We knew we wanted to spend together forever when we couldn’t spend any time apart!
Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…
We are the Lyddiards, a little family of 3: Jack, Claire and our 1-year-old daughter, Florence. We are both very family-oriented and love having quality time all together. We love going on adventures together, hiking, finding new places, Sunday picnics, and dancing in the kitchen together, and Flo has started to join us now, too! We both work in education for ages 0-12, Claire in early childhood and Jack in Primary School. So, we both love kids, and we can’t wait to grow our little family even more.
How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?
We met at a pup in Newcastle at the end of 2020 during the COVID lockdown phase. The rules were that you had to be seated at a table, not walk around… Jack and his mates walked outside to find no tables available, they asked if they could sit at our table, which after some convincing.. we let them. Jack sat next to me, and we sparked up a conversation about travelling. We hit it off straight away! After exchanging numbers, our groups were heading separate ways. We parted ways off to different bars and later met up again where we ended up chatting for 4hr straight! In the booth of a bar. After 3 months of our schedules not aligning (Claire rescheduling all the time), we finally had our first date! Jack took me out on my very first date ever!
Claire was 15 minutes late! And I thought she stood me up, until she walked in and took my breath away, I still remember the blue tie dye lace dress she had on and she still kept it today. From this date we couldn’t spend a second apart, our conversation was so easy and natural. We are each other’s other half and best friends. We moved in together after 3 months of dating and fell more and more in love! We just knew nothing in life had ever felt more right. She’s my soulmate.
And he’s mine.
When did you first realise that this was someone you’d like to spend the rest of your life with?
We realised pretty early on, having spent practically every day together since our first date, we would go on so many day trips, fun little adventures, we got to know each other so fast and on such a deep level. We knew we wanted to spend together forever when we couldn’t spend any time apart! It felt like there was a tether between us, always pulling us together.
Was there a proposal? Tell us a little about it…
In 2023, I was 7 months pregnant with Florence and jack surprised me on a trip away (babymoon) to the Blue mountains. The blue mountains has become a very sentimental place for us, we spent our first trip away together there for Valentines day. We frequently visit and it juts feels like home to us!
Jack took me on a little hike and viewpoint sightsee at Gordons Lookout. He set up a self-timer for a picture (I was completely oblivious!), and then he got down on one knee, and I started laughing and mocking him, joking that he was pretending to propose, as in our relationship, we are very goofy/love to joke around with each other. I genuinely thought he was playing a trick! When I saw him pull out a ring box, I glanced at the brand and realised my dream ring would be inside!! We both cried happy tears, and it was the most perfect moment I could’ve imagined. With the most beautiful view! Then we went for a hike down to the waterfall, although Jack had to hold me steady because my knees were weak from so much excitement!
What was one element you were happy to splurge on?
The whole elopement! Honeymooning in South Island. We were so much happier to spend our money on a big honeymoon rather than just one wedding day.
And, of course, photography and videography were very important to us.
Did anything happen on your wedding day that you laugh about in hindsight (even if it was stressful at the time)?
Ummm, absolutely! Of course, not everything can go to plan. Our poor baby girl had the worst day of her entire life! She was 10 months old at the time and the morning of the wedding had come down with a sickness! Worst timing. She was so exhausted but wouldn’t go down for her nap in the morning. She cried through the whole ceremony and our family had to take turns walking her away so we could say our vows. It was so hard for us to focus when all our hearts were telling us to do was to go cuddle her! But luckily, she went back to the grandparent’s accommodation with them after the ceremony, and she was magically happy! Poor thing just wanted to be inside!
Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, is there a story? The history of the ceremony dress…
I was looking for something with a vintage feel. I’ve always loved Spell and knew that would be the style I wanted. I had a beautiful dress in mind from another store, but I could never justify spending thousands! One day, I had the urge to look out on Spell, not in the bridal section, just usual dresses, and I found the most beautiful cream lace dress that was only $500! As it wasn’t marketed as a wedding dress. But to me, it was everything and more.
A couple of weeks later I was watching a TV show, Daisy Jones and the Six when I suddenly saw the wedding dress I had bought! Featured on the show!! I couldn’t believe it, and this just added to my excitement and love for the dress even more!!
On our wedding day, we came back home to Australia and threw a post-elopement celebration party where we wore our wedding outfits again. I took mine to an alteration after this and had the gown cut into a midi dress so now I can have so many more wears out of it as a casual style! With such a special memory tied to it every time I wear it!
LOCATION Jacks Point, @jackspointqt PHOTOGRAPHER Kate Craig Brown: Lost In Love, @lostinlove.nz FLORIST Stephanie Scott: Orange Blossom Designs, @orangeblossom_florist CELEBRANT Andrew Bell, @andrewbellcelebrant BRIDE’S RING White November Jewellery, @whitenovemberjewellery GROOM’S RING Crooked Howlet Designs, @howlet_designs BRIDAL DRESS Spell, @spell BRIDE’S SHOE Archie Boots: Sol Sana, @solsanathelabel BRIDE’S ACCESSORIES Earrings – Something borrowed from my mum; Necklace – Francesca Jewellery, @francescajewellery MAKEUP Liv King, @livkingmakeup HAIR Bride’s Mum SUIT Sportscraft, @sportscraft GROOM’S SHOE RM Williams, @rmwilliams GROOM’S ACCESSORIES Watch – Tommy Hilfiger
