A celebration of love that felt as intimate and personal as it was breathtakingly beautiful – the perfect description of Ali and Lachie's wedding. Immersed in nature and inspired by a European al fresco atmosphere, their special day unfolded at All Saints Estate – a historic gem in Australia's picturesque Rutherglen wine region. The ceremony took place on the estate's driveway, surrounded by majestic 150-year-old elm trees. Following this heartfelt moment, guests gathered outside the castle for a magical dinner under the stars, where the fresh air, open skies and timeless beauty of the setting created an unforgettable atmosphere. Ali, radiant in a bridal gown by Elly Sofocli, epitomised elegance and modern sophistication, while every detail of the day reflected the couple's shared love of nature, connection and understated luxury.
Our Love Story
The Day We Met
I actually met Lachie after I’d already met his twin brother. Lachie had been busy building his career straight out of high school, so our paths didn’t cross until later. We finally met properly at a mutual friend’s 21st birthday party in 2015, during what we like to call the 'year of the 21sts.' At the time, I was in a relationship, so I wasn’t looking for anything romantic. But Lachie, ever the patient one, insists he was already 'playing the long game' from that moment. Looking back, it’s funny how that 21st party turned out to be the beginning of something much more than I ever expected!
The Proposal
It was February 13, 2023, and we were holidaying in Europe. Lachie had been planning the perfect (and very grand) proposal – Paris, the Eiffel Tower at midnight (not that I was aware of his plan). What I didn’t know was that he’d been hiding the ring in his luggage and jacket for days, just waiting for the right moment.
After a gorgeous dinner at Le Georges, we started walking toward the Eiffel Tower, but my feet were sore from my shoes, and I suggested we see it another night. Lachie stayed calm, flagged down a taxi, and made sure we didn’t miss the lights at midnight. When we arrived, the tower was sparkling, and as I turned away from him to take a photo, I looked back to find Lachie on one knee, ring in hand. It was intimate and incredibly romantic!
The Engagement Ring
Lachie spent time carefully designing my ring with Naveya & Sloane in New Zealand. He purchased a beautiful oval-shaped diamond at an online auction in Canada and had it set into a custom gold band by Naveya & Sloane – all while keeping the entire process a secret from me! When I saw the ring, I was speechless. It’s perfect – delicate, elegant, and exactly what I would have chosen.
Our Wedding
The Vision
We wanted our wedding to feel intimate, personal, and immersed in nature. Our friends and family mean everything to us, so togetherness was at the heart of our day. We envisioned one long table where everyone could gather and share a meal, fostering a sense of inclusion and closeness. Inspired by the European al fresco vibe, we dreamed of spending the entire day outdoors, surrounded by nature.
The stars above, the fresh air, and the open space felt perfect for us and guided all our decisions. We didn’t need much else – the beauty of the outdoors and the sense of connection with our surroundings were enough to make the day unforgettable.
Our Team of Vendors
Our vendors brought incredible creativity and skill to our wedding, and we couldn’t have asked for a better team. The Nuptial Collective, along with All Saints Estate, helped us bring our dream wedding to life. The Petal Project’s blooms added gorgeous texture and color, while One Mimosa Please designed personalized styling that perfectly reflected our vision. Rutherford Entertainment kept the dance floor alive all night, and Beurre’s giant pavlova, topped with fresh fruit, was a showstopper.
A huge thanks to Moon and Back and Alli Studio for capturing all the special moments in film and photography. We also couldn’t have done it without our MC and celebrant, Ange Anderson, who kept the reception speeches on track and ensured our ceremony was nothing short of perfect. Each vendor played a vital role in making our wedding day unforgettable. It was the perfect collaboration that turned our vision into a beautiful reality!
The Location
Our wedding took place at All Saints Estate, a historic property nestled in the Rutherglen wine region on the border of Victoria and New South Wales. Lachie grew up holidaying nearby in Bundalong and water skiing on the Murray, making the location especially meaningful to him. All Saints was also the site of one of our very first dates!
The Ceremony
Our wedding ceremony took place along the iconic driveway at All Saints Estate, surrounded by 150-year-old elm trees.
Our connection to the area made the moment even more special – being married beneath the trees, with the castle in the background, felt like the perfect tribute to our love and the time we’ve shared together.
The Reception
After the ceremony, we joined our family and friends in the rose garden overlooking the vineyards, soaking in the late afternoon light and the beautiful live acoustic music by Velvet Oaks. We then took a quiet moment for family photos, captured perfectly by the talented team at Alli Studio. As evening fell, we gathered outside the castle for a magical three-course dinner under the stars before dancing the night away beneath the sparkling sky.
