Veronika and James

Veronika James AND

BATHURST

HELD AT A BATHURST LANDMARK, THIS INTIMATE AUTUMN WEDDING CAME COMPLETE WITH FAIRY TALE TOUCHES.

An office romance that grew out of firm friendship resulted in the happiest of wedding days for Veronika and James Sjollema. “We met at work when I joined the Land and Property Information digital imaging department,” Veronika explains. “We worked in the same office for about two years and became really good friends. Eventually love blossomed and we moved in together.”

Based in Bathurst, the pair chose Abercrombie House –an historic gothic mansion on the outskirts of town – as the venue for their ceremony and reception. “When we decided to get married, Abercrombie House was the first venue that came to mind,” recalls Veronika. “We both agreed it was the perfect romantic setting.”

Constructed in the 1870s, the heritage-listed mansion has been owned and lovingly restored by the Morgan family across generations. Along with weddings, Christopher and Xanthe Morgan open the house for tours and special events, and the venue recently won the Central West NSW Brides Choice award for best Historic Wedding Venue. Words: Jacqueline Forster.

“It truly was our day, just to enjoy and celebrate. “

Surrounded by farmland, the property features formal gardens and manicured lawns, which appealed to Veronika and James as the setting for their ceremony. “We held the wedding ceremony on a warm March day on the drawingroom lawn, accompanied by live harp music,” Veronika recalls. “Rose petals scattered on the lawn and wandering peacocks added to the sense of fairy-tale romance.”

The small wedding party was made up of 30 family and close friends. Veronika’s father walked her down the aisle and the couple enlisted their mates to conduct readings and act as ring bearers and witnesses. “We exchanged rings and after the first kiss as husband and wife, our family and friends rushed over to congratulate us,” Veronika remembers.

After the ceremony the newlyweds and their guests moved to the East Garden lawn for canapés and refreshments, later heading inside to dine amid the grandeur of the Abercrombie House ballroom.

“We didn’t have any particular theme or style but it was a very relaxed wedding with a traditional vibe,” says James. “Christopher and Xanthe were so accommodating and understanding that at no point did we feel as though organising our wedding took effort.”

James remembers the pure joy of their wedding day. “It truly was our day, just to enjoy and celebrate. We both had our families there and were able to share the day with people we love,” he says.

“Everything about it was perfect,” adds Veronika, “from the venue and ceremony, to the food and photography. We are very lucky.” BML

STYLE FILE

RECEPTION & CEREMONY Abercrombie House, Bathurst BRIDE’S DRESS Sweethearts Bridal Boutique, Blacktown. worn with Siren shoes GROOM Tarocash suit WEDDING RINGS Regency Jewellers, Bathurst HAIR & MAKEUP Veronika did her own hair and makeup FLOWERS Bridal bouquet and boutonniere by The Flower Box, Bathurst. DIY table centrepieces were arranged using flowers from tesselaarflowers.net.au

CAKE Carah’s Cakes & Pies, Bathurst CATERING Abercrombie House CEREMONY MUSIC Gwenda Davies on harp RECEPTION MUSIC Gwenda Davies on celtic harp plus a jukebox from Lithgow Party Hire PHOTOS Matthew Harper Photography