Outback Ambiance | Styling Inspiration

Phil & Megan | 27 Oct 2018 | Mount Isa Campdraft Grounds, Queensland

Sometimes you feel an immediate presence from a person, an energy when they walk into your office... this was our Bride Megan. Megan's energy and smile is captivating! She had a clear vision of her wedding day and enlisted our help to make it happen! Only catch was... it was a secret!

This is where our journey began, filled with laughs and memories that I am sure will be passed down at family gatherings for years to come.

Andii Mihay have successfully rolled out our fair share of 'surprise weddings', but because of the sheer size of this one, the location of the ceremony (fairly close to the reception) and the willingness for family and friends to be helpful on the day - made for a very eventful few days setting up.

ON THE DAY PLAN: The guests were innocently invited to attend an 'engagement party', in which they were to be greeted with champagne and nibblies. Then once the Bride had sent the secret text ~ 'I'm on my way' ~ we were to round up the guests and take them on a bush walk to the surprise ceremony location! Judi Pauza guides us through the 'I dos', then, guests kick off their heels (literally as there was a 'thong bucket'), drink, eat and dance the night away with DJ Richo.

Phil, our silver fox Groom, is a qualified chef - so together we designed an enticing and visually stunning grazing table, which kept the guests grazing all night! He also, worked together with his mates to construct the dance floor, the lectern and the gorgeous white-wash photo backdrop. Thank you Sasha, Lorne and friends.

Megan, noted that she was not a huge fan of flowers, that she preferred the warm ambiance achieved through lighting. We quickly convinced her that a few arrangements around the venue to compliment her dress, bouquet and decor, she kindly agreed to let me weave our florals into the mix. We chose to go with a soft palette of lilac, lavender and white... perfect combination with the raw wood elements.

Our handmade macrame (alllllll the way from India) arrived just in time and made the perfect statement piece at the ceremony. It's natural tones and knot design ensured that Megan and Phil's moody bouquet and boutonnière, from Flinders and Mitchell, stole the show.

The reception encompassed banquet style seating for 100 guests, 3 different styles of cocktail seating; wine barrels, dressed dry bars with stools, cable reels with mini stools, wheelbarrows filled with ice and an endless supply of personalised wine bottles.

Together we infused copper tones with that of greenery and the sparkle of fairy lights down the guest tables, behind the grazing table and from the ceiling.

Mission 'secret wedding' accomplished! *Phew*.

Please enjoy the beautiful images captured by Sarah Louise Photography. All 'on the day' vendors are credited below.