Corina and Ian

A little nod to our southern friends today- a beautiful beach side wedding in Tasmania! In fact today’s couple Corina and Ian loved Tasmania so much, they traveled from Adelaide just to marry at their favourite place- Avalon Coastal Retreat.

Avalon holds a special place in Corina’s heart- it was where Ian proposed! “Last August, Ian (my now husband) tricked me into believing a friend had offered us free accommodation in Tassie. He assured me it was just a shack but when we arrived I discovered it was Avalon! A couple of days into our stay we walked to Wine Glass Bay lookout where we found a quiet spot where Ian proposed. He had planned everything 6 months earlier! We couldn’t imagine our wedding day to be anywhere else but at Avalon.”

Today’s gorgeous photographs are by Jonathan Wherrett.

There was no bridal party for Corina and Ian- just loved ones gathered around them. Corina’s creamy peony bouquet was created by Fig.

Corina walked down the aisle by herself to Maestro from the movie “The Holiday” played by Strings On Fire.

Of their gorgeous laid back Australian reception, Corina says “We wanted the day to be relaxed with canapés and champagne after the ceremony followed by a sit down lunch. We loved the idea of a long table with acoustic guitar played in the background whilst we ate.

People could come and go as they pleased, wonder down to the beach, have their picture taken at Jonathan’s photo booth or sit on the deck. We had simple table decorations consisting of roses for the table and gladdy’s inside.

Name cards, Menus and napkins were tied together with ribbon with a starfish on top. Inside we had candles & shells in hurricane lamps scattered around the room. We didn’t want to over do the decorations as Avalon and the scenery was perfect as it was.” The reception was catered by Angassi Restaurant from Bay Of Fires. 

Corina says “We anticipated the weather in Tassie to be intermittent. The morning of the wedding was windy and cloudy  however when I walked out the sun shone …. it was magical. However after entrée and the speeches a big black cloud blew over us and it poured and we were sitting outside for dinner! When the rain passed we took the tablecloths off the tables and continued with the next course! Lucky it was 26 degrees (C) “.

One of Corina’s favourite memories happened during the speeches “I loved the speeches from our parents and friends and not to mention my groom’s speech especially when he announced we are going to Paris for our honeymoon!”

A big thank you to Corina and Ian for sharing their special day with us today on Polka Dot Bride! Congratulations! Thank you also to Jonathan Wherrett for sending over today’s wedding!

Photos by Jonathan Wherrett.

Welcome to the second part of Lucy and Andrew’s relaxed beachside wedding!

Lucy and Andrew’s dog Buddy was a very present member of the bridal party.

One long table was set up beside the house on the grounds of
Avalon Coastal Retreat and dotted with succulents and grasses.

Thank you to Lucy and Andrew for allowing us to share your beautiful wedding day on Polka Dot Bride and thank you also to Jonathan Wherrett for sharing his captures of the day with us for the blog!

Photos by Jonathan Wherrett

Lucy and Andrew

Today’s real wedding is so amazingly reflective of the beauty of the Australian landscape that I couldn’t wait to share it. A relaxed beach side wedding which was beautiful in it’s simplicity and nod to the beauty of the surroundings.

Lucy and Andrew married last month at the Avalon Coastal Retreat on Tasmania’s East Coast. The ceremony took place on the beach while the house on the property (designed by Rosevear Arcihtects) was the stage for the reception.

The photos today are by Tasmanian photographer Jonathan Wherrett

The stunning Tasmanian coastline

Lucy assembled her own bouquet using flowers from the local market.

The couple wore thongs (flip flops) all day

Lucy’s niece wore a fairy costume for the wedding day.

While the bride and her maids bustled to get ready, Andrew took a more relaxed approach.

Check back later this afternoon for the beautiful, relaxed portrait shots and the beautiful reception!

Photos by Jonathan Wherrett

Earlier today I shared Rebecca and Matthew’s preparation and vows covered by Tasmanian photographer Jonathan Wherrett. Now it’s time for the fun shoot and celebration!

The green vines really set off this next fun series!

Guests celebrated during cocktail hour on the courtyard under market umbrellas while photos were snapped.

Rebecca and Matthew’s reception was held in the Barrel Room of Meadowbank

Each table was lit with tealights held in tealight holders which resembled bare tree branches accented with glittering crystals. The chocolate cupcake wedding cake was by A Piece Of Cake, Rebecca and Matthew created a lolly buffet as a treat to their guests. Many bubbles were drunk!

Guests took home their lollies in pink and grey flowered boxes.

They danced to “Are You There Now” by Anathema (Acoustic version)

Celebratory bubbles!

It seems only fitting the end the story of Rebecca and Matthew’s wedding with this photo- which echos the line from their wedding vows of “I will love you more than suns, moons and stars and I will always be there for you”.

To Rebecca and Matthew- congratulations on your marriage! I wish you all the joy and happiness you could hope for in your marriage together! Thankyou to Jonathan Wherrett for sharing the photos with Polka Dot Bride!