Jillian & Gavin’s Spicers Peak Lodge Wedding

Words by Hannah Pronesti / Images by Todd Hunter McGaw
March 29, 2016

Gillian and Gav’s union was a long time coming. Mutual friends had been trying to set the two up for years and when they finally crossed paths at a wedding, they immediately hit it off. A few years on and they were throwing their own wedding, a secluded country celebration with the Great Dividing Range National Park as their backdrop. Picture perfect!

Spicers Peak Lodge was an easy choice for these lovers of the great outdoors and the beautiful onsite accommodation made things a lot easier for their interstate guests. When she wasn’t trawling Pinterest or wedding blogs for inspiration, Jillian was on the phone to her sis (an industry expert) and judging by the DIY styling, these siblings know their stuff!

With everything looking beautiful, the newlyweds wanted to have some stunning snaps to look back on and Todd Hunter McGaw was the man for the job. “Todd hung out with us and took photos on our wedding day and apart from having a unique, creative and real photography style, Todd himself is just a really funny guy that made us feel like old friends.” Jillian shares. “We think our photos really captured the finer details of the day, that made it ‘us’.”

Spicers Peak Lodge Wedding / Photography by Todd Hunter McGaw Spicers Peak Lodge Wedding / Photography by Todd Hunter McGaw
Unique favours are always a fave of ours and we love the little take home gifts that Jillian and Gav put together. “We had a recipe book made that was full of recipes that we’d ‘borrowed’ secretly from our guests.” Jillian tells us. “I had it printed through Blurb. Each couple got a copy and a little jar of honey from my dad’s beehives at home.”
Spicers Peak Lodge Wedding / Photography by Todd Hunter McGaw Spicers Peak Lodge Wedding / Photography by Todd Hunter McGaw Spicers Peak Lodge Wedding / Photography by Todd Hunter McGaw Spicers Peak Lodge Wedding / Photography by Todd Hunter McGaw Spicers Peak Lodge Wedding / Photography by Todd Hunter McGaw Spicers Peak Lodge Wedding / Photography by Todd Hunter McGaw Suzanne Harward wedding dress
A solo search for the perfect dress led Jillian to a stunning high-necked Suzanne Harward gown and she says shopping for it on her own made all the difference, “I think it allows you to really know how you feel in the dress. My gown just felt right and so comfy in all its milky crocheted-lace glory!”
rose and eucalyptus bouquet
Roberta of Green & Bloom impressed Jillian with her gorgeous rosy bouquets and even more so with her attention to detail. “Roberta personally delivered my bouquet and actually rearranged it in front of me with gum leaves she’d collected from around the beautiful grounds. I cannot recommend her enough!”
Spicers Peak Lodge Wedding / Photography by Todd Hunter McGaw Spicers Peak Lodge Wedding / Photography by Todd Hunter McGaw Spicers Peak Lodge Wedding / Photography by Todd Hunter McGaw Spicers Peak Lodge Wedding / Photography by Todd Hunter McGaw Spicers Peak Lodge Wedding / Photography by Todd Hunter McGaw Spicers Peak Lodge Wedding / Photography by Todd Hunter McGaw Spicers Peak Lodge Wedding / Photography by Todd Hunter McGaw Spicers Peak Lodge Wedding / Photography by Todd Hunter McGaw Spicers Peak Lodge Wedding / Photography by Todd Hunter McGaw
“We got married standing on a big beautiful traditional style rug that was an engagement present from my parents.” Says Jillian. “We now have it in our home to remind us of our wedding day and where we stood when we became husband and wife!”
Spicers Peak Lodge Wedding / Photography by Todd Hunter McGaw Spicers Peak Lodge Wedding / Photography by Todd Hunter McGaw Spicers Peak Lodge Wedding / Photography by Todd Hunter McGaw Spicers Peak Lodge Wedding / Photography by Todd Hunter McGaw elegant naked layer cake
We love the elegant simplicity of this naked cake by Gillian Bell and the bride was equally smitten. "Gillian’s cakes are totally organic, totally free of anything that isn’t from her garden or locally sourced, and totally delicious!"
Spicers Peak Lodge Wedding / Photography by Todd Hunter McGaw Spicers Peak Lodge Wedding / Photography by Todd Hunter McGaw Spicers Peak Lodge Wedding / Photography by Todd Hunter McGaw Spicers Peak Lodge Wedding / Photography by Todd Hunter McGaw Spicers Peak Lodge Wedding / Photography by Todd Hunter McGaw
Effortlessly elegant and natural was a must for Jillian, so she was beyond pleased when she stumbled across Jessie from The Beauty Case just three weeks before the wedding. “I had trouble finding someone that was prepared to go really natural until I found Jessie.” Jillian explains. “I think the vibe that your beauty team bring to your prep is nearly as important as their artistry. The girls at The Beauty Case brought it all.”
Spicers Peak Lodge Wedding / Photography by Todd Hunter McGaw Spicers Peak Lodge Wedding / Photography by Todd Hunter McGaw Spicers Peak Lodge Wedding / Photography by Todd Hunter McGaw Spicers Peak Lodge Wedding / Photography by Todd Hunter McGaw Spicers Peak Lodge Wedding / Photography by Todd Hunter McGaw Spicers Peak Lodge Wedding / Photography by Todd Hunter McGaw Spicers Peak Lodge Wedding / Photography by Todd Hunter McGaw Spicers Peak Lodge Wedding / Photography by Todd Hunter McGaw Spicers Peak Lodge Wedding / Photography by Todd Hunter McGaw Spicers Peak Lodge Wedding / Photography by Todd Hunter McGaw Spicers Peak Lodge Wedding / Photography by Todd Hunter McGaw Spicers Peak Lodge Wedding / Photography by Todd Hunter McGaw

Credits

Images Todd Hunter McGaw | Bride's Dress Suzanne Harward | Bride's Shoes Miu Miu | Bridesmaid's Dresses Rachel Gilbert | Groom's Suit P Johnson Tailors | Groom's Shoes Aquila | Rings Paul Bram | Accessories Samantha Wills | Hair The Beauty Case | Ceremony Venue Spicers Peak Lodge | Celebrant Jo Betz | Reception Venue Spicers Peak Lodge | Flowers Green & Bloom | Catering Spicers Peak Lodge | Entertainment Mitch King | Furniture hire Hampton Event Hire | Cake Gillan Bell Cake | Flower Girl Dresses Tutu Du Monde |


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Green Antlers Photography 8 years ago

beautiful moments! love the reception ideas

Claire Elise 8 years ago

wow stunning

Scarlet Beauty Makeup 8 years ago

What a unique looking bouquet. Love it!

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