L O R E N A & B E N
A laid-back garden wedding with bohemian touches was the perfect way for this couple to start the next chapter of their lives together.
Facebook friends…
Ben and Lorena first met in New Zealand. Lorena was attending a work conference and Ben was Teaching a summer school course at a fine furniture school.
“We met via a social networking app where Ben introduced himself and asked to take me out to dinner that night! Unfortunately, I was already at the airport about the head home to Palmerston North (NZ). However, Ben and I became Facebook friends and messaged each other every day until I decided that I really had to meet and speak to this amazing guy in person! Two months after our initial contact Ben picked me up from Sydney airport and took me on a romantic holiday around the Blue Mountains, Nelsons Bay and his hometown of Newcastle.”
Love at first sight…
In a scene straight out of Love Actually, Ben and Lorena kissed on first sight in the airport arrivals lounge in Sydney. From there, they knew they had something special when they didn’t want to leave each other after spending the week together. Before Lorena had even left Sydney, Ben had already booked flights to New Zealand to visit Lorena later that month!
Christmas surprises…
On Christmas morning of 2014, Ben proposed to Lorena, surprising her with a ring hidden inside her gift!
“I thought I knew what he was getting me as we had been shopping together. When I opened my present to what I though was my mug, inside was the most beautiful handmade timber box with a ring inside. He knelt down on one knee and asked me to marry him!”
A handcrafted celebration…
The bohemian garden wedding was held on the rolling lawns of Oxford Falls Peace Park in Sydney’s Northern Suburbs. Ben and Lorena styled the park with vintage inspired pieces they designed and made themselves!
“Ben made the large timber wedding doors which marked the entry to our ‘outdoor church’. At the front, Ben made a timber arch and I made the macramé backdrop. We hired mismatched white timber chairs for guests from Vintage Patina… We visited vinnies, salvos and antique dealers and collected vintage plates all the way from the Gold Coast to Sydney. Surprisingly, Ben LOVED this. My talented husband is a furniture designer and Maker with his own business Ben Percy Designs. He made all the guest tables from American tulipwood, and the bridal table from blackwood. He also made all the pizza paddles that the pizza’s were served on out of blackwood. The table flowers were a mix of Australian native posy’s I brought from the flower markets in jars we had collected.”
Bohemian inspired…
While on a family holiday to the Gold Coast, Lorena stumbled upon the Grace Loves Lace boutique and instantly fell in love with their collection. Looking for a dress that wasn’t a traditional bridal look, she chose the ‘Collette’ gown. With bare shoulders and a featherweight lace overlay, the gown was simple yet elegant, flowy and feminine.
Relaxed dining done right…
Opting for a casual approach to wedding catering, Lorena and Ben hired Ray’s Pizza to feed their hungry guests! The team brought and set up all of their equipment, including a woodfired oven that ensured the pizzas were beyond delicious! They prepared Italian canapés for after the ceremony and before the reception and catered for a sit-down meal of salad and pizza (and more pizza for dessert!).
A winning Kombi-nation…
One of the highlights of the day was chilling out and relaxing in their sky blue Kombi, ‘Evie’, which was rented from Kombi Weddings. The van carted the bridal party to and from their location photos and fit perfectly with the bohemian theme!
Photography: St. John Imagery / Transport: Kombi Weddings / Celebrant: Liam Chapman / Bride’s Dress: Grace Loves Lace / Groom’s Suit: Briggins / Décor Hire: Vintage Patina / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Evolution Clothing / Catering: Ray’s Pizza / Cake: Cake Craze / Décor Creation & Styling: Ben Percy Designs