As seen on the Hello May  blog

Skye and Patrick wanted to get married but they didn’t want all the drama and fluff of a traditional wedding. Instead they planned the perfect laid-back ‘wedstival’ that centred around spending as much time as possible with their favourite people. It was a backyard wedding on Skye’s mum’s property in the Southern Highlands and the whole family stepped in to help make the day happen. Skye’s sister, although 8 months pregnant, slaved away for hours decorating the marquee and cooking up a delicious storm. Patrick’s brother Alex not only built the arbour they got married under, but also played ‘Little Giant’ on the guitar as they walked down the aisle. Talk about multi-talented!

It was one of the most emotional ceremonies I have ever witnessed, orchestrated by their good mate Adam Vine-Hall – who became a celebrant specifically for their wedding! Skye and Patrick took their time walking down the aisle, stopping to hug and high-five guests along the way. When they finally made it down the front Adam asked if they were ready to get married now. To which Patrick responded “Yes please.” Adorable.  Instead of readings, they chose to have their best mates and mums just say something from the heart. They had no idea what they were going to say, but it had everybody there in stitches one second and bawling the next. As the ceremony progressed, the rings were passed around the crowd so that every person there could hold them for a few moments and put their good vibes into them. We Play Records kicked off the tunes as soon as the ceremony ended and kept them rolling into the night as the lawn games took off and guests huddled around bonfires in the backyard.

In the months leading up to the wedding Skye and Patrick emphasised that they did not want formal portraits after the ceremony as they felt it would be too staged and they just wanted to hit the party straight away. I begged with them to give me 15 minutes to go for a walk. They agreed – and by the time it was up and I’d started walking back to the party, they stopped asked if we could hang out a bit more because they were having too much fun! Looking back they say that the whole day was a blur, but that walk up to the top paddock is crystal clear, and the one moment they had to look at each other and let it all sink in.

The day was a collaboration between DIY and a bunch of talented vendors. Skye rocked an incredible flower crown by Little Wren Flowers, matched perfectly with her Reformation dress and funky Shoes of Prey. Her hair and makeup was by one of my faves, Mae You Be, and their dachshund Oscar was there in spirit in her doggy earrings from Pigeon Hole. Patrick was a vision in his Bonobos suit and Brackish bow tie. They exchanged matching wedding bands by Austin-based artist Erin Cunningham, and that amazing furniture and killer bar was courtesy of Whimsical Fox Events. Skye and Patrick say that their caterers, Brazilian Barbecue Catering, went above and beyond to ensure the day went off without a hitch and that Fernando probably ended up being the most popular person that night! The careful balance between doing things themselves and hiring quality vendors meant that the entire wedding was just so perfectly them.

Nicola Bodle is an Australian destination wedding photographer. She captures weddings, engagements and elopements throughout Australia and the world. Based on the Mid-North Coast of NSW, she specialises in bold, honest and emotive imagery for adventurous couples and romantic souls.