At the picturesque Kingsford Homestead in idyllic Barossa Valley, South-West couple Tessa and Jason wed amongst 70 of their nearest and dearest. The allure of French-inspired gardens, and a backdrop of rolling sunlight hills that is truly breathtaking. The iconic 225-acre property has been lovingly restored by owners Leanne and Stefan Ahrens, overflowing with modern, luxurious and timeless character making it an ideal destination wedding venue. The couple, accompanied by their bridal party, donned classic black and white attire complemented by contrasting pink and red florals that effortlessly dressed their location.
Photographer Gold Light and Videographer Kol and Ko Creative beautifully captured the romantic affair on a windy February 8th, 2023. The chosen date, 40 degrees and symbolically significant as Tessa's favourite number, added a touch of balance to their love story.
Having been together for over eight years, Tessa and Jason's journey began at high school and rekindled years later at a mutual friend's party. The unexpected encounter at the Dartmoor Rodeo (not her scene at all Tessa laughed) marked the beginning of their love story.
Here their love story goes…
First Meeting
Jase and I attended the same school, although we weren't particularly close during that time. Our paths crossed at a mutual friend's party, and that's when an instant connection sparked between us. However, as fate would have it in many love stories, Jase went abroad shortly afterward. It wasn't until his return that we reconnected, and surprisingly, it happened at the Dartmoor Rodeo in 2015. That's when we decided to make our relationship official.
The 'One'
Tessa chuckled, saying, 'He's the complete opposite of me—very calm, consistent, and mellow. He always comes through. Also, he's quite tall! And he's always been incredibly sweet,' she commented.
The Proposal
Jason and I were in need of a break after the Covid lockdowns, feeling a bit weary of being confined within the four walls of our home. We made a spontaneous decision to escape, and it turned out to be the weekend we got engaged November 5th, 2021, in Bright. I was completely caught off guard; I was in a tracksuit, makeup-free, and the surprise was overwhelming. Jason had carefully crafted for me a solitaire emerald diamond on a white gold band, and it's absolutely perfect. It was a weekend that I will never forget.
Planning Process
"I began planning the afternoon we got engaged," Tessa revealed. Honestly, she confessed, "Instagram was a lifesaver." It serves as a comprehensive directory for all things wedding, and I spent countless hours saving, searching, and scrolling through inspiration. I selected vendors based on their responsiveness and activity. Surprisingly, finding a hairdresser in SA proved challenging! I'm delighted with all the vendors I chose and would recommend them without hesitation. As a couple, we always envisioned an intimate destination wedding, so once we selected our venue, everything else fell into place around it. Surprisingly, I took charge of booking in person, while Jase meticulously handled every detail with Excel sheets.
Style Inspo
Tessa explained, "Without knowing my style, it felt very 'Classic with a touch of pinks and reds.'" All the suits and bridesmaids were dressed in black, the wedding dress was made of silk, and the décor featured a palette of white, black, or crystal. They had a clear desire for a destination wedding that was both small and intimate. The decision-making process began with selecting the venue, and everything else seamlessly fell into place around it. They opted not to heavily decorate the venue, as it was already a standout feature. Simple crystal glasses and candles were the only adornments. Each bridesmaid had the freedom to choose a dress of their liking, resulting in a beautiful and comfortable ensemble that truly reflected their individual styles.
Ceremony + Reception
"We aimed to find a venue that offered everything in one location or as close as possible. Kingsford, standing out on its own, provided on-site accommodation for 32 guests. Our hostess for the week, Steph, meticulously managed every detail for us. All aspects were taken care of with precision. The remaining guests stayed 15-20 minutes away in Tanunda, where we arranged transportation to bring them to and from the venue. Our arrival on Tuesday included a rehearsal, followed by a relaxing evening of drinks, swimming, and unwinding on the patio.
On Wednesday, the first look took place at 2 pm, followed by a recommended 2 hours of photos to ensure the experience remained enjoyable. Guests arrived by 4 pm for a 4:30 pm start. After a delightful session of drinks and canapes in the garden, dinner was served at 6 pm. The evening progressed with speeches, the first dance, dad's speech (as he was the MC), and a toast. Formalities concluded by 9:30 pm, paving the way for a lively evening with a DJ, dancing, and a saxophone performance, wrapping up around 12:30 am.
