Alpacas and Snow Were Just The Start of This Whimsical Australian Wedding

Ara and Jorge’s Australian wedding included only 60 of their best mates, but that doesn’t mean it didn’t alpaca punch.

In the country where they first met, the couple said “I do” at The Grounds of Alexandria, a former pie factory turned eatery and garden in Sydney. The venue, with its whimsical history, served as the perfect slate for their vibrant, Peruvian-influenced soiree. “Jorge is from Peru,” Ara says, “and I wanted to infuse a South American flavor into the mix. We went to Peru to source textiles for the napkins.”

A graphic designer by trade, Ara created the table numbers, place cards, and wedding signs herself. And what she couldn’t handcraft, you bet she had a vision for. Consider the archway overhauled into an Instagrammable paper installation that was a focal point of the celebration. “We wanted our wedding day to be a celebration, rather than a formal setting,” she says.

Some alpacas helped with that plan, too, greeting loved ones and parting like a set of French doors for the bride’s entrance. “Walking down the aisle, seeing all the decorations come to life, our loved ones, and Jorge waiting for me at the end…” Ara says the feeling can only be summed up in the simplest of ways: “A lot of fun.”

“I chose my dress at the first bridal fitting I went to. It was the only gown I tried on that put a smile on my face. It was a simple but elegant style, mermaid cut, with a big bow on the back which I thought was kinda quirky and reflected my personality.”

“I know alpacas are becoming more and more popular to have at weddings these days, but it actually made sense for us to have them,” Ara says.

Many of the South American accents were authentic as can be. The bride and groom even flew to Peru to source textiles for their napkins purchase pins from markets.

“At the end of the day, your guests are there for both of you. They’re not going to remember the small details. If something hasn’t gone quite to plan, it’s okay.”