Why May is so special at Stones
May is one of the most breathtaking months on our property. Not only is the grass usually at its greenest as we slide into the cooler months, but the trees and vines also start to turn into a kaleidoscope of yellows and reds, providing a truly outstanding backdrop for wedding photography.
Over the past 16 years, we have often been asked the question, 'When is a good time of the year to get married at Stones of the Yarra Valley?' All decisions regarding your wedding are deeply personal, making it a challenging question to answer. However, we often find ourselves suggesting, 'Have you considered getting married in May?' This response can be met with some trepidation, but hear us out.
May is one of the most breathtaking months on our property. Not only is the grass usually at its greenest as we slide into the cooler months, but the trees and vines also start to turn into a kaleidoscope of yellows and reds, providing a truly outstanding backdrop for wedding photography
We asked our longtime friends, Lost in Love Photography, about their thoughts on May as wedding photographers. Having photographed their first wedding at Stones in 2016 and many since, Lost in Love has experienced all seasons on the property and confided that May is a particular favourite.
“We adore photographing Stones at any time of the year, but there is a particular beauty about Stones in May! The golden light streaming in through the chapel door when the bride/groom enter for the ceremony. The way the chapel door is shaded for the petal throw, which then creates the most flattering light for family photos or bridal party portraits in front of the chapel door. The grape vines turning golden. The chapel vines turning a deep crimson.”
In addition to the extraordinary colour palette, with the end of daylight saving time, the photo hour occurs during the best light of the day, allowing you to focus on celebrating with your loved ones during your reception. Lost in Love echoed this sentiment:
“The timing of the ceremony means the portrait session is generally during golden hour and right into dusk - the most romantic light of the day. The setting sun catches the tree tops and lights them up with a golden glow. The chapel windows are lit up during your portrait session. The sky often turns the most beautiful shades of pink in the Valley as winter gets closer. The Barn has an intimate warmth as the daylight fades and your guests enter, candle light flickering on the tables. The crisp country air means less people disperse outside and more people hit the dancefloor!”
While the weather in the Yarra Valley is unpredictable at any time of the year, there is a higher chance that the temperature in May will be lower than in the summer months. This might be considered a negative; however, if you’re wearing a wedding gown or a suit, the cooler weather may be a blessing. Without the scorching sun, you (and your guests) will likely be much more comfortable. At Stones, all of our indoor areas are heated, so if it’s a little brisk, we have you completely covered. In any case, the fashions are gorgeous in the colder months - the long-sleeved dresses, throws, removable sleeves, faux fur - all stunning additions to any bride’s ensemble.
We asked Lost In Love if they had any advice for couples trying to decide when to get married.
“When looking at wedding photos of your chosen venue and ask what time of year they were taken! Although in Melbourne you could get rain, hail or shine any time of the year, understanding what the grounds and light look like at different times of year could be super helpful!”
A huge thank you to Lost in Love Photography for chatting to us for this blog post. All images used are credited to them and you can view more on their socials. You can get in touch with them through their website.
If you need help deciding when to get married with us, get in touch! Our expert wedding team will be able to help you navigate when the best time would be for you to host your wedding. Reach out to us via email at weddings@stonesoftheyarravalley.com or phone us on 03 8727 3000.
Behind the Flowers | Sassafras Weddings
We are sure you have seen one of their revered floral installations, but have you seen the faces behind the brand, Sassafras Weddings?
Founders (and partners), Jess & Matt have mastered balancing a successful business, married life, and a family of four beautiful children. We had the pleasure of sitting down with both of them for a candid look behind the curtain of one of Melbourne’s best wedding florists.
Jess and Matt’s love story began 18 years ago when they were introduced through mutual friends. Since that day they were inseparable and together have created a full life, and now with 4 children, a loving family.
When we asked the talented duo to paint a picture of their wedding, they paused, looked at each other, and laughed. Not only did Jess do the florals for her own wedding, but also three others that same day!! This is a true testament to Jess's passion and dedication to her craft.
Jess made her way onto the floristry scene 25 years ago, starting as a junior at David Jones Florist and assisting with the Spring Flower Shows. It was here, Jess fell in love with the creative process, using flowers as a medium to build out spaces and watch her creativity bring joy to others. This was a pivotal point in Jess's career that sparked her desire to one day, create her own floristry business.
This dream became a reality 13 years ago when Sassafras Weddings was born. While working her day job in corporate florals, Jess began working weddings on weekends from her spare room. Matt became the “alpha parent”, looking after their beautiful children and helping Jess with flowers after work.
