The Wheatbelt Collective | Classic Elegant Winter Styled Shoot | Buckland Estate, WA | 16 June 2019 {Perth, Avon Valley & Wheatbelt Wedding Photographer}

The Wheatbelt Collective was founded by myself and the ladies from Confetti & Co and Petallica Flower Co, as a collaboration between like minded wedding and event specialists based in the Avon Valley and Wheatbelt regions, just east of Perth in WA.  

Our aim as a collective has always been to provide a space for talented locals in the wedding and events industry to get creative, share ideas, and work together, towards the common goal of providing both city and country folk with a host of quality suppliers to choose from, when planning a wedding or event in a rural area. 

So when we heard that one of our most loved and historic homesteads, Buckland Estate, was being renovated as a new wedding and event venue, we joined forces with the new owners, keen to showcase the endless possibilities this incredible property has to offer.

And I had a personal incentive for being involved too. It was my fourth great grandparents, Charles Pratt and Ann Solomon, who upon arrival from England in 1830, began building on their newly allocated land holding, 120km east of the Swan River Colony, near the fledgling town of Northam. Their daughter Ann Ellen Pratt went on to marry one of Charles’ employees, a Seaman named James McLean Dempster, and together they produced the long line of Dempsters that are well known to both Buckland Estate and the local Northam area, to this day.

And what better way to explore the options, and to get word out about this fabulous new venue, than with an elegantly styled shoot full of classic feels, and warm, Wintery tones? A huge thanks to the following vendors and suppliers for contributing their wares and talents on the day, and for doing us proud in the country once again!

Russell, of Buckland Estate (venue) for all his hard work landscaping and renovating in the months leading up to the shoot, which provided us with a perfect backdrop on the day.  Sarah and Holly at Confetti & Co (planning & styling) for providing the brief and organising the shoot, and for their delightful table setting on the day. Sarah from Petallica Flower Co (floristry) for all the beautiful blooms you see, and Jamine Fowler (HMUA) for her incredible hair and makeup work with our fabulous model, Molly.  And finally, Yvette from Yvette’s Cakes (cake) for the delicious cake you see nestled amongst the candles and fruit on that delectable Winter table setting.

So if you’re in the process of planning a wedding or event, and you are yet to nail the perfect location, get in touch with Sarah and Holly at Confetti & Co to arrange a viewing of this beautiful venue. Otherwise, make your way out to Buckland Estate on Sunday 11th August 2019 between 11am and 3pm for the Wedding Open Day, being co-hosted by Confetti & Co. You’'ll have an opportunity to look over the venue, and to speak to a select team of fabulous vendors (both local and Perth based) who will be on-hand to answer any wedding related questions you might have. Plus there’ll be food trucks and a drinks van, so why not make a day of it, and we’ll see you there!

 

Glenn + Jess | Rustic Farm Wedding | Northam WA | 22 September 2018 {Perth, Avon Valley & Wheatbelt Wedding Photographer}

I love a good farm wedding, and this one was certainly no exception! Held on the family farm at Southern Brook just east of Northam, surrounded by their family and friends, and blessed with a superb Spring day, Glenn and Jess really did have the makings of a perfect wedding day.

But farm weddings can be hard work too, with much of the labor required the day before, and on the morning of the wedding. Everything has to be accounted for, and set up without the help of a venue or experienced staff to share the load. Furniture, seating, flowers and decorations need to be brought in, drinks, food, and portaloos sorted, and the ever present flies and mozzies dealt with.

So early in the planning stages, Glenn and Jess decided to engage the help of local wedding planners and stylists Holly and Sarah from Confetti & Co Events. These girls rock at what they do - seriously, they take all the stress out of the day! They organise the hire of furniture and equipment, which they collect, set up, and then drop back to the suppliers when it’s all over. They help plan the schedule and timetable for the day, then keep vendors updated and running on time as everything unfolds, and they deal with the little problems that can arise on a wedding day. Plus they’re super creative too, adding the finishing touches to everything from ceremony areas to table settings, to take your wedding to the next level.

So I was stoked when they announced that Glenn and Jess wanted me on board as their photographer, along with Sarah from Petallica Flower Co on flowers, making it a Wheatbelt Collective collaboration. Formed just over 18 months ago by myself, Confetti & Co Events and Petallica Flower Co, The Wheatbelt Collective encompasses a group of local wedding and event suppliers who aim to provide a high level of service and quality to people who wish to host their wedding or event in the country. Our goal is to encourage people to ‘keep it local’ by providing the kind of service previously perceived to only be found in the city.

But our ability to provide great service relies to an extent on the fabulous suppliers we work alongside on the day. And we were blessed to have the following team on board for Glenn and Jess’s wedding. Julie Chesson A Love Story (celebrant), Jasmine Fowler (hair & makeup), Yvette’s Cakes (cake), Lala Design (stationary), Little Miss Vintage, Grandscene Wedding & Event Hire and HA Hire Events & Weddings (furniture & tableware hire), Complete DJ (DJ), Avon Valley Hospitality (catering) and The Northam Country Club (reception venue).

A huge thanks to all of you for creating such a beautiful and well run wedding for our couple, and for showcasing the possibilities for events held out here in the Avon Valley and Wheatbelt. I think the results below speak for themselves. Seriously, why would you want to get married anywhere else, people?

Congrats Glenn and Jess, and thank you so much for having me share your day with you, it really was fabulous!