Location: Freestone Hall // Photography: Renee Mulcahy Photography // Guests: 115
Packed with country charm, this Queensland wedding has our hearts with its relaxed vibe, beautiful style, and stunning rural backdrops. Lauren and Brodie looked to sentimental venue choices (both sets of parents married in this church) and simple pleasures when bringing together a celebration, both heartfelt and a whole lot of fun. The bride, an absolute stunner in Grace Loves Lace, takes us behind the scenes. Oh, happy day!
QB: All good love stories start somewhere; tell us how you met …
We are not really romantic, so our love story starts at an Australia Day party six years ago, where we both brushed each other off, haha.
QB: Tell us about your lives together …
Our life is easy together. Being married has honestly been a dream; it has come so naturally.
QB: Make us laugh and cry: who proposed to whom, and how?
We are simple people who enjoy living a simple life, so Brodie got down on one knee in the living room as I walked back from the kitchen. It was personal and sentimental without all the hoo-ha. It was just us.
QB: How & why did you choose your venues?
We had our ceremony at the St Mary’s Catholic Church which is a beautiful church that holds such grace. Both of our parents were married there, and they are both still in strong, loving marriages, so it was a sentimental connection to the church we both held. We had our reception at Freestone Hall which is a heritage hall dating back to 1900. My family owns and runs a dairy farm in Freestone, and has for generations, so holds emotional connections to the hall and the town itself.
QB: Tell us about your dress/suit choices …
Ever since high school, I’ve always known what sort of wedding dress I wanted. So, when I got engaged and saw that Grace Loves Lace had a long sleeved, lace dress with a train, I just knew that was my dress. Brodie and the groomsmen went with a classic black-and-white tux as my bridesmaids were all different colours and styles (they were a tad nervous when I told them they could choose their own dress in whatever style/colour they wanted haha).
QB: What was the inspiration behind your wedding style?
My inspiration was a simple, country wedding with soft pastel colours and just a whole lot of fun. I gathered my inspiration from a lot of Instagram pages and posts!
QB: If you had a hens/bucks/hucks, how did you celebrate?
We lived on the Sunshine Coast for a few years, so I celebrated my hens in Alexandra Headland with a brunch and afternoon at the surf club. Brodie celebrated his bucks up at Noosa.
QB: Best splurge/investment?
A good wedding photographer. At the end of the day, all you have is your photos (and, of course, your very special marriage), so being blessed with just magical moments is a dream come true. We are extremely over the moon with how well our photographer ran the day and the amazing photos we have forever!
QB: Best saving?
We had our reception at a country hall. It suited our vibe… having an over-the-top reception venue just wasn’t us. We saved a lot of money there!
QB: Did you incorporate any traditions or perhaps do something a little different?
Our church ceremony was traditional, but, in saying that, for the rest of the day, we just went with the flow! I wore light-up sneakers for the reception, which was probably a little different.
QB: Your First Dance song was …
Accidentally in Love by Counting Crows
QB: Funniest moments of the day?
There were a few, haha. One was the microphone at the church not working for Brodie’s vows (but working for mine)! All our guests cracked up. Another was the power going out during the speeches. The DJ could still play and have their lights going, so it was time to dance anyway!
QB: Do you have a special mention for any stand-out vendors?
I’ve already said how obsessed I am with our photos, but I will honestly say it until the cows come home. Renee Mulcahy Photography absolutely nailed it and has a genuine gift for capturing moments through a lens. Jacinta from Lace and Barrel was so kind and friendly to work with, and she brought our vision of a simple country wedding to life. She made the whole experience a very happy memory!
QB: Any words of wisdom to offer other couples?
It all happens so quickly, so make sure to take five minutes, whether on the way to the photo location or the reception venue, to just be with each other and take it all in before the day and night is over!
QB: How did you honeymoon?
We honeymooned in Rainbow Beach for a few nights. It was close enough to our home in Roma that we could still drive there and back, but also somewhere we hadn’t gone before. We absolutely loved it!
QB: What does marriage mean to you?
We were fortunate enough to be married in the Catholic Church, where marriage is one of the sacraments you can make in a lifetime. Marriage is sacred and special to us, so we will appreciate and value our commitment to it throughout our lives.
DREAM TEAM
25 November 2023 // Photography: Renee Mulcahy Photography // Ceremony: St Mary’s Catholic Church, Warwick // Reception: Freestone Hall, Freestone // Priest: Father Franco Filipetto // Gown: Grace Loves Lace // Accessories: Tiffany Duliege Studio // Shoes: Grace Loves Lace // Groom’s outfit: Coopers Menswear // Groomsmen outfits: Coopers Menswear // Hair: Shay Bridal Artistry // Make-up: Erin Fedele Beauty and Makeup Artistry // Wedding Rings: Rose City Jewellers // Flowers: Bryson’s Place // Cake: Bo & Co // Catering: The Golden Wattle Café Allora // Stylist: Lace and Barrel // Music: Cam Lewis DJ