Emily-Jane + Pierce

Emily-Jane + Pierce

Married on 28 October 2023

The Proposal

Pierce proposed in Freycinet National Park, Tasmania, in 2022. He had planned the trip as a birthday surprise, and we were hiking the stunning Wineglass Bay and Hazard Beach circuit when he got down on one knee and asked me to spend the rest of my life with him.

At that point, we had been together for eight years—with two beloved border collies and a home we’d built together—so it was an easy yes! We celebrated with joyful hugs and a few glasses of champagne from a bottle of G.H. Mumm that Pierce had secretly packed in his hiking bag. After some excited jumping up and down at the Wineglass Bay Lookout, we continued the hike, floating on cloud nine.

Pierce later confessed he was relieved to have finally proposed after eight months of designing the perfect ring and imagining this moment. As for me, I barely noticed the incredible scenery on the way back—I was too captivated by the stunning diamond ring he’d created with Stelios Jewellers.

Why we chose our venue

Even before we got engaged, we always said that if we ever got married, it would be at Credaro Family Estate. We’ve been travelling to the Margaret River region for years, and Credaro holds a special place in our hearts—it was one of the first stops on our very first weekend away together.

We’ve always loved the South West, with its breathtaking scenery, and the view from Credaro’s cellar door truly captures the beauty of the region—rolling valleys, picturesque vineyards, and towering trees. From the moment we saw it, we knew it was the perfect backdrop for our wedding day.

It also doesn’t hurt that we love their wines! And in true Credaro fashion, they went the extra mile for us by personalising the beer menu to reflect Pierce’s well-known love for Victoria Bitter—making the day even more us.

Our wedding theme

We both envisioned a traditional wedding with a touch of modern elegance—and most importantly, a celebration that felt like a true party. This vision guided all of our choices when selecting our vendors and suppliers.

We opted for a black-tie dress code, which perfectly complemented the refined style of our venue and the crisp, South West evening in October. Our ceremony was steeped in timeless tradition, with the beautiful sounds of Dolce Ensembles, a string quartet, playing as guests arrived, throughout the ceremony, and into Cocktail Hour.

To add a touch of luxury, we served freshly shucked oysters, while Tiller Dining and Credaro delighted everyone with exceptional food, wine, cocktails, and service.

Once the formalities and speeches were complete, DJ Katie B brought the energy—and the dance floor was packed from the first song to the last.

We paid close attention to the little details that made the day feel uniquely us—from personalised menus and thoughtful favours to a classic colour palette of black, white, and green. I chose white roses as the main flower in honour of my late grandfather, a proud Yorkshireman (not to be confused with an Englishman—a very important distinction!). The green, meanwhile, was a nod to Pierce’s Irish heritage.

Highlights of the day

One of the absolute highlights of our day was our ceremony, which we worked closely with Nikki from Love Empire to personalise as much as possible. We wanted it to feel truly meaningful and reflective of us as a couple.

Pierce’s sister chose and read a piece that resonated deeply with us—What I Know About Marriage by Neil Gaiman, an author we both love. We also included a traditional handfasting ceremony, with our mothers performing the “tying of the knot”—a beautiful nod to our shared Celtic heritage.

After the ceremony, we slipped away with Tyler Brown Photography for some off-site photos. It was such a special time for just the two of us to share a few quiet, intimate moments before returning to celebrate with our 150 guests.

Wedding Playlist

Processional Until I Found You by Stephen Sanchez
Signing I Will Follow You Into the Dark by Death Cab for Cutie
Recessional Galways Girl by Stevie Earle
Reception Entrance Let’s Get Loud by Jennifer Lopez
First Dance Forever After All by Luke Combs
Other Songs The father daughter dance was to Wild World by Cat Stevens, a song my dad and I had danced to in the kitchen growing up. We also had lots of Irish songs sprinkled across the evening which added a personal touch for Pierce and his family who are Irish.

Advice

If you have preferred vendors get in early! We felt incredibly lucky to secure all our favoured vendors and the trust we could place in them all ensured we had a perfect day. Also, sit down with your partner and discuss your “Must Haves” and “Absolutely Nots” so you’re on the same page.

Meet the Vendors

Accommodation Pullman Bunker Bay Resort
Venue & Beverage Supplier Credaro Family Estate
Caterer & Cake Tiller Dining
Celebrant Love Empire With Nikki
Coordinator Lucy Archibald
DJ DJ Katie B
Engagement Rings Stelio Jewellers
Fashion:
Bridesmaids Bec and Bridge
Groomsmen Institchu
Wedding Gown Studio Ilka
Groom Institchu
Florist Studio H Flowers
Furniture Hire South West Event Studio & Zest Events
Hair Stylist NJW Hair & Studio CM Hair
Live Music Dolce Ensembles
Makeup Muse Collective
Photographer Tyler Brown Photography
Stationery & Signage Starfish Lane
Transport Gannaways Charters

Save Me For Later

Have you checked out our Pinterest boards yet? Packed with the latest inspo from your favourite vendors, our boards are the perfect starting point for your wedding styling, all our pins are from local vendors, so you can take your inspiration and go right to the source! Happy planning! Love, From This Day