Feels like home: Kirsty and Brad say ‘I do’ in romantic vineyard wedding

When Brad Turner locked eyes with Kirsty Hunt across the room at a Phillip Island hotel he knew she was the one.

Just over six years later Brad, 29, proved it to be true, marrying Kirsty, 28, in their romantic vineyard wedding.

The Mornington couple, whose birthdays are just two weeks apart, got engaged on their annual birthday weekend away to Crown Melbourne. Just before heading out for dinner, Brad took the moment to pop the question. “He grabbed my hand put it to his heart so I could feel his heart beating, he then proceeded to get down on one knee,” recalls Kirsty. “August 1st will always be precious to us both.”

The cosmetic nurse and builder wanted to keep their big day close to home, marrying at St James the Less Anglican Church in Mount Eliza on April 22, 2016. One hundred and seventeen family and friends watched on as beautiful bride Kirsty made her way down the aisle of the historic church. “It was where I was baptised as a child,” Kirsty says. “It’s a place that always felt like home.”

The reception was held at Stillwater at Crittenden Estate, which the bride describes as their “dream venue”. “We knew it was the one as soon as we laid eyes on it, it is vineyard meets country meets the coast. Brad and I also loved that it was right on our doorstep on the Mornington Peninsula.”

The couple says keeping the wedding close to home was an important aspect of their big day.

“It made it that bit extra special so all our family and friends would be able to attend and enjoy the beautiful setting, great food, drinks and enjoy the best tunes by The Baker Boys,” Kirsty says.

Photos courtesy of Perla Photography.

Brad was charged with organising two things: the band and the suits. “I loved the surprise when I got to walk down the aisle and see what he was wearing,” smiles Kirsty.

 

Kirsty had her dream dress custom made, “I sourced all my fabric myself and had a design in mind… I couldn’t be happier, it was perfect,” she says.

“We wanted a romantic, elegant style that our friends and family could take part in, my cousin wrote our personal prayer for the ceremony which was beautiful!” Kirsty says.

“With Brad loving the beach I knew we had to include this in our day, we decided on Mornington Beach for our photographs with the bridal party captured by Perla Photography,” Kirsty says.

“I loved how Brad was just happy to make me happy with all the wedding details,” Kirsty says of the wedding planning.

Video by Perla Photography.