Real Wedding; Gemma and David @ Peppers Manor House
About You Two
Now, How did you two meet?
We first met during a job interview—David was filling in as an interviewer that day, and we instantly hit it off. Our connection was so obvious that the other interviewer made sure we weren’t placed on the same team. Not long after, we redefined our work relationship and officially started dating.
Who popped the question and how did it happen?
David popped the question at his grandparents’ farm in the Southern Highlands on Easter long weekend by setting up a picnic and proposing at sunset.
Why did you choose your venue and how was the venue choosing process?
The Southern Highlands holds a special place in our hearts—we spend countless weekends at Shep’s family farm and knew we wanted to get married nearby. Peppers had always felt like home to us; its beauty, character, and warmth made it the perfect venue. We fell in love with it instantly.
Quick Fire Questions
How many wedding guests did you have?
We had a sit-down wedding with around 110 guests.
What month?
November.
Planning The Wedding
Was planning the wedding stressful or did you enjoy the journey?
The wedding planning process was definitely stressful and elaborate. I chose all my own vendors and handled the planning myself—it truly felt like a second full-time job. In the lead-up to the wedding, there were moments when we almost wished we had eloped! But once the big day arrived, we wouldn’t have changed a thing. It was absolutely worth it. People always say the day goes by in a flash, but we didn’t fully grasp just how quickly until we experienced it ourselves.
How involved were you both in the wedding planning?
I took the lead on most of the wedding planning, from choosing the vendors to handling all the details. My husband was incredibly supportive throughout the process, offering emotional support every step of the way. That said, we definitely had our non-negotiables that we planned as a team, making sure the day reflected both of us.
What were your must-haves?
At the start of our planning journey, we made a list of our non-negotiables and things we were more flexible on. Our top priorities were music, drinks, and making sure we had plenty of time to enjoy the day and celebrate. We wanted the wedding to truly reflect us as a couple, so we didn’t stress over the small details. Our main focus was creating an incredible atmosphere where both we and our guests could have the best time. That meant great music, free-flowing drinks, and a lively, fun-filled vibe. One thing we didn’t prioritise was spending too much time on bridal portraits—we preferred candid photos and ended up joining our cocktail hour instead!
Tell us about your dress and that dress-finding process.
Finding my dress took longer than I expected. I started with a clear vision, but when I tried on my dream dress, I quickly realised it didn’t suit me at all. That sent me back to the drawing board, where I decided I wanted something truly timeless. After visiting countless bridal stores and nearly giving up to explore a custom design, I finally discovered Love Marie Bridal—and found the dress. The moment I put it on, I knew it was me. Adding gloves and a veil brought my vision to life, giving the look a second, elevated touch.
What sort of theme, vibe or style did you go for?
Timeless and romantic.
On the Day
How did you both feel wedding morning?
Excited! The night before, we had a small dinner with our guests, which helped calm our nerves and gave us a chance to spend time with some of our favourite people. The morning itself was relaxed and enjoyable for both of us. We got ready separately but wrote each other heartfelt cards to read, which made the moment even more special.
What was the best part or moment of your day?
For both of us, the most incredible moment was standing together at the end of the aisle, looking out and seeing all our dearest family and friends surrounding us. It was such a powerful feeling to be in that moment, knowing we were celebrating our love with the people who mean the most to us.
Anything you would change or anything that didn’t go to plan?
Absolutely nothing! Plenty of things didn’t go as planned—including the torrential rain—but in the end, it only made the day more special. The rain gave us the most romantic photos, and despite the unexpected changes, it truly was the best day of our lives.
Any rituals, sentiments or traditions you incorporated?
One of the most special moments was surprising our mums during the ceremony by making them the witnesses to sign the registry. Later, during our first dance, we had another surprise—we pulled them onto the dance floor to share that moment with us. To make it even more meaningful, one of my closest friends, Samantha Jade, performed our first dance song live. These little touches made the day feel even more magical and unforgettable.
After the Wedding
Describe newlywed life in a couple of words.
We’re simply enjoying it. Marriage comes with expectations, but we’re focusing on what feels right for us—soaking in the little moments and just enjoying this time together.
Best investment or money well spent on the wedding?
Without a doubt, our incredible vendors!
Music
Luke and Hannah from Oberon Lane were absolutely amazing from start to finish. They set the perfect tone for our day, and we couldn’t have been happier with their performance.
Celebrant
Kerstyn Walsh—where do we even begin? Everyone, including us, couldn’t stop raving about how incredible our ceremony was. She captured our story so beautifully, making it even more special than we ever imagined.
Wedding Coordination
The Wedding Event Creators truly saved the day. It absolutely poured all weekend, and we had to completely change our setup plans. If it weren’t for Steph coordinating everything so seamlessly, I’m not sure we would have had the wedding we did.
Photography & Videography
Salt Atelier and Cinemotive were worth every cent. They captured every moment perfectly, giving us memories we’ll cherish forever.
On-the-Day Content Creator
Modern Brides BFF was hands down one of the best investments we made. They captured all the little details, and we had content to relive the day as early as the next morning!
Florals
While we didn’t splurge on flowers, our florist, Sydney Wedding Flowers, made our ceremony and reception look absolutely stunning. We couldn’t recommend her more!
Budget—over, under or what you estimated?
Slightly over—but worth it.
Credits
Coordination/Set Up; The Wedding and Event Creators
Celebrant; Hire a Bridesmaid
Venue; Peppers Manor House
Florist and Stylist; Sydney Wedding Flowers
Photographer; Salt Atelier
Videographer; Cinemotive
Catering and Bar Staff; Peppers Manor House
Cake; Applemire Cakery
Champagne Tower; Champagne Towers Sydney
Entertainment; Oberon Lane
MC; Christian Antidormi
Content Creator; Modern Brides BFF
Car Service; Southern Highlands Classic Wedding Cars
Pyrotechnics; Sydney Fireworks
Makeup; The Makeup Society
Hair; Airlie & Co
Hire Equipment; Love Stoned Hire, Event Hire Services
Stationery/Signage; Paper Ink