Fast forward to the present day, Jess and Matt both work full time at Sassafras Weddings, with two warehouses side by side expanding over 400 sqm. Together, they have created a comfortable and happy space in which their team can thrive and shine. With Jess’ eye for design and Matt’s background in visual art and horticulture, they are a powerhouse in the floral industry.
By working and raising their family in the Yarra Valley, Jess and Matt have been able to create a special bond with the region, along with its wedding venues and couples. All product is sourced from local markets, wholesalers, and farms. Keeping in line with their sustainability practice, the team at Sassafras Flowers recycles, composts, and reduces waste where possible by using reusable vessels and structures wherever possible.
Wedding advice with Jess
Jess did her first wedding at Stones of the Yarra Valley 12 years ago and has continued to be a significant part of our weddings since. We asked the experts what advice they had for our future couples at Stones.
What advice would you have for couples that are planning their wedding?
Once you have chosen your vendors, trust them and their expertise. Let them do what they do best and be open to allowing their experience to guide you. Also, trust your instincts as couples usually go back to their first ideas.
What are some planning points about floristry specifically that couples should note?
Don’t be overly prescriptive regarding the brief and overall design. We suggest being open with communication and allowing your florist to take creative control in bringing your brief to life. One week before the wedding, we will leave time to source different varieties of seasonal availability which is probably the most magical part of the process and where we have created the most 'wow' factor moments.
What is your favourite thing about working at Stones?
We absolutely love the aesthetics of Stones and how beautifully they align with ours. There are endless ways to design the space using scope and scale, so we can express our creative flare in so many ways. Even if it’s something simple and classic or the other end of the scale, it always works so magnificently. We also love the people. The team is so welcoming, warm, professional, and kind, and their attention to detail is wonderful. We can trust that the tables will be set beautifully and curated to perfection. It feels great to be supported by the Stones team to collaborate and create something magical for the couples.
What is your favourite backdrop at Stones for photo opportunities?
We would have to say inside The Chapel where we can build an installation under the arch windows. The back of The Chapel also allows for endless beautiful installations and photography.
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When asked if there was anything else they wanted to talk about, Matt paused, he said he would just want to talk more about how great Jess is. And their advice to couples? Don’t lose your sense of humour. Always be able to laugh with your partner, and always check in with one another.
A beautiful couple and an incredible team to collaborate with. Thank you, Jess and Matt!
Erin & Tara, Atelier
These two incredibly talented women have taken wedding photography into a whole other world. Curated to spark a feeling and sensation when flicking through their Instagram account, you will notice their extremely impressive caliber of work.
Having been featured in Vogue, Harpers Bazaar and Elle - to name a few - they have just recently launched a new arm to their brand, Erin & Tara Atelier. We recently sat down with the ladies over a glass of bubbles (why of course!) and a Zoom chat to learn more about it.
Stones: So tell us, what is Atelier?
Erin & Tara: We introduced the Erin & Tara Atelier as a means of showcasing our timeless and romantic style through a curation of bespoke luxury items inspired by love, romance & memories. Elegant statements, potent reminders and future heirlooms, our Atelier is a curation of treasured and eloquent keepsakes.
Stones: It’s definitely a beautiful keepsake piece. Where did the inspiration for Atelier come from?
Erin & Tara: Our beautiful print products have always been available to our Erin & Tara clients. We realised that as we only shoot a limited amount of weddings each year that it would be amazing to have a platform for all couples to experience our gorgeous collection of albums and magazines, and in turn enjoy part of the Erin & Tara experience, even if we were unavailable to capture their day.
Stones: What is it that makes your leather albums so different from other albums people can create online?
Erin & Tara: Our bespoke Wedding Albums are handcrafted in Italy by a family-owned group of artisans, they are printed on fine art paper, bound in luxurious leather and finished with bespoke monogramming. Our albums are designed to be showcased, housed in a stunning leather box and essentially become a piece of art for the home. These albums are designed as heirlooms and therefore their quality is beyond anything else we’ve ever come across.
Stones: Ah… we love the sound of a beautiful Italian handcrafted heirloom! We see that you guys created an album for Kim Kardashian. How did that happen? Did she get in touch with you directly?
Erin & Tara: Oh, we loved creating Kim’s album! We organised this all via our Creative Agency, POET Agency. Working closely with our contacts, the opportunity to set this up was a dream come true, we were so blown away when she shared her album on her IG! We selected the perfect shade to tie in with the interior of her home which is such a beautiful and neutral palette. This nude colour is certainly now our most popular colour selection from our Atelier!
