REAL WEDDING

JACQUE + JOEL

PHOTOGRAPHY | ZARA BURGESS

High school sweethearts Jacque and Joel started dating at the tender age of thirteen. Fast forward eight years and the young couple recently committed to their lives together in a ceremony held at Butleigh Farm in Murgheboluc.

Joel proposed during a weekend hike in the You Yangs. Unlike traditional proposals, Joel didn’t bend on one knee, instead he turned to Jacque and asked, “will you walk down this mountain as my fiancé and not my girlfriend” – admirably, she said “yes”.

The couple started planning their special day immediately after getting engaged, making a long list of important details they needed to cover for their ideal wedding. Creating a mood board with inspiration of what they both wanted. The sharing of ideas and getting them onto paper or into visual perspective certainly helped them and using a journal lovingly given to them by Joel’s mum, they planned out the important aspects of their big day.

Wanting to the keep the wedding a small and intimate occasion, the guest list of 30 consisted of their closest, nearest and dearest people. No friends attended, only immediate family members. Jacque being one of nine children made keeping the list small a challenge and the couple were tempted to elope.

Opting for an untraditional ceremony that was affordable yet delivered on all their wishes, the couple settled on the beautiful Butleigh Farm. The venue matched their desire for a country farmhouse wedding in a relaxed and picturesque environment. With no bridesmaids or groomsmen, no MC to host the night, BYO alcohol and the same venue used for both the ceremony and reception, the event wrapped up by 8.30pm.

The couple incorporated some outdoor games for people to enjoy, open fireplaces and soft live acoustic singing which enhanced the rustic, country-style feel they were looking for.

Jacque chose a stunning mocha and ivory two-piece gown called Lyric created by Evie Young that was adorned with sequins and unique patterns with her hair paired with a curly messy bun. While Joel wore a light grey, matching checked jacket and pant suit from YD.

In the middle of the ceremony, the heavens opened while the couple were attempting to read their vows, creating Joel’s favourite moment of the day. Once the service was over the sun shone again.

Jacque, an animal lover adored the photography shoot with the farm animals, with a special mention to ‘Molly’ the donkey. Molly’s antics helped to make their photos look amazing. It made all the difference, putting a smile on their faces and really providing them with their dream venue.

It was important to both Jacque and Joel to stay untraditional and do what they wanted – ignoring the thoughts of others. They learnt to push and organise the celebration for ideally what they wanted and this was important to adhere to as the day progressed.

Jacque’s advice to newly engaged couples would be to not stress, and don’t get caught up in the process – everything always works out! Nothing will ever go 100 per cent to plan and that’s okay, sometimes the best moments are the ones you can’t organise or stop from happening. A wedding day is not something to fear or be nervous about – make sure you make the most of it, as the will time fly by! Enjoy the day with every spare minute and be happy about your future together.

Make the wedding about what you and your partner want, not what anybody else thinks is right – it’s your day, not theirs.

In terms of relationship advice – just be kind, communicate as much as possible, let each other have space when you need it and always be down for an adventure or laugh together. Life gets so much better when you are doing it with your best friend. Remember that!

Honourable mentions

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