Rustic-Opulent Australia Wedding: Lara + Cass
Rustic-Opulent Australia Wedding: Lara + Cass
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Lara Hotz is such a talented wedding photographer, whose work we've been lucky enough to share many times here on GWS. Today, she is in front of the camera - rather than behind it - and we're thrilled to get to feature her + Cass' gorgeous Australian Kangaroo River wedding, captured by another amazing photographer, Dan O Day.
Lara + Cass approached their wedding day as an opportunity to blend their two very different styles into one super stylish + fun celebration. Lara shares, Cass is a lover of all things wild west and country western, where I am a total romantic obsessed with all things lush, vintage and beautiful. Our stylist, Sheree, of She Designs Events merged our two loves together and created the most amazing opulent-rustic affair. Every little detail was so perfectly styled and her and her team are complete magicians and extremely hard working!
Lara wore one of the most amazing wedding dresses we've ever seen! It was a Corston Couture custom gown made with French lace with hand sewn velvet and embroidered flowers. So stunning + magical.
Cass wore a beautiful custom made linen shirt with floral embroidery details paired with vintage pants.
As soon as we picked our venue ( Brogers End Paddock in Upper Kangaroo River NSW, Australia) we knew that we wanted a ceremony in the paddock - I was so concerned about weather and time of day - It rained the whole day in the lead up to the ceremony and then 30 minutes before the ceremony the rain cleared and we held our ceremony in the paddock surrounded by ambient and moody clouds. It was really special. I especially love that the venue mowed an aisle for us in the grass a week before the wedding - it was such a special touch and really looked great!
The florals, by Mikarla Bauer + Jardine Botanics, were truly out of this world! Using lush, wild blooms that were full of color, each arrangement + installment was like a beautiful piece of art, yet retained an effortless feel.
Although unfortunately not legally recognized in Australia, Jessie Cacchillo conducted an extremely beautiful and heartfelt ceremony for us which had all our family and friends in tears of joy. Jessie wrote the most beautiful ceremony for us, which included a hand fasting ceremony. The ceremony also ended with a big bang of confetti, which was the perfect way to exit the aisle. When legal in Australia, we will be getting Jessie to conduct a legal ceremony for us. 
She Designs Events provided the fun lounge area furniture and Caterina Kangaroo Valley kept guests happy + full with locally-sourced organic fare.
Lara + Cass collected vintage mismatched plates + cutlery and hand-dyed all of the fabric muslin used for the reception draping + guest napkins.
See even more in the beautiful film below by Light Noise Films:
Big congrats to Lara + Cass on such a meaningful, beautiful day! Below, be sure to check out all of the amazing creatives who were a huge part in bringing this gorgeous celebration to life!
photography: Dan O Day Photography // venue: Brogers End Paddock Upper Kangaroo River NSW, Australia // event styling: She Designs Events // event planning: Lara Hotz // florals: Mikarla Bauer + Jardine Botanics // wedding dress: Corston Couture custom gown // reception dresses: Custom made by Lost in Paris Bridal // veil + hairpiece: Corston Couture // shoes: Funkis + Sanita Matrix Shoe in Antique Brown made in Denmark // boots: RM Williams + Kurt Gieser // bouquet ribbon: Silk and Willow // vintage bracelet: Bygone Beauty // fur wraps + coat: Vintage // hair: Bryoni Hair // makeup: Amelia Axton // shirt: Custom Made linen shirt with hand made floral embroidery details by Gosia // pants + jacket: Vintage // socks: Vanishing Elephant // earrings: Corey & Lyon - X O earrings // videography: Light Noise Films // paper goods: Tusker and Co // wedding website: Riley and Grey // catering: Caterina Kangaroo Valley // cake: Kashaya & Co // brownies: Bevs Cakes // photobooth: The Photobooth Guys // photobooth backdrop: Designed by Cass + Lara, built by MNR Constructions // rentals: She Designs Events // additional rentals + garden games, vintage rugs: George + Smee // marquee: Splendid Days // celebrant: Jessie Cacchillo // entertainment: Vinyl DJ - The Vintage Stylus // live singer: Andie Isalie // transport: Fully restored 1965 Chrysler Safari Wagon decorated in a custom fresh floral wreath created by Jardine and Mikarla // lara's ring: 18k Rose Gold rustic ring with cognac diamonds made by Jess Muscat bespoke jeweller // cass' ring: Custom made silver signet ring by Windfall Jewellery // getting ready location: The Cottage Kangaroo Valley // wedding dance lesson: Kate from Dance Zone Productions // day of coordination: White Rabbit Projects