Stones: There is something so nostalgic about albums, however it's something that we do very little of these days. Have albums become more of a special novelty these days?
Erin & Tara: As we see more and more people moving away from print products and into the digital world, we feel the experience of enjoying printed memories has become so much more meaningful. We remember back to when we were younger and the nostalgia of pulling out the old photo albums as a family, it truly is so sentimental. It was so important for us to create a refined and sophisticated keepsake and our Albums provide the perfect way to house those treasured and transportation moments of not just your wedding day but also the amazing other moments in life that we can look back on and enjoy. They are a very special way to relive and share your favourite memories with others, and they continue to do this for the generations that follow.
Stones: What can someone expect when purchasing an Atelier album?
Erin & Tara: Upon choosing an Erin & Tara luxury album via our Atelier, you are choosing to work with experienced designers, art directors and visual storytellers to pull together your favourite moments in an entirely bespoke and luxury keepsake. From image and crop selection to leather & finishes, your dedicated designer will be with you each step of the way to ensure that you receive the perfect bespoke piece that remains beautifully timeless with age. We also invite clients to view our collection of sample albums and leather swatches at our design studio in Kyneton, Victoria. We take so much care in this process as we feel that your wedding album and the photographs within it, are ultimately the final tangible piece of your wedding day.
An Interview with Steven Jackson, Moon & Back Co Wedding Filmmakers
Known for their authentic, raw and modern approach towards storytelling, the Moon & Back Co team has established itself as Australia’s most sought after wedding videography company.
They understand what it takes to reflect the personalities of their couples in their films, like when and where to utilise drone footage, pre and post wedding location shots, and go as far as editing each wedding video with a song that’s crafted to the couples unique personalities, so no two wedding videos sound the same!
TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT MOON & BACK Co... HOW DID IT ALL START?
It all started with an idea that building a team culture at the forefront of our wedding film studio would result in a collaborative and inspiring environment that would improve the quality and longevity of our couples films year after year.
10 years on, we are currently spread across Australia, NZ, Europe and USA, with remote collaboration enabling us to consistently produce amazing weddings films for couples anywhere in the world.
IF YOU HAD TO DESCRIBE YOUR COMPANY IN FIVE WORDS...
Fun, Ambitious, Humble, Passionate, Connected.
WHAT KEEPS YOU GUYS INSPIRED?
Each other, as well as the couples we work with. Creating wedding films is a truly personal experience; it’s an intangible but beautiful product that can be watched and revived for years to come, but the process of working collaboratively internally on a couple’s film, as well as partaking and enjoying a couples day makes it inspiring on all fronts.
WHAT DOES A TYPICAL WEDDING DAY FOR THE MOON & BACK Co TEAM LOOK LIKE?
We want the couple to feel like we are another guest on the day, blending in, being discrete, and ensuring that we can get those unguarded moments from the couple as well as other guests (who simply think we are a part of the party). We kick off a couple of hours before the ceremony and continue on a few years into the evening. The day itself is again as if we are a guest observing and seeing the day from the point of view of a guest, so the typical wedding day evolves in its own unique way (as every day and every person is so unique), so it’s always a surprise as to what pans out next.
YOU GUYS ARE ALWAYS TRAVELLING. LIVIN' LA VIDA LOCA! WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVOURITE LOCATIONS TO WORK IN AND WHY?
Being spread far and wide has its perks. We get to see locations that as a tourist we just wouldn’t have had discovered if had not been for a wedding invitation. Some of our favourite places;
Lake Como / Italy - it’s just a short flight away from our base in London, it has beautiful sites but it also has amazing people that we work with that are passionate about what they do and share our values.
Yarra Valley / Australia - the funny thing about being Australian is that a lot of us are often lucky to film in both Australia and Europe, but European based suppliers often only dream of working in Australia.. so its easy to take our favourite local venues for granted when in fact, we have world class locations that are truly destinations in themselves... with Stones of course being right at the top of our list
Queenstown / New Zealand - It is truly a beautiful place. Only a short few hours flight from Melbourne, and we are transported to one of the most picturesque and mountainous locations of anywhere in the world. We also love the people.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THOSE COMMON QUESTIONS YOU GET ASKED BEFORE THE BIG DAY?
How we choose our music. Our couples choose us because they want something that expresses natural and authentic moments, without the need for speeches, voice or overlays. We give couples their vows and speeches as entirely separate films, so their centrepiece Highlight Film is made up of Just moments and music.
