When it comes to weddings, sugar-free meals and yoga are not usually the first words that come to mind.
But Australian nutritionist Jessica Sepel, 26, and her new husband Dean Steingold, 30, wanted to prove their healthy lifestyle didn’t need to be placed on hold just because they were getting married.
Ms Sepel, who married Mr Steingold on Sunday in an intimate and picturesque Thai ceremony, made sure her wedding day menu was made up of the wholesome and clean foods she and her husband are passionate about.
Non-traditional: Australian nutritionist, Jessica Sepel, decided to incorporate her healthy and ‘clean’ lifestyle into her wedding
Healthy and idyllic: Ms Sepel, 26, and her new husband Dean Steingold, 30, wanted to prove their healthy lifestyle didn’t need to be placed on hold just because they were getting married
‘We wanted a healthy wedding because both Dean and I are committed to a healthy lifestyle…it was important that our wedding reflected this aspect of our lives,’ Ms Sepel told Daily Mail Australia.
‘We also wanted everyone to feel great – something that is easy to do if you’re eating the right foods.’
Instead of a traditional breakfast buffet with pastries and croissants, the health conscious bride made sure her guests were offered both savoury and sweet options each morning for breakfast, including sugar-free bliss balls and banana-date-walnut muffins from her recipe book, The Healthy Life.
More like a retreat: ‘It was important that our wedding reflected this aspect of our lives,’ Ms Sepel told Daily Mail Australia
Morning boost: Guests had access to an impressive vitamin juice station, where healthy shots from a range of different vegetables were set out
Wholesome: On the wedding night there were a range of dishes, including Thai green papaya salad, roasted brussel sprouts, grilled local white snow fish and fresh fruit for dessert
They were also served steamed veggies for dinner, fresh fruit for dessert and had access to an impressive vitamin juice station, where healthy shots from a range of different vegetables were set out – all while looking out over idyllic Thai views.
‘On the wedding night there were a range of dishes, including Thai green papaya salad, roasted brussel sprouts, grilled local white snow fish and fresh fruit for dessert,’ Ms Sepel said, who admits treating herself to a glass of wine as well.
‘I don’t usually drink, but I did enjoy a glass or two of certified organic Australian Chardonnay from Organic One,’ she said, ‘There are no chemicals used in the manufacturing process which means your body is better able to break down all the alcohol and you’re not left with a hangover.’
Location wedding: Ms Sepel and her husband hosted 170 of their nearest and dearest at Koh Samui, Thailand
Refreshing treat: Guests were invited to sip on a fresh organic coconut water while watching the ceremony
Not just the food: ‘On the first day, I took the ladies to Tamarind Health Spa on the other side of the island,’ Ms Sepel said
Thankful: Despite Ms Sepel’s menu lacking a towering cake, lashes of sweets, heavy alcohol and indulgent meals, she says her guests absolutely loved it and described them as ‘excited’
And despite Ms Sepel’s menu lacking a towering cake, lashes of sweets, heavy alcohol and indulgent meals, she says her guests absolutely loved it and described them as ‘excited’.
‘Often people feel that weddings must be indulgent and extravagant – but I hope that having a ‘healthy’ wedding shows people that healthy living can be so simple, even in such a busy and celebratory time,’ Ms Sepel said, adding that each meal was prepared with ‘love and gratitude’.
But the wholesome couple incorporated their passion for a healthy lifestyle into more than just the menu, offering their 170 guests a four-day retreat-like experience in Koh Samui instead of a boozy vacation.
Avoiding a hangover: ‘I don’t usually drink, but I did enjoy a glass or two of certified organic Australian Chardonnay from Organic One,’ she said
Meaningful: Ms Sepel wove meaning into every part of her big day, accessorising her stunning Anna Maier dress with a veil made by her 91-year-old grandmother, Dolly
Better than a booze-filled weekend: ‘We enjoyed the most relaxing massages after a sauna and scrub, made from rice, coffee and ground fruit,’ Ms Sepel said, ‘and for lunch there was a raw vegan menu, featuring tofu “fish” cakes, rice paper rolls, fresh fruit and natural teas’
‘On the first day, I took the ladies to Tamarind Health Spa on the other side of the island, where we enjoyed the most relaxing massages after a sauna and scrub, made from rice, coffee and ground fruit,’ Ms Sepel said.
‘For lunch there was a raw vegan menu, featuring tofu “fish” cakes, rice paper rolls, fresh fruit and natural teas.’
The group also arranged for yoga each morning on the beach deck and at the ceremony, fresh coconuts were available for all guests to sip on.
‘As a special treat, we arranged for some beautiful gift bags for each guest,’ Ms Sepel said.
Goodie bags: Each bag contained a raw greens supplement from Whole Live Nutrients, a Mr Bean Coffee Scrub, a red lip tint from Burt’s Bees and vitamin C from Nature’s Way Wholefoods range
Great for everyone: ‘We also wanted everyone to feel great – something that is easy to do if you’re eating the right foods,’ Ms Sepel said
Tasty: Instead of a traditional breakfast buffet with pastries and croissants, the health conscious bride made sure her guests were offered both savoury and sweet options each morning for breakfast, including sugar-free bliss balls and banana-date-walnut muffins
‘Each bag contained a raw greens supplement from Whole Live Nutrients, a Mr Bean Coffee Scrub, a red lip tint from Burt’s Bees and vitamin C from Nature’s Way Wholefoods range.’
Ms Sepel wove meaning into every part of her big day, accessorising her stunning Anna Maier dress with a veil made by her 91-year-old grandmother, Dolly.
In addition, Ms Sepel asked her sister Gabriella to design her own maid of honour dress, and one for her youngest sister Olivia as well.