Dean and Kathryn first connected in Year 7, evolving from classmates to a couple in Year 12 after he asked, “wanted to try a relationship?” After twelve years together—marked by shared homes, pets, and life milestones—they celebrated their engagement when Dean proposed on a cruise ship balcony, presenting a bespoke salt-and-pepper diamond ring. Their wedding took place at Kinglake Forest Adventure Camp, a repurposed school camp turned woodland venue, where the ceremony unfolded amid the trees.
A Forest Venue With Room for Everyone
The couple prioritized finding a venue with enough on-site accommodation for all guests, plus the chance to hold the ceremony in a forest. After extensive searching, they discovered Kinglake Forest Adventures, a school camp converted into a wedding venue that could sleep up to 120 people.
During their tour, they were drawn to the winding forest path leading to a clearing with built-in bench seating, a festoon-lit hangar for the reception, and cabins for guests. The venue also included a separate newlylywed suite and space for food trucks. Booking one of the last available March dates, they learned shortly after that the venue would stop accepting future wedding bookings, making their event one of the last.
To extend the celebration, they reserved the venue the night before, turning the wedding into a weekend affair. This allowed the bridal party to stay on-site and eliminated travel on the wedding day. Kathryn described it as the chance for a bunk-bed sleepover with her closest friends.
Personal Style Over Tradition
With the venue secured, attention turned to attire. Kathryn opted against a traditional wedding dress, eventually finding a 100% silk two-piece brown set at Zimmermann. She purchased it off the rack and later had minor adjustments made by Mel Rose Couture.
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Dean’s suit fitting at YSG Tailors presented a styling challenge. While he wanted a green suit, his best man suggested a black lapel, which clashed with Kathryn’s dress. The co-founder, Ryan, intervened, helping them find fabric options that complemented both outfits without revealing Kathryn’s choice.
For the wedding party, Dean’s groomsmen wore textured white shirts, neutral-taupe pants, and muted green ties from OTAA, paired with their own brown boots. Kathryn’s six attendants, three sisters and three friends, including a bridesman named Lochie, chose dresses based on a shared mood board. Her father, a cobbler, handmade leather belts for the boys, each engraved with initials.
The menu reflected their shared love of Japanese cuisine, leading them to book Kimu Korean Japanese Eatery, whose founder had trained at Vue de Monde and grew up in Kyoto. Dean’s wedding band incorporated the ancient art of Kintsukuroi, crafted by the father-son team at Mr Fisch, who also made Kathryn’s engagement and wedding bands.
Local florist Sasha from Mountain Daisy Florist worked within budget to create a bridal bouquet, arbour arrangements, and buttonholes. To save costs, the couple handpicked their own reception flowers from a nearby farm days before the wedding.
They kept the day focused on what felt authentic, skipping traditions like matching getting-ready outfits and wedding cars. Instead, they held a pre-ceremony forest moment, served a Krispy Kreme doughnut tower alongside a mini bento cake, and invited all guests to join the bouquet toss. Their reception entrance song was “Down with the Sickness” by Disturbed.
Photography and Videography
The wedding was captured by photographer Hayley Hickman and videographer Dean Atherton, who documented the forest setting and weekend festivities.
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Family Involvement And Unconventional Touches
Kathryn’s father joined the bridal party during preparations, ensuring he was part of the moment rather than excluded. Her mother also participated in the morning routine, creating an intimate atmosphere filled with laughter and support.
Instead of a seating chart, the couple used room charts for the school camp-style accommodations, letting guests choose where they wanted to sit. They skipped wedding cars entirely, though Kathryn made a secret trip to the ceremony site in a golf buggy unseen by attendees.
After saying their vows, the newlyweds spent half an hour alone in the forest, taking in the beauty around them before rejoining guests for photos and the reception. A content creator captured behind-the-scenes moments throughout the day, preserving small details and candid interactions for the couple to revisit later.
Vendor Highlights
Hair and makeup were handled by Ellie Marie Hair Studio and Sian Monique Makeup, ensuring the bridal party looked polished throughout the weekend.
Celebrant Zach Bruton officiated the ceremony, described as approachable and down-to-earth, while Taylor Piggott provided acoustic music during the procession.
