THAT WHICH APPEARS

Tara Moss & Berndt Sellheim
Voyager Estate Winery - Margaret River
4th December 2009

Before dusk fell, famed novelist Tara Moss and poet and philosopher Dr. Berndt Sellheim wed in a private ceremony for 60 of their family and friends.The Rose Garden of Voyager Estate in Margaret River, WA, that hosts no more than eight weddings per year, was the chosen venue. The Estate, with its Cape Dutch-style buildings and rose covered arbours lends an old world charm and air of romance, proving an inspired choice.




Tara was resplendent in a striking blood red, made-to-measure gown by renowned designer, Alex Perry. Boasting an ample train detailed in ruffles reminiscent of roses and a lace accented strapless bodice.  Alex used the finest shantung silk for the dress, complimented with accents of duchess silk to bring out the bright lustre and subtle sheen of the materials. Red itself is a primal symbol for life that has metamorphous into a symbolism of deep emotion; a meaning embraced by this deeply in love couple. Berndt was dapper in his Hugo Boss dinner suit paired with an Armani collared tuxedo shirt, Alexander McQueen skull bowtie and custom made “Amor Eterno” cufflinks from Metal Couture.




“Amor Eterno” or Eternal Love was a recurring focus of the wedding. Tara had an “Amor Eterno” tattoo on the back of her neck as a gift from Berndt; the miniature skeleton bride and groom cake topper is a Peruvian tradition that also signifies eternal love. Other traditions the couple chose for their wedding melange was a ring warming ceremony and hand fasting ceremony. For the hand fasting they used a length of vintage black lace to which personal items were attached. These included a silver ring that had been a gift and a miniature Eiffel Tower as Paris was the location of their engagement.




The engagement rings serve dual purpose as wedding bands, as who needs extra adornment when you wear custom made pieces from master jeweller Nicola Cerrone. Berndt’s band is dusted white gold giving it a worn appearance, set with two cognac diamonds. Tara’s ring is a series of diamonds set flat in white gold that almost disappears with the central diamond a family heirloom from Berndt’s grandmother.




A day and ceremony filled with the intricate details that attested to the couple’s complex natures also saw Adam Mada perform magic, handpicked vintage books as table centre pieces, tables named for famous literary pairings, and a carefully selected  Victorian silver locket adorn Tara’s neck that encased locks of the couple chair.

Eternal love, live on.