Date

Guests

70

June 28, 2014

Matthew Vissers and Jennifer Porteous first met through friends that were brothers. "Matt worked with one brother while I was good friends from elementary school with the other," Jenn explains. "We had seen each other briefly and talked at a series of parties, but we didn't connect until we spent time with each other during a camping trip."

When it came to their wedding theme, the couple both agreed on a handmade, garden wedding motif. "When we started planning, we both felt it was important that our personalities, style and workmanship be present through the day," says Jenn. "We were very mindful to keep things simple and rustic to avoid being burnt out or too caught up in the details. Thanks to the help of our infinitely supportive family and friends, we were able to pull the day off in a way that we were very proud of."

The couple decided to host their party in Jenn's mother's backyard. Pre-ceremony, Matt and Jenn opted to do a first look. "We wanted to have a private moment together before the events," Jenn says. Awaiting the bride in a very beautiful garden beside their venue, was Matt, who was blown away when he first saw Jenn in her beautiful gown. "It may not have been the traditional way of doing things but we loved being able to have that moment to ourselves while being captured from afar by our photographers," Matt says.

After their first look the two said their "I dos" in front of 70 of their nearest and dearest. The celebrations continued in Jenn's mother's backyard, where a tent full of balloons and rustic charm awaited guests. "Myself, my mom and my bridesmaids had spent hours working on the Mason jar centrepieces and other little touches to create a space that looked professional yet cozy," Jenn says. "Matt's hand-painted signs were functional - telling the guests where to go and what they were eating and drinking - but also added to the vintage, handmade theme."

When it came to their wedding music, Matt and Jenn turned to their musical friends to give them a hand. "Our friends played our wedding song on guitar as we walked down the aisle," says Jenn. "Then we had an array of special songs set up to play throughout the night, which were cued and managed by Matt's brother and our best man Andrew." After the cake-cutting, various friends of the newlyweds took turns ensuring the right type of music was playing for the mood. "It all went very smooth and led to a very personal and fun nighttime playlist," Jenn reminisces.

Vendors
Ceremony and reception location: Bride's mother's backyard
Bridal gown: Essense of Australia from Ladybelle Bridal
Bridesmaid dresses: Ladybelle Bridal
Groom's tux: Tip Top Tailors
Cake: Coastal Cake Company
Caterer: Delicado's Deli
Favours: DIY
Hair: Carissa Morrison (a friend of bride)
Makeup: Phoenix Face Art Makeup Artistry
Flowers: Blossom & Vine Floral Company
Stationery: DIY
Rentals: Triple T Party Rentals