Natalie & Elliott’s Farm Wedding with Epic DIY Florals

Words by Amy Richardson / Images by Elsa Campbell
May 23, 2018

Captured by Elsa Campbell, Natalie and Elliott’s farmstead wedding proves that DIY can be a more than worth the effort. After receiving a gift from her bridesmaid for a bouquet workshop at Villa Floretti, Natalie decided to fulfil her dream of flowering her own wedding, while satisfying her obsession with King Proteas. The result was a foliage and flora filled wonderland – a DIY dream for aspiring florists!

Their venue, Country Heart, is a working brussels sprout farm in Coldstream, just a short drive from Melbourne. Natalie shares, “We love the outdoors so having our ceremony outside was something we’ve always wanted. When we first saw the paddock overlooking the Healesville Ranges and knew we’d found the place we’d get married!” Their ceremony was open invite, with over 200 people attending to witness their ‘I dos’, followed by an afternoon tea catered by friends and family, complete with donut wall. Coffees were served from the gorgeous converted caravan bar, Frankie, which later poured the drinks at their reception.

The rest of the evening continued in the farm’s converted air hangar – which was the perfect mix of indoors with an outside feel, as the whole side of the venue opening out onto a grassy area overlooking the scenery. Roaming canapes and lawn games were followed by share plates on the long tables inside the hangar. Styled by the bride, the venue featured an abundance of gum foliage and native blooms, taking full advantage of the lofty space.

The key to this pair’s DIY success was in their very helpful loved ones. Elliott shares, “Delegation proved to be the name of the game as Nat was able to distribute tasks. Just about every detail was put together by ourselves or family and friends – it really made the day all that more special knowing that it was a contribution and team effort by so many who love us.”

