I loved photographing this joyful DIY wedding in Melbourne’s High Country.

I first met Lucy’s mum, Jane, when she worked as a midwife at the birth of twins I photographed. We stayed in touch, and when COVID overturned Lucy and Cam’s original wedding plans, they called me. Thankfully, I was free to jump in for their last-minute booking.

Lucy and Cam held their wedding on the family farm near Alexandra in Victoria’s High Country. Jane sewed a kilometre of white bunting to line the road, instantly setting the tone for a celebration brimming with heart and community.

The day unfolded with one personal touch after another. Lucy arrived in a car running on a very flat tyre (maybe not the personal touch they wanted!). Cam and his new father-in-law built a gazebo and swing over months of effort. Family members cooked and served the reception meal. Lucy’s brother kicked off a bush dance, and later we drove 4WDs up to a mountain top to catch the sunset before finishing the night around a roaring bonfire.

Every moment showed the hands and hearts of family and friends. DIY weddings in Melbourne and across Victoria bring people together, and this one proved how love and teamwork create celebrations full of joy and meaning.

Lucy summed it up best: “Our wedding was planned in six weeks due to COVID lockdowns. As such, everything was homegrown. Flowers, food and decorations were all put together by friends and family. It felt like a barn raising.”

This wedding burst with fun, warmth, and community — and I won’t forget it anytime soon.