A Real Wedding at Inglewood Estate: Bastiaan and Georgina's Love Story

22 Aug

I am going to be honest, I have married a lot of couples, and every so often a wedding comes along that I am still thinking about weeks later. Bastiaan and Georgina's day at Inglewood Estate is one of those. Between the man bun, the puppy named Cooper, and a proposal that circled all the way back to Oslo, this is one of my favourite love stories to tell, and I get to tell it for a living.

If you are searching for a love story that includes warmth, humour and heart to their ceremony, grab a cup of tea and settle in, because this one has it all: long distance love, a semester abroad, two cats, a dog, and a whole lot of laughter along the way. Thankfully Amanda Alessi was there to capture all of the moments - from the beautiful florals, to the acoustic musician serenading us all post ceremony, and the ice cream served after dinner.

As a Marriage Celebrant in the Yarra Valley, I love nothing more than helping two people tell their story in front of the people who mean the most to them. Bastiaan and Georgina's story is one of long distance love, patience, and finally landing exactly where they were meant to be, together, in a stunning venue surrounded by native gardens.

Bastiaan and Georgina wedding ceremony at Inglewood Estate Yarra Valley

Marriage Celebrant Yarra Valley conducting ceremony at Inglewood Estate

How It All Began

Bastiaan grew up in the Netherlands. Georgina grew up right here in Melbourne. On paper, their paths should never have crossed. But in 2016, both of them landed in Oslo, Norway for a semester abroad, and that is where their story truly begins.

Georgina's first impression of Bastiaan was that he was easygoing and fun, with a great sense of humour and, admittedly, quite the man bun. Bastiaan was drawn to Georgina's smile, her eyes, and the way conversation with her simply flowed. After a bit of playing hard to get, the two started spending more and more time together, and it was not long before Oslo had given them their first kiss.

From there, their story took them across Europe together, into a long distance relationship spanning two continents, and eventually to Georgina packing up her life and moving to the Netherlands. They travelled, they built a life together overseas, and in time they made the decision to settle in Australia, where they now share a home with their two cats and their puppy, Cooper.

In 2023, on a nostalgic trip back to Oslo, in the very same spot where they shared their first sober kiss, Bastiaan proposed. It was the perfect full circle moment for two people who had spent years choosing each other across oceans and time zones.

Wedding party at Inglewood Estate in the Yarra Valley

A Ceremony Written For Them

When I sit down with couples, I always tell them the same thing: your ceremony should sound like you, not like a template. For Bastiaan and Georgina, that meant honesty, warmth and a fair amount of laughter. We told their story exactly as it happened, long distance struggles and all, and celebrated the fact that ten years ago neither of them would have pictured this day. That is the beauty of love. It shows you things in its own time. And it’s a big reason why they chose to celebrate at Inglewood Estate in the heart of the Yarra Valley.

Georgina wanted the ceremony to feel calm, joyful and celebratory rather than overly serious, with room for some silliness rather than heavy sentimentality. Bastiaan wanted to write his own vows and knew he would likely shed a tear or two along the way. As their Celebrant, my job was to hold the space for both of those things at once: the laughter and the emotion, the playful and the heartfelt.

The Details That Made The Day Theirs

Every couple has small, personal touches that make their day unmistakably their own, and Bastiaan and Georgina's Inglewood Estate wedding was full of them. As their Marriage Celebrant I was able to bring in some elements, but the rest of the day reflected this in their choices, such as:

A colourful styling with native flowers throughout, with purple as the standout hue
Getting ready together in the morning before separating so Georgina could get into her dress in private
Georgina choosing to walk in on her own, a nod to the importance of family and independence in their relationship
Bastiaan opting out of an aisle walk, keeping the focus on the two of them coming together in their own way
A ceremony that balanced heartfelt storytelling with genuine humour, rather than leaning into anything overly mushy or performative

These are exactly the kind of personal details I love working through with couples before the big day. Your ceremony should reflect how you actually want to feel standing up there, whether that is composed and elegant, silly and light hearted, or a true mix of both.

Why Inglewood Estate

Inglewood Estate is one of the most beautiful settings in the Yarra Valley to say your vows. The gardens, the light, and the space itself lend themselves beautifully to a ceremony that feels intimate even with a full guest list. For couples planning wedding enquiries at Inglewood Estate, I would always recommend booking your Celebrant early, as this venue is popular for good reason and dates fill quickly.

If you are getting married at Inglewood Estate, or considering it for your big day, I would love to help you write a ceremony that feels as personal and true to you as Bastiaan and Georgina's did.

Looking For A Marriage Celebrant In The Yarra Valley?

If you are planning your wedding at Inglewood Estate or anywhere across the Yarra Valley, I would love to hear your story. Every couple who sits down with me brings something different to the table, and it is my job to turn that into a ceremony your guests will remember long after the day is done.

Get in touch today to check my availability for your date and start planning a ceremony that sounds, feels and looks exactly like you x