When it came to choosing a location for their wedding day, Seija Leach and Matthew O’Brien looked no further than their favourite holiday destination - Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula. The couple fell in love with the historic medical superintendent’s house in Point Nepean National Park, with its lush sweeping lawns offering remarkable views over the bay. “We both knew instantly that this was the place for us. It gave us that special buzz we were looking for!” Seija explained.
The biggest drawcard was a majestic Moreton Bay fig tree in the garden which would become an underlying theme of the couple's wedding. Figs and leaves featured on invitations and place cards, in speeches and readings, and even the menu. The tree also created a stunning natural backdrop and amphitheatre when it came to the ceremony itself.
The bridesmaids made their entrance wearing loosely flowing floral dresses and strappy leather flats which perfectly complemented the ‘garden elegance' dress code. Seija followed on the arm of her proud father, and as she walked towards a beaming Matthew, she looked simply breathtaking in her beaded gown with its intricate detailing and unique keyhole back.
"Stepping out from the verandah of the house into the warm sunshine and seeing Matt smiling at the bottom of the aisle was simply beautiful. It was a long aisle so my father and I paused at the top of the hill to admire the stunning view along the Peninsula coastline and absorb the significance of the moment," she said. The couple describes the ceremony itself as both moving and memorable.
"The beautiful music and singing ended before we had finished signing the registry, and after a short awkward pause, the band broke into the Melbourne Football Club's theme song much to Matthew's delight and my father's dismay," Seija laughed. "Dad got his own back in the rival football stakes however, as he had already planned to have a large Geelong chocolate football placed on the bridal table to greet Matthew after our entrance into the marquee!"
With a transparent roof and walls and simple rows of suspended wicker lights, the marquee offered stunning views over the bay, and later, of the stars. With a delicious menu designed by Ed Dixon Food Design, bunting flags made by the mother of the bride added a delicate splash of colour to the celebrations, along with bunches of herbs, hydrangeas, hot pink roses, and lisianthus. "Overall, we felt the setting was beautiful enough as it was so we just added subtle touches to the scene," Seija explained.
As the sun set, stars twinkled among the silhouetted branches overhanging the clear roofed marquee. The perfect time to make a wish - although this couple's dreams had already come true.
Finer Details
Following the effortlessly chic theme, banquet tables dressed in French linen cloths were decorated with hydrangeas and roses in glass jars, balls of rustic twine, industrial cotton reels, potted herbs and books. Wooden crates filled with bunches of lavender and herbs wrapped in brown paper, vintage ladders and baskets added the final decorative touches to the romantic setting.
Appearing on the couple’s stationery, the beloved Moreton Bay fig tree featured in the readings and the Father of the bride’s speech. Fresh figs wrapped in prosciutto with blue cheese were also served as one of the canapes! u Keen sailors, Seija’s parents spent many hours tying sailors knots from short pieces of rope that were wrapped around the napkins.
“You could not dream of a more perfect day to host a wedding on the Mornington Peninsula,” said Ed Thomson, Ed Dixon Food Design.Together with Seija and Matthew we developed a celebration around the ‘European Summer’ theme that resonated through the styling, menu design and luckily enough the gorgeous afternoon sunshine!” “Seija and Matthew are really passionate about great quality produce and they wanted to make sure their guests were able to try many different dishes. We had so much fun developing a menu especially for them,” said Ed.