blush king protea bridal bouquet native blush boutonniere lace-train-wedding-dress
Natalie fell in love with Made With Love Bridal on Instagram, so the choice to go with them for her wedding dress was easy.  She chose the Sasha gown and Channi veil. “The long heavy lace train was the perfect way to express my natural style (I tend to go a little extra with everything I do!) yet was still soft and boho enough to match our farm wedding.”
groom flatlay Yarra Valley farm wedding with epic DIY florals / Elsa Campbell Photography dapper groom and casual groomsmen in braces
Elliott’s outfit was a bit of a surprise for Natalie on the day. “Elliott tricked me and went for a different colour combo than we’d discussed – but I absolutely loved the look! Not everyone did though – our grandparents were shocked by the fact he didn’t have any socks on.” He paired his MJ Bale jacket with Peter Jackson pants and shirt, and Blaq shoes (sans socks).
Yarra Valley farm wedding with epic DIY florals / Elsa Campbell Photography bamboo tipi wedding backdrop bamboo tipi wedding backdrop Yarra Valley farm wedding with epic DIY florals / Elsa Campbell Photography Donut wall Yarra Valley farm wedding with epic DIY florals / Elsa Campbell Photography Yarra Valley farm wedding with epic DIY florals / Elsa Campbell Photography Yarra Valley farm wedding with epic DIY florals / Elsa Campbell Photography Yarra Valley farm wedding with epic DIY florals / Elsa Campbell Photography Yarra Valley farm wedding with epic DIY florals / Elsa Campbell Photography Yarra Valley farm wedding with epic DIY florals / Elsa Campbell Photography Yarra Valley farm wedding with epic DIY florals / Elsa Campbell Photography Yarra Valley farm wedding with epic DIY florals / Elsa Campbell Photography bamboo tipi wedding backdrop Yarra Valley farm wedding with epic DIY florals / Elsa Campbell Photography Yarra Valley farm wedding with epic DIY florals / Elsa Campbell Photography Yarra Valley farm wedding with epic DIY florals / Elsa Campbell Photography
True to style, the ceremony setup was a DIY affair with a naked bamboo tipi (adorned with king proteas, of course), Nat’s mum’s vintage rug, handmade canvas signage and mismatched timber chairs from Open Air Events. The couple’s friends even sang them down the aisle.
Yarra Valley farm wedding with epic DIY florals / Elsa Campbell Photography DIY barn wedding with foliage wall
Sketch & Etch created the gorgeous acrylic lettering, which framed the bridal table. "Lily was amazing and put together our perfect backdrop so quickly (we did it 3 weeks out!) matching our font and style perfectly."
Yarra Valley farm wedding with epic DIY florals / Elsa Campbell Photography Yarra Valley farm wedding with epic DIY florals / Elsa Campbell Photography
DIY hanging foliage installations
DIY hanging foliage installations
blush tablescape with chiffon runner and hanging foliage open photobooth backdrop Yarra Valley farm wedding with epic DIY florals / Elsa Campbell Photography Yarra Valley farm wedding with epic DIY florals / Elsa Campbell Photography barn wedding with foliage wall
With plenty of help from friends, Natalie styled this huge space herself but reached out to Villa Floretti, Azealea Flowers and Tesselaar Flowers to supply the flora. The bride shares, “I sourced some amazing suppliers who helped me get a ridiculous amount of King Proteas and spent the two days pre-wedding in floristry heaven, arranging hanging installations, bouquets, and buttonholes!”
Yarra Valley farm wedding with epic DIY florals / Elsa Campbell Photography Yarra Valley farm wedding with epic DIY florals / Elsa Campbell Photography Yarra Valley farm wedding with epic DIY florals / Elsa Campbell Photography mixed blush bridesmaid dresses
Natalie let her bridesmaids choose their own dresses, as she wanted something they loved, felt amazing in and would wear again! “I gave them a colour and a style – and they went with it!” The girls sourced their blush pink dresses from ASOS, Shona Joy and Esther.
king protea bouquets Yarra Valley farm wedding with epic DIY florals / Elsa Campbell Photography Yarra Valley farm wedding with epic DIY florals / Elsa Campbell Photography bride and groom in brussels sprout farm Yarra Valley farm wedding with epic DIY florals / Elsa Campbell Photography
Elsa Campbell was an obvious choice of photographer for the couple, they even planned the date around her! “Elsa was an absolute dream – our favourite vendor by far. She made the planning so simple – and was so much fun to have around on the day!”
Coldstream farm wedding perspex seating planner Yarra Valley farm wedding with epic DIY florals / Elsa Campbell Photography Yarra Valley farm wedding with epic DIY florals / Elsa Campbell Photography Yarra Valley farm wedding with epic DIY florals / Elsa Campbell Photography
Even this gorge wedding cake was a DIY effort, crafted by the bride's talented sister! You’ll have to stay tuned for the deets, as Nat tells us “I’m in the process of convincing her she needs to start a business doing this – so no Instagram handle just yet!”
Yarra Valley farm wedding with epic DIY florals / Elsa Campbell Photography Yarra Valley farm wedding with epic DIY florals / Elsa Campbell Photography Yarra Valley farm wedding with epic DIY florals / Elsa Campbell Photography Yarra Valley farm wedding with epic DIY florals / Elsa Campbell Photography Yarra Valley farm wedding with epic DIY florals / Elsa Campbell Photography Yarra Valley farm wedding with epic DIY florals / Elsa Campbell Photography

Credits

Images Elsa Campbell | Bride's Dress Made With Love Bridal | Bridesmaid's Dresses ASOS | Groom's Suit MJ Bale | Groom's Shoes Blaq | Hair Carissa's Hair and Beauty | Makeup Afriend Artistry | Celebrant Rod Thearle | Catering Going Gourmet | Entertainment Baker Boys Band | Venue Country Heart | Hire Open Air Events | Bride's Earrings Ceremony Lovisa | Bride's Earrings Reception Bell Frankie & Co | Rings Prouds |


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Allan 6 years ago

Wow! You really did an excellent job on your DIY wedding. The blossoms combination looks really fantastic. I would love to see your another DIY flower arrangement.

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