Alexa: We like to say that love happens when you least expect it, because in our case it did. I gave Liam my CV at a local restaurant and immediately thought ‘who is this hottie at the bar?’ Similarly, he quickly told his manager to hire me.
Liam and I worked together for three months while we were both secretly saving to travel overseas. Liam was heading to South America and I was off to London. Long distance is the hardest. We lasted three months and then he packed up and moved to London to live with me.
Liam and I are kindred spirits. Our love of the finer things in life brought us together — we bonded over a love of delicious food, wine and good people. We live in the South West and are social creatures, and this extends into our work. Liam is a marketing and events manager for a local brewery, Rocky Ridge, and I manage teenagers as a teacher at a local high school.
For years, Liam told me that he didn’t believe in marriage so I was shocked when he asked me. Also, because I was about to leave for work. I said yes, we popped a bottle of vintage French champagne and he then told me I had the day off and we were heading to a spa resort for the weekend. We broke tradition with our buck’s and hen’s night and had a joint party on a friend’s yacht in Geographe Bay. I made a Google Drive document that listed all the details. This kept everything organised and all people involved could access it. We wanted to show off our beautiful Margaret River region.
We chose our venue, The River Hotel, because it was a near-perfect blank canvas. It already was magical, with vines, fairy lights and wine barrels scattered throughout the space. We added foraged leaves and palms, a hanging arbour with gold, pink and white sprayed foliage, and more vines to all the hangings. Our style is heavily influenced by the 1960s. Liam’s forest green suit was made by a local Perth tailor and my dress was made by the talented dressmaker Harriette Gordon, matched with beautiful pearl drop earrings by Holly Ryan. We wanted our outfits to reflect the forest of Margaret River, through the colour palette and style.
Driving through Margaret River on the day with my mum and dad in a friend’s vintage cars was special for me, as was having my cousin as our celebrant. Walking back down the aisle together as husband and wife to INXS’s ‘New Sensation’ was incredible. Enjoy every moment and take a minute together during the ceremony to look at what you have both done — brought together friends and family in a joyous celebration.
Photography: In The Wilds of Someplace | Bride’s outfit: Harriette Gordon | Groom’s outfit: Edward McCann | Hair—Kendall at Cinco Boutique | Bride’s earrings: Holly Ryan | Rings: Maniamania | Venue & catering: The River Hotel | Celebrant: Andrea Campbell | Wine: LS Merchants | Beer: Rocky Ridge | Cake: Summa at Sweet Stylin’ | Planner: The bride, Alexa | Saxophonist: Lindsay | Bride’s shoes: Wittner | Groom’s shoes: Brando | DJ: Aslan | Flora: Wholesaler Flowers WA & florist Jenny Watson | Styling: The bride and groom with Natasha Mapleson & Jenny Watson
