Kiana & Danny’s Chill Paddock Wedding in Byron

Words by Amy Richardson / Images by Milina Opsenica
August 24, 2018

While their childhoods couldn’t be more different – Kiana growing up in in Byron Bay and practicing yoga before school and Danny riding motorbikes around Melbourne – their love for travel and spending time together have them bang on the same page. Captured by Milina Opsenica, their free-spirited wedding in the Byron Hinterland kept things chill AF.

After working in wedding catering throughout uni, Kiana was keen to avoid the awkward pre-ceremony atmosphere. Setting the scene for a ‘laid back, shoes off, anything goes’ wedding, their guests were invited to a pre-ceremony party. Kiana shares, “While I was busy having my hair and makeup done, Danny was mingling with our family and friends, listening to live music, eating from a 4-meter tasting platter and drinking Stone & Wood from a converted Land Rover bar on wheels.”

The couple found gorgeous scenery and a dirt cheap price tag at Pearces Creek Hall, just a 30 minute drive from Byron Bay. Their heartfelt ceremony was held on the paddock of the 120 year old community hall, under an open sky and rolling hills. Décor was kept simple with homemade timber furniture, native foliage and festoon lights. The reception kept up the relaxed party vibes with plenty of dancing, a self-serve bar and food truck burgers.

Putting their own spin on the age-old advice, ‘take the time to enjoy the moment’, Kiana and Danny just went ahead and gave themselves more moments to enjoy! They hired a place at Broken Head for all their friends to enjoy over the weekend, turning the event into a three day affair.

chilled paddock wedding in the Byron Bay hinterland chilled paddock wedding in the Byron Bay hinterland chilled paddock wedding in the Byron Bay hinterland lace wedding dress mismatched bridesmaids in warm tones vintage bride in faux fur shrug lace wedding dress with tassel hem
After months of searching, Kiana fell in love with a stunning Julie Vino gown, but with a price tag close to that of the entire wedding... cue the work-around! She shares, “I hadn’t seen anything like it and knew right away that I wanted to twirl and shimmy in tassels on my wedding night. Luckily my bestie’s mum Kay Brown, worked with me for months to dream and create my perfect dress. It was a long process that included numerous changes in direction, but I couldn’t have been happier with the result.”
chilled paddock wedding in the Byron Bay hinterland chilled paddock wedding in the Byron Bay hinterland chilled paddock wedding in the Byron Bay hinterland chilled paddock wedding in the Byron Bay hinterland chilled paddock wedding in the Byron Bay hinterland chilled paddock wedding in the Byron Bay hinterland chilled paddock wedding in the Byron Bay hinterland chilled paddock wedding in the Byron Bay hinterland chilled paddock wedding in the Byron Bay hinterland chilled paddock wedding in the Byron Bay hinterland
The couple were lucky enough to be married by one of Kiana’s best friends, Mali Van Yzendoorn. “Having someone who knows the two of us so well made the ceremony that much more personal. Mali told hilarious stories of my childhood and took our guests on our journey of love from the perspective of a friend.” She is launching her own business later this year, so for couples planning a Byron Bay wedding who want a fun, down-to-earth celebrant, keep an eye out!
chilled paddock wedding in the Byron Bay hinterland
donut tower wedding cake
donut tower wedding cake
4m long grazing table 4m long grazing table antipasto grazing table 4 metres long!
The incredible grazing table ensured there were no grumblings of tummies competing with the vows, and we can’t think of a better way to kick off a wedding. The four meters of deliciousness was masterfully constructed by All That Platters.
chilled paddock wedding in the Byron Bay hinterland native protea wedding bouquet native protea wedding bouquet
Keeping with the relaxed and natural vibes of the day, florist Jasmine Christie of Anamundi Studio put together unstructured and wild arrangements of proteas, native flowers and foliage.
chilled paddock wedding in the Byron Bay hinterland native floral boutonniere chilled paddock wedding in the Byron Bay hinterland chilled paddock wedding in the Byron Bay hinterland 1920's lace wedding dress with tassel fringe 1920's lace wedding dress with tassel fringe chilled paddock wedding in the Byron Bay hinterland chilled paddock wedding in the Byron Bay hinterland chilled paddock wedding in the Byron Bay hinterland Byron Bay wedding by  Milina Opsenica Photography
Kiana and Danny were keen to find a photographer that would blend in with the crowd, and work within a short time frame so they could spend more time cerebrating, and Milina Opsenica delivered. The couple share, “Milina blew our expectations out of the water in every aspect. She produced stunning natural photos of our guests that show the true feeling of the moment, and took gorgeous shots of us without pulling us away from friends and family for too long.”
chilled paddock wedding in the Byron Bay hinterland chilled paddock wedding in the Byron Bay hinterland Byron Bay food truck wedding Byron Bay food truck wedding chilled paddock wedding in the Byron Bay hinterland

Credits

Images Milina Opsenica | Bride's Dress Kay Brown (Best Friend's Mum) | Bride's Shoes Alias Mae | Groom's Suit Oxford | Celebrant Mali Van Yzendoorn | Flowers Anamundi Studio | Entertainment Cheeky Chalk Music | Venue Pearces Creek Hall | Grazing table All That Platters | Hair & Makeup Face Alchemy | Prop Hire Byron Bay Party Hire | DJ DJ Beaver |


Leave a Reply

Steve 6 years ago

It looks like such a relaxed wedding. Gorgeous bride as well!

Stay in the loop!