Tim & Lauren
There’s something about country weddings. Especially in the Great Southern, everything just feels right. The way of the people, the atmosphere & energy, it’s all just so natural. That’s probably the best way to describe Tim & Lauren together too, everything about them is so natural. They just fit together.
The story of how the Robinson’s met is probably one of my favourite that ive heard since becoming a Wedding DJ and its not because they met on the infamous match-making app Tinder. Although that is legendary, Its actually that Lauren had the fortitude to drive 5 hours south from Perth to meet up with a charming young man that she had never met in her life - If that’s not commitment to finding “the one” then I don’t know what is. (PSA - apparently they had been talking via msg for a little while before) There must have been something there right from the beginning, because thats where their story began, Lauren embraced farm life & i’m sure Tim was pretty chuffed that Tinder could work out so well.
Out the back of that family farm in Youngs Siding, halfway between Albany and Denmark lies an old hay shed that once upon a time was stacked to the roof with bails, but after being chosen as the ideal location would be transformed into an absolutely stunning/epic/perfect venue for Tim & Laurens biggest day. When that day in February finally arrived the old shed looked a million bucks. It all came together insanely well, one of the coolest DIY venues I’ve been a part of to date & a real testament to their vision.
Perched on a hill, the old hay shed overlooks the valley to the east and the set of Marri trees where T&L said their vows with local celebrant wonder Rachael Simpson. On the lawn, Mr Sippy was slinging bevy’s out to T&L’s friends and family from one of their signature Caravan Bar’s and the smell of Perth BBQ Co’s low & slow creations was filling the air. Photogerson was capturing the scene as the vibe was high, and I was setting the mood with my favourite blend of acoustic covers, folk & upbeat indie tunes.
Once it was time to move the party into the Wed Shed, Lauren’s two charismatic older brothers took over the microphone duties for the evening. Hosting with an undeniable flair in a way that only a set of siblings can, they spilled the beans from the best stories over the years and had everyones cheeks sore from belly laughing & hearts full from the undeniable love they showed for their sister. (Personally I love it when there is someone like this to MC - inside jokes and charisma go a long way!) The speeches rolled on and the BBQ was revealed after what felt like an eternity of having our senses teased, and everyone indulged in a long table style smoked meat sharing feast of epic proportions. When the Pitmaster came to me with me my plate, I hugged him. It was an embrace of full BBQ man love & well deserved - the food was insanely good.
Some scattered showers threatened to de-rail the outdoor shenanigans to come, but as fate would have it, the rain stopped just in time for the newlyweds first dance. Special shoutout to Lauren’s brother & his lady who mopped up the excess water on the dance floor, you guys saved the day! Thats another thing about the country weddings that Luke from Photogerson pointed out, everyone isn’t afraid to roll there sleeves up and help out & it’s so true.
Lauren & Tim danced to one of my all time favourite songs, Ray LaMontagne’s “You are the best thing” - an honest & fulfilling song that has that real classic feel & right from when the first horns come belting in, conveys all the feelings I love in a first dance song. If you haven’t heard of him do yourself a favour.
From that moment on, once we invited the rest of the party onto the dance floor it was a full tilt barn party right up until the last song of the night. Everything from classic rock to flat out dance bangers had everyone sweating it out on the dance floor, there were more than a few people wearing their espresso martinis & as is customary, there were multiple men with their pants off at one stage. Generally just a lot of people soaking up the vibes at one hell of a party.
That’s how we do it in the country.