Halinka & Danny’s Donnelly River Wedding

Words by Hannah Pronesti / Images by Jenna Mason
September 23, 2015

We love an unconventional proposal and Halinka and Danny certainly delivered. This brave bride popped the question over coffee in bed one morning, then suggested they celebrate with a café breakfast. She walked her hubby-to-be to Hyde Park where a party of their friends and family were waiting with a picnic and champagne at the ready. We like the way you roll Halinka!

Combined, this couple are quite the multicultural hybrid– a mixture of Australian, Polish, German, Russian and Jewish heritage- so the wedding was always going to be culturally rich. “We made sure to incorporate as many cultural traditions as possible!” Danny tells us. This included a traditional Polish Catholic parental blessing from Halinka’s parents, the beautifully symbolic Slavic ‘bread and salt ritual’, and lets not forget the Jewish customary shouts of ‘Mazel Tov!’ as the groom broke a glass beneath his feet.

With its natural Australian bushland charm, WA’s Donnelly River Holiday Village made for a rustic backdrop (Jenna Mason’s gorgeous photography is living proof) while the on-site villa was the perfect overnight pit-stop for their guests. Having spent many happy holidays here among the karri trees as a kid, Halinka suggested the spot and Danny was down for it after just one visit. The secluded location had its advantages too – the lack of noise curfew for one! “I think we stumbled back to our cottages somewhere between three and four AM,” Halinka laughs.

With a clear vision of her dream dress in mind, this beauty of a bride struggled to find anything that matched. Enter Kevin, from Galleria Couture, who designed exactly what she wanted, and when paired with a Poppy & Rose flower crown, his couture creation had her looking lovely. Danny and his groomsmen decided to go all out, taking a trip to Thailand were they had suits tailor-made by Bangkok’s Tailor on Ten and we must say they certianly looked the part – especially Danny with his half head of luscious locks (a ‘do only fitting for the lead singer of a progressive metal band).

Flights of Fancy by Kristy styled up a storm in the Old Workers’ Club and Bridgetown Pottery Restaurant lived up to this cultured couple’s expectations, serving up a delicious feast alongside traditional German and Polish homemade dishes and desserts, and the bride’s biggest regret was that she didn’t get to eat enough! For tips on how to get a party started, we suggest taking a leaf out of Halinka and Danny’s book – providing everyone with Russian and Polish vodka for the toasts seemed to do the trick!

Australian bush wedding at Donnelly River | Photography by Jenna Mason Australian bush wedding at Donnelly River | Photography by Jenna Mason
Halinka tells us "We arranged a take on the traditional slavic tradition of having the Groom collect the bride from the family home accompanied by a ‘bard’ (we couldn’t get an accordion player, so Danny’s bassist stepped up and played his guitar).
Australian bush wedding at Donnelly River | Photography by Jenna Mason Australian bush wedding at Donnelly River | Photography by Jenna Mason Australian bush wedding at Donnelly River | Photography by Jenna Mason Australian bush wedding at Donnelly River | Photography by Jenna Mason
Stylist Kristy of Flights of Fancy by Kristy tells us "the setting for the ceremony was magical! The wildlife were feasting on the hay bales and flowers when we went to pack down – I can’t say we’ve ever experienced that before!"
Australian bush wedding at Donnelly River | Photography by Jenna Mason Australian bush wedding at Donnelly River | Photography by Jenna Mason Australian bush wedding at Donnelly River | Photography by Jenna Mason Australian bush wedding at Donnelly River | Photography by Jenna Mason Australian bush wedding at Donnelly River | Photography by Jenna Mason Australian bush wedding at Donnelly River | Photography by Jenna Mason Australian bush wedding at Donnelly River | Photography by Jenna Mason Australian bush wedding at Donnelly River | Photography by Jenna Mason Australian bush wedding at Donnelly River | Photography by Jenna Mason Australian bush wedding at Donnelly River | Photography by Jenna Mason Australian bush wedding at Donnelly River | Photography by Jenna Mason Australian bush wedding at Donnelly River | Photography by Jenna Mason Australian bush wedding at Donnelly River | Photography by Jenna Mason Australian bush wedding at Donnelly River | Photography by Jenna Mason Australian bush wedding at Donnelly River | Photography by Jenna Mason Australian bush wedding at Donnelly River | Photography by Jenna Mason Australian bush wedding at Donnelly River | Photography by Jenna Mason Australian bush wedding at Donnelly River | Photography by Jenna Mason Australian bush wedding at Donnelly River | Photography by Jenna Mason Australian bush wedding at Donnelly River | Photography by Jenna Mason Australian bush wedding at Donnelly River | Photography by Jenna Mason Australian bush wedding at Donnelly River | Photography by Jenna Mason Australian bush wedding at Donnelly River | Photography by Jenna Mason Australian bush wedding at Donnelly River | Photography by Jenna Mason
Australian bush wedding at Donnelly River | Photography by Jenna Mason
Australian bush wedding at Donnelly River | Photography by Jenna Mason
Australian bush wedding at Donnelly River | Photography by Jenna Mason Australian bush wedding at Donnelly River | Photography by Jenna Mason Australian bush wedding at Donnelly River | Photography by Jenna Mason Australian bush wedding at Donnelly River | Photography by Jenna Mason Australian bush wedding at Donnelly River | Photography by Jenna Mason Australian bush wedding at Donnelly River | Photography by Jenna Mason Australian bush wedding at Donnelly River | Photography by Jenna Mason Australian bush wedding at Donnelly River | Photography by Jenna Mason Australian bush wedding at Donnelly River | Photography by Jenna Mason Australian bush wedding at Donnelly River | Photography by Jenna Mason Australian bush wedding at Donnelly River | Photography by Jenna Mason Australian bush wedding at Donnelly River | Photography by Jenna Mason
The couple were sure to include Polish and Russian vodka for the toasts and tell us there was none left the next morning... but no shortage of sore heads!
Australian bush wedding at Donnelly River | Photography by Jenna Mason Australian bush wedding at Donnelly River | Photography by Jenna Mason Australian bush wedding at Donnelly River | Photography by Jenna Mason Australian bush wedding at Donnelly River | Photography by Jenna Mason

Credits

Images Jenna Mason | Bride's Dress Galleria Couture | Bride's Shoes Zomp | Bridesmaid's Dresses Galleria Couture | Bridesmaid's Shoes Nine West | Groom's Suit Tailor on Ten | Rings Hardy Brothers | Accessories Poppy & Rose | Hair The Pretty Parlour | Makeup Kristy Ellen Creative | Ceremony Venue Donnelly River Holiday Village | Celebrant Paula Milner | Reception Venue Donnelly River Holiday Village | Flowers Poppy & Rose | Catering Bridgetown Pottery Restaurant | Stylist/Prop Hire Flights of Fancy by Kristy | Prop Hire Pretty Willow | Prop Hire Hello Love | Lighting Micktric Events | |


Leave a Reply

Elin 9 years ago

Brilliant! Loving the vibe – and the kangaroos!! 🙂

Jai Long 9 years ago

love your work Janne!!

Jai Long 9 years ago

Jenna**

Scout 9 years ago

Oh love it, makes me want for a hot summer day in the bush.

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