Alana + Sam by Beatriz Photo and Film - Together Journal

We kept the styling simple and let the beauty of the surroundings shine through.

Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…

Sam and I live by the beach on the Central Coast of New South Wales. Sam is a teacher, and I’m a registered nurse. While we’re alike in many ways, it’s our differences that really balance us out and keep life fun and interesting. Sam is definitely the type A in our relationship—always on top of the calendar, planning our weekly meals, and making sure everything runs smoothly. I’m a little more relaxed when it comes to planning and never say no to takeaway! We both love staying active, whether it’s hitting the gym or spending time by the water. Food is another passion we share, and our date nights usually revolve around trying a new restaurant. When we’re not out and about, you’ll find us at home enjoying one of Sam’s amazing home-cooked meals with our furless baby, Venus the Sphynx.

How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?

Sam and I met at a bar in Brisbane back in 2019. Sam was visiting mutual friends, and they decided to head out for a drink. I was meant to be home resting before work the next day, but on a whim, I decided to pop out for just a couple of hours. I thought I was meeting up with my friend and her partner—until I walked in and saw Sam. Doc Martens, tattoos, and rings, my first thought was that he looked too cool. He was quiet and maybe a little shy or totally unaware of my instant crush! As it turns out, he was feeling exactly the same way about me. We didn’t expect anything more than a fleeting connection—especially with Sam living back on the Central Coast. After countless FaceTimes, border crossings during COVID and a few years of long-distance love, I made the move to the coast in 2022.We still talk about that night and how we both fell in love the moment we met—even if we didn’t quite realize it at the time.

Tell us about the vision you had for the mood and style of your wedding. (theme, key styling elements, florals, colour palettes etc.).

Our wedding was, simply put, us! We wanted a day that felt deeply personal—something we could look back on and see our love reflected in every detail. We chose a classic cathedral ceremony, not bound by tradition. Surrounded only by our closest family and dearest friends, the ceremony was intimate and heartfelt. The colour palette was kept simple and timeless: black and white, with a touch of green from my small bouquet of Calathea lilies. Our wonderful photographer Beatriz, described the day as “intentional but never performative” which captures it perfectly. Every moment was meaningful, quiet, and real. The next day, we hosted what our guests thought was our engagement party at The Calile Hotel. That’s when we shared a surprise video from our wedding, just 24 hours earlier. It allowed us to soak up every second of our wedding day together, and then dive into a joyful celebration with friends and family the day after. It was everything we hoped for—elegant, timeless, and filled with love.

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 stunning St John’s Cathedral was at the heart of our celebration—a timeless and meaningful location that felt just right for our day. It’s soaring arches and rich history, the cathedral brought a sense of elegance and presence that made our intimate ceremony feel truly special. After the ceremony, we strolled through Brisbane City to the historic Treasury Casino building for our couples portraits. The architecture and heritage details perfectly captured the classic feel we were aiming for. We kept the styling simple and let the beauty of the surroundings shine through, allowing the setting and the emotion of the day to speak for itself.

What did you enjoy most about the planning process, and do you have any tips for couples starting their wedding planning journey?

Planning a wedding that only your immediate family knows about definitely comes with its challenges—but it also added a unique sense of excitement to the whole experience. Like many couples, we had our fair share of stressful moments during the planning process. Having a clear vision for the kind of day we wanted made everything feel more manageable. Once we knew the vibe we were going for, finding the right vendors became so much easier. Pinterest boards and inspiration photos were incredibly helpful in communicating the style and atmosphere we hoped to create. If we had one piece of advice, it would be this: stay true to what feels right for the two of you. Don’t plan for the sake of tradition, or to meet others’ expectations, plan a day that reflects yourlove and yourvalues. Take your time choosing the right team to bring it all to life after all, you’ll be spending one of the most meaningful days of your life with them by your side. Seeing it all come together on the day was nothing short of magical.

Tell us about your vendors. Were there any standout suppliers you would like to make special mention of?

