JESS + BEN

Finland Wedding Photographer.  Häävalokuvaaja Helsinki. Destination wedding in Finland. Forest Wedding in Finland.

Shortly after their engagement, Jess surprised Ben with an entry into the OAK Australian Wife Carrying Championships in Singleton, in the Hunter Valley of NSW, which happens annually every September. “It’s a fun, novelty event however the prize is serious business – OAK sponsor the winners to travel, all expenses paid, to Finland to take part in the World Wife Carrying Championships. We were just there for fun and to have a good laugh around the 250m obstacle course (including an underwater section!). We raced in a time-trial arrangement, 14 couples in seven separate paired heats, and got the shock of our lives when we lined up for the winners announcement… and we’d won! We were off to Finland the following July…”

Knowing that they were flying to Helsinki in the summer for the World Wife Carrying Championship, they decided to plan a destination wedding in Finland. They found Villa Stenberg on AirBnB, a beautiful home outside Lohja. And got married in the grassy flower filled field below the house. “In a bespoke little clearing stamped out by the wonderful Michaela from Hey Look and all the boys in the family, the morning of the ceremony. We had the reception on the wooden deck with a beautiful long lunch that went well into the evening (which is still day light at that time of year in Finland!). The house was stunning, and we spent a couple of days there either side of our special day. Summer so high in Scandinavia meant endless sunshine and light – it was incredible.“

All the fabulous details are planned and put together by fabulous Michaela from Hey Look. I could not have been more excited to be part of this unique wedding and to document this very special story.

Finland Wedding Photographer.  Häävalokuvaaja Helsinki. Destination wedding in Finland. Forest Wedding in Finland.

Location: private Villa Stenberg in Lohja, booked via AirBnb
Event planner / Stylist: Hey Look 
Florist: Hey Look 
Stationery (invites, place cards, favour tags etc): Hey Look
Bridal gown designer: Design by Jess. Handmade skirt by the bride and handmade top by Stephanie Powell
Bride’s Shoes: Nine West
Flower crown: Hey Look 
Groom’s Jacket: MJ Bale, Shirt: TM Lewin, Pants: Hugo Boss
Groom’s Shoes: Aquila
Catering: Egor Xapko
Cake (and what kind): Strawberry vanilla cake by Say it with a Cake! Cake styling by Hey Look.
Jewelry: Cerrone
Wedding by Finland Wedding Photographer Maria Hedengren.