Melanie & Jacob

JacobMelanie AND WINDSOR

BLACKTOWN COUPLE MELANIE AND JACOB CHOSE TO CELEBRATE THEIR LOVE AT A LONG-CHERISHED VENUE IN THE HEART OF THE HAWKESBURY VALLEY.

Melanie Kastelan first met Jacob Willems at the gym they were both working at. “I was doing casual work and Jacob had just started his first week as a personal trainer,” Melanie recalls. “It was a time when I wasn’t looking for anyone but there he was – Prince Charming. He swept me right off my feet and I knew straight away that he was the one!”

When Jacob asked Melanie to marry him back in November 2017, she immediately knew where. “We’re both from Blacktown but I grew up with horses and have always loved the Hawkesbury area,” she explains. “As a child, every time we drove past Crowne Plaza Hawkesbury Valley, I would say: ‘That’s where I’m going to get married!’.”

Fortunately, Jacob was also charmed by the venue. “When I had a look through the hotel, it was everything we both wanted in a wedding venue,” he says. “The rustic chapel was perfect, and I really liked the openness of the glass gazebo.”

Deciding on Saturday 18th August 2018 as their wedding date, Melanie and Jacob knew how they wanted their big day to go, which made the planning easier. “Everyone refers to me as a perfectionist, but I definitely had help from my bridesmaids and family,” says Melanie. “I also have to say a big thanks to Pinterest!” Words: Lisa Doust.

PHOTOS: PERFECT MOMENT PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEO

Celebrant Geordie Barham, a dear friend of the couple who had married Melanie’s sister and her husband the year previously, was booked in and the bridal party was chosen. “We had two loved ones on each side – my sister Yvette and best friend Emily, and Jacob’s best friends Sam and Albert,” says Melanie. “We also had my two beautiful godchildren as the flower girl and ring bearer.”

On the clear and beautifully sunny August day, everything fell perfectly into place. Having lost her Dad the year before, Melanie wanted to incorporate special touches into the day that made him a part of it. “All of the olive-leaf greenery we used in the ceremony and at the reception was from the beautiful tree that my Dad had planted in our family home. We were also able to tie this all in with having olive oil as our bonbonniere,” she says.

As Christians, the couple also wanted to acknowledge their religion. “We had my Dad say grace before we had dinner, which was such a special touch,” says Jacob. “The day was just what we both wanted, and best of all we were able to celebrate it with our nearest and dearest.” BML

When I had a look through the hotel, it was everything we both wanted in a wedding venue. The rustic chapel was perfect, and I really liked the openness of the glass gazebo.“

STYLE FILE

RECEPTION & CEREMONY Crowne Plaza Hawekesbury Valley CELEBRANT Geordie Barham of Oz Celebrant BRIDE’S DRESS Allure Bridal dress from Brides of Parramatta, worn with Asos Bridal accessories and Tiffany & Co. jewellery BRIDAL PARTY Dresses from citychic.com.au. Worn with shoes from The Iconic and jewellery by Samantha Wills and Michael Hill Jewellers GROOM & GROOMSMEN Suits from Ferrari Formal Wear, Parramatta. Worn with Converse shoes and Cuffed cufflinks WEDDING RINGS York Jewellers, Penrith HAIR XOX Hair Studio, Blacktown MAKEUP Vanessa Bailey, Sydney FLOWERS Pot and Posy, Bungarribee CAKE Vanilla & Raspberry Cake made by Amela’s Cakes, Sydney CATERING Crowne Plaza Hawkesbury Valley MUSIC MC Wired for Sound INVITATIONS Designed by Sam Johnson Graphics and printed by styleprint.com.au ACCOMMODATION Crowne Plaza Hawkesbury Valley PHOTOS & VIDEO Perfect Moment Photography and Video