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Holly & Matthew
22 FEBRUARY 2020
Why did you choose Basils Farm for your wedding?
Matt and I knew that we wanted to celebrate our special day in the outdoors, surrounded by nature. However, living in tropical and urban Singapore, that became a little bit difficult as there are few outdoor venues, and they are very pricey. After months of looking, I was starting to lose hope. I confided in my sister, who lives in Geelong, and she offered to scout some possibilities in Melbourne. Basils Farm was the first option, and we fell in love with it immediately. Matt loves the ocean, so Basils has the perfect mix of flora, fauna, and ocean views. Basils was also very convenient in the sense we could have the ceremony, reception and dancing all in one place. Not only that, but after we did the math it worked out that having a wedding at Basils would cost us the same amount as a wedding in Singapore, even with flights and accommodation factored in. All the stars seemed to align, and we quickly reserved our day with Basils Farm.
How did you find the planning process?
Talla and the team were a dream, so switched on and accommodating. They have so many weddings that they not only could answer all my questions (and as a nervous bride who lives in another country – there were a lot!) but they also had great suggestions and advice based on their extensive experience. I prepared all the schedules and plans, talked Talla through it, and then felt completely confident in handing it off to the team at Basils Farm, knowing they would execute it perfectly (which, spoiler alert: they did!).
What was your favourite moment on your big day?
It’s hard to choose as there are so many highlights from our beautiful wedding. I think the part that takes the cake was at the end of the night, dancing under the sparkling milky way was truly magical and something we will never forget.
Can you tell me about your styling inspiration?
We were going for a rustic, outdoorsy vibe, where we could incorporate nature and deep rich colours. Pinterest was our best friend, and we created a board for each aspect (ceremony decor, reception decor, invites, outfits, etc). The theme we gave our guests was “Garden Party”, so they would know to come in florals and light colours which we thought would match the gorgeous surroundings.
What are some words of wisdom for future Basils couples?
Be prepared for true Melbourne weather – pack both sunscreen and a jacket or shawl because it can get cold at night. The Basils team is prepared for this, with blankets at the ready and a cozy firepit, but many of our guests coming from Singapore were not used to the chill.
We also chartered buses to pick up guests from Geelong, and then take them back at the end of the night. I think this was very appreciated, even for Melbourne-based guests, so they could let loose and have fun without worrying about designated drivers.
Definitely worth getting the dancefloor and fairylights if you are having your reception in the evening – makes for some great photos and memories!
Basils Farm is an incredible venue, it has a unique backdrop and so many perfect spots to capture the day. It felt like such a natural setting, and not over the top which suited us perfectly. Basils also has stunning views of Swan Bay and we were so lucky to get a perfectly sunny day there.
We both love the beach so we were so happy to find such a special place that incorporated the water as well as a unique venue. We loved the fact that they are environmentally conscious, producing lots of their own food and giving back to the community we felt like it is a great business to support.
Suppliers
Photographer – @Duuetweddings
Flowers – @flowersforeveafter
Dress – @bqueens_sg
