Mark and Bec

Lockdowns and a heavy downpour couldn’t stop this couple from having the relaxed wedding day of their dreams.

Photography by Ildiko Photography

As the COVID-19 pandemic was changing lives all around the world in early 2020, Mark and Bec’s life together in Bendigo was just getting started. On their first date, they discussed visiting the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion and the Rosalind Park Poppet Head, both of which Mark had never been to. Before they had a chance to explore these places, the country was in lockdown.

“As bad as it was, lockdown was a great way to work out if you’re compatible very quickly in a new relationship!” Bec says.

It soon became clear to Mark and Bec that they were very compatible, with Mark announcing that he had started looking at rings. He even jokingly proposed a few times. But in July 2020, Mark proposed for real.

In between lockdowns for regional Victoria, the pair took advantage of some winter sunshine and finally visited the poppet head. After climbing the stairs, Mark quickly dropped to one knee, keen to propose while they had the tower to themselves. Bec’s answer was immediate.

“I replied ‘of course I will’, and was terrified that with the shaking, one of us would drop this gorgeous ring off the top level of the poppet head,” Bec says.

Thankfully the ring stayed firmly on Bec’s finger, and they rushed to tell their loved ones the good news, with Mark’s family in Melbourne finding out over FaceTime due to lockdown.

Many more lockdowns later, Mark and Bec’s big day finally arrived on September 17, 2022. The couple had planned everything perfectly, with an emphasis on keeping things local as much as possible. The wedding took place at Harcourt Valley Winery; the cake was made by a family friend at Country Cakes; and Bec stunned in an Atelier Wu dress from Fifi&Edga Bridal.

The one thing that wasn’t planned was the torrential downpour the previous day, forcing the ceremony to be moved inside the barn in case the rain continued. Luckily, the sun came out just in time for a beautiful photoshoot with Ildiko Photography.

Besides a few guests and vendors getting bogged from the rain and some pre-ceremony butterflies for Bec, the rest of the day ran smoothly. The butterflies didn’t last long, however.

“As soon as I saw Mark from behind the wine barrels before Dad and I walked down the aisle, I felt calm,” she says. “Everyone that we love was there with us, and we were about to have the best day of our lives.” Even loved ones who had sadly passed were there in a way. With only one grandparent alive to attend, Bec surprised Mark and their parents by displaying wedding photographs of their late grandparents at the reception.

Bec also had a piece of each of her grandmothers with her at all times. Nana’s necklace was worn as a bracelet, and Grammy’s pearl necklace and wedding headpiece were perfect accessories for the special day. Every detail of the wedding – from the jewellery to the entertainment – had meaning to Mark and Bec. Josh DeAraugo played their favourite music; dinner included their favourite foods (pizza and tacos); and 99 Luft Events provided fun lawn games for the reception. As a basketball coach, a shooting game was one of Mark’s must-haves.

“We wanted a relaxed reception, no sit-down set menu dinner or overly structured schedule,” Bec says. “The day was about doing things that we love, surrounded by people that we love.”

Race For Schools

Horses, history and schools all united once again as the Marong Cup returned for another year.

It wasn’t just a horse race though – the event also served as a fundraiser for Bendigo’s Catholic primary schools. There was plenty of action on and off the track, with the rides and activities popular among students from the eight schools.

Community Pool Celebrates

The “beating heart” of Golden Square marked 10 successful years of community management with a massive pool party.

Over 800 people converged on the Golden Square Pool to commemorate the anniversary with a swim, live music, and food trucks. The facility has been run by volunteers since it was saved from closure in 2013.

Positioned in a quiet bushland setting, discover a place of tree-lined boulevards and native flora and fauna, where majestic parks meet with t hriving wetlands, and all are just a stone ' s t hrow from every home. Whether you are looking for a large home sit e for luxury family living or a low - maintenance allo tment , Viewpoint has been designed to cater for your lifestyle.