For each couple we select an entirely unique song, that we use specifically for their wedding and their wedding alone, and we will never use that same song again. Logistically you can imaging the difficult task of curating a unique song for every single couple; but it’s this care and craftsman ship that we put into each film that continually inspires us to create something that reflects each couples unique personality
AND LASTLY, WHAT ADVICE CAN YOU GIVE TO COUPLES LOOKING FOR A WEDDING VIDEOGRAPHER?
We often tell couples no matter how much you invest in the most perfect wedding day, it’s quickly over in a single moment. The wedding video will last forever, so the right style of video that reflects the personality of you and your day is important. Once you find a style you like, find a company that shares your values, and then lock them in before someone else does! It will be one of the best decisions you can make, and one that only gets better as the years go on.
Some of our favourite Moon & Back Co moments, but be warned! Grab a box of tissues and settle in because once you start it will be hard to contain yourself from watching anymore!
For enquiries and more amazing videos head to moonandback.co
Virginia & Tim
Natalie & Matt
Nicola & Stephen
Being Present on Your Wedding Day
Photo by Rolan John Photo
Your wedding day has so many moving parts and emotions, and so being present and enjoying the moment is no easy exercise. We’ve put together a list of things to help guide you along the way so that you can focus on being present without thinking about anything else.
Create a wedding day timeline that allows for a little room to breath
When you’re working on your wedding day running sheet, factor in some down time for you and your partner. Wedding days can sometimes easily become overwhelming, and so it’s important to take some time away and breathe it all in with your partner.
These little moments will help keep you grounded and keep those nerves at bay.
Don’t forget to celebrate along the way
Just found your perfect wedding dress? Pop the champagne! Booked your DJ or band? Cue that Beyonce playlist because it’s time to dance!
They say it’s not the destination, but the journey that gets you there. There’s no need to save all the celebration for the big day. You and your partner can acknowledge every little milestone along the way.
Unplug on your wedding day
For all those times that you decide to have a digital detox day, your wedding day should be one of them. Forget about your phone and enjoy your wedding day unplugged! If you feel that you need your phone to capture moments, trust that your photographer will get everything you'll want to see.
Things might not go as planned on your wedding day
It’s fair to say that wedding days may not always go as planned, and that’s okay. Those little imperfections help make your wedding day so special and one to remember, especially the chaotic ones, like the time Aunty Tracy knocked the wedding cake down (ohh, there’s always an aunty involved!).
If you have a morning routine, don’t skip it
Most of us have a morning routine that we like to follow to help us start our day on a positive note. Now this doesn't mean looking at your phone (revert back to note 3...) as most of us have the tendency to do.
Your morning habits might be simple, like pouring a nice cup of hot coffee and sipping away at it slowly, stretching out with some yoga and pilates, boxing, meditating, being still for a while, journaling, walking and anything else that makes you feel good about taking on the day.
The key is to not reinvent your morning rituals on your wedding day too much, and instead stay true to yourself.
Get Loved Up During ISO With These Great Date Night Ideas
Explore Weekly Cheese and Wine Pairings
While a trip to our local wine bars and wineries might not be possible right now, you can still host your own tasting nights. Why not try pairing cheese and wine once a week before or after dinner, as you prefer, to add a little extra something to your weeknight or weekend dinner. We’ve gone ahead and recommended some lovely wine pairings:
Shiraz: Smoked Gouda
Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot: Cheddar or Gouda
Pinot Noir: Gruyère
Sparkling or Champagne: Brie or Camembert
Paint and Sip the Night Away With Online Paint Classes
Okay, okay, we know, this is not everyone's idea of romance, but if Netflix and dinner isn't doing it, then don’t be afraid to get a little creative together.
Put together a little charcuterie board for two, open up your favourite bottle of red, spark some candles, load up an online class, and paint and sip the night away. Some of our favourite and easy-to-follow online painting classes to explore include Cork and Chroma and Cork and Canvas.
Cooking Up A Storm, Together
Start by taking some inspiration from countries and cities you’ve both visited, find a recipe that involves some hands-on preparation and enjoy exploring a culinary adventure together.
If you want to add an element of fun and some healthy competition, try and give each other a course to focus on, it could be entree and main, or main and dessert, and see who can make the better dish!
Game It Up
Revisit some of your old childhood favourites like Backgammon, Twister, Monopoly or Jenga, to name a few. If you have an Xbox or another gaming device, why not try a game together. Games are a great way to escape from our daily life, even if just for a short while.
