Modern romance for Madeline and Aran at Ballara Receptions

Madeline and Aran wanted their wedding to blend timeless tradition with chic, modern style. They chose the beautiful Ballara Receptions for its manicured gardens and all-inclusive experience.

Love stories often begin in unexpected places, and for Madeline and Aran, it all started on Hinge. Madeline couldn’t resist Aran’s quick-witted jokes and the quirky “whale” sounds he crafted to help her sleep. Their first date at the Mexican restaurant Fonda set the stage for a whirlwind romance, culminating in a proposal three years later on a picturesque island in the South of France.

“I had seen the ring box in his suitcase when packing, but had no idea when he was going to pop the question. He proposed under a bent-over tree facing the beautiful blue water, and I said, ‘Si, oui, yes!’ We celebrated with a swim in the French Riviera and a fancy dinner,” Madeline recalls.

Fast forward to their wedding day, a perfect blend of romance, modernity, intimacy, and fun. Madeline and Aran envisioned a day surrounded by greenery, and Ballara Receptions, with its beautiful gardens, proved to be the ideal venue. The bride wore a modern wedding gown, with asymetical shoulder detailing, paired with heels from Panache Bridal Shoes.

The ceremony took place outside in the gardens, blessed with good weather. Live music, lawn games, and pre-dinner drinks followed in the large indoor foyer area. The couple then moved seamlessly into the main dining area for the reception, and the well-organised Ballara team ensured the evening flowed effortlessly.

Reflecting on the venue selection process, Madeline shares, “The team at Ballara gave us a feeling of comfort and excitement. They were by far the most friendly, supportive, reassuring, and accommodating.”

The culinary journey at the reception was a highlight, featuring a three-course meal with alternating options for guests. From Dukkha Spiced Lamb Cutlet to Miso Glazed Barramundi and a choice between Bounty Tart and Rhubarb Strawberry Cheesecake for dessert, Ballara’s catering left a lasting impression.

When asked about any changes they’d make, Madeline mentions a few minor adjustments, emphasising the desire for a sparkler exit and a more coordinated flower petal toss. She also suggests having the wedding cake on tables for guests to enjoy or providing take-home bags with cake slices.

The couple didn’t host additional events beyond the hens and bucks parties, but Madeline recommends considering personalised messages on place cards for an extra touch of warmth.

As a final tip, Madeline emphasises the importance of a good celebrant, attributing the warm, fun, and celebratory vibe of their wedding to Megan Thompson. She advises meeting potential celebrants early to ensure they align with the desired atmosphere.

For an outdoor ceremony, Ballara offer this gorgeous white gazebo extending out onto the lake, adorned with flowers and surrounded by huge weeping willows. They also have a bright, modern looking chapel onsite as well which gave us peace of mind that we had a good backup option as Melbourne weather can be highly unpredictable. Ballara had a smaller minimum number of guests which allowed us to have a more intimate wedding with close family and friends and keep costs down. The last thing we wanted was to be stressed trying to organise table decorations, caterers etc, so we were really happy that Ballara’s packages had so many inclusions to simplify the whole process.

Madeline & Aran

This romantic wedding was captured beautifully by Michael Briggs Photography.

Photos courtesy of Michael Briggs Photography.

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