Being from 2 different worlds, we always wanted to do a destination wedding.
Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…
10 years feels like such a significant time to be together, but I also feel like we have achieved so much independently and have never held each other back. Damian was there for my graduation, we have lived in London, Newcastle and Sydney together. We have achieved so much together and always stood by one another, but we have always supported each other’s independence.
I said in my vows, which I think sums up what I am trying to say perfectly;
Today I vow to keep giving you what you’ve always given me:
The space to be yourself. The encouragement to reach your goals and the strength to know we can be whole on our own, but even better together.
I vow to never hold you back, to always lift you up, and continue building a relationship where independence and companionship coexist.

We are both very social people and love being surrounded by our friends and family. There was no way we were not going to do the big wedding. We always wanted to celebrate with our support system around us. That’s why choosing a venue where everyone could stay on site was crucial in our decision-making.
Damian is definitely the calm to my storm. He is kind, gentle, considerate and measured. I’m the extrovert – loud, crazy and always talking at a million miles an hour. He grounds me, and we work perfectly together as a team and bring the best out in each other every day.
How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?
We met over 10 years ago. I was 19, travelling the world on my gap year with my best friend and bridesmaid Grace. When we moved to London, I applied to every café job that was available. I got the call back for all 5, so the options were plentiful. I ended up taking the job in Chelsea, the café was on Kings Road, and I had friends who lived in Fulham nearby. My boss was Aussie, which was a good sign, and I had access to the gym upstairs. Damo and groomsman Mark Garlick were the head trainers in the gym upstairs. It wasn’t long after working together that things progressed pretty quickly. We tried to hide it from our colleagues for a while, but it’s safe to say everyone already knew, and we were spending nearly every day together from then on out. Damian was always very supportive of me wanting to travel; however, we always came back together. Not long after, we made it official. I pretty much half moved in the following year, where he lived with his 5 best friends in Wandsworth. As my 2-year visa was coming to a close, and Newcastle University was calling my name, sadly, I had to say goodbye to London and move back home. Without hesitation, Damian packed up his life, said goodbye to his friends and family and moved to Newcastle, Australia, with me in 2016.
A modern-day London love story.
What styling and visual elements worked best for you? (could be things, the florals, particular hire products or your marquee, etc., something the stylist created or simply just the scenic beauty of your location or the existing design of your venue).
The venue was the moment. Being from 2 different worlds, we always wanted to do a destination wedding. We also wanted to create a significant moment in time to spend with each guest, 1 day just goes by too quickly, especially as the bride and groom. So we curated a 4-day wedding bonanza so all our guests could settle in and enjoy themselves, and their holiday too, with the majority of celebrations being at Villa Cenci.
What did you enjoy most about the planning process, and do you have any tips for couples starting their wedding planning journey?
Most brides know planning a wedding is virtually a full-time job in itself! I work in PR, so planning this wedding was my baby, especially as I did it myself. I absolutely loved the process because it was ours. Creating the moodboards and finding the vendors, I had a ball. It is all-consuming, and it is all you talk about with anyone in your circle. There was a lot of weekend work and late nights, speaking to vendors in different time zones as I planned it from Sydney. My advice to any Australian bride wanting a destination wedding is to just do it! I think people get overwhelmed with the process, but it is exactly the same!? Yes, they are based in Italy, but everyone speaks incredible English – you aren’t the first to do a destination wedding; they have talked to many brides before you! You get a couple of quotes, you get a few declines, and then you get a few recommendations. It all works out, and you’ll find your people. You just need to be organised and get a spreadsheet….! But if you’re really stuck, hit me up…. I might be in the business now.
The best thing you can do is to give yourself time. Enjoy being engaged and enjoy the process – it goes by so fast and then all of a sudden it’s over, and you want to do it all again. Don’t rush the time away and try not to stress. If you have picked the right man, he will support every decision you make.
Tell us about your vendors. Were there any standout suppliers you would like to make special mention of?
Shout out to each and every single one of them, honestly. I was so god damn lucky, and I wouldn’t change a thing. It took time to find the right ones, but you know when you found your people!
To Taylor, my incredible photographer who captured my day perfectly. The editorial and emotive feel she brings to every photo transports me straight back to that moment. Photos are all you have when it’s all over, so do yourself a favour and find your Taylor. She was such a fun vibe on the day, and all the guests loved her energy.
The band was absolutely iconic. I did go type A and send him 7 x curated playlists for different moments of the day as a guide. But Alex and the Star Dust Band brought the exact vibes we were hoping for. And I have to give Damo credit here; this was his one job, and he excelled.
Shanie is my makeup artist! I flew her from London, never met, no trial. Yup, you read that right. I was nervous in the lead-up, but her credentials, professionalism and communication made me feel at ease. We spoke all the time; I told her what brands I liked and didn’t like. I put my full trust in her, and I have never seen my bridal party look so hot. She is one of the best make-up artists I have ever had.
