Brendan & Sarah by Kyra Boyer

We’re the quintessential yin-and-yang couple. We both feel like the lucky one.

Sarah: Brendan’s a warehouse manager who’s a bit rock ’n’ roll. He’s serious around those who don’t know him and goofy around those who do. I’m a travel consultant and spend as much time as possible exploring new places and getting excited about, as Brendan says, “pretty much everything”.

We were introduced at a dinner with mutual friends, where I experimented with some disastrous flirting that ultimately fell flat. I was on the cusp of moving overseas and had a one-way ticket to London booked. A few months later, I’d settled into a new life when a Facebook notification popped up. Brendan had slid into my DMs! We were together long distance for just under a year before I moved back to Melbourne and into his apartment.

Brendan: Late in 2018, we received the horrific news that Sarah’s mum, Jan, had terminal cancer. We decided we’d get married and Jan would definitely be there. Over the next few weeks, Sarah researched weddings and I ordered the ring that I thought was perfect. The day it was delivered, I was so nervous. I didn’t know how I was going to ask the question. I was thinking I’d do it the next day, but as I got into bed that night, I saw Sarah sitting there with our dogs and thought, ‘Why am I trying to make this proposal like we’re in a movie when everything I love is right here?’ I got down on one knee.

Sarah: We wanted our wedding to be fun, intimate and relaxed. Our venue was an inner city blank canvas that we decorated with an organised mishmash of details that we created, modified, designed and purchased ourselves, plus things from our own home. My favourite details include the arbour Brendan made, a hilariously outdated book on marriage I found in an op shop, and a ‘penis cactus’ that took pride of place in the sitting area.

Brendan: I based my outfit on what Harrison Ford was wearing at the start of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. I added a hat because my style is always a bit borderline cowboy.

Sarah: After discovering the brand Reformation via Instagram, it didn’t take me long to find ‘the’ dress. It was nothing like what I’d pictured, but when I saw it, I knew. It had long sleeves, just like my beautiful mum’s wedding dress, and was so flowy I was able to hitch it up later in the night for an epic air guitar solo to Bon Jovi!

Sarah & Brendan: Sarah’s mum was one of the most important parts of our day, but sadly she has passed away. She was ecstatic that we were married. Her illness has made us even closer. Life is short and love is everything.

Photography: Kyra Boyer | Bride’s dress: Reformation | Groom’s shirt, vest and trousers: MJ Bale | Groom’s jacket: Jack London | Hair: Krystal Appleton | Makeup: Tara Anderson | Dog sitters: Wedding Paws | Groom’s bow tie & bride and groom’s shoes: ASOS | Bride’s fragrance: Jo Malone London Oud & Bergamot | Groom’s hat: Will & Bear | Bridesmaids’ and groomsmen’s attire: Their own | Celebrant: Melanie Goldby-Foard | Flora: Make It Beautiful | Bride’s wedding band: Etsy | Groom’s wedding band: Gucci | Entertainment: Guy Chappell | Venue: Small Talk Event Space | Hire: One Big Day Event Hire | Catering: Plate Got Ate | Beverages: Colonial Brewing Co & BYO wine | Photobooth: Heartbreak Hotel | Special song: ‘Burning Love’ by Elvis Presley | Cake: Mister Nice Guy’s Bakeshop & a cake from Costco