We were incredibly lucky to work with a team of vendors who not only understood our vision but genuinely cared about bringing it to life. Our wedding was so intimate, every detail felt deeply personal and our vendors made the experience feel effortless, exciting, and truly special. Beatriz, our wedding photographer, instantly understood the vibe we were going for. After sharing our Pinterest board, she had already scouted the dreamiest spots for our couples portraits by the time we met on Zoom. From the historic Treasury Casino to The Wolf Bar for our celebratory drinks, she created an atmosphere that allowed us to relax and just be ourselves. Her photos beautifully capture the emotion, elegance, and simplicity we hoped for, and more. Heather, our content creator, was an absolute godsend. I’m usually the one focused on the little details, so having someone like Heather there to capture every single moment gave me peace of mind I didn’t even know I needed. Her content is thoughtful and complements Beatriz’s work perfectly. She didn’t just capture our wedding, she told our story. Last but not least, Jenna, our wedding stylist. Planning a surprise wedding (even for some of our family!) came with a few curveballs, but Jenna handled everything with grace and care. She answered all our questions, eased every concern, and made magic happen, right down to a last-minute bouquet change. She and her team also styled our “engagement party” at The Calile Hotel the next day, and seeing it all come together brought tears to our eyes. It was absolutely perfect. We truly couldn’t have asked for a better team.

Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, and is there a story?

Sam really enjoyed the process of choosing his tuxedo, especially the tailoring experience. We made several trips to Sydney’s CBD for fittings, and it all came together perfectly. As for me, I knew I wanted a simple wedding dress, but I had my heart set on making a statement with my shoes. While in Sydney, I wandered into Prada to check out a pair of pointed slingbacks I’d saved online. The moment I tried them on, I instantly fell in love. Sam, never one to be caught up in designer shopping, didn’t expect to get involved in the shoe selection. After seeing me in my heels, he couldn’t resist checking out the men’s section. We both laughed as we imagined the two of us wearing matching Prada shoes on the big day. Our matching shoes ended up being an unexpected highlight of the wedding outfit. They were stylish, special, and every time we wear them now, we’re reminded of the perfect, fun moment we shared choosing them together and wearing them on our wedding day.

Tell us about your wedding and engagement rings
When Sam proposed with my dream ring, I was completely in shock. We had casually talked about rings in the past, and I knew I wanted a two-stone ring—a Toi Et Moi, meaning “you and me” in French. But I never expected what happened next. Sam took me by surprise when he got down on one knee in a stunning sunflower field that he had organised for the occasion. As he opened the box, the beautiful engagement ring inside —a gorgeous oval and pear-shaped setting. It was everything I had imagined and more. For my wedding band, we chose a simple thicker platinum band that perfectly complemented the diamonds on my engagement ring. Sam had been secretly designing my ring for months with a designer from my hometown! As for Sam’s wedding band, he decided to go for something a little different. He reached out to the talented jeweller/owner of The Fifth Lane and had a custom ring created using a mix of gold, white gold, and rose gold, finished with black oxidization. The design is bold yet classic, fitting in with his other rings while still being comfortable enough for everyday wear. Having custom-made rings for our wedding is incredibly special to us. It’s beautiful knowing they were designed just for the two of us, reflecting our unique love and personalities.

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?).

Ensuring that our day was beautifully captured was a top priority for us, though we were both a bit nervous about being in front of the camera. Working with Beatriz, our photographer, and Heather, our content creator, turned out to be an absolute dream. From the very start, everything felt so natural and relaxed. Most of the time, we were laughing, and we truly believe that joy shines through in every photo and video. Having these moments to look back on, memories to reminisce over and eventually share with our future kids was incredibly important to us. We can’t express how much we valued having Heather and Beatriz there to capture all the little (and big!) moments. The candid, in-between shots that you don’t even realise are happening are some of the most meaningful to us. The day after our wedding, we wanted to throw a celebration that would match the excitement and joy of the previous day. Our “engagement party turned surprise wedding reception” turned out to be everything we hoped for and more. We were so happy to have our loved ones travel from near and far to join us in celebrating. From the moment we walked in, we could tell every detail had been carefully considered. With a steady stream of champagne, delicious food, and a lively atmosphere, the day was filled with smiles, laughter, and endless memories. Our goal was to ensure this celebration was just as meaningful and fun as our wedding, and we’re so grateful it became an unforgettable day for everyone who shared it with us.

Was there a favourite moment (or two) that you will treasure always?

The moment that will stay with us forever was that quiet, breathtaking walk down the aisle. As our eyes met for the first time that day, time seemed to stop. In the midst of everything, there was a silent understanding between us — a feeling so powerful, it needed no words. That first look, filled with love, emotion, and certainty, was pure magic. It was as if the world around us faded, leaving just the two of us, standing on the edge of forever, knowing that we were best friends – getting married. That feeling and memory we will treasure for the rest of our lives.