Darren, my hairstylist, was on the journey!!! I started seeing Darren for my colour in Sydney for a few years prior to the wedding. After getting engaged, I had a moment and decided to go to Burnette!? A year and a half passes and all of a sudden my hens is around the corner and I wanted to go back blonde….a process !! To have him in Italy on my special day was a must; luckily, he was working in Paris the week before, so the stars just aligned!
The venue – my god. I had a vision, and I wanted a pool, no fence and a checkerboard for cocktail hour. After months of looking for a venue that could house 75+ people for 4 days, we stumbled across Villa Cenci and fell in love.
They looked after the whole set-up on the day from the ceremony to the reception. The catering, the drinks, the staff, the lot.
Special shout-out to Alex Montana, the saxophonist, for the recovery pool party; he was an icon.
Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, and is there a story?
I thought I was going to go strapless with a full skirt… Never in a million years did I think I would go lace. But am I glad I did! The lace was so Italian, but it also felt so me once I tried it on. I went to over 8 different dress shops, but kept coming back to the lace. The sleeves and the veil made it a whole moment. I loved the look as a whole and kept it on until midnight. I changed into my Shona Joy mini I wore to my legal ceremony in Australia (April 12), but I didn’t stage it as a second look; I just came out to dance, and we did until 4.30 a.m. Because there are no lockout laws in Italy!
Damo’s custom tux was from P Johnson, a local designer in Aus. Simple, classic, James Bond chic. He looked hot.
Tell us about your wedding and engagement rings.
His shoes were more expensive than his ring….priorities hahah.
When we were ring hunting, it took me so long to decide what I liked as my engagement ring setting is really high (which I love). I went to so many jewellers in Sydney and couldn’t decide. Mum told me to come to her jeweller, Kath, when I was in Newcastle next. The moment I got there, I tried on 2 bands, a gold band to create space from my engagement diamond, and then we placed a diamond band. The combination was perfect! My Nanna had then given me gold to melt down so I could have it made, which was really special.
What were one or two elements that were most important to you both that you were happy to spend a little more on? (food, photography, florals, the venue, your outfits?).
The venue was chosen because we wanted a destination so all our guests could enjoy a holiday and have fun together. Damian being from England and me from Australia, we had guests coming from all over, even New York. So somewhere hot and gorgeous is what we wanted for our special day. A lot of places house up to 30, and then everyone else finds their own accommodation, but we didn’t want that set up. We kept looking until we found somewhere where we could all settle in and be together.
Was there a favourite moment (or two) that you will treasure always?
Honestly, the whole thing which might sound cliché. With our families living in different countries, it was the first time that a lot of people had met! Although you wouldn’t have guessed it. The Britts and the Aussies meshed so well; every single moment was so special and full of laughs, like they had all known each other for years. We are so grateful to each and every single one of our guests who came to celebrate with us. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I just want to replay it all over again.
What does being married mean to you, and are there any special rituals you have that you would like to share?
It’s a sense of togetherness and unity. To share the same last name and to build a family together is pretty special, and I am thankful to have Damo by my side for the rest of my life.
LOCATION Villa Cenci Relais Masseria, Cisternino, Puglia, Italy, @villacencimasseria BRIDE Annabel, @annobellbottomjeans GROOM Damian, @damianboddy PHOTOGRAPHER Taylor Kezia, @taylorkezia_photography PLANNER By the bride FLORIST Iris – Emozioni Floreali da Flora, @emozioniflorealidaflora CELEBRANT Close friend, Jonny, @jonny_england ENTERTAINMENT Lead Singer, Alex – Star Dust, @stardustbandpuglia HIRE, CATERING & CAKE Villa Cenci Relais Masseria, @villacencimasseria SIGNAGE Seating Chart by Victoria – Lines on Linen, @lines.on.linen BRIDE’S WEDDING BAND Gold band – Handcrafted by local jeweler in Newcastle with gold from the bride’s nanna; Diamond band purchased from Enigma Jewellers, @enigmajewellers GROOM’S WEDDING BAND Natasha Schweitzer, @natashaschweitzer OTHER SIGNIFICANT JEWELLERY Pearl Earrings – A gift from the bride’s Mother from Bellagio, Lake Como; Pearl Ring – Passed down from bride’s great grandmother BRIDE’S DRESS Marquise Bridal – Camilla – The Ivory Room Bridal, @theivoryroombridal BRIDE’S ACCESSORIES Veil – Cathedral length – The Ivory Room Bridal, @theivoryroombridal MAKEUP Shanie Wright, @shaniewrightmakeup HAIR Darren Summors, @darrensummors BRIDE’S FRAGRANCE Si – Giorgio Armani, @giorgioarmani
GROOM’S TUXEDO Custom Made – P. Johnson, @pjohnsonworld GROOM’S SHOES Loake, @loakeshoesaustralia GROOM’S ACCESSORIES Watch – Longines, @longines BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES Chrome Dresses GROOMSMEN’S SUITS Black Tie
