Bright and wild romance: Helen and Shane’s garden wedding at Kalinya Estate

Many couples we speak with dream of a destination weekend where loved ones can stay under one roof, and Helen and Shane achieved exactly that for their 70-guest celebration at Kalinya Estate.

The festivities kicked off on Friday night with Italian-themed welcome drinks on the verandah, complete with woodfired pizzas and Aperol Spritzes. “Kalinya being a DIY venue worked for us because it meant we got to choose which alcohol was served throughout the weekend,” Helen shares. The main day began with the bridal parties getting ready separately on site before guests gathered in the rose gardens. Helen walked down the rose-lined aisle under the vine-covered trellis, leading to a ceremony officiated by Jaime Meaker alongside Helen’s brother as honorary celebrant. The couple curated a seamless flow across the grounds, moving from a post-ceremony cocktail hour by the pond to an evening of dinner, speeches, and dancing in the Carriagehouse.

To bring their “bright and wild” aesthetic to life, Helen and Shane relied heavily on the estate’s recommended vendor list. Shane and his groomsmen looked sharp in custom three-piece suits from InStitchu, while the rest of the supplier lineup came together effortlessly. “We basically chose all recommended vendors from Kalinya,” Helen notes. “Our theory was they would know the venue well, and potentially each other, and therefore the day would be seamless. Our theory was right!” Lime Tree Bower crafted lush, colourful florals, while PB Catering delivered a sharing-style menu featuring slow-cooked beef cheek, salmon, and an espresso martini tower courtesy of Adore and Pour’s retro caravan. Coordinator Jess from Planned by Page handled the day’s timing, and photographer Rachel Gutierrez captured every moment from morning prep to late-night dancing with Baker Boys Band. Looking back on the full weekend, Helen says:

"Kalinya [Estate] had all this and so much more, hot tub, swimming pool, sauna, squash courts, pickleball courts, tennis courts, golf simulator just to mention a few unexpected additions. It made the wedding more of a weekend away vibe, which is the fun casual inclusive vibe we had envisioned".

Helen

This celebration was beautifully captured by Rachel Gutierrez Photography.