DESTINATION WEDDING VALENTINE’S DAY EDITION 2020
Breeanna Packham was only 18 when she met her groom, Adrian Lamonica in 2012. Bree was working at a retail store in Perth, Western Australia. They were introduced by a mutual friend who was dating her Manager at the time. “Adrian says he remembers thinking that I was the most beautiful girl he’d ever spoken to, but I don’t remember meeting him!” says Bree. A few weeks later, Adrian built up the courage to ask Bree out on a date. She surprised him by saying Yes!
Four years of dating later, Adrian popped the question to Bree on top of The Eiffel Tower, in Paris, during their three month trip exploring Europe. He couldn’t have used a more perfect speech to ask if he tried, though as a result of shock, it took him repeating “Bree, will you marry me” before she said Yes! It was a sweet move that Adrian correctly predicted, would reveal he knew the only place she had wanted to visit on her travel list was Paris! He thought it was only fitting to propose on their anniversary date, in the City of Love.
Growing up in Australia, a destination wedding, felt like a must for the couple’s September 1, 2019 nuptials. The beautiful couple landed on Bali, with an intimate wedding in mind. With only nine months to plan, Bree and Adrian, found the perfect venue - Puri Temple Hill- by chance. That day, we visited eight venues and nothing really worked in our favor- plus it was raining! says the bride. “We were driving on the Four Seasons street in Jimbaran and saw this magnificent chapel from afar. We were shown around by one of the staff and everything about it ticked our boxes - and then we came across the reception grounds, the high end private resort in Greece like ambience and the secret garden feel with lush tropical plants. We knew this was it.” says the bride. As they say, the venue picks you- and we struck gold that they were available on 1 September 2019!
Bree’s experience as a bridal specialist- hair and make up artist, came in handy in the few months leading up to the couple’s September 1, 2019 wedding. "I really wanted the day to feel well curated—and wanted our guests to walk onto the property and say, 'Oh, of course Bree did that,'" the bride explains. Her expertise and some quick decision making allowed her to speed through the planning, design, stationery, and signage processes for the celebration in just few months along with the Puri Temple Hill team.
The event that she created? A personal celebration enhancing the setting with botanical details white, gold and green palette (inspired by the reception's homemade plates) and ultimately created an elegant theme ceremony and reception. “Puri Temple Hill is a truly special place that takes your breath away, and we wanted to let that really shine through,” says Bree. On the big day, the couple (and their 40 guests) headed to Bali, where Gani from Flipmax Photography, was on hand to capture all the floral-inspired details and special moments. Keep reading for more!
The couple’s style permeated every detail. It all began with the invitations, which featured a delicate design with white and green details. The envelope was lined with a gold thread.
Bree’s wedding-day look was incredibly classic. Her gown was a trumpet Essence of Australian design from Tuscany Bridal, with Chantilly lace and an embroidered tulle overlay. “It was meant to be! I felt amazing in it the entire day!” She kept her jewellery simple- just a pair of Dior pearl earrings- so it wouldn’t compete with her head piece, and finished her look with Christian Louboutin block heels and her stunning headpiece from Perth Designer, Anita from Kezani Jewellery. Her romantic bouquet combined garden white roses, ranunculus, orchids and seeded eucalyptus.
Bree kept her hair in low textured ponytail perfect for Bali weather. Girl Boss of her own Bridal Makeup Studio, BLM Artistry in Perth, she did her own hair, makeup and tan- she went for her usual signature bridal style of natural glam and focussed on flawless skin and defined features. For more details on this breathtaking bride’s hair and makeup, head over to her instagram page @blmArtistry
Adrian was equally chic in a bespoke Tony Barlow tuxedo and Prada shoes. He paired this with his Daniel Wellington watch.
Bree and Adrian had their diamond wedding bands designed from The Michael Hill Designer Bridal Collection.
We wanted a clean, modern, simple look that would not compete with the natural beauty of our venue backdrop,” says the bride. Bree always wanted an all-white wedding, and that’s what they created with elegant decor —think candles, ivory chairs, vintage votives, greeneries and minimal flowers! “We designed it this way to allow the space to truly be transparent and unadulterated,” says Bree
As guests entered the lobby of Puri Temple Hill, they were greeted with Champagne served in flutes.
Guests were escorted into the beautiful chapel and each attendee had a reserved seat in the chapel; spots were also marked with pouches of rose petals to toss at the end of the ceremony.
Bree’s father and her father in law walked her down the aisle, as "Marry Me" by Train played in the background. “Walking down the aisle, I was overwhelmed by every good emotion possible,” says Bree. “Seeing everything set up as we’d imagined, the chairs full of our favourite people, and Adrian at the end of the altar, looking happier than I’d ever seen him, was incredible!”
