Michael & Joanna’s Ultimate Country Wedding in Armidale

When I Say DIY I literally mean it with this amazing Armidale Wedding! With the help of some incredible friends and family, Michael & Joanna planned out their whole wedding by themselves and did it exactly the way they wanted. I knew this wedding would be unique when Joanna told me that the Ceremony was starting at 10:30am on a Friday morning. Not afraid of going against today’s Wedding norms, these guys had the ultimate daytime wedding complete with a Post Ceremony Lunch and an Afternoon Reception.

Michael and Joanna were Married at St Peter’s Anglican Cathedral in Armidale by their long time minister from Uni Church. Their ceremony was a lovely occasion with friends even being involved by playing music in the band. Following their Ceremony, Michael & Joanna along with their Wedding Party and close family went off for private lunch at a local restaurant before going out for photos. Armidale Arboretum was the backdrop for their very country style wedding photos as we battled the sun and the heat in the early afternoon. Given the morning Ceremony, Couples photos were a lot earlier in the day than I am normally accustomed to but it was exactly what these guys wanted and I think we made it work really well.

Following their photos we drove out of town to the old Dangarsleigh Hall for their afternoon Reception. More of an afternoon tea gathering than a traditional reception, this space was perfect for these two and allowed them to hang out with everyone they wanted to on their Wedding Day. Friends and Family brought in platters of food and the afternoon was spent Catching up with friends, hearing stories about the Newlyweds and finished of with a some Line Dancing. Just the way these guys had planned.

I loved

How Joanna & Michael felt confident to do everything themselves and not go over the top with vendors they didn’t need. Joanna chose not to have her make-up done and her hair was done by a close friend. Joanna also made her own Wedding Dress and helped a friend create the bouquets for her Wedding. This made everything feel so personal and unique.

Something Unique?

Organising a line-dancing class for all of your Wedding Guests at your reception is not something that you see everyday but Joanna & Michael did it and it was a smash hit. Everyone was up dancing for almost an hour and once people learnt the moves you could hardly get them to stop!

Time-Savers?

Having no Hair or Make-up in the morning made Joanna’s day so much more chill and she told me how it allowed her to have a big breakfast and slow morning with her family. Another massive timesaver was Michael & Joanna going out for lunch on their Wedding Day Lunch rather than Doing a full sit down Reception Dinner. I am sure this not only saved them time but also allowed them to spend the time they did have with the ones they truly love.