I Do Diaries: Cassandra & Daniel

Authentic Accounts of Real Brides Walking Us Through The Reality of Their Big Day

We had the privilege of hosting the beautiful Bride & Groom: Cassandra and Daniel at Tabula Rasa in the summer of 2023. We caught up with her after the ceremony to hear all about her wedding process going from engaged, through to walking down the isle. This blog is for all recently engaged couples to gain an insight on the unforgettable journey of planning a dream wedding. From selecting the perfect venue to choosing your bridesmaids, Cassandra generously shares the highs, lows, and precious moments that defined her path to ‘I do.’ Join us as we delve into the intricate details, heartwarming anecdotes, and valuable lessons she learned along the way

You got engaged! How exciting, what was the first step you took in starting to plan your wedding and why did you want to start there?

For some odd reason, the first step I took was proposing to my bridesmaids. I knew immediately who I wanted there by my side and it was wonderful to be able to share the excitement and the journey of getting married with all with them. The next step however, was going out to look at venues!

What was your process for organising the rest of your wedding? Did you and your partner have any help to make big decisions?

In all honesty I did struggle a lot with the wedding planning as I am a huge procrastinator. It was quite overwhelming at first and it was so hard to know where to start, so I started by writing lists on things that needed to be organised/discussed, and when my husband and I had time, we would try to tackle what was on the list. We decided on majority of things, however his mum came with us to our venue viewing and she fell in love with the first venue, so she helped make that decision.  

What was the biggest determining factor when choosing your wedding venue?

The atmosphere,  and food!

What was the biggest thing you learnt during the wedding process?

Time management! I learnt that you can’t really afford to procrastinate as it would have been a lot less stressful if I had started earlier. My advice to future brides – start planning as soon as you can, because time creeps up on you!

If you were to go back and do the whole thing again, what’s one thing you would do differently and why?

Not to overthink and sweat the small things, at the end of the day, you are planning a day for you and your spouse to enjoy together.

What was the highlight of your big day and why?

The whole day was a highlight to be honest! However, once the first dance was over, it meant that the formalities were done and we could party it up and enjoy our night!

Cassandra’s Testimonial:
“I highly recommend Tabula Rasa as a wedding venue. Their gardens are absolutely stunning and there is so much variety for photos, and even just to go out and explore. Their food was incredible, my guests had high standards for food and kept mentioning it was the best they’d had at any wedding, especially the canapes! Caryn and Trevor were wonderful and very easy to deal with. Our enquiries were answered quickly and they were so accommodating. Even though it rained on our day, plans were set in place and everything went smoothly. Truly the best wedding venue, I cannot thank them and their staff enough for all the effort they put in for us ❤️” – Cassandra

Freya & Daniel’s Wedding

As soon as we arrived at Tabula Rasa for our first viewing, my husband and I knew that this was the venue for us. We were met by a welcoming and friendly team who were incredibly helpful. Caryn, Trevor and Wendy took the stress out of what can be a really stressful time and made us feel at ease. Caryn talked us through the big and small details, and in our final planning meeting, she discussed and created a schedule to ensure the wedding day ran smoothly.

My husband and I really felt listened to, and valued as people, and the relationship did not feel like a transaction which was huge to us. The venue is absolutely stunning, with delicious food (we still get compliments), and many great options in their expansive garden for your wedding photos. We can’t thank the team at Tabula Rasa enough for making our wedding day so special, and we would recommend it to anyone looking for a beautiful outdoor garden venue.

The newlyweds enjoying a stroll through our gorgeous gardens.

You can read more stories like this over on our Real Events page.

Lacey & Devan’s Wedding

When we first checked out Tabula Rasa in Ramarama, from the moment we stepped on the grounds it felt like home. We just loved being able to walk through the entire place, and each area felt like a whole new sacred sanctuary.

Both our hearts knew it was where we would say “I do” and how fitting that it was only a short drive away from the place we both first met! Caryn and the team go above and beyond. The gardens are just stunning, the open ceremony area with a back up plan just in case, and the FOOD! We can’t forget the delicious kai — it did not disappoint!

Thank you all for helping create the most wonderful day for me and my family; you are all AMAZING!

Lacy and Devan sharing a moment as Newly weds in the gardens.

Thank you to Lacy and Devan for choosing us. If you’re planning a wedding and looking for your dream venue, enquire here to learn more about our wedding packages.

Photography by Nicole Paton Photography.

You can read more stories like this over on our Real Events page.

Tania and Daryl’s Wedding

“Wow” is all I can say! From the first inspection 16months ago, we fell in love with Tabula Rasa Event Centre. We booked it on the day – and never regretted it. The hosts, Wendy, Caryn & Trevor were fabulous: they listened and did everything we wanted without fuss to make our wedding day magical.

I would highly recommend this venue to anyone. Having the option of indoors if the weather turned was the icing on the cake.

A beautiful place with beautiful people running it.

10 out of 10 in our eyes. – Absolutely Amazing!

Tania and Daryl tying the knot among the flowers

You can read more stories like this over on our Real Events page.

Danielle & Dylan’s Wedding

Tabula Rasa is an amazing venue with an absolutely fabulous team, who go the extra mile to make your day perfect for you. Our guests commented that it was the best wedding they had been to. The flow from ceremony, to canapés with games on field and then into reception, our guests felt the venue flowed beautifully throughout the evening.

