Going home

I come from a little town on the South Coast of New South Wales. And by little, it’s probably not as little as it seemed, but it felt small when I was living in it. I moved away when I was 18 to work as a live-in nanny, and from that point something changed for me. I still came home most weekends, and I loved being with my family… but the town didn’t feel like home. The only way I can describe it is that it felt a little bit ‘ugh’.

My mum, and siblings {except my brother} have since moved away and I eventually found a new home. I’ve always had a bit of resistance about going back to the town I grew up in. I can’t quite put my finger on it.

This past weekend though, I went… home. My brother and his now wife got married, so we packed up and trekked the 12 hours down the coast. The trip was better than I expected, and the stay back on the coast was nothing short of awesome. I really loved it, surprisingly.

The wedding was held on a small property by the river, and it was one of the best weddings I’ve ever been to. It was relaxed, the food was awesome {and there was TOO much of it, which is rare at weddings}, the music was great and all the people were great to hang out with. And there was a goat {spot it above}.

I’ve decided that my new five year plan is to buy a property and hold weddings like this. Must also win lotto, but I really want to make it happen.

My brother is a lot like me, in that he doesn’t want to be the centre of attention, and he most definitely does not want to speak in public. I’m so proud of him for doing such a stellar job {job doesn’t seem like the right word, but you know what I mean, right?}. It was so beautiful.

I painted the signs. Note to self: take sign-writing classes, pronto.

Our kids had such a great time. They were all shoes off, let’s have fun! And fun they did have.

And now they’re husband and wife!

We stayed with my dad and his wife, and it was great hanging out with dad again, and the kids getting to know their Poppy better. It’s made me realise that I want to do more of that, and make an effort. Family is good.

Lulu loves holding our faces and calling us cuties. I don’t know where she gets it from. She also loves kissing me, like the people on Frozen. She closes her eyes, and tilts her head and kisses me longer than normal. It’s so cute, and slightly weird. But cute!

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There was a photobooth {LOVE a photobooth!} and I had an idea that now we’re all married, we could all run through the photobooth and take a photo each. So we did. It was epic and fast and so much fun.

I didn’t want the wedding to end. I ordered a dress that arrived at my dad’s house the DAY before the wedding, and I almost didn’t wear it because it’s shorter than I normally wear… but I got so many compliments. I’m glad I did. It’s from ASOS if you’re interested.

How long has it been since you went home? Or do you live where you grew up?

49 thoughts on “Going home”

  1. I grew up on the Gold Coast and if it wasn’t for my parents still living there I wouldn’t have travelled there throughout my 20’s and most of my 30’s. I need felt like I fit in there or mostly felt uncomfortable. But since having a family I enjoy it more and more as it brings back so many happy memories of my child hood. Always helps when your love ones are there too.
    Oh also I just got back from there so I still have the holiday high going on!

  2. Driftwood shed is a great venue! Glad you enjoyed your trip home – it’s a pretty special place down here… We love it, wouldn’t move back to Sydney for quids!

  4. We live on the same property that my husband grew up on, in his grandparents (and great grandparents) house – about 300m from the house he grew up in. Even through all the years we lived in Sydney, he always called the farm “home”. I sometime think it must feel strange for him to live here as an adult, after spending his entire childhood here too.

  7. The photos are fantastic and the wedding looks simply gorgeous. Because I’m a bit obsessed, can you please send me/post some photos of the food? I may be catering my niece’s wedding and I need ideas!

    • Oh I didn’t take photos of the food, but I can definitely tell you ALL about it.

      We started with Antipasto plates while the gang had photos. They were amazing. They were just set up while people were mingling.

      Then canapes – arancini balls, little pulled pork rolls, duck pancakes, lamb/tzatziki things.

      And then we had mains, all on the table… and we shared. Beef on a bed of couscous or something, with two side salads. and a chicken roast thing on a bed of smashed potatoes. Really cool, and delicious.

