Kate & Matt’s Enchanting Montsalvat Wedding

Words by Amy Richardson / Images by Oli Sansom
April 11, 2018

Old school glamour and just a few Harry Potter inspired touches, Kate and Matt’s Monsalvat wedding has us spellbound. Melbourne photographer Briars Atlaswas in his element for this moody, magical affair.

When the venue Kate had her heart set on wasn’t going to work out, her bestie suggested the charming Montsalvat, and it turned out to be a perfect match. Their ceremony was set in front of the stained-glass windows of the upper gallery, with a floral floor arch by Raven and The Rose featuring greenery and grasses with pops of white and yellow flowers. Guest of honour, Tyto, the Australia Barn Owl basked in the sun that streamed through the window panes.

The epic reception in the Great Hall was adorned with bright blooms and festoon lighting installed by the groom. In Kate’s own words, “Sometimes when you have a vision, despite all your efforts, your ideas just don’t come together. Lucky for us, on this occasion our pages of style notes paid off! We were both so happy with how it all came together and lifted the room, which is usually quite dark, into a bright and colourful wonderland.”

Melbourne foodies at heart (remember Kate’s hens?), these two made sure there was plenty of feasting on the day. Kicking things off with a pre-dinner dessert of meringues, a seasonal harvest banquet, and a selection of home baked cakes, followed by a finale of wedding cake from Miss Ladybird Cakes. Guests then took their sugar highs to the d-floor for a 90’s dance party, complete with bride and groom karaoke. “Don’t leave a microphone near the dance floor when we are around, especially if there’s alcohol involved.”

Moody Melbourne wedding at Montsalvat - photography by Oli Sansom ground wedding arch backdrop with pampas grass and a live owl Australian barn owl ring bearer
As a massive Harry Potter fan, Kate had at first wanted an owl as a ring bearer (however the idea didn’t fly with Matt or her celebrant). Only a few days before the wedding, she decided that she really did want an owl, so after a lastminute email to owl central (aka Black Snake Productions), Tyto was confirmed as a guest. Thank goodness because we just can’t get enough of this cutie!
robe-style long sleeve wedding dress by Houghton NYC Moody Melbourne wedding at Montsalvat - photography by Oli Sansom bride in robe-style wedding dress with yellow and white bouquet robe-style long sleeve wedding dress by Houghton NYC
Kate’s stunning bridal style was straight out of old school Hollywood. She paired her incredible Houghton ‘Galina’ gown with bespoke rose gold heels from Shoes of Prey, adding a Mimco necklace and Swarovski earrings for a little sparkle.
Moody Melbourne wedding at Montsalvat - photography by Oli Sansom yellow bridesmaid dress Moody Melbourne wedding at Montsalvat - photography by Oli Sansom bride walking down aisle with her mum and yellow bouquet Moody Melbourne wedding at Montsalvat - photography by Oli Sansom Moody Melbourne wedding at Montsalvat - photography by Oli Sansom mixed yellow bridesmaid dresses
Kate’s bridemaids wore sunny yellow dresses, with patterned heels sourced from ASOS, Zara and Cooper St.“My favourite colour is Bright Yellow, its happy and gorgeous. I wanted to have all the girls in different yellow dresses that would suit each of their styles.”
Moody Melbourne wedding at Montsalvat - photography by Oli Sansom Moody Melbourne wedding at Montsalvat - photography by Oli Sansom robe-style long sleeve wedding dress by Houghton NYC
Led by the couple’s good friend Rachel and made official by celebrant, Laura Lehmann, the ceremony was a relaxed yet emotional affair (someone pass the groom a tissue!) “We decided to ask one of our besties to be our celebrant with Laura officiating it. Laura was great to deal with and was a fantastic support for Rach, who did a crazy good job!”
Harry Potter inspired wedding in Montsalvat's Great Hall Harry Potter inspired wedding in Montsalvat's Great Hall
industrial vintage light
printed enamel mugs as wedding favours
tall two-tiered naked wedding cake with rose gold macarons and fresh flowers
Cake is Kate’s thing, some friends even call her ‘Cake’! Miss Ladybird Cakes brought the goods to satisfy this bride’s sweet tooth, with layers of chocolate salted caramel and lemon myrtle. “My personal fave is the Lemon myrtle, although I haven't tried a cake Gina makes I don't like… and I should know, I ate about 5 on my hens.”
Harry Potter inspired wedding with a live owl Harry Potter inspired wedding with a live owl! Moody Melbourne wedding at Montsalvat - photography by Oli Sansom Moody Melbourne wedding at Montsalvat - photography by Oli Sansom
We’re suckers for the ethereal work of photographer Oli Sansom, and these exquisite snaps are no exception. Kate and Matt agree, telling us “Oli is an absolute artist and a pleasure to work with. He made the whole experience super easy and fun. He’s a pretty cool dude… we cannot recommend him higher, what a legend.”
Moody Melbourne wedding at Montsalvat - photography by Oli Sansom Moody Melbourne wedding at Montsalvat - photography by Oli Sansom mixed yellow bridesmaid dresses mixed yellow bridesmaid dresses and bouquets
Florist Raven & the Rose worked her magic, creating gorgeous bouquets and arrangements in Kate’s favourite bright yellow and whites. “It’s funny how you have something in your mind, and when you have a good team who see your vision, they build on that and make it above and beyond anything that you could have dreamt of.”
bridal hair - curled lob /  low bob Moody Melbourne wedding at Montsalvat - photography by Oli Sansom Moody Melbourne wedding at Montsalvat - photography by Oli Sansom Harry Potter inspired wedding at Montsalvat, Melbourne Harry Potter inspired wedding at Montsalvat, Melbourne Harry Potter inspired wedding at Montsalvat, Melbourne Moody Melbourne wedding at Montsalvat - photography by Oli Sansom Harry Potter inspired wedding at Montsalvat, Melbourne Moody Melbourne wedding at Montsalvat - photography by Oli Sansom Moody Melbourne wedding at Montsalvat - photography by Oli Sansom Moody Melbourne wedding at Montsalvat - photography by Oli Sansom Harry Potter inspired wedding at Montsalvat, Melbourne

Credits

Images Oli Sansom | Bride's Dress Houghton NYC | Bride's Shoes Shoes of Prey | Bridesmaid's Dresses ASOS | Bridesmaid's Shoes ASOS | Groom's Suit Peter Jackson | Rings Karla Way | Celebrant Laura Lehmann Presented by Rachel Semmens | Flowers Raven and the Rose | Catering Montsalvat | Entertainment Spotify | Venue & Catering Montsalvat | Owl Black Snake Productions | Hair & Makeup Sophie Knox | Bridesmaids Hair Saint Lawrence Hair |


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Patty Parker 5 years ago

Do we know where they got the mugs made?

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