Bride with Bo and Luca Luna Hairpiece

Toni & Chris

Toni and Chris held their hinterland country hall wedding in the mountains of the Gold Coast. They wed in the gardens of the community run hall, before guests dined inside the hall under a foliage wrapped chandelier the couple made themselves. The spirits were high – the couple designing their day so everyone could feel as connected as possible. Lucas & Co were there to capture the day.

Toni remembers how they came to be. “We met at a music festival when our eyes clicked in a drinks line. We spent the day and night together before heading out for dinner after the festival.”

Bride putting on wedding gown

Bride getting ready

Toni wore the ‘Bridgette’ by Pia Gladys Perry gown from Bohemian Brides, explaining, “I chose a simple dress because I wanted to have a special headpiece, which I chose from Bo & Luca (Luna headpiece).  It wasn’t what I had pictured before I went looking but the dress suited me and I knew I would be able to boogie in it!

Kate from the boutique made the experience really lovely and was incredibly accommodating. I added some handmade elements to the dress including a simple belt my mother in law helped me make, beading across the drop back and my something old. A friend had found antique ribbon embroidered with my initials in a store many years ago. I had the ribbon sewn to the inside hemline of the dress (thanks again to my mother in law). ”

Bride in Pia Gladys Perry

Chalkboard wedding sign

Toni and Chris were married at Mt Nimmel Hall, Toni noting, “From the get go we wanted a small hall in the country that we could make our own and decorate just how we wanted. When we came across Mt Nimmel Hall we couldn’t believe how perfectly it suited us. It is run by volunteers in the local community.”  Toni and Chris made the welcome sign, amongst other things (friends and family photoboard, drinks menu, order of events sign, menu, chandeliers, bench for ladies toiletries, toilet signs (man punching bear and 50s housewife), wedding favours, name tags, table numbers, speech stand and bunting).

Bride walking down the aisle

Of her walk down the aisle, Toni remembers, “I’ve always loved the song from the opening credits in ‘Juno’, ‘All I Want Is You’ by Barry Louis Polisar. I had a fear that I was going to sob (read ugly crying) the whole way down the aisle and therefore wanted a happy song. My plan failed though. Our wonderful singer Tommy Sheehan, a local Gold Coast artist, made the song his own and had slowed it down to a beautifully romantic piece. Choking up ensued.”

Bride at end of aisle

Bridesmaids in mismtached gowns

Enchanted Flowers created the floral arrangements for the day.

Bride and groom during ceremony at Mt Nimmel HallCeremony at Mt Nimmel Hall

Lindsay Carroll  officiated the ceremony, Toni telling, “Our number one goal was to have a ceremony that made everyone feel connected. We wanted it to be personal and heartfelt. Our celebrant Lindsay had some lovely ideas to make our guests feel included. Lindsay entwined personal stories and information we had shared with her within her dialogue and this coupled with having written our own vows ensured it felt very much our day. We had two readings; ‘On Your Wedding Day’ Poem by Unknown and ‘Love is a Temporary Madness’ by Louis de Bernieres.”

Excited parents of newlyweds

Forest road wedding photo

Australian forest weddingBabbling brook wedding photo

Of their photographers, Toni remembers, “Sarah and Jason from Lucas & Co were lovely to work with. They were unobtrusive and were very quick to get a shot and move on to the next. We didn’t feel staged or unnatural at all. We loved that they were up for a bit of a bush bash so we could get down to a stream in the state forest to capture some amazing shots. Also, Sarah has great shoes!”

Australian bride with bridesmaids

Bridal aprty at forest wedding

Australian forest wedding locationAustralian mountain wedding

Toni recalls, “I loved going to take photos and having some quiet moments with my new husband and some fun with our wedding party. We stopped at an open field by the side of the road opposite a large barn. Shortly after, a band started jamming in the barn so we had a dance in the field. I still regret not going over and asking them to come and play the reception!”

Bohemian wedding bouquetAcoustic guitarist at wedding

Reception entrance at mountain wedding

Mt Nimmel Hall Speeches

The newlyweds and their guests started the evening off with speeches at dusk.

Mt Nimmel Hall Wedding Moments

Mt Nimmel Hall Wedding Toast

Happy guests at mountain wedding

Country Hall Wedding

The reception was held inside the Mt Nimmel Hall which was decorated with a rustic style chandelier made by the couple, Toni remembering, “We collected driftwood which Chris used to create two rectangular frames. We wrapped them with fairy lights and hung foliage from them, before hanging them from the roof over the tables.”

Wedding Favors

Homemade muesli was gifted to guests as a wedding favor.

Dresser with wedding cakesCountry hall wedding decor

The newlyweds made sure to hire a team who could support them on their day.  The Events Lounge coordinated everything on the day while Lovestruck Weddings styled the wedding. Toni notes “Rachael from The Events Lounge who provided an on the day wedding co-ordination for us was extremely easy to work with and her professionalism was superb.”

Mint wedding napkin

Toni notes, “I really enjoyed making our name cards which included an individualized greeting or message to our guests.”

Country Hall Wedding Gold CoastGold and mint cushions

Mt Nimmel Hall, Austinville

Speeches at Gold Coast Wedding

Wedding at Gold Coast Hall

Gold Coast hall Wedding

Rustic Gold Coast wedding venue

Laughing at Mt Nimmel Hall Wedding

Bride at gold coast weddingFirst dance with marquee lights

For their first dance, Toni and Chris chose Ottis Redding “How Strong My Love Is”.

Country hall dance floor

Dancing at country hall

Bride and groom at Mt Nimmel Hall

Brid eand groom at Mt Nimmel Hall

Dancing at gold coat wedding

Congratulations Toni and Chris! Thank you for sharing your day with us! Thank you also to Lucas & Co  for sharing today’s wedding with us!