DIY delight: Amba & Robbie’s vintage garden party wedding

Amba Walton and Robbie Turnbull’s garden party wedding was just the celebration for a casual couple from country NSW.

After a four year courtship renovating houses and building a life together, Amba, 27, was shocked when Robbie, 29, proposed on a trip away to the Gold Coast.

“I was even more surprised when Robbie told me he had been custom designing my ring over the last five months,” smiles Amba.

It took the laid-back pair 13 months to design their fun, country nuptials, with one key ingredient – that everything was in the one location.  “We didn’t want to leave the party,” explains the bride.

Mindaribba House, a heritage home in the Hunter Valley, was the first venue they looked at and it ticked every box. “Hiring this venue meant we would need to build the whole wedding ourselves,” says Amba.

So on the eve of their big day, ahead of the arrival of 95 guests, the “energetic“ bride and “logical” groom, along with their bridal party and families, got to work.

“We set out lawn games, hung the photo booth between the trees, set the tables (including all the handmade linen), hung the homemade decorations and filled the venue with country garden-style flowers,” tells Amba. “Then the boys left and the girls relaxed by the pool.”

On February 1, 2014, the wedding day arrived. Says Amba, “It was a stunning summer day, I could barely contain my excitement and we landed the perfect weather, too.”

In a special touch, the couple’s grandparents were their ring bearers and the night of dancing ended with fireworks.

“The bridal shop suggested I try one dress of every style and I was surprised by what I chose,” says Amba of her Martina Liana beaded gown.

Roger David kitted the boys in their casual navy and taupe outfits, including their blue suede shoes. The bridesmaids each chose their own style in  evening dresses by Paco.

The afternoon was very relaxing,” says Amba. “Our photos [by Little Black Bow] were all taken within view of our guests.”

“We had cocktail style food instead of entrees so that we could make the most of the outdoors,” says Amba.

Following the wedding, Amba and Robbie packed their suitcases and jetted to Europe and Asia for a month.

Photos courtesy of Little Black Bow Photography.
Video courtesy of Design Patrol.