      🙂

  9. You all look absolutely wonderful, the kids look so full of joy which is beautiful. Your dress looks fabulous, definitely a great choice and your sister in law’s wedding dress is devine!!
    Looks like a brilliant day had by all and the photobooth mini run through shoot is fab!
    x

  10. Such a beautiful wedding! May I ask, what happend to lulus dress? 🙂 I know that feeling of coming home to a home, that just doesn’t feel like one anymore, too. I moved out just two years ago and my parents bought a new house slightly after that. I grew up in an small town near the alps, surrounded by mountains and I moved to a very big city. I still have a room in my parents’ house, but it’s always going to stay “my parents’ house”.

  11. So glad you had such a wonderful time – the wedding looks as though it was beautiful, and your little family is delightful. Thank you for sharing these lovely photos. 🙂

  12. … Beautiful wedding Chantelle…… I love your dress! We had a photo booth at my grand daughter’s wedding recently… they are great fun… your sign looked great to me…
    The bride looked gorgeous… I love the photos with your Dad…
    I grew up in 4 different suburbs of Sydney…. and then 3 different suburbs after I got married… We have lived in our home now for 46 years. We are 20 minutes from the heart of the City of Sydney… Sydney is my Home.
    Have a great day… hugs… Barb xxxx

  13. Left home (Central Queensland) and moved to Brisbane in 1990 when I was 19/20 and didn’t look back as I drove away. In the 25 odd years I’ve been gone, I have returned maybe 5 times. I don’t like the place and cannot understand why my parents still live there. We have moved further south now to Northern Rivers so the visits will be even less likely. I have no connection to my parents so I think that has also played a huge part in my desire to return.

  14. Looks wonderful Chantelle, was trying to picture where it is as I’m on the far south coast, have a pretty good idea it’s a couple of hours north of here. I grew up in Canberra and even though the family home was sold quite a few years ago, I always get a “aaaahhh” feeling s I drive into Canberra although won’t ever get to live there again as hubby hates it. We have lived in a small country town on the coast – Moruya for 23 years now and it is very much home. Kids have all left home and had to move away for study but all still call Moruya home, despite one of my girls having bought her own home and another not far off it. It’s even more than that though, it’s not just the town, our little tiny, very simple house is home to them and they vow and declare that when they afford it, they will by our little piece of paradise so we can retire to a place that doesn’t have 5 acres of mowing but we will just have to see. ?

  15. Your brother is a total spunk! And his wife is stunningly gorgeous!! Are they models?! This wedding is completely WOW indeed. It needs to feature in a bridal magazine!! How lovely that you and your beautiful family got to partake in the awesomeness and joy of it all. Ohhh, I’m all loved up now. Thanks so much for sharing!!

  16. What a beautiful wedding – and you all look gorgeous too! 😀
    My sister recently got married (to my husband’s best friend since they were 5yo).
    Hubby & I were Best Man/Matron of Honour and 2 of our 4 were flower girl and page boy. So it was a pretty hectic day with all of our brood, but so beautiful!
    Love the love signs! And your handwriting was fine – great job! 😀

  17. Such a beautiful, beautiful wedding – I love the enormous LOVE sign. Inspired! I know that spot well and it truly is magical. I’m glad you found the old home town more bearable than expected. Our childhood homes have a way of growing up without us sometimes… Congratulations to your brother and his lovely new wife! x

  18. Wow! What a beautiful venue. The girls looked delish in their pretty dresses and I love the embellishments on your dress too. The bride looked stunning! Her dress is devine. I love a wonderful wedding especially with family and friends who don’t get together much but when they do…boy!

  23. Gorgeous photos Chantelle!!! I think you should definitely do the farm/wedding thing! Can I just say that the pallet/sign idea is genius and looks great- we have pallets coming out our ears… I am totally stealing this idea – thanks!! Oh and by the way, I am loving the new website, looks fabbo.

  24. Beautiful photos, looks like such a gorgeous day! And I’m pretty sure the ‘cuties’ thing is from Frozen too 🙂

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