An Interview with Anna Campbell, Wedding Dressmaker
Tell us a little about what made you want to become a wedding dress designer?
My journey into bridal began when I was creating formal dresses for young women, I had so many brides requesting that I make these pieces in ivory so that they could wear them on their wedding day. This natural progression led me to creating my first range of bridal gowns and I have never looked back! There is something so truly rewarding about creating a dress for one of the most important days of many of our brides’ lives, I wouldn’t change it for the world.
Where does the inspiration for your collections come from? Is it travel, current fashion trends, books, family, friends etc.
As a designer I draw inspiration for my collections from a plethora of elements, from botanic influence, to architecture and beyond. Each lace or embellishment is designed from a creative vision which is then crafted into an incredible fabric and used to create one of our Anna Campbell dresses. I am endlessly inspired by the beautiful brides that wear our dresses and I design each piece with her in mind, aspiring to create timeless gowns that our brides feel beautiful wearing on their wedding day.
What is your favourite dress type at the moment?
This is such a difficult question to answer as I fall in love with many of my designs and when I see a bride feeling incredible in her dress, that design becomes an instant favourite for me! At the moment we are having a lot of fun with our daring bridal separates. We love seeing brides across the world wearing these pieces and adding their own authenticity to their styling. I would say our bridal separates are a favourite amongst the entire Anna Campbell team.
Any special moments during your time as a wedding dress designer that have stayed with you?
There has been countless pinch me moments throughout my career as a designer, from my first experience having a collection stocked internationally or walking out on the runway after showing my collection in New York. The moments that stay with me however are the moments that are shared with the bride and her family, working together and finding the perfect dress for her wedding day, seeing her thrilled to have found the one, nothing quite beats that.
Over the years, you have created thousands of beautiful wedding dresses for brides and we've been so lucky to see so many of them at Stones. What advice would you give future brides looking for their perfect wedding day dress?
Choosing to work with a designer who understands your vision and truly cherishes working closely with their brides can make the wedding dress process that much more enjoyable. You want to feel comfortable working with the team who are creating your wedding dress, whilst ensuring you honour your own personal style and stay true to your vision for your wedding day. I always recommend to our brides not to overthink it, if you love the way you feel in the dress, then go for it!
And lastly, what did you think of Princess Beatrice's wedding dress?! The ladies of the Royal family are known for making headlines then it comes to their wedding dress. Do you think we will see any trends rising from Princess Beatrice's wedding?
I love that Princess Beatrice looked so genuinely happy and excited in each photo from her wedding day. Beatrice’s dress was such a beautifully modern adaptation to a vintage piece, I am always a fan of embroidery detail and the square neck is a truly flattering trend which you may see from us later this year!
Five things you need to know to write your wedding vows, with Celebrant, Janet Hussey
Tips and tricks to inspire you to write the most romantic, humorous and meaningful vows, and who better to ask than a celebrant!
Stones: Before we get started, tell us a little about your background
Before becoming a celebrant, I spent the first years of my life working in corporate, first as a secretary and later as a trainer. After becoming disillusioned in the corporate world, a long-time friend of mine suggested I would make a great celebrant. So the seed was planted, and I’ve been working as a marriage and funeral celebrant for over 20 years. I wouldn't change a thing. I’m also recently a first-time mother… of a tiny black female Toy Poodle!
Stones: How would you best describe your style when it comes to hosting a wedding ceremony?
I try not to take myself too seriously. I am youthful in my approach, fun, friendly, outgoing, yet sensitive to your needs and just simply love giving people the very best ceremony they could wish for.
Stones: What are your top 5 words of wisdom for couples who have decided to write their own vows
Start with the most important thing - Your partner. Whether you opt for humor or are likely to bring your partner (and guests) to tears, write your vows as though you're speaking only to your spouse-to-be.
Write it all down, then edit - Don’t wait until the 11th hour to start writing your vows. Take your time, and despite the pressure, try not to leave your vows to the last minute; you'll appreciate having the time to rework them. Try jotting down words or thoughts as you think of them.
Be authentic - Use your own language, use the words that you would normally say to each other and include some humour. It helps to relax you and your partner.
Promises to your partner - A vow, if nothing else, is a promise after all. You can’t include everything, so focus on the main things, eg. make our marriage my top priority, fall in love over and over again. However you choose to promise yourself to your partner, keep in mind what makes your connection unique, and what makes the person you're promising yourself to your perfect match.
