We met in science class when we were 15 years old. We became good friends and kept in contact throughout university but it took Clare a while to agree to go out with me. It wasn’t until she went overseas and realised she couldn’t stop thinking about me that she realised things had changed.
Our relationship was built on friendship, which is why we respect each other so much and have such a deep understanding of each other. Clare supports me, pushes me to work harder and has made me a better person. She also loves to cook and I adore her cooking! I proposed the day we got the keys to the new home we built together. I had planned everything I wanted to say, but when the time came, I was so nervous I could barely talk. We wanted a relaxed, intimate wedding and we both love nature. The venue at Barrett Lane was so beautiful we didn’t need to add much to it. With the Swan Valley vineyard as a backdrop, the styling naturally took on a bohemian vibe. When you’re planning a wedding, it’s important to decide where you’re happy to spend more money and where you’re willing to save. If you get the best of everything, you’ll find costs escalate quickly and you might not enjoy the day as much as you should. For Clare, beautiful flowers were really important. The arrangements Kara from Rose & Bud created were soft and delicate with a hint of wildness, and Clare loved them. Getting high quality photos was another huge priority for us. Loren from Nectarine brought a sense of calm which was invaluable, and she had such a talent for catching the light and framing each shot. We also set up a self-timer photo booth with a pink velvet couch overlooking the vineyard, which was a fun touch. We balanced these investments by forgoing formal entertainment. Instead, we created a Spotify playlist with all our favourite songs. Seeing Clare walk down the aisle was a memorable moment. She looked so beautiful. She wore my grandmother’s engagement ring, which was given to my parents to pass down to us before my grandmother passed away. Married life is about enjoying the good times together, but also being a support system for each other when times are tough. We’re currently on our honeymoon in Hawaii, drinking cocktails by the pool, so married life has been pretty fantastic so far.
Photography – Loren Ioppolo at Nectarine | Bride’s Dress & Veil – Dreamers & Lovers | Suits – ASOS | Groom’s Shirt – Van Heusen | Venue – Barrett Lane, Herne Hill | Processional Song – ‘La Vie En Rose’ by Daniela Andrade | Celebrant – Tammy Wood | Flora – Rose & Bud | Hair – Harper Hair | Makeup – Brittany Mason | Shoes – Windsor Smith | Rings – The Diamond Club | Groom’s Bow Tie – H&M | Bridesmaid Dresses – Shona Joy | Catering – Showcase Catering | Cake – Jaz Ghaleigh | Groom’s watch – MVMT | Bride’s Jewellery – Groom’s Grandmother’s engagement ring
