The Italian-themed wedding of Eliza and Jack in Wellington, NSW

Eliza Whiteley was in her final year of high school when she first met Jack Courts. He had finished one year working in the Northern Territory and was helping with his family’s trucking business, as they had just moved from their property at Enngonia, in northern New South Wales, to Wellington in the Central West. “He arrived at my family’s place to pick up some of our sheep, and I asked Dad to introduce me,” says Eliza, who is now an optometrist in Dubbo and Orange. “It wasn’t until four years later that we met each other again at a social club at Marcus Oldham College, where we were both studying, and the rest, as they say, is history.”

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The couple tied the knot on 3 March, 2023, at Mumblebone Merino stud near Wellington, where Jack is the operations manager. Eliza was originally keen to elope in Italy, but Jack wanted a more tradi­tional wedding, so they compromised to create an Italian-themed wedding closer to home. “One of the most special moments was when Jack and I went in a helicopter to take some sunset photos with our photographer,” says Eliza. “It was a great opportunity to stop and take in everything we had created for the day and the incredible support we have in our lives.”

IN DETAIL 

Cake
The couple’s friend, Madi Moore, of Dulcie’s Kitchen, created a magnificent elderflower and lemon curd cake with white chocolate meringue buttercream icing. Based in Orange, New South Wales, Madi’s business was inspired by her great-grandmother, a lover of sweets.

Celebrant
Reverend Lorenzo Rodriguez Torres was Eliza’s school chaplain at Pymble Ladies’ College, and he travelled from Sydney to conduct the ceremony.

Dress
A classical column dress evoking Italian marble sculpture by Rachel Gilbert.

Flowers
Anna Macdonald from Brighton Farm. “Anna was phenomenal in helping our vision come to life and followed the brief to bring a little slice of Tuscany into the hills of Wellington,” says Eliza.

Food
Woodfired pizzas from Arancia Pizza.

Hair
Hair by Eadie, Dubbo.

Makeup
Bronwyn Davis, Dubbo.

Menswear
Jack’s suit was from Harry’s for Menswear, Dubbo.

Music
The band was On the Tins. “They played classics that everyone knew and kept the party going all night,” says Eliza.

Photographer
Nat Salloum. “She is incredibly talented and photographed our day so beautifully. A truly wonderful person,” says Eliza.

Rings
Eliza’s engagement ring was from Kings Hall Jewellers in Dubbo, while both their wedding rings were passed down. Eliza’s wedding ring has been in her family for six generations, and Jack’s ring belonged to his grandfather. “It’s a very special memory of those who have gone before us and helped shape our path to this point,” says Eliza.

Styling
Hayley Millner from Geurie, New South Wales.

Venue
The couple were married at Mumblebone Merinos. “A big thank you to the Taylor family for kindly allowing us to transform the dome and host our wedding at the ram sale complex,” says Eliza. “Mumblebone will always hold a special place in our hearts, as we stepped away from our families to start our own.” The venue is not generally available to hire for weddings.

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