Practice saying your vows out loud - Reading your words to yourself works in the editing process, but reciting them aloud to make sure the words flow easily, is highly recommended. Perhaps you can try practicing in front of a mirror or in the shower.
Have fun! – Don’t forget it. It’s your wedding day and you want to enjoy every moment.
For more about Janet Hussey, click here.
Tips and tricks for a killer dance floor with Stones favourites, Like This Band
Like This Band:
Looking at Like This Band, you’d be excused for thinking they’re the new kids on the block: youthful, passionate, bright eyed and bushy tailed. Hearing Like This Band it is immediately clear that these cats have been around for far longer than their youthful appearance suggests. “We turn 10 this year!” exclaims Like This’ guitarist Zac Carter, “coming out of high school we knew we wanted to continue playing music together, we are all incredibly social people so the gravitational pull towards weddings and events was one we happily leant in to!”.
Fast-track nearly a decade down the road and Like This Band are one of Victoria’s most sought after weddings and events bands, and it’s easy to see why. Not only are they all individually prodigiously skilled, but it is their energy and chemistry on stage that truly makes them stand out. “I’d love to say we have a mantra, but truth be told we just love playing music and feel so lucky to be able to do it week in, week out – I think that passion shines through!”.
Here at Stones of the Yarra Valley, we are incredibly lucky to have the pleasure of their company most weeks (well, when we’re open of course!), and from our perspective Like This Band bring an energy and excitement to the room that is unmatched. However, it’s not just the dancefloor fillers that make this band so special, it is their ability to perfectly capture life’s special moments in song that truly sets them apart. Whether it’s walking you down the aisle, nailing the Father-Daughter dance, or somehow, somehow knowing what Nanna’s favourite song is – these unique moments are what make your day that little bit more special!
With nearly 10 years’ experience and over 600 shows under their belt, we figured who better to turn to for some seasoned advice on how to create the killer dancefloor!
Here are Like This Band’s top five tips for an amazing night!
1. This one might seem obvious, but it’s so important, don’t do too much! Weddings are an absolute ball, but they go by in a heartbeat. If you’ve always got something scheduled in, you’re going to miss out on the party. Make sure you allow yourselves time to just kick back for a while, share a toast with friends, or bust up the dancefloor with us!
2. Trust your suppliers: Stones’ recommended suppliers list is the bible of quality wedding entertainment in Australia. They will build a team of suppliers with you, and picking off that list, you really can’t go wrong. Without pumping ourselves up too much, we’ve gotten pretty darn good at knowing just what it takes to get the dancefloor jumping. We are always reading the crowd and picking songs based on what we see working on the dancefloor. Basically if you pick us, the nights dancing is sorted!
3. Personal touches: Having said that, sometimes a personal touch is exactly what the dancefloor needs to really go off. Maybe it’s a crazy uncle getting up to sing with us. Maybe it’s a flash mob of dancers busting it on to the dancefloor, or maybe it’s the song that’s been played at all your families’ parties since you were three? Whatever it is, we want to know about it, because these moments you’ll look back on with a smile, and these are also the moments that can help your dancefloor to really get going.
4. What makes a good dancefloor? Here’s a few hints in one: Make sure you sit your rowdiest bunch of friends closest to the dancefloor, and those who are more inclined to spend the night at their table, furthest away. Small dancefloors are not a bad thing, shy dancers are more likely to jump up if they can squeeze into the crowd. The darker the dancefloor the better! We bring an array of dancefloor lights, so we have all the lighting for the dancefloor covered.
5. Go out with a bang: This doesn’t have to be extravagant, but it’s great to make your farewell an all-inclusive and memorable moment. Stones have a range of options to send you off in style, and we’ll work with you to make sure you have the perfect song for this moment.
We also asked the band to tell us their 10 all-time favourite dance floor tracks. Here’s what they said:
“This one is by far the hardest question to answer, since we adapt our songs to suit the unique group of people we’re playing for. And also, each band member could write you a different favourites list from our broad repertoire. BUT…..here are 10 songs that are guaranteed to get even Uncle Frank on his feet!”
1: Ain’t no mountain high enough-Marvin Gaye + Tammi Terrell
2: September- Earth Wind & Fire
3: I Had the Time of my Life-Bill Medley, Jennifer Warnes
4: Shake your Tailfeather- Ray Charles
5: Crazy in Love-Beyonce
6: 90s (too many good tunes to list!)
