Liz’s Mum. As well as Luke (Best Man) and Kim (Maid of honour).

 

And then Luke and Kim combined forces to put the new couple through their paces. And in their words “It wouldn’t be a party without a party game”

So Mat and Liz had to sit on chairs, back to back and face away from each other. They then had to take off their shoes, and give one to the other person, so they had one of their own, and one from their partner. Luke and Kim would then ask them questions like “Who is messier” or “Who wears the pants in the relationship” and they had to answer by holding up the shoe of the person they thought was correct.

So much fun! And we found out some pretty funny facts too!

Liz + Mat – I bloody love you guys! So so much. I am SO glad that you picked me to hang out with you on your wedding day. I had an incredible time, and am glad I now get to call you friends too.
I hope you never change.

Best. Wedding. EVERRRRRR!!

Big Love, Leah
~ xoxo ~

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Wedding Vendors:

Photography: Me! (Click here to see more weddings)

Venue: Perricoota Station

Dress: Jack Sullivan

Suits: Roger David

Hair: Bendigo Beauty & Hair

Makeup: Jaime Adelle Makeup

Styling and Bouquets: Style by Ashleigh K

Cake: DIY by Liz (Whatttt!!!)

Celebrant: David Hickman

Caricature Artist: Anthony Pascoe

Furniture: Heartwood Hire

Band: Essence Due

Kombi: Fisch & Co

Invites/Signage: Morgi Mac Design

Place settings: Wooden Letters Australia