A Timeless Australian Wedding at the Bride's Family Home

In May of 2011, Molly Goddard and Joel Jeffery met during ski season in Whistler, when she was living in Australia and he was in London. "We spent the first few years of our relationship long-distance before I moved to London to be with Joel," she says. In July of 2015, after more than four years together, Molly was about to head back to Australia to visit her family when Joel surprised her with coffee in bed—and a proposal! “I had absolutely no idea,” she recalls. “I was so surprised, that when Joel gave me a bangle instead of a ring so that we could choose the ring together, I had no idea where to start.” Thankfully, Molly’s uncle is a jeweler, and the pair started designing a beautiful engagement ring and a wedding!

For their August 27, 2016 wedding, the couple decided on Australia as their venue, specifically at the church where she grew up and went to school, and at the bride's family home. There, they combined the prettiness of London, where they live, with Australia’s iconic cool vibe for a timeless, totally fun celebration.

Take a peek inside their wedding, photographed by Nicola Lemmon, below.

Molly and Joel are the cofounders of Desmond & Dempsey, a loungewear and pajama company, so, of course, their wedding party got ready in the brand’s fun styles! The women wore white silk shirts with dusty pink dots, while the men wore a vibrant leaf print.

Molly paired a full, raw silk skirt from Pronovias with a tailor-made top that featured a halter neckline and delicate beading. Her veil was also her “something borrowed,” as it's what her mother wore on her own wedding day.

And as a final sentimental touch, the soles of her pink shoes featured little love notes from her groom and bridesmaids.

The groom looked as timeless as his adorable bride in a classic black tux.

The couple’s flower girl wore a full skirt with petal details and a sweet crop-top to match the bridesmaids.

Before the ceremony, the wedding party posed for portraits—then made some candid shots of their own! The ladies in the group wore tea-length skirts with a floral print, topped with white singlets. Their all-white ensembles matched Molly's beautifully, but still, let her own gown stand out.

The couple shared traditional vows—“We were both too nervous,” she says—but Molly’s walk down the aisle was truly memorable. “My dad and I were both crying and laughing, and Joel says he could hear me before he even saw us!”

After the ceremony, they made their exit in a vintage car to the reception venue, Molly's parents' home—the perfect way to take the newlyweds from the church to the reception. “The week before the wedding was as much fun as the day itself," says Molly. "All of my siblings were together in Australia and Joel’s family was in town from London. We were all busy organizing the final details, and it was so special to have everyone be a part of it."

For the reception, guests sat at long tables topped with peach-colored roses, beneath strands of fairy lights and garlands of greenery. Molly and Joel are obsessed with Mediterranean food, so they chose a family-style meal of Spanish and Italian favorites, paired with their signature cocktail: lychee martinis!

The pair’s three-tiered wedding cake was topped with pink roses and olive branches then styled with a lush display of colorful blooms.

“Make your wedding about your family,” says Molly. “It wouldn’t have been possible without everyone’s help, and my dad told me that the month of our wedding was one of the best months of his life. That’s what it is really all about!”