7: Sweet Disposition- Temper Trap
8: I want you back – Jackson 5
9: I wanna dance with somebody- Whitney Houston
10: Love is in the air-John Paul Young
Interview with Stones of the Yarra Valley Creative Director, Vonnie Frazer
For those of you who may not know, Vonnie Frazer is the powerhouse behind Stones of the Yarra Valley.
For Stones of the Yarra Valley’s Creative Director (and matriarch), Vonnie Frazer, life has always been about people. Growing up in North Balwyn, Vonnie’s first job was helping her mother style their own wedding venue, Erskine Court. “All these years later I can still recall the excitement I felt when I’d help my Mum decorate the venue – I loved it!”. Fast track 50 years down the track and Vonnie is one of Australia’s most revered stylists and interior designers, renowned for being the creative genius behind the design of Stones of the Yarra Valley, The Stables at Stones, Meletos, The Farmhouse at Meletos and No.7 Healesville.
When Erskine Court was sold, Vonnie moved into the world of music and events, beginning work on the front desk for the Paul Dainty Group. It was here she met a confident, swashbuckling young man called Steve Frazer with whom she fell madly in love with and with whom just recently celebrated their 40th anniversary.
When children came, Vonnie and Steve decided to make the move out to the country, settling on a beautiful property in Kangaroo Ground. “The three boys, David Ryan and Ben were always up to mischief so having some extra land was a god send for us! We could just send them down the hill into the bush and tell them to be home for tea!”. With Steve often working overseas as part of his sports management career, Vonnie turned her attention to local tourism, opening a beautiful bed and breakfast called Grovedale Cottage and working part time for the local Tourism Association. “It was an idyllic life for me, with the boys always around and my little business ticking along – they were great years”.
Vonnie had felt for a long time that the Yarra Valley was missing a wedding chapel, and when Steve decided it was time for a career change the idea of Stones of the Yarra Valley was born. ‘We initially only planned on building a chapel, but one day Steve returned home raving about this beautiful century old barn he’d found in Coldstream and I thought, why not!”.
These days Vonnie can be found racing about the properties with foliage under her arm, filling The Providore van with olive branches from the family olive grove, tending to the Meletos vegetable garden, styling the restaurants for the days service and generally ensuring the venues look their best!
We recently caught up with Vonnie for a cup of coffee and a quick Q & A, read on…
How do you find life working in a family business?
It’s absolutely terrific, it really is! Don’t get me wrong there are times when I think we all want to kill each other but working alongside family is a blessing I do not take for granted! There is something so special about sharing the highs and lows with family, the honesty in which we can discuss issues and the knowledge that when times get tough, we are all here to knuckle down and work hard, protect each other and come out the other side. It’s fantastic.
What is your favourite aspect of your role?
The creatives, for sure. Finding beautiful pieces and design inspiration to create the venues character. The early days were so hectic for me, building the venues, designing the gardens, selling the weddings, even sometimes running food to wedding guests! In recent years I’ve found much joy in taking time to appreciate the property, to focus on styling and design. Creating the identity for No.7 Healesville was an enormous challenge that I had a lot of fun with; how do you transform an old cabinet makers warehouse into an interesting and inspiring events space? Steve and I spent a European Summer driving around Tuscany sourcing incredible interiors that you could not find in Australia and packing them all in a shipping container for home!
Where do you find your inspiration?
I have been lucky enough to spend a lot of time traveling the world, especially throughout Europe. I adore France and Italy, and always return home with new ideas and inspiration! My greatest inspiration comes from life’s little moments, overhearing guests remark on pieces of furniture or design always brings a smile.
Do you have a favourite space on the property?
The Stables is my secret garden, and I feel very proud of creating that space because it was an incredibly old, run-down building. Merging the loggia with the century old structure, and how combined they frame our stunning African tree is something I’m very proud of.
What was it like creating The Providore with your son Ryan? Working together to create a space that has become so important to our couple’s big day?
I loved doing the build and working closely with Ryan sourcing unique pieces of furniture to ensure it held its own within the precinct. We had a great trip through Bali prior to the build and filled a shipping container full of beautiful pieces of furniture, windows and design elements that all help in bringing beautiful age to the new building. To work closely with my son is a great joy.
What advice would you give to couples when thinking about the styling element of their wedding?
Absolutely go with your gut feeling! Don’t allow yourself to get confused by always looking at Pinterest, social media and other brides’ weddings. Even I get confused with my style when I spend too much time looking online, for there are simply so many different ways to style your big day. In the end your wedding day is about love, it’s about the bringing together of friends and family and that’s the most important thing to focus on.
