Unexpected detour leads to Shannon and Brad’s luxe rustic wedding

An unexpected detour on the way to her event management graduation ensured bride Shannon was given a proposal to remember.

Now-husband Brad was driving Shannon’s parents to the event when he stopped by a city jeweller.

“He asked my parents for their blessing and together they created my dream wedding ring,” Shannon, 22, says.

“Weeks later, he proposed to me on the pier at our local lake where we often took our evening walks.”

Not long after, Brad, 29, took Shannon on a surprise birthday lunch where the couple fell in love with their future wedding venue – Stones of the Yarra Valley. “From that day we had both decided that no venue could compare,” Shannon says.

The couple held their luxe rustic wedding at their dream venue on November 24, 2017 in front of 90 friends and family.

Shannon styled the rustic-glam reception with help from Laurel & Grace’s Laura, who provided not only bouquets and buttonholes, but also event styling, placecards, welcome sign, table runners and the hanging installation.

“On the big day, I was so in awe of their work. Laura had gone above and beyond and everything was so much more beautiful than my expectations,” Shannon says.

Despite a few hiccups on the day, Shannon says there is nothing they would change. “I stayed calm and positive which made all the difference,” she says.

“I was very organised pre-wedding but ready for anything to happen on the day, which helped me make the most of it.”

Photos courtesy of Blossom Daisy Creative.

The couple’s rustic-luxe invitations were created by LilyKiss. “Lilykiss creates the type of wedding invitations that your guests are wowed by!” Shannon says.

“As a plus size young woman, finding a wedding dress was always a concern for me,” Shannon says. But she found her dream gown (and dream service) at Nifi Bridal.

EH Limo provided some stylish wheels for the big day.

“A photographer was the second most important part of the planning process to me (after the venue). Blossom Daisy Creative’s work matched my style and vision,” Shannon says.

“Brad and I had known each other for a long time. He went to school with my older sister and was best friends with her boyfriend. I have a strong relationship with my sister and would spend quite a lot of time with them, which is how we built a connection,” Shannon explains.

The couple had their cake created for them by Jessicakes, with a naked cake top tier and a rose gold-painted bottom tier. Shannon says, “Our cake was absolutely beautiful and tasted even better!”

“A good DJ can really determine how much fun you have on your wedding night and I would 100 per cent recommend Mercury DJ Hire,” Shannon says.

“Best decision we made,” praises the couple of choosing Apetura Studios to film their big day.

Video by Apetura Studios.