Elegance with a twist: Emily and James’ vintage wedding

Emily Bennett and James Birdsey met when they were just 16, but it wasn’t until years later that love really blossomed.

“After we left school we went our own ways and I moved to Sydney for college,” Emily, a make-up artist, explains. “After a few years away I decided to move back to the Hunter [Valley] and caught up with an old friend – James. We went out for a high-class dinner (aka McDonald’s) and from that point on we haven’t looked back. It was love.”

The unconventional Newcastle pair soon had a baby girl together and moved in, with James, also 23, later proposing under an archway he’d lit with fairy lights.

“We are both very non-traditional,” Emily, 23, says. “So we had a casual-vibe wedding.”

The couple spent a year planning their vintage wedding, which was held at gorgeous Mindaribba House after their original venue cancelled just months from the big day.

The bride says the historic Hunter homestead turned out to be the ideal choice for their ceremony and reception, which was held on September 27, 2015 celebrated with 80 guests.

“Our wedding was unique,” Emily says. “It wasn’t a sit-down but a classy cocktail [wedding.] Our guests surrounded the outdoor pool on boho day beds, danced to our live band, took photos in the photo booth [courtesy of OMG Photobooths] and relaxed on the vintage lounges inside.

“The styling and the vibe were beyond perfect.”

Photos courtesy of Bless Photography.

Lava Stationary created gorgeous invitations with a touch of sparkle.

The unique wedding bouquet was dominated by vibrant red poppies.

Emily’s beautiful art deco-style gown was complemented by an almost gothic plum lip.

Cateraid catered the couple’s special day.

Custom Favours provided personalised honey jars as gifts for the guests.