Real Wedding // Chloe & Jesse’s Fig Tree Wedding

Chloe & Jesse celebrated their incredible wedding day at the beautiful Fig Tree Restaurant. In Chloe’s words, “as soon as we saw the venue (noting there was literally no restaurant at the venue at that time, just a patch of grass!) I knew it was going to be exactly what we were looking for” — we think it was meant to be! The gorgeous couple decided on a classic palette of pinks & terracotta, with natural textures, crisp whites and greenery, perfectly complementing the existing elements at The Fig Tree. It was an absolute pleasure to create a dream wedding day for Chloe & Jesse alongside an incredible team of suppliers. Read on to hear more about this love-filled day.

Tell us about your story, how did you meet and where did the proposal happen?
Jesse and I met while working together in 2010. We started hanging out and started dating in 2011. Through uni, a Euro trip, a relocation to Brisbane and back again, building a house and starting our careers, we have been through so many life and adulting milestones together. Jesse proposed in December 2019. We went to Brisbane for a Ziggy Alberts concert and stayed the weekend. He booked accommodation at The Calile which I loved but was confused by because it was not near the concert venue. The following day he was trying to get us to go to a nearby winery but I said no as it was too hot and I wanted to relax by the hotel pool. Little did I know I was foiling his plan! Instead, he improvised and ordered a bottle of champagne and some room service and proposed in the hotel room. It was such a perfect reflection of our relationship and such a funny story to tell. 

What were the reasons for choosing the Fig Tree Restaurant as the venue for your special day? 
The view from under the fig tree is absolutely incredible. The venue is central to Byron Bay but you honestly forget where you are when at Fig Tree, and also allows for you to stay on-site before and the night of your wedding. The whole venue is breath-taking, particularly the new restaurant. Can we please take a minute to appreciate the bathrooms in that place! It fit so perfectly with the aesthetic that I had envisioned for my day. As soon as we saw the venue (noting there was literally no restaurant at the venue at that time, just a patch of grass!) I knew it was going to be exactly what we were looking for. 

What style were you striving for with your table settings, florals and reception? Was there a certain look or vibe that you wanted to create? 
The style we had envisioned was pinks/terracotta, incorporating natural textures including light timbers, crisp whites and greenery. Our wedding suppliers delivered exactly what we envisioned, even more beautifully than I could have imagined. 

Were there any wedding suppliers that you particularly loved working with and why?
I am so grateful to say that all of our wedding suppliers were absolutely incredible!

Our photographers, Adam and Lexi from Wild Creative Media were incredible and responsible for creating the amazing photos and videos we now have to remember our day. They made our day so comfortable, enjoyable and fun. Caroline and the team at Pikt created the most amazing florals for our day (the pictures say it all), they took my basic floral brief and far exceeded our expectations for the day. Our celebrant Katrina Holt was amazing. She made us feel so comfortable and told our story so perfectly, whilst also having the guests involved and having us all laughing the whole time. As soon as we met Katrina we knew she was the perfect person to have celebrate our love. 

Of course a shout out to Makeup Maree and Isabella Jane Hair for making myself and my bridesmaids feel flawless. Also Emily at Secret Weapons cakes for the delicious wedding cake (and Tara from Byron Bay Cake Boutique for making the cutest edible figurines of our dogs), and Niall Lochhead for setting the perfect mood for the ceremony and having us dancing until the last moments of the reception. 

What were your favourite parts of the wedding planning process with Byron Bay Weddings?
The entire Byron Bay Weddings team were incredible! From the first day we viewed venues with Che and Kate, to our planning meetings with Maddie and Day Coordination with Kiel and Kristen, everyone was so genuinely invested in our day and making sure every detail was perfect. 

Tell us what were the most important aspects of your wedding day and which moments really stood out to you?
The ceremony was definitely a stand out for us, both for the fact that we got married (!!) but also because it was just so beautiful to stand under the fig tree and take it all in for a few moments. 

We are almost 2 months post-wedding and we still have guests telling us how amazing the food was and how it was served, literally mouthwatering! 

One moment that I won’t forget is that when the reception had ended and all the guests had left on the bus back into Byron, Jesse and I sat out the back of the Dairy with a bottle of champagne and watched out over the view into Byron and just soaked up the last moments of the day – it was such a magical moment to reflect on the day (and finally debrief on all the days’ antics!).

What would be your biggest advice to other couples currently planning their wedding?
Do whatever you want to do with your day. It is your day and you will be the one who will remember all the details other people will forget. Hire the pretty chairs! Splurge on your bouquet! Book the videographer!!! If it’s part of what you envisioned for your day (and it fits your budget), then go for it. You won’t regret it. 

Also, take time to take a step back and soak in the private moments with you and your partner. We were told by others in the lead up to the day that it would go fast, and they were so right. We were so fortunate that our photographers and day coordinators really emphasised on and allowed us to have those moments to reflect on the day so far. 

Chloe & Jesse xo

Suppliers
Venue: Fig Tree Restaurant // Hair: Isabella Jane // Makeup: Makeup Maree // Celebrant: Katrina Holt // Photographer & Videographer: Wild Creative Media // Florals: Pikt // Musician: Niall Lochhead // Cake: Secret Weapon Cakes // Transport: Steve’s Transport // Catering: Fig Tree Catering // Lighting:  Byron Audio // Furniture & Styling: The Wedding Shed // Planning & Coordination: Byron Bay Weddings