We opted to stay the entire week, relishing in the post-wedding unwind. The morning after the celebration, everyone either engaged in activities or relaxed by the pool by 7 am, creating a delightful post-wedding experience."
Non-Negotiable's
“I would have to say my three non-negotiables were venue, the photographer and the dress!”. There’s no doubt what we chose to splurge and save on is personal preference, however narrowing down the options makes it effortless to know what your priorities are going into the big day. For us, the venue was the star of the show, it offered everything, and I was adamant that the venue and ceremony would be in the same location for everyone. I wanted everyone to be well feed, the day to feel organic and nothing forced”.
The 'Look'
"I tried on numerous dresses but couldn't commit to any," Tessa shared. Eventually, she opted to have her dress custom-made by her favourite Hawthorn-based designer, Sonia from Capallezzo. Originally considering neoprene, Sonia wisely reminded her of the Barossa's heat, advising against the feeling of a wetsuit. Tessa followed the recommendation and chose silk. Although she hadn't envisioned herself in a voluminous dress, the uniqueness of the occasion led her to embrace it. The final result was not only flattering, comfortable, and individual but also distinct from other dresses she had encountered. Tessa underwent about 7 or 8 fittings with Sonia until the dress was perfect. While it was certainly not a wetsuit, the beautifully double-lined dress was quite heavy, weighing about 12 kgs. For the reception, Tessa slipped into a silky cream slip dress from Shona Joy and danced the night away.
Something Blue
"My something blue was my Grandma's sapphire ring that I wore on the day. Luckily, she was there, making it even more special. And, I can't forget my husband's pride and joy, the Ford XP Coupe we drove".
Food
"Cocktails and canapés were served, followed by a formal dinner crafted by Owen Andrews starting at 6 pm. The entrée was consistent for everyone, while the mains adopted a 'feed me' style, featuring a variety of meats, salads, and vegetables. All the culinary delights were prepared using locally sourced produce from the Barossa. A year prior to our wedding, Jase and I had the opportunity to taste the Barossa's offerings and fell in love with the food. We carefully selected wines that complemented the meals for the day. Ultimately, we decided to forgo a traditional cake and instead offered petite dessert tarts for our guests to enjoy on the spot or take away. Owen, considerate as ever, even provided a late supper of delicious (let's call them chips! Apologies, Owen, ha-ha) for us to snack on as we savoured the memories of the day."
Fav Moment
Numerous cherished moments filled the day, yet one that stood out was observing everyone dancing after the formalities concluded. It was a bittersweet to realise that one of the most significant days of life was drawing to a close. “It’s such an overwhelming experience” said Tessa.
Meaning of Marriage
Sounds cliché, but for me, it’s a partnership. You’re just solidifying the relationship but also, you’re so proud to be standing in front of your nearest in dearest with this other person by your side.
Wedding Soundtracks
This was an interesting one, we had completely different taste for music! In the end we decided on:
-Aisle song: Show Me Love by Laura Mvula
-Bill Withers, Lovely Day.
-Ceremony: More than a Woman, Bee Gees.
-First dance: Adele, One and Only.
Then we enjoyed the night with a DJ and Saxophone.
Funny Moments or Near Disasters
While there were no major disasters, a near-disaster occurred when the wind turned ferocious just before I walked down the aisle, almost blowing away the arch. Despite this, we embraced the moment and did not let it dampen our day.
As for funny, there are many things whilst planning a wedding you have to decide whether to save or splurge on. Having a sister who is talented at all thing’s beauty, she did our fake tans. Thankfully for her, we all were so happy with the colour (I had no doubt in her ability) but just imagine the bridal party’s (plus a few more) unconventional air-drying their fake tans in the front yard of their Airbnb. Providing many moments of laughter and camaraderie.
Words of Wisdom
“You get three non-negotiables for your wedding day. Know you can’t have everything. Choose the three elements that mean the most to you, then work backwards”.
Vendor List
@goldlightphotography
@kolandco_weddings
@kingsfordthebarossa
@cappellazzocouture
@sweetnothingflowers
@entertainmentadelaide
@weddingsatkingsford
@clanceys_menswear
@sacksjewellers
@kylanrhianna.makeup
@gaetanamarjas
Celebrant: Julie Ryan
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