Laura & Ben
How did you and your partner meet?
We met when we were both working at Nova Entertainment in 2015.
How did you or partner propose?
Ben originally had grand plans to surprise me with a trip to Fiji in March 2020 to align with my 30th birthday, however COVID had other plans. He still went all out though, and surprised me with a weekend away for my birthday at Spicers in the Blue Mountains (the day before my 30th). The morning before we left, we went for a coffee down at Camp Cove which is one of our favourite spots in Sydney, and he got down on one knee on the beach. He’d also organised for one of our friends to hide in the background and take photos of it all, plus place some champagne up on the rocks for us to enjoy! When came back from the weekend there was a box waiting with the photo’s which was a complete surprise.
Why did you choose to have your wedding at Terrara House?
We stumbled upon the venue by chance as were in the area visiting another venue, who suggested we might like Terrara House. With no booking we decided to chance our luck, and when we arrived the gates were open. The large established trees that line the driveway initially shielded any view of the property, however as we rounded the corner this beautifully grand heritage sandstone house, with beautifully manicured gardens began to emerge. At this point we weren’t sure if we’d accidently intruded on someone’s private property, however we we’re reassuringly greeted by a warm welcome and offered a tour. While we fell in love the property at first sight, it was meeting the beautiful owners of the property and understanding Terrara’s history which meant we knew we this was the place we had to get married at.
Did you have a theme for your wedding?
The dress code was black tie, and we chose a pastel pallet with hints of green and gold. We weren’t so much focused on a theme more so a feeling that we wanted to create for our guests. We wanted it to feel like they had stepped back in time, where men were gentleman and woman were ladies. The house and garden create such a grand backdrop for guests to be treated to a night of refined elegance, while still keeping fun and whimsical. We focused on little touches like having oysters freshly sucked in front of guests and hand written cards, with a water coloured painting of the venue, sealed with a custom wax seal. These touches made our guests feel special and loved.
What was your menu on the night?
Canapes:
Octopus, romesco puree, red onion, corn, fried capers (df)
Beef tataki, house potato crisp, horseradish mayo
Flathead rillette tartlet, pickled grapes (df)
Pork belly bite, apple sauce, shallots (df, gf)
Entree:
King prawns, chilli, ginger sauce (df)
Lamb meatballs with garlic labneh, sumac and fresh herbs
Mains:
Fish, fresh herbs, grilled lemon (gf, df) - we still need to confirm the type of fish
Lamb shoulder, charred kale salsa (df)
Sides:
Half pumpkin, rocket, pear, radish, ricotta salata dressing (v, gf)
Beets, whipped ricotta, macadamia (v, vgn)
What was your favourite part of your ceremony?
We ended up holding our ceremony in Chesters which was originally only our wet weather option, however we’re so happy we did. The song we chose for myself and the bridesmaids to walk down the aisle to was ‘There Will Be Time’ by Mumford and Sons. As the song built up, the combination of well-timed music and the large wooden doors being swung open, created a dramatic moment for my entrance, which we both loved.
What did you love about your reception?
We had a close friend of ours paint Terrara House which we then printed onto cards and hand wrote everyone an individual note that doubled as their place card. This really set the tone for the entire night and you could feel the love in the room which was exactly the vibe we were going for! The marquee lit up with ferry lights and framed with the grand house in the background was truly breathtaking. Additionally, the dancefloor didn’t stop since the moment the band started after dinner and it was amazing!
How many people attended your wedding?
108 guests
What was your favourite location in Terrara House & The Estate and why?
For me it was the Bridal Salon because I had the most magical time getting ready there with my Mum and my bridesmaids. For Ben it was the Den. He hadn’t caught up with a number of friends and family from NZ. I know he loved sharing a laugh and a drink around the fire the night before and after the wedding, as the day itself goes so fast.
Did you plan a post wedding ‘honeymoon’ celebration and if so, what experience did you plan?
Yes we flew out to Fiji for 7 nights and stayed at Tokoriki Island Resort, which is all inclusive, adults only so we could completely relax! The island, the food, the staff were all amazing and exceeded our expectations, we would highly recommend it.
What is your advice for any future couples planning their wedding?
Have fun throughout the process. Focus on the areas that are important to you, and try and create a couple of key, memorable moments for your guests. Seek advice from others that have just been married. Divide and conquer jobs with your partner. Most of all, don’t let it consume you, being engaged is one of the best times of your life, it should be spent enjoying each other’s company.
THE DETAILS
Photographer: Somethings Wild
Bride’s Dress: Lili Marcs
Brides shoes: Nina
Bride’s accessories: Bracelet and earrings from my Mum
Bridesmaid Dresses: Bec and Bridge
Groom’s attire: Institchu
Engagement & wedding rings: Klzi
Celebrant: Maryanne Bawden
Hair & Makeup: Peachy Keen Hair, Gioana Cura (Salon Gio) and Lauren Hanslow
Florist: Little Triffids
Venue: Terrara House
Catering: Blue Swimmer
Cake: Sprinkles and Cream
Planner: Liz White Top Venues
Stylist: Us, plus florist and WTV to assist
Stationary: Terrace Press, Paddington Painter
Invites: Online
Entertainment: White Tree Band