The food was amazing (my husband missed out on the chicken coz people loved it so much). We stayed at the venue the night and it was so lovely to just walk down to our room at the end of the night and enjoy the rest of the evening at the venue. It is a stunning venue and so private, I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a beautiful garden wedding.

Newlyweds dazzling on the dance floor.

You can read more stories like this over on our Real Events page.

Evana & Craig’s Wedding

Tabula Rasa was the one and only wedding venue we visited. Once we came to see the grounds and met Caryn and team, we knew straight away it was the one, it ticked all the boxes!

We had a fairly unconventional style of wedding in mind and a guest list well over the venue’s max capacity but Caryn and Trevor assured us that they could make the day we dreamed of work, even with our tricky requirements.

The grounds are beautifully manicured gardens and there’s a perfect spot under the oak tree for the ceremony, but what we loved was the outside/pool area. This area has a large covered pergola with louvre system and could also accommodate marquees on the lawn. The space felt relaxed and our guests loved it. Unfortunately, we had a tonne of rainfall in the evening but the team made sure it didn’t affect our day and quickly accommodated guests inside to have dinner.

As for the food, we had many guests raving about it, particularly the salmon! We also found the prices for canapés and dinner were very reasonable compared to other venues. The team allowed us to choose alcohol that we knew our guests preferred and they brought it in to accommodate.

We really appreciate the effort Caryn, Trevor and Wendy put in to making sure we were looked after, from the first visit to the very end. You could easily forget that they’re juggling multiple weddings at a time because they make you feel like you’re their only client. We are very pleased and highly recommend it!

Evana & Craig taking a serene stroll through our boutique gardens as Mr. and Mrs.

You can read more stories like this over on our Real Events page.

Doreen & Kieran’s Wedding

When we visited Tabula Rasa for the first time, we decided straightway that this is our wedding venue. It is a very lovely garden venue and has lots of spaces where people can stay, have fun and enjoy. We met Caryn, Trevor and Wendy. They gave us a venue tour, talked with us to understand our needs, set up a meeting with us during the preparation and helped us throughout to set up our wedding.

All of the guests loved and enjoyed their experience, felt really relaxed and had so much fun. The staff at Tabula are the best. They were friendly, easy-going and were always there to help. What we truly felt at the wedding was that everything was taken care of and we had no stress at all. The food and desserts were delicious and all of the fun lawn games made our guests really happy. The price was very reasonable and we feel the service definitely exceeded our expectations.

Tabula Rasa means “a new start”, our marriage life started here with so much happiness. Thank you, so much @ Tabula Rasa (Caryn, Trevor, Wendy & Tabula Rasa staff),

Doreen & Kieran celebrating their love at Tabula Rasa as Mr. and Mrs.

You can read more stories like this over on our Real Events page.

Sacha & Jason’s Wedding

Tabula Rasa served as a stunning venue for our wedding. We loved that there were different areas on the property for guests to move to throughout the day. Lawn games were provided and there were so many beautiful backdrops for photos. So many of our guests said it surpassed any wedding venue they had ever been to.

During our planning meeting Caryn explained that their goal is to make sure everyone is well fed and they certainly lived up to that. We had the 3-course set menu and our guests couldn’t believe they received 3 protein choices, as well as sharing plates. Everything including the canapes and desserts were just to die for.

Caryn, Trevor and Wendy were so outstanding to work with, responsive, easy going and accommodating. They made us feel like family and we cannot wait to go back and visit one day soon.

Sacha & Jason taking a stroll through our boutique garden as newlyweds.

You can read more stories like this over on our Real Events page.

Jennece and Keneti’s Wedding

My husband and I got married at Tabula Rasa Events Centre in March this year. We came to Caryn 6 weeks before the wedding date and our experience with her and her family was incredible. Caryn had fantastic communication and organisation skills. She made us feel relaxed during the entire process. Caryn and her family are very approachable and professional.

The venue is tucked away. You wouldn’t know it was there. The gates open and you are transported into a little wonderland. Our guests were so impressed with the layout of the venue, from the well-groomed gardens, to the ambient lighting and the warm and peaceful outdoor area where we had our reception. We had around 80 guests at our wedding and the space was perfect for this. The staff on the night of the wedding were very hospitable, helpful and professional.

Thank you to Caryn and the Tabula Rasa team. You made our wedding day so special and a day we will never forget.

Jennece and Keneti’s beautiful moments captured in our garden venue during Autumn.

You can read more stories like this over on our Real Events page.

Jane & Levi’s Wedding

We invited a close-knit 40ish people to our “friend’s” place, for a celebratory dinner to celebrate being together for 15 years. This turned into a small surprise wedding!

And that is exactly how I would describe Tabula Rasa; it was like being welcomed into a friend’s home. A friend who would take the load off and help plan, organize & schedule everything so that you’re calm and less frazzled. A friend who will make a beautiful home cooked meal with her hands to feed you and your friends and a friend who takes pride in their home by keeping it beautiful and well-manicured for everyone to enjoy.

The customer experience was second to none from the moment we drove out to see the place. Very welcoming, and everyone made us feel heard. I walked into 2021 married to my best friend and the team here helped me do it.

Dankie!! Godless you all.

Jane & Levi exchange big smiles as they enjoy their first moments as newlyweds.

You can read more stories like this over on our Real Events page.