Tash Wilson and Marc Groves met over a footy game and fell in love. Their spring wedding last year was a definite game, set, match moment. Photographer Darryn McKay captured every joyful moment.
The State of Origin will always hold special significance to Tash Wilson and Marc Groves, who met nine years ago, barracking on the Blues at Bundanoon Pub.
“Marc lived in a small town called Bombala four hours’ drive away and was staying in Bundanoon with his work,’ says Tash, a cleaner from Moss Vale. “I went to watch the match with a girlfriend.’
As the match played, the couple became oblivious to the interstate rivalry playing out on the small screen.
‘We remember making each other laugh and feeling a weird sense of comfort like we could be our complete selves around one another,’ Tash recalls.
Marc was equally struck.
‘My first thought was ‘this girl is so beautiful’,” he recalls. ‘It wasn’t only Tash’s appearance but also her radiant smile and genuine friendly nature. I knew I couldn’t let her get away.’
When Marc returned home, the couple began a long distance, weekend relationship.
“Not being able to see each other made us miss each other more,’ says Tash.
“Marc moved to Moss Vale and although a lot of people said it was too soon, we started living together. Respect and attraction soon became love and our relationship has been a blessing and a gift.’
On Christmas Day 2017 Marc proposed in Hoi An, Vietnam.
‘We were on a private long boat cruise when Marc very nervously and beautifully got down on one knee and popped the question,’ says Tash.
“People were cheering as we came back in as they had witnessed our engagement. One girl even video recorded it and sent me a copy so we can cherish it forever. It was magical.”
The couple married at Burrawang Village Hotel in November. It was the perfect laid-back garden wedding.
“It was exactly the vibe we were looking for,’ says Tash.
“Beautiful gardens, a marquee and a fireplace not to mention the stunning backdrop of Burrawang village itself.’
Their theme was boho and the ceremony and reception were held on the hotel’s lawn in front of 100 guests. Marc and Tash married in front of a tepee altar they made with the help of a groomsman, Pete.
Guests enjoyed canapes and cocktails before dining on a laid back buffet of tandoori chicken, vegetarian skewers, roast potatoes with feta and caramelised onion, Caesar and garden salads in a huge marquee. Dessert was a two tiered butter wedding cake, one layer with lemon curd, the strawberry coulis. There was a pop up bar, yard games for guests and trees draped with festoon lights.
The couple married spring because it is their favourite season and kept their fingers crossed the weather would behave.
‘The weather was perfectly warm with the sun beaming over us and although there was a cold change later in the afternoon, the pub supplied many heaters and everyone was having too much of a great time to notice,’ says Marc. “Regardless of the weather the day would still have been amazing.”
Tash wore a bespoke two piece wedding dress she originally found on Google. Amazingly when she met Sydney designer, Denisse M Vera at the Bowral Wedding Festival, the pair realised it was actually one of the talented dressmakers’ designs.
Tash and Marc spent their wedding night at luxury accommodation venue, Wild Ducks in Burrawang, as Tash did the night before her wedding with her bridesmaids, her mum and sister. The couple honeymooned in Bali staying at Ubud, Nusa Lembongan and Seminyak. All in all, it was a perfect ending to a wonderful day of highlights.
“My highlight was seeing Tash for the first time as she walked down the aisle towards me and being able to express our love in such a raw way in front of our family and friends was truly a moment we will never forget,’ says Marc.
Tash concurs. Although there is one teeny detail she would change.
“Everyone tells you how fast your wedding day goes and afterwards you realise how true that is. If I could change one thing it would be trying to stay present to take in every moment.’
Details
VENUE
Burrawang Village Hotel, Burrawang
BRIDE’S DRESS
Denisse M Vera
BRIDESMAIDS DRESSES
Petal & Pup
GROOMS SUIT
Tramps, Wollongong
Wedding cake
Kate ingmire, applemire cakery
@applemirecakery
Photographer
Darryn mckay
Mckay wedding photography
Florist
Lilies and lace weddings
Liliesandlaceweddings.com.au
Bouquets, buttonholes, table arrangements
Rosey days studio
Celebrant
Allison baldwin
Hair
Jenny zeiser
@passiflora_hair
Music
Bodey maiorana dj (friend)