At 4 p.m, as the birds were chirping and the sun was shining in, the bride and groom exchanged vows with their gorgeous venue as the backdrop. The ceremony did not follow a traditional script, but the personal touches and humor made it that more special to the couple. “ We wrote our own vows and it was a lovely concoction of romance, happiness and comedy,” says the duo. “Our Celebrant, Witarmin Lomo from Bali Celebrants, arranged by the venue, rocked our ceremony script. It was just full of love and laughter- the best day of our lives!”
Backed by beautiful views of the surrounding scenery, Bree and Adrian sealed their vows with a kiss, before exiting the ceremony to a song by “Kygo - Born to be Yours” while guests tossed petals.
The newlyweds stole away for a few minutes on the venue’s Harley Davidson which by chance happened to be parked out front, courtesy of the owners, and the photographer captured candid and posed portraits of them against the deep green beautiful landscape and all around the property.
Guests moved to the adjacent Opia garden, for cocktail hour, where lounge furniture was set up throughout the spaces so guests could get comfortable and take in the surrounding scenery. The guests enjoyed passed hors d'oeuvres like seared kingfish in crispy wonton taco, burrata puff pastry tartlets, and vegan coconut ceviche. Lounge music enhanced the setting and the happy atmosphere.
Along with a full open bar, Bree and Adrian offered two signature cocktails from Opia, “Blushing Bride” and “John Snow” along with free flow cocktails and beer.
After their couples photos, Bree and Adrian joined their guests by the garden to mingle and share a bite before dinner. “We were on cloud nine knowing there was so much fun to follow.”
During the reception, guests sat at one of the long wooden teak tables where traditional centrepieces were replaced with cascading greenery, white bougainvillea, white roses and vintage centrepieces. The bare tables were set with beautiful glassware and dinnerware from Opia Bali. Guests were serenaded by jazz playlist with Sammy Sturgess playing on the saxophone.
The couple entered the reception to “We Found Love” by Rihanna to make their Grand Entrance as Mr & Mrs Lamonica. They had DJ Sammy put together a dinner playlist and kept the atmosphere relaxed.
This reception began with the newlyweds dancing to Ben E. King's, Stand by Me. During their engagement, the couple took classic dance lessons to prepare for the big moment, and, thanks to their instructor, they wowed the crowd with their moves.
For Bree and Adrian, one of the most magical parts of the day was spending time with loved ones who traveled from all over the world to share a celebratory meal with them.
The venue's in-house restaurant, Opia Bali, created the night's menu, which included ricotta gnocchi with roasted mushrooms, seared octopus with beetroot potato causa, and Opia’s signature elements of chocolate for dessert. The beautiful wedding cake from Butter Bali were ordered ahead and individually packed as bonbonniere that doubled as favors for wedding guests to take back to their hotels. Of course, Bree thought of this!
After dinner, DJ Sammy belted his sax and stood at the centre to lead everyone to the dance floor. "We used music to signal transitions throughout the evening, and this definitely let everyone know it was time to party," says the bride.
As the display of fireworks lit up the skies, everyone got along famously, and the night ended with guests surrounding the duo and belting out “Forever” by Chris Brown and “sending all this energy and love our way,” says Bree. “There was a ton of energy on the dance floor from all the generations,” says Bree.
As for the newly weds, they were most impressed with the intangibles. “The venue was already decorated beautifully, but with everyone’s vibes and smiling faces, it felt even more vibrant and electric” says Bree. Adrian agrees: “ Everyone really brought such good vibes. The venue felt like a resort that we bought out. I loved the moment Bree walked down the aisle. I was half crying and half laughing with joy.’
“Decide what aspects are most important, then be flexible with the rest,” says Bree of planning a wedding on a tight timeline. “Your vision will evolve through the process, so don’t get to stuck on any one thing. Be open-minded to creative alternatives and new ideas!”
Ceremony Venue: Puri Temple Hill || Reception Venue, Catering & Bar: Opia Bali || Bridal Cake: Butter Bali || Bride’s Dress: Essence of Australia, Tuscany Bridal || Bride’s Shoes: Christian Louboutin || Bride’s Earrings : Dior || Groom’s Attire: Tony Barlow, Australia || Groom’s Shoes: Prada || Hair & Makeup: BLM Artistry || Nails: Palette Atelier || Floral Design: Celia from Silverdust || Music: DJ Sammy Sax || Bride Headpiece and Jewellery : Kezani Jewellery || Wedding Band: Michael Hill Jeweller || Photography: Flipmax Photography || Celebrant: Bali Celebrants