When Mike proposed to Claudia around her birthday, she knew she wanted to create a day that echoed them as a couple. Filled with special family moments, great friends, incredible food and endless laughter. They chose a venue that felt both chic and welcoming. A house flanked by gardens in a big, leafy estate in Sydney’s Southern Highlands.
With a show-stopping dress change, the cutest flower girls you ever saw, and an idyllic homestead backdrop that’d made Beatrix Potter cry, you’ll want to recreate every stunning detail of this incredible celebration.
Here, Claudia gives her recount of the vision for her and Mike’s big day, shares her memory of the proposal, and dishes all the details of the wonderful vendors who made her fairytale wedding come to life!
THE PROPOSAL //
My now husband Mike, told me he had organised a ‘birthday surprise’ for me. We went down to our local beach where he had hired a little boat and he told me we were going to one of the private beaches nearby for a picnic. I was setting up the blanket and when I turned around he was on one knee. It was such a perfect afternoon, and one I’ll never forget. He also organised for both of our families to meet us afterwards for ‘my birthday’ so that we could surprise them with the news (and the ring!) all together.
The Most Memorable Moment //
THE VISION //
Our vision was to make it as intimate and true to us as we could. We didn’t want anything too over the top. We wanted to create thoughtful elements throughout the day that spoke to us as a couple and made our guests feel really special as well. An example of these are personalised notes as the bonbonnieres – we explained to each guest what they meant to us, and sealed it with a wax seal with our initials. We carried that style throughout the wedding, with decals that matching the invitations, that matched the coasters – it all carried through.
YOUR DAY IN YOUR WORDS //
I remember us both feeling so much happiness on the day, it felt intimate enough that we got to spend time with most of our guests and all the little details that we chose ourselves and that were important to us really made it our perfect day.
We also had a nod to my Scottish heritage during the ceremony, where I invited my sister to read a short passage explaining the importance of the Scottish quaiche. She then, as a surprise, asked my dad and his Scottish nephews to join us at the front, and sip malt whisky from the quaiche, in honour of my late Scottish Aunty, who passed the year before.
THE ADVICE THEY’D GIVE TO ANOTHER COUPLE //
THE DRESS //
First look: Danielle Frankel
Second look: Alex Perry
THE VENUE //
Somerley House, Sutton Forest, New South Wales
THE CREDITS //
Photographer // Blumenthal Photography
Videographer // Soda Films
Flowers // Sammy Bate from Foliar
Catering// The Blonde Butler
Hair // Airlie & Co
Make Up // Emma Gerrie Make Up Artist
Stylist/Planner // Bex Newton, Events by Bex
Invitations // The Knot
Suits // Brent Wilson
Celebrant // Aniella Batten
Stationary/Decals // Kate Porter Design
Fragrance // Maison Francis
