They wed on a national holiday and were inspired by the small country town that rallied together for their Easter wedding.
Following a three-and-a-half-year courtship and a proposal in Paris, 28-year-old Gemma Bendotti and Chay Pointer, 30, chose the bride’s hometown, Pemberton, WA, to celebrate their union.
One hundred and twenty-five guests gathered on a perfect 25-degree day at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in the petite rural community on the state’s south-west tip. Walking down the aisle with her dad on her arm, Gemma says, “I just remember Chay having such a huge smile on his face – I was so happy to see him.”
Country-chic was the reception’s aesthetic held at Gemma’s parents’ property – a sprawling potato farm with magnificent 180-degree views of the countryside.
Friends and loved ones on all sides pitched in to help execute Gemma’s vision – a mood board of hydrangeas, hessian and gingham in shades of indigo and cream.
“The reason for the day running so smoothly was all the amazing family and local people that contributed and helped out on the day,” praises Gemma. “We had a lady open her hair salon just for us [and the makeup artist] was more than willing to travel from Busselton even though it was Easter. She even made a long weekend trip out of it with her family.”
She adds, “We were so grateful and it’s just what we love about small towns – everyone pulls together to help out.”
The Adelaide-born groom looked the part in a smart navy Hugo Boss suit and blue-and-white check shirt by Country Road.
Gemma chose the Karen Willis Holmes ‘Faith’ gown for her slender frame, accessorising with the ‘Lola’ cuff and ‘Harlow’ headpiece by Johanna Johnson.
Gemma praises photographer Peter Adams for going “above and beyond” to get the right shot – “even getting down in the dirt on his stomach for one of the photos!”
Of a wedding day filled with love and laughter Gemma says, “It was only possible because of the small-town spirit and amazing friends, family and locals.”
Photos courtesy of Memories of Tomorrow Photography.