Photographer, Rick Liston
He may call himself a citizen of the world having spent the majority of his adult life living between Asia and Europe but here at Stones of the Yarra Valley, we are forever grateful that one of our favourites, Rick Liston, has returned home and settled back with his family to where it all began, the Yarra Valley.
Rick cannot imagine any other profession he would rather work in, shooting rad couples on the best day of their lives is what he adores and he will deliver heartfelt, laugh-filled, reliably awesome service each and every time. It’s this and many more reasons he’s one of our go-to recommendations!
When your wedding day rolls around, usually way faster than you expect, you will be joined not by a photographer, but by a friend with a camera who wants nothing more than for you to be able to see for yourselves what your loved ones do, two hearts combined!
We took a moment to chat to Rick and find out just a little bit more.
Tell us about yourself
I was born and raised in Healesville, and I think growing up in a small town gave me the sole focus of meeting as many people from as far away places as possible. Once I had that mindset, opportunities kind of fell into my lap that allowed me to keep going. I photographed for a British adventure wear brand with shoots all over the world, I was the first Australian on the Amazing Race, Johnnie Walker sent me on an overland odyssey from Singapore to Moscow to teach cricket to locals, I was the host of Getaway in China, and I got to see a lot of Asia working in TV and documentary. The pursuit of this crazy passion has enabled me to witness so many uniquely beautiful life stories that are far more inspiring than fiction.
I settled in Shanghai, as it was a melting pot of interesting people from every culture. One of them in particular caught my eye. A drop dead gorgeous fashion designer from Ibiza, who couldn’t understand a word of my Aussie accent but assumed I must be a surfer (I was careful not to correct her).
After five incredible years in Shanghai together, we moved to Ibiza and had our beautiful daughter, Vedra Jade. As much as we love scooting the streets of the French Concession in Shanghai and swimming in the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean, the Yarra Valley is where we now call home and after seeing so much of the world, there is honestly nowhere else we’d rather be.
What inspired you to become a photographer?
My travels through every continent taught me that everybody has a story. I’m rubbish at writing, but I loved how much of people I could capture in a series of photos. There is an immediate impact on me whenever I look through them, their stories flooding back to me. I think this is what has translated so well into shooting weddings and why it never feels like a job, but a passion project. Weddings truly are the perfect way to learn as much as possible about someone in the shortest time. On no other days in our life do we so openly share how we truly feel about each other. Partner to partner, parents to children, best mates to best mates. It takes a wedding for us to verbalise things we’ve perhaps never said before, and yet they have been deeply felt, in some cases all our lives. They create such heartfelt moments that are a blessing not just to photograph, but to witness. That’s the magic of photography, that while we may never hear those words again, the emotion lives on in the photos which transport us back to that exact moment, and that exact feeling, and your heart melts all over again.
In a few words, how would you describe your style?
Raw, unguarded and a little wild. I feel it strongly stems from my personality, my ability to get couples so comfortable with having me around that they’re free to be themselves. This is the path to getting photos that truly reflect how they felt on the day.
What’s your favourite spot at Stones to shoot?
The chapel. Hands down. Inside and out. I could shoot the whole wedding there, no problem. It’s just so visually appealing. I love the arching windows and doors, the sprawling Boston ivy and the majestic trees that overlook it. I love how beautifully it transitions from one season to the next. You can’t go wrong with some classic chapel photos.
What is your favourite time of year to shoot at Stones?
That would have to be autumn. There’s just something about that crimson ivy that gets me every time. I find myself running around the chapel like a madman finding more and more angles that blow me away.
What advice would you give to couples who are a little camera shy?
You’re not alone. Nearly every couple I sit with come to me with the same concerns. The idea of someone following you around with a camera can seem so daunting. But don’t worry, after years of shooting weddings I’ve got a long list of fun games and prompts to get you guys relaxed into being yourselves and celebrating your marriage together, rather than focusing on the camera. This way, your photos are naturally, uniquely and perfectly you. That’s why the decision of who photographs your wedding is one of the most important you’ll have to make. They’ll be with you throughout the whole day so be sure to get someone you feel comfortable with and who you can relax around.
Where do you get your inspiration?
From the couples themselves. I’m inspired by their stories and am so privileged to be the one asked to artfully represent those stories. I feed off their energy and how they interact. Every couple is different and I’ll never grow tired of setting out each wedding ready to fall in love with two more humans and the connection they share. That same underlying goal I had when I first left Healesville still motivates me today. Meet. Learn. Love.