A little while back, I headed out to Kingaroy for Courtney and Ian’s amazing country wedding. Kingaroy is a wonderful country town, famous for peanuts and wineries and is just a 2-hour drive from Brisbane. Courtney and Ian had discovered a gorgeous country wedding venue, ‘The Washpool’, for their big day, and I was keen to check it out.
The Washpool is located 25 minutes from Kingaroy on a remote bush creek bank, where Courtney and Ian held their ceremony, under an arbour made with love by Courtney’s Dad. The property is literally in the middle of nowhere so there’s no phone service, limited technology and not a shop in sight. It’s the perfect place to escape the daily grind, set-up camp and simply relax and enjoy the peace and solitude of our beautiful Queensland countryside.
The Washpool Country Wedding Venue
And it’s an awesome country wedding venue to celebrate and party the weekend away with your closest friends and family. Courtney and Ian’s wedding reception was held in a huge barn, complete with rustic furnishings, log furniture and the giant fire pit staved off the cold country night air. There was delicious food by Manumbar Meets Catering and the room was awash with colour from all the gorgeous fresh flowers from Frohloff’s Flower Farm, owned by Courtney’s Mum.
Country Wedding Photos
And I just love a country wedding. One of my favourite locations for photography is an empty paddock, lots of long grass (without snakes) and the occasional cow. It’s perfection. So, if you’ve never visited Kingaroy, take a trip out there and explore our gorgeous Queensland countryside.
Courtney and Ian’s Real-Life Romance
Courtney and Ian’s love story began many years ago as high school sweethearts. But as is the way with the road of life, there were many twists and turns, detours and side streets to travel first.
Check out their fabulous country wedding photos and keep on scrolling to read a little of their love story.
How did you meet?
We met in high school. We were high school sweethearts for a time, but we just weren’t meant to be together at that stage of our lives.
I was in a year below Ian. Ian’s best man and my high school best friend also dated, so there were lots of double dates. Apparently, my “assets” are what caught his eye ?
The engagement
It was the 26th of December 2019. We were at home opening our Christmas presents and Ian thought it would be funny to wrap-up my engagement ring box and hide it inside of several boxes. Ian also thought it funny to replace my engagement ring with a toy ring.
However, Ian asked me to marry him in front of our kids. To have our kids with us in that moment was a truly wonderful idea.
How long have you been together?
We’ve stayed friends since high school, but we’ve been together this time for 4 and a half years.
Why did you choose Alison Cooke Photography to photograph your wedding?
We loved her photos and her down to earth personality. When we met her, Alison made Ian extremely comfortable and as Ian hates photos, this was a massive tick for us.
What was the one thing you had to have for your wedding day?
Good food!
What things about your wedding made it amazing?
Our amazing country wedding venue. It was a blank canvas so we could decorate the way we wanted. Also, we couldn’t go past the amazing fire pit! It really was one of the highlights of having our wedding out there. And our beautiful MC’s made our night run so smoothly.
We were also so happy our guests were able to attend our country wedding.
How did you go about planning your wedding and did you have help?
We started with a date, made a list, and went from there.
My bridesmaids helped a great deal. It was Renee who told me about The Washpool. My Dad helped with all our decorations and my Mum organised all the flower displays and the fudge in our thank you gifts.
What tips or advice would you pass onto other couples?
To really think about what you want, not what everyone else wants for your big day. And try and plan to have 5 minutes to yourself as your day goes by so quick.
Advice for other couples getting married at a country wedding venue.
If your guests are travelling a few hours to attend your wedding, I recommend arranging return transport from their accommodation to the wedding.
How did you choose your wedding venue and vendors?
We wanted something country and down to earth and to have our own catering brought in. That way Ian and I could choose a wholesome food menu. We chose as many local vendors as possible and used word of mouth.
What was something unique about your wedding?
We had no phone service, the beautiful fire pit at our amazing location and our personalised denim jackets.
Did you honeymoon, where and for how long?
We went to up Cairns for a week and even though it rained the entire time, it was beautiful.
Country wedding venue supplier list:
Photographer: Alison Cooke photography
Ceremony and Reception Venue: The Washpool
Wedding accommodation: Hillview Cottages
Cake: Custom cakes by Natalie
Flowers: Fhroloff flowers farm . Bouquets made by bride and bridesmaids.
Décor: Was all DIY. Bride’s Dad made the arbour, table decorations, road signs and our signage boards.
Suits: Jeans from Just Jeans. Shirts and jacket from Tarocash and vest from Ferrari.
Transport: A generous friend loaned us the ute and my beautiful bridesmaid hired the HQ for me.
Jewellery: Xennox diamonds for our rings, Michael Hill for bridesmaids earrings and my earring and necklace was from Angus and Coote.
Celebrant: Katie from Sounder Celebrations
Wedding dress: Exquisite Gowns by Yvonne
Junior and Bridesmaids dresses: Rendezvous Design.
Catering: Manumbar meets catering
Nails, eyebrows, and fake tan: Luxe Serenity Spa
Make up: Brows and Beauty by Sam
Hair: Mystic Hairdressing
Country Wedding Venue – Book your wedding photographer
If you’re looking for an awesome, country loving photographer for your country wedding then drop me a line here. Like what you see? View more wedding photos here.
