Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love, what is unique about you and your relationship…
James is from a small island called Jersey, while I (Caitlyn) am from a large one called Australia.
We are an ocean lover/coastline hugger and a horsewoman/lady of the land. This means travel destinations are diverse and venturing out of our comfort zones and into one anothers always makes for laughter and unforgettable stories.
James is a Carpenter who is passionate about using sustainable building techniques and materials. He occassionally climbs into the saddle when he’s not exploring the ocean or working on a project. I’m a horse riding instructor but when I find myself away from that world I love spending time on my pottery wheel or sewing machine.
Tell us about your special day, was there a specific theme or style? Tell us a little about the setting, the styling and some of your favourite details…
I think it was probably the best day of our lives. Boranup Forest has such an ethereal beauty and is deeply meaningful to those who love the south west – it was a no-brainer for us. Something I really loved about our wedding was the arbour. I spent a few weeks gathering plants from our farm, weaving them into a giant circular structure then allowed it to dry out for a few weeks more. The girls from Rose and Wild put so much love into decking it out with gorgeous natives – lots of peppermint tree foliage, pincushion, everlastings and some café and dusty pink roses for good measure. The result was stunning. It’s something I really enjoyed working on and it’s still standing in our garden today.
The reception was really special as Jesters Flat is the farm where I work. It has been in their family for about three generations and over the years has developed a life of its own. It has the kind of beauty that can only come from people pouring years of love into it and it’s a place that has brought a lot of joy to me. The owners, Paul and Fiona, were generous enough to allow us to wreak havoc on the place for the event. It felt super fun and festive and the huge fire pit created such a warm ambience. Everything was more beautiful than we could have ever imagined.
Tell us about your main outfits:
I wore a soft gauze dress made by Savannah Morrow. I chose it because I wanted something soft, simple and understated. It felt like the right choice for the natural setting of the ceremony. James wore a soft white linen shirt over dark jeans, and in keeping with the theme of nature we both went barefoot.
What were some of the most memorable/unique moments from the day?
After we’d exchanged vows and Adrian came to the end of the ceremony, all our guests formed an archway in the forest for us to pass through which in that moment was such a beautiful gesture. There’s something about walking through an archway made by 100 of your closest friends and family and feeling all that love and joy amplified that’s just unforgettable.
Any advice for other couples planning to spend the rest of their lives together?
There’s no instruction manual for this one but I think the best thing we can do is learn to be a great listener and always be willing to put each other first, no matter what.
Photography: Paris Hawken | Ceremony location: Boranup Forest, Western Australia | Reception location: Jesters Flat Equestrian Centre, Rosa Brook, WA | Celebrant: Adrian May | Bride’s gown: Savannah Morrow, California dress | Groom’s outfit: Elwood linen shirt, Rollas Jeans | Rings: Justin Duance, Cornwall, UK | Jewellery: Bride’s anklet by Malatopia | Makeup: Kiera Haworth- Kiera Haworth Makeup Artistry | HairL Katja Hanschmann (freelancer) | Bridesmaids outfits: Savannah Morrow | Groomsmen: Miscellaneous | Entertainment: Beaver Fever | Styling: Rose and Wild and Jesters Flat Equestrian Centre | Flora and Hire: Rose and Wild | Food/beverages/catering: Samantha- La Dolce Vita Catering | Cake: Annette Milne, Amuse Cakes
