"We always wanted a small wedding with a very specific guest list. We wanted it to feel like an intimate party filled with love and warmth. Our style was minimalist and natural. Lots of pastel and terracotta-coloured decorations, and earthy flowers."
It definitely sounds a little cliché but we were in a glamping tent with sea views, the weather was awful but it didn’t matter. I proposed in the Yurt then we went to the local tavern for a meal and watched the rugby on a stormy night.
As we journeyed along, there was not one or another defining moment, but a slow and sweet realization that God has destined us to be together like puzzle pieces became clearly evident.
Andrew and I saw one another during the months after this initial meeting, we would always find ourselves in the same place at the same time, exchanging looks across the room. There was something there, a magnetism of sorts, a genuine sense of familiarity.
Liv won’t mind me saying she can’t dance, and it’s a debate as to who is worse between us so it made for an entertaining first dance. Luckily our bridesmaids and groomsmen were well versed and bailed us out quickly!
We knew we wanted an outdoor, elopement style ceremony with no fuss. We invited only our immediate family which created a really intimate space. For us, the importance was on honouring our commitment to each other and the bringing together of our two families.
I had a colour scheme from the beginning that then everything fell around into these were dusty pink, white, navy blue, rose gold and gold. Glamorous old mirrors were used as the table arrangements. I took a lot of inspiration I think like every bride from Pinterest and combined each element to match my personality.
We were very relaxed about our ceremony. We knew we wanted to have it at a park, and so Arthur McElhone Reserve seemed the perfect spot, given we’d spent most Saturday mornings there drinking coffee and failing the SMH Quiz.
We originally planned to get married the year before but COVID had other plans. Looking back we are so glad we postponed and were able to have everyone we wanted there.
Our relationship grew so naturally and organically. However making it through four long years of long distance was enough to tell me that we always had our eyes on the big picture. Nowadays there’s Facetime to keep us connected, but in our time we had to rely on calling cards, and transtasman flights to be together. It was a challenge and a lot of effort but we knew that our love for each other was worth the work.
I leant over and said ‘’I think I need to make this easier for both of us right now… Sar I am about to propose to you on this beach, but I want us to enjoy every second, so let’s just take a few deep breaths together before we do this.” The rest, as they say, is history.
There is that "movie moment" that you always see in films about the main character just knowing when they met the love of their life. I always thought it was a cliche, but when I met Shaelyn and started spending more time with her I recognized that I had a feeling that something was just right. It's hard to put into words. But you truly just know.
