How Lily and Angus’s Braidwood wedding went viral

If you search ‘best wedding entrance ever’ on the internet, one of the first videos you’ll see is like a scene from a rom-com. The bride and groom skip into the marquee as the band plays Madonna’s ‘Like a Prayer’, and the atmosphere is electric. After a double Champagne pop, perfectly executed by the groom, the couple spin around the dance floor, surrounded by guests matching their euphoria.

When Lily Rodgers, 31, and Angus Pulver, 30, performed the feat, they never expected that a video of their entrance, filmed on a friend’s phone, would go viral — the original video on TikTok currently has 4.9 million likes. It seems a long way from Mona Farm — Angus’s family’s 50 hectare property that doubles as a wedding venue in Braidwood, regional New South Wales — to internet notoriety.

“We really have to thank Mike, Mona’s hospitality director, for the entrance working out: it was his idea to pop the bottles,” explains Lily, who grew up on her family cattle property in the Hunter Valley, just outside Merriwa. “The entrance was a bit of a fluke as we only tried it once the day before and Champagne went all over Angus. That was it in terms of practice — we didn’t do a single thing more to prepare, so it was lucky that it worked out on the day.”

The couple, who now live in Sydney, first met at university in 2013 and became engaged 10 years later, on Boxing Day. “Angus had driven up to my family property and volunteered us to feed the horses one afternoon before we joined everyone on ‘Champagne Hill’, a spot we often go at sunset,” Lily recalls. “As we were putting the horses out in the paddock, I closed the gate and turned to see Angus on one knee.” Lily’s mum and dad had helped Angus stock the quad bike with a bottle of Champagne which the newly engaged couple enjoyed sitting next to a trough, soaking in those special moments together.

Angus was the third of his four siblings to be married at Mona Farm, so the couple wanted to make sure it was still unique, which involved three different locations for the festivities of the day. “We held our ceremony at the Mona O, a big sculpture in the middle of a paddock and had one long table for our reception along a tree-lined avenue called Peartree Lane, seating 176 guests for dinner,” Lily tells Graziher. “Everything was perfect, and we really did feel like we were guests at our own wedding. It was incredibly special as Angus’s parents, Bill and Bee, have put so much effort into making Mona one of the top wedding destinations in the country, and we are so grateful.”

Lily says it really was the best day of their life. “My biggest bit of advice is to be completely confident in your suppliers, particularly your photographer, as it takes a load off the day and you don’t have to worry about the small things. We constantly relive the moments, feeling as happy and high in spirits as though it was yesterday.”

And as for the viral video, Lily says, “A couple of people on our honeymoon travels recognised us from the video on TikTok, which was wild. At the end of the day, I think it’s the love, energy and happiness of our friends. We couldn’t have asked for more on our wedding day.”

IN DETAIL 

Bride’s dress

Lily’s dress was a custom design by Rhonda Hemmingway Couture. “After going to a number of wedding dress shops with mum, I just couldn’t find what I was after. Rhonda was recommended to me by a family friend and, from the moment I walked through the door and she sketched ideas as I spoke, I knew I was in safe hands,” says Lily. “Rhonda created a dress that felt and fitted so perfectly. She had made my sister-in-law Maddie Pulver’s wedding dress a couple of years earlier, something I had no idea about until months later.”

rhondahemmingway.com.au; @rhondahemmingwaycouture

Bridesmaids’ dresses

The bridesmaids chose their own dresses. Lily’s brief to the girls was simply to wear something structured.

Celebrant

Bill Pulver, Angus’s dad and co-owner of Mona Farm, officiated the ceremony. He originally got a celebrant’s license to perform the marriage of a nephew, but has since become a much-requested celebrant for family and friends, including three of his four children.

Flowers and styling

The flowers for the bridal party and the reception table were from The Make Haus, Sydney.

themakehaus.com.au; @themakehaus_

Food

Sydney-based caterer, Simon Ekas.

simonekascatering.com.au; @simonekascatering

Hair

Hair was by freelance hairstylist Luana Coscia.

@luanacoscia

Menswear

Angus’s suit was from P.Johnson; his groomsmen wore their own suits.

pjt.com

Make-up

“If you know Joanna Luhrs, you cannot fault her skill or personality,” says Lily.

@jo_my_god

Music

John Field Band.
johnfieldband.com; @johnfieldband

Photographer

“I came across Callan Robison’s Instagram and was impressed by his ability to capture movement and love so naturally,” says Lily. “Coincidentally, Cal had photographed a friend’s wedding and after her incredibly positive review, we locked him in. Cal hadn’t shot at Mona Farm before, which in my opinion was a blessing as he and his colleague Damon brought a fresh perspective. Their enthusiasm was evident from the very beginning. Cal and Damon made us feel incredibly relaxed and we were genuinely laughing during a lot of the shots — a testament to their humour AND skill!”

callanrobison.com.au; @callanrobisonphoto

Rings

Olivia Bond Diamonds. “We couldn’t have chosen a more qualified person to make my dream engagement ring, which Angus designed with a bit of assistance from his sister and friend,” says Lily. 

oliviabonddiamonds.com; @oliviabond__

Venue

Near the heritage-listed town of Braidwood, New South Wales, Mona Farm is a luxury estate that happens
to be owned by the groom’s family.

With award-winning gardens and historic buildings, this exceptional venue offers a harmonious blend of past and present. Additionally, Bill and Bee Pulver have curated a bold and diverse collection of contemporary Australian and international art and sculpture, placed throughout the grounds and buildings. The result is a captivating fusion of art, nature, and luxury — perfect for a memorable wedding day.

monafarm.com.au; @monafarm_

Videographer

Kouyou and Julia from Motion Reel Films, though the viral TikTok footage was shot by a guest.

motionreelfilms.com; @motionreelfilms