COVER STORY
Inside Kyara and Clayton Larcombe’s Romantic Wedding at Their Private Southern Highlands Estate
With
The Bridal Journey
In the quiet hills of the Southern Highlands, in Bowral, an elegant celebration unfolded at La Gemme Estate. Designed and owned by Kyara and Clayton Larcombe, the 100-acre property served as both the backdrop and the heart of a wedding years in the making.
Words Compiled by The Bridal Journey / Photography: Jack Henry
Having privately eloped in Lake Como, the couple envisioned a second celebration reflecting their love of European style, nature, and the comforts of home. La Gemme was always intended to be more than a house. It was imagined as a place where family, friends, and design would converge. “The plan was always to have it at La Gemme, but we wanted to create our dream home from the parts of Europe we love and knew it was a 4/5 year journey.”
Following the arrival of their twins, Kyla and Huxton, the estate became the natural setting for a milestone celebration surrounded by loved ones. “We wanted to start a family, and didn’t think it would happen so fast and were blessed with twins, Kyla and Huxton, very quickly.”
“The Highlands is a special area, for its temperature and climate and the beauty that surrounds the area. One hour from Sydney was a perfect weekend escape for our family and the beautiful Bowral where the property is situated is full of history and beauty. It felt very European… and Bowral and the Southern Highlands was the clear winner.” The ceremony and reception spaces were layered with European textures, many of which were sourced from the private collection of Baz Luhrmann’s creative director and Parterre in Woollahra. Custom furnishings and antique accents added a sense of history and soul to the space, while My Violet’s floral styling created movement and softness at every turn.
A Home Built to Host
The couple spent four years curating the interiors and grounds of La Gemme, sourcing architectural pieces and furnishings from across Europe. Their vision was a harmonious blend of French château sophistication and Tuscan warmth. Elevated yet welcoming, the estate feels worlds away from Sydney, though it is just a short drive south. “When we bought La Gemme Estate during COVID, we knew it was special. We immediately fell in love with the 100-acre estate and could see what we wanted to build and create in the Southern Highlands.”
They partnered with Georgie Karloci and the After the Rock team to plan the wedding. “Georgie and her team were so amazing and so thoughtful and listened to exactly our vision. It was a beautiful relationship and built a friendship forever. A celebration with 150 of our closest friends and people in our lives, and ATR were so special to create our dream night that will be in our memories forever.”
Every detail was intentionally layered to reflect the estate’s grandeur and the intimacy of the couple’s story. “It’s more detailed than you think, and you need a planner – without ATR we wouldn’t have got anywhere near the experience or day we did – I can’t speak highly enough of ATR.” From arrival to the final farewell, the day unfolded as an immersive experience, full of movement, emotion and modern elegance. “We felt like we were back at Villa Del Balbianello or south of France and the decor Kyara and I spent 4 years hand selecting from around the world means so much to us.”
Bridal Fashion and Tailored Details
The bride wore a custom couture gown by Mariam Seddiq for the ceremony. The silhouette was sculptural, artistic, and utterly contemporary, echoing the estate’s architectural form and her own bold, refined style. The look was paired with Magda Butrym heels, a bespoke veil by Seddiq, and jewellery by Patrick Nader. A delicate bouquet by My Violet softened the look, its tones mirroring the muted palette of the landscape.
The groom wore a Tom Ford tuxedo with coordinating shoes and a bow tie. The classic silhouette and luxurious tailoring perfectly countered the bride’s striking ensemble.
Ceremony and Design
The ceremony was held in a natural amphitheatre on the estate, surrounded by olive trees and warm afternoon light. A string quartet from Luxe Strings set the tone, gradually giving way to the sounds of Don West and SXNCello as the evening transitioned. The sound and lighting, created by Slave International, were designed to evolve across the evening, highlighting every moment without overpowering the natural beauty of the setting. “The team at Slave was so amazing to create the lighting and music that brought the house alive and captured all the themes. The 3 themes were crafted by ATR… beginning with string quartet Luxe Strings and into Don West and SXNCello to party into the night was so perfect.”
The ceremony and reception spaces were layered with European textures, many of which were sourced from the private collection of Baz Luhrmann’s creative director and Parterre in Woollahra. Custom furnishings and antique accents added a sense of history and soul to the space, while My Violet’s floral styling created movement and softness at every turn.
Elevated Dining and Unforgettable Moments
Pepi’s treated guests to an al fresco dining experience with a refined and profoundly personal menu. “Bringing a restaurant to a home is special enough.” The chef introduced the courses, adding a restaurant-style element to the otherwise homegrown expertise. Each dish was carefully chosen to reflect the couple’s taste and the relaxed elegance of the evening. “Pepi’s menu was something crafted with such care, and having the chef come out and talk about the menu was small touches that add uniqueness.”
As night fell, the celebration continued under the stars. A display of Foti Fireworks lit up the sky, paired with a cloud of soft smoke that drifted across the property. “Foti Fireworks and the day smoke was so special and amazing.” Music echoed across the hills, creating an ethereal moment. With the dance floor in full swing, guests celebrated late into the night, immersed in the magic of the estate.
“It’s hard to pinpoint a moment, but I have to say I was driving today, and the song came on when the dance floor started, and the fireworks erupted over the estate, and I got emotional with memories of such an amazing moment with Kyara in my arms and family and friends around.”
A Personal Celebration, Thoughtfully Shared
This was more than a wedding. “It was 50–60 people of family, and the whole day was about everything we dreamt of.” It was a gathering grounded in meaning and memory. Every element reflected a deeply considered vision, brought to life with precision and artistry. The estate became a central character, hosting the occasion it was always meant to hold. “This place is to always share with friends and family to experience its beauty and the feelings we get by being there.”
With an exceptional team behind the scenes and a clear creative direction, the Larcombes’ wedding stands as a testament to the beauty of building something slowly, thoughtfully and with purpose.