The Special Touches
Our special touches made the day even more unique. We created hand-painted tambourine place cards for each guest and hand-painted fresh pears as placeholders for our close family during the ceremony. We also partnered with All Saints to create a custom batch of bottled muscat, complete with beautiful labels designed by One Mimosa Please, which we gave to each guest as a parting gift. And, as a nod to the beautiful country we call home – and our favorite dessert – we had a giant pavlova as our wedding “cake”!
Our Favorite Moment
Lachie’s favorite moment was watching me walk down the aisle by myself to an acoustic cover of "Yellow" by Coldplay. My favorite moment was hearing Lachie read his vows. I was speechless – his words will stay with me forever. Lachie isn’t someone who often expresses his feelings verbally, so hearing him speak with such raw emotion was incredibly meaningful. We’ll also forever cherish the heartfelt speeches from both sets of parents, as well as from Lachie’s twin brother and best man, and my sister and maid of honor.
Our Style
The Bridal Looks
For my wedding dress, I wanted something timeless yet modern – structured but comfortable for the Australian heat. I worked with Elly Sofocli to create an asymmetrical boat-neck gown with extended corsetry and soft, hand-draped folds. The final touch was the addition of rosette details at the last fitting. My wedding date was embroidered on my veil in light blue thread, making it a deeply personal part of my ceremony look.
For the reception, Elly designed a mini version of her Helena gown, adorned with gems – perfect for dancing. I chose Manolo Blahnik/Danielle Frankel satin ivory slingbacks, which were both elegant and comfortable, and later swapped them for Christian Louboutin silver slingbacks for the reception. Lachie also gifted me Van Cleef & Arpels mother-of-pearl earrings, which were a very special addition to both my ceremony and reception looks!
The Groom Looks
Lachie wore a cream tuxedo jacket paired with black tuxedo trousers, both meticulously tailored by Oscar Hunt Tailors. Adding a personal touch, he secretly stitched my initials inside the left breast pocket, a detail I didn’t discover until after the ceremony. He completed the look with patent black Hugo Boss shoes, a sleek black Tom Ford bow tie, and pearl cufflinks that subtly mirrored my earrings.
Our Bridesmaid’s Looks
My three bridesmaids looked stunning in Anna Quan dresses, each in a beautiful chocolate shade – I spent a long time searching for the perfect brown! I selected three different styles to suit their individual personalities, but all shared the same silky fabric, mirroring the texture of my gown. The soft, luxurious material made the dresses black-tie appropriate, while the rich color added a contemporary touch. On the morning of the wedding, I gifted each bridesmaid a pair of pearl earrings, which they wore alongside their own personal jewelry.
Our Groomsmen’s Looks
Lachie’s three groomsmen were dressed in classic black tuxedos by Oscar Hunt Tailors. Each paired their tuxedo with patent black Hugo Boss shoes and a black Tom Ford bow tie.
Our Advice
For The Planning Process
Lean into what makes your venue unique, and don’t overcomplicate things. Surround yourself with vendors who understand your vision, and be present in the moment – you’ll remember the joy of the day far more than the tiny details. Above all, stay true to what feels right for both of you. Trust your instincts!
For On The Day
Trust your vendors, let go of the need for perfection, and savor every second of togetherness – the day and night go by so fast (we know everyone says this, but it really does!). Also, don’t forget to sit down and actually eat – trust us, it provides much-needed sustenance for the dancing!
For Post-Wedding
Don’t forget to drink in the joy of being married! We reminisced through photos and videos from the ceremony and reception, soaking in all the beautiful moments. We also created a shared album for our guests to upload their photos and videos, allowing us to relive the day from different perspectives.
Vendors
Photography: Alli Woods
Videography: Moon and Back Co
Wedding Planner: The Nuptial Collective
Wedding Stylist: The Nuptial Collective, One Mimosa Please
Wedding Coordinator: The Nuptial Collective, All Saints Estate
Venue & Catering: All Saints Estate
Florist: The Petal Project
Stationery: One Mimosa Please
Cake: Beurre
Celebrant: Ange Anderson
Music: Rutherford Entertainment, Ben Downing, Tilleemusic
Hair & Makeup: Merton Muaremi
Style
Bridal Dress & Boutique: Elly Sofocli
Bridal Shoes: Manolo Blahnik
Bridal Jewelry: Van Cleef & Arpels
Wedding Ring: Cartier
Engagement Ring: Naveya & Sloane
Groom: Cartier, Tom Ford, Oscar Hunt
Bridesmaids: Anna Quan
Groomsmen